Critical Considerations Before Buying Software

Choosing the right data collection software for your cooperative can be daunting. There are a lot of options available with unclear features, unclear compatibility with your existing hardware or other necessary software, and non-transparent pricing. Before you make a multi-thousand dollar investment in a software solution and migrate your entire team to a new workflow, follow these guidelines to ensure you’re choosing the right software for your collection needs.

Data Exports & Integration Options

Challenge: One of the most common bottlenecks for cooperatives is limiting data collection software. Whether your data only needs to flow from the field to an accounting software like NISC AppSuite, or your crew needs to perform non-staking GIS functions (like road crossing clearances) that bypass work orders entirely, complex pathways can trap your data. 

Recommendation: Choose a data collection tool that integrates seamlessly with every system in your ecosystem, including local or privately owned RTK correction services. 

How Orbitas Compares: Orbitas provide total workflow flexibility, handling both simple and complex pathways. 

• Universal RTK Compatibility: Apply local base station and privately owned RTK services to Asteri GNSS receivers inside nearly any collection tool, including NISC AppSuite, ArcGIS FieldMaps, Futura FieldPro, Milsoft FieldSyte, and more. 
• Massive Format Support: Take advantage of advanced integrations with support for hundreds or CAD, GIS, database, and geospatial interchange formats. 

Data Storage and Fees

Challenge: Many software applications lure you in with low upfront pricing that hides the true cost of operation. Providers frequently charge hidden fees for accuracy processing, storage space, individual points collected, or require “tokens” for routing, basemaps, and geoprocessing. 

Recommendation: Protect your bottom line. Ask providers for their exact fee structure and estimate your true monthly or annual cost based on your projected data volume. 

How Orbitas Compares: Tri-Global maintains absolute pricing transparency.

• Predictable, flat annual rate per user.
• Unlimited data storage with no extra charges for basemaps, accuracy, or data processing.
• Indefinite storage. Active users can access and recover archived data from years prior completely free.
  Note: inactive users require a professional service fee for data recovery.

Datum Support & Control

Challenge: Achieving precise data requires knowing exactly which datum to choose and when. If your software cannot handle automatic datum conversions when switching between an SBAS corrected datum (WGS84) and a locally corrected RTK network datum (NAD83-2011), you will likely experience a 3 to 5 foot variance in your data, even when using a high-end, decimeter-level GNSS receiver. 

Recommendation: Verify if the software features automatic datum application, allowing you to switch between local and worldwide datums without losing accuracy.. 

How Orbitas Compares: Orbitas Pro users benefit from automatic datum conversion upon export to your preferred data set, while Orbitas Correct users enjoy real-time conversion to either local or worldwide datums. 

Multi-Media Processing & Barcode Reading

Challenge: Modern field data is no longer just coordinates; it includes photos, videos, and 360° images to give stakers critical context. However, storing this media often triggers steep data tier upgrades or hidden fees. 

Recommendation: Choose a software that can handle multi-media data capture and storage with little to no additional fees. 

How Orbitas Compares: The following features are only available with Orbitas Pro. 

• Smart watermarking: Every photo is automatically geo-referenced and watermarked with the exact location, date, time, and camera direction.
• Street view capabilities: 360° photos so field and office crews can virtually revisit any site instantly.
• Supply chain tracking: Convert your device’s built-in camera into a barcode scanner via custom configurations to track inventory seamlessly. 

Advanced Tools & Functions

Challenge: Real-world field environments are unpredictable. Most standard staking solutions can collect a point, but fail when you need to manipulate data around a physical obstruction, like a feature hidden under an overpass or a meter based wedged in a tight alleyway. 

Recommendation: Choose a data collection software that allows you to manipulate, customize, and build out your points, lines, and polygons directly in the field. 

How Orbitas Compares: Keeping with our commitment to integration, all of our tools can be used natively in Orbitas or in parallel with your primary choice of staking software. Some of our most popular tools include:

• Angle bisects
• Assembly templates
• Automatic coordinate system selection
• Buffer in field
• Custom naming conventions
• Laser-free offsets with bearing or span bearing
• Polygon buffers
• Span off
• Relational features

Underground & 3D Data Collection

Challenge: While most utility tools easily map overground assets like power lines, they completely ignore the Z-value (elevation) and underground assets. Once trenches are backfilled and visual indicators are gone, accurately as-building an underground line becomes nearly impossible. 

Recommendation: Prioritize a solution that collects X, Y, and Z values as a standard, and integrates directly with utility locators.

 How Orbitas Compares:

• True 3D mapping: Orbitas collects accurate 3D data by default and is NAVD88 compatible, allowing you to seamlessly project data to your local state plane.
• Hardware locator integration: Orbitas has integrated with underground locators since its debut. Some of our trusted integration partners include:
  • 3M Dynatel (Marker Ball locators)
  • Vivax Metrotech (vLoc2 and vLoc3 series)
  • Radiodetection (RD8200 locators)

Check out our Integration Partners

Have a complex workflow? Request a custom workflow compatibility audit. Let our team map out your exact data pathway – from field to office – to ensure zero data bottlenecks.