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We all tend to think of mobile applications like TurboSite being used on a construction site for checking whether the nitty-gritty of the project is going to plan - checking construction details, reporting on snags, recording material deliveries - a reasonable assumption. Some building projects, however, particularly those that contain repetitive elements which need to be 'sold' to numerous customers - especially alternative energy installations - can also take advantage of the technology, allowing comprehensive on-site imagery to be accumulated to demonstrate the proposed projects in a highly visual and flexible manner. One such organisation using the technology is SPG Solar designs.

SPG SOLAR DESIGNS
SPG Solar designs, engineers, installs and maintains commercial solar projects and markets a world-class tracker technology to solar developers and integrators. Its Sunseeker Tracker is a ground-mount, single-axis tracking system, which automatically moves the panels to follow the trajectory of the sun, improving solar energy production by up to 25%.

The product team as well as the commercial design-build side of SPG Solar's business relies on making contact with potential customers at trade shows as well as in one-on-one discussions. Company representatives, however, were looking for a better way to present the specifics of the technology. "When we were introduced to TurboSite, we immediately saw it as a tool we could use," says SPG's Marissa Muller. "It would allow us to bring the customer to the field, so to speak."

TurboSite from IMSI/Design is an iPad/iPhone app for adding notes or other documentation to CAD site drawings. When on site, the user can geolocate the drawing to the location. It then becomes easy to move through the building or site, taking pictures and videos, typing or dictating notes, or adding mark-ups. "We pulled a section of our tracking system into AutoCAD," says Muller. "Someone then goes into the field and uses TurboSite to add photos and videos to the drawing, providing a 360° view of our tracker."

SPG Solar representatives at Trade Shows can now show real world examples that combine the CAD site drawing with photos, videos and notes about installation specifics. "We connect the iPad to the big screen in the booths to show how our tracking system comes together, from field to fingertips. It has been a great success, providing a hands-on tool for all booth visitors."

Having found success in demonstrating project specifics to potential customers, SPG Solar is now starting to integrate TurboSite into their on-site planning for specific projects. "Once we deploy this to our designers and engineers, they will be able to walk a rooftop and use TurboSite to identify best locations for panels and mark obstacles such as roof vents," notes Muller. SPG Solar will take advantage of GeoMarks, the unique technology in TurboSite that automatically links all documentation to a specific location in the drawing.

ABOUT TURBOSITE
TurboSite turns mobile devices such as Apple's iPad or iPhone into a unique field reporting tool, cutting up to 80% of the burden of traditional site inspections and completely automating the field reporting process. No more lugging printed plans into a building; instead they are on your mobile device. GPS or SPS knows where you are in your plan. At any spot users can create a correctly geolocated GeoMark and, using the built-in camera, take as many photos, videos, dictation, and text notes as necessary, or Redline a drawing with powerful markup, dimension and inquiry tools, or have a real-time video conference via FaceTime or Skype from within building plans (Pro version only). Reports can be shared immediately with the entire design and construction team at the touch of a button, or instantly print a customised PDF report and distribute hardcopy. Either way, creating a field report has never been so easy.

Awarded 2013 AIA National Convention's "Best of Show," TurboSite is available in a variety of product and payment options suitable to any size organisation, from the very largest to single-person shops. Free plug-ins for Autodesk AutoCAD and Revit extend TurboSite documentation into the desktop environment.

IMSI/DESIGN
IMSI/Design is a pioneer in mobile solutions for the AEC (Architectural, Engineering, and Construction) industry. With over 16 million products distributed since 1988, IMSI/Design products include the award-winning TurboCAD, TurboViewer, TurboReview, TurboSite, and TurboFloorPlan families of precision design applications for both mobile and desktop computers.
www.IMSIdesign.com