Unleashing the power of TBC GIS: a comprehensive overview

Introduction

TBC GIS speciality edition is a key workflow enabler for Trimble^® Business Center (TBC) office software, designed to facilitate seamless two-way data exchange with geographic information systems (GIS). This module is essential for users seeking to integrate their survey workflows with GIS data sources, ensuring consistency and accuracy across their projects. In this article we delve into what TBC GIS offers, why it is essential, practical use cases, detailed workflows and key points to keep in mind.

What is TBC GIS?

TBC GIS is an optional, separately licensed module within TBC that allows users to connect directly to GIS data sources, enabling a two-way exchange of schema and features. Unlike traditional file-based import and export methods, TBC GIS reads and writes GIS schema and features directly.

• Schema and feature management: In TBC, a schema is defined through a feature library, which controls the attribution and symbology for each feature type. A feature can be a point, line, or polygon assigned a feature type from this library. Feature libraries can be created directly from the GIS schema to ensure consistency in data collection.

• Feature library sharing: The feature library can be shared with field users in Trimble Access™ field software via an FXL file.

• Reading and writing features: Bring existing data into TBC for context during design work or field validation, staking and progress tracking. Make this data visible to downstream GIS workflows by uploading or writing your survey data to your GIS system-of-record.

• Installation and licensing: TBC GIS is included as an optional installation component and is available in various subscription and perpetual bundles or as an individual add-on.

Detailed functionality

TBC GIS supports connections to a variety of live GIS data sources, including:

• Esri ArcGIS feature services: hosted on ArcGIS Online or ArcGIS Enterprise

• Esri ArcGIS Geodatabases: both enterprise and file as on-premise storage

• PostgreSQL and Microsoft SQL server databases: direct connections to spatial databases

Why TBC GIS?

The integration of TBC GIS addresses several critical needs for customers invested in GIS:

• Source-of-truth: GIS is often considered a source-of-truth, bringing together project and site-based data across space and time

• System-of-record utilization: customers can leverage their existing GIS investment as a single system-of-record

• Reduce errors: avoid repetitive, error-prone export and extract-transform-load (ETL) operations when delivering in-house survey data

• Consistent schema: utilize a consistent, authoritative schema for assets across survey and GIS asset lifecycle management (ALM) workflows

• Design contextualization: benefit from the context of existing data during the design process in TBC

• Efficient data utilization: make survey data more efficiently usable in downstream GIS workflows

• Integrated workflows: improve integration between Trimble and Esri ArcGIS, reducing the need for classic, file-based import / export methods

Use cases and starting points

TBC GIS offers several practical use cases:

• Contextual design work: bring existing GIS data into TBC for better design context

• Field work and validation: take existing GIS data out to the field for validation and staking

• Data integration: send collected, processed, or extracted feature data into GIS as work is completed, making progress visible to downstream workflows

• Authoritative schema leverage: use existing GIS schemas for TBC-initiated survey workflows or create new GIS schemas from TBC feature libraries for downstream use

How to buy: subscriptions and licensing 

To access and use TBC GIS, a user can purchase either an add-on for the TBC software perpetual licence or subscribe to one of the TBC specialty editions that include the GIS module. TBC subscriptions are designed to be user-friendly and scalable, providing more functionality with simpler choices and lower upfront costs.

TBC GIS is available with each of these subscription options:

The TBC Help portal provides a useful overview including a full breakdown of subscription types and commands included within them.

Workflows and best practices

1. Making a connection

• Use the GIS Connection Manager command to create a connection to a GIS data source

• Provide a connection name, select the data source type, and connect

2. Handling coordinate systems

• Upon connection, evaluate and compare the coordinate systems of the GIS data and the project

• Options include changing the project to match the GIS, performing necessary transformations, or considering them the same with no transformations

3. Schema definition and management

• Define and manage schemas before starting a project

• Export the entire feature library to a common GIS format if the Trimble schema is authoritative

• Use the Get GIS Schema command to create a new feature code library in TBC if the GIS schema is authoritative

4. Reading features

• Use the Read Features from GIS command to bring in existing GIS data

• Limit data spatially or through attribute queries and incorporate new schema elements if necessary

5. Setting up metadata

• Map metadata fields for point features with linked RTK vectors to appropriate GIS schema fields with the Map Metadata command

6. Writing features

• Use the Write Features to GIS command to write / export collected, processed, or extracted TBC features to GIS

Notes and constraints

• Schemas on either side of the connection must generally match

• Only feature data in TBC can flow through a GIS connection

• A single TBC project can support multiple GIS connections to different sources

• For consistent results, ensure the GIS and TBC project coordinate systems match

Conclusion

The TBC GIS module revolutionizes how survey data integrates with GIS, providing a robust and efficient workflow for users. By understanding the capabilities, use cases and best practices, users can leverage TBC GIS to enhance their projects' accuracy and efficiency, ensuring seamless integration and data consistency across platforms.

To learn more about TBC GIS software and how it can benefit you, visit the TBC GIS webpage read this TBC GIS Workflow Guide, or contact your local Trimble dealer.