CAN-FLOW by Cansel

True North | Summer 2021

New Era of Data and Technology – CAN-FLOW Can Help

Land surveying data has recently evolved from the simplicity of angles and distances to so-called Big Data. This presents several new challenges for companies around the integration of new technology into their workflow to achieve the required deliverables efficiently. Optimizing this workflow becomes vital to the success of the operation. There is a need to re-structure sequential tasks based on user-defined rules and conditions to obtain the desired results.

While land surveying technology and data have a lot to offer in terms of efficiencies for time, cost, productivity and business expansion, many companies struggle with how to fully take advantage of them. From a business perspective it is essential to understand the power of the data that you spend time to collect and how to use it to maximize revenue. Stakeholders must define the data life cycle in all stages including preparation, collection, reporting, transferring, converting, processing, archiving, and retrieving the data. Read on to see how CAN-FLOW can help.

Why do projects fail?

There are many factors that can lead to project failure with the most common among them being inadequate planning, poor communication, change orders, productivity issues and delays.

Primary causes of project failures (Source PMI)

Enter Cansel’s CAN-FLOW

In an initiative to support the Canadian surveying and engineering industry, Cansel has developed a complete set of standards (CAN-FLOW) which will enable your organization to follow industry best practices in data flow and process automation. In the engineering world, data flows through different phases from initial planning, survey, design, stakeout, build/construction, as-built, etc. The figure below shows the life cycle, starting with initial planning where BIM tools like Civil 3D, Infraworks for example, can be used to integrate data sources for base plan creation and preliminary estimation. CAN-FLOW will also guide the user through best practices in the surveying and engineering spaces where field software like Trimble Access and analysis software like Trimble Business Center are used to collect, validate, analyze and create valuable survey data and models.

In all cases, information collected needs to be stored in one unified location along with all historical data in a consistent, systematic process. Survey Database is the location that stores and protects this data. The data then flows to tools like Civil 3D, Inventor, Revit and equivalent tools where the design element is produced. This design then needs to be staked out in the field. And finally, as-built data needs to be collected to document variations from original engineering plans to the built environment. This whole process needs to be managed using reliable database systems, GIS systems and data management systems all in a collaborative environment. Ask your Cansel representative for a demonstration of CAN-FLOW to see how the integrity of your data can be a part of the industry’s best practices.

Akram Afifi
Technical Sales Consultant
Cansel Professional Services