Can anyone share how they manage their survey information and, at a later date, search the archives for preparing proposals, estimates, etc.? For example, we performed a legal survey or two in a township. What do you use to search for prior projects in the vicinity?
We use CAD but this isn't really about drafting the maps. It's more about searching for prior projects and relevant ground control that may have been used, etc. It would be nice to search by PLSS info, owner, address, etc., if such a software system exists.
Any relational database or spreadsheet would probably satisfy your needs.?ÿ You would just need to create the fields that you want and then enter the job data somehow.
Licensed Land Surveyor
Finger Lakes Region, Upstate New York
I export my corners and control to Google earth where I also have a PLSS layer amongst others.
I use Google Earth. It's the poor man's GIS. In concert with StarNet's ability to export KML files, which import nicely to Google Earth. As long as your projects are on state plane (or other grid system), it works.?ÿ I back up the collected projects to a KMZ file now and then.
If that's not robust enough you could try QGIS.?ÿ Open source and free.?ÿ?ÿ
Our computer files are saved by S T R, or subdivision, then by owner or address. Haven't found a better way yet.
Can anyone share how they manage their survey information and, at a later date, search the archives for preparing proposals, estimates, etc.? For example, we performed a legal survey or two in a township. What do you use to search for prior projects in the vicinity?
We use CAD but this isn't really about drafting the maps. It's more about searching for prior projects and relevant ground control that may have been used, etc. It would be nice to search by PLSS info, owner, address, etc., if such a software system exists.
As Mentioned, QGIS is a great platform and free, and Like Autocad/AutoDesk will take time to master.?ÿ I suggest that you team up with a ( shock, horror....) A GIS professional and build a plan to continue moving into the future.?ÿ I have been working on getting a license, and also working IN GIS.?ÿ They are no longer two derisive industries, but team mates of the same overarching industry, Geospatial.?ÿ Both have distinct and real value and shouldn't be held apart as better or worse, just parts of a bigger system. Good Luck!
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(steps off of soap box.....)?ÿ
I have paper files and have a file for each township, subdivision, small towns etc.?ÿ If its a large township I have it broke down by sections.?ÿ Not very high tech but it doesn't take batteries or electricity either, just two file cabinets.
Inforetriever. The company I started at used it, works great for managing survey database. We did about 200 boundary surveys a year and it was the only way to search by S T R as well as plats, clients, etc for nearby jobs we previously did.
We've been using GEarth for well over 10 years now, but really just to get aerial images, and rough coords of this and that, so surprised to see it being used as a database, which led to a quick search on the internet with the question of why is GEarth free (or what's in it for GEarth)?
