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Dubai Pearl.

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Everyone knows that surveying is a crucial process on any and all construction sites. Everyone knows that for a project to be completed in the most efficient way, surveyors need to be the first on site and the last ones to leave.

Less obvious, is the equipment available to survey professionals, which, according to industry experts, could save a substantial amount of time and money.

Importantly, it seems that far from the days of strings and tape measures, today’s surveyors have the option to rely on advanced GPS rovers, robotic total stations, infrared beams and machine control systems.

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As well as increasing efficiency and improving the quality of construction, apparently these systems also help to drive production and boost worker safety.

This being the case, one has to wonder why the Middle East is continuing to fall behind its global competitors when it comes to technology take-up.

“We are slightly behind, but we’re catching up quickly,” says global survey technology supplier Topcon’s representative Mick Hales.

“Previously and currently, local contractors have had in their minds that these are labour-saving tools and this is not the area they focus on for improving the bottom line. Actually, these are material- and time-saving tools as well.”

Trimble, another major manufacturer with a Middle East presence, has provided survey technology to several high profile projects in the region, including the Dubai Pearl, the Yas Marina F1 race track and the Paris-Sorbonne University in Abu Dhabi.

Agreeing with Hales, regional manager for the construction sector Andrew Caldwell, suggests that the problem is not so much about companies ignoring technology, but about their failing to adopt the latest versions.

“Survey technology is like any other technology. It changes over the years just like mobile phones and computers, where every year you have a new product that’s more efficient, faster and has a bigger memory. In the Middle East, it is about getting firms to move up that level of technological advancement.”