Date: Wednesday 9 September 2026
Where: Cordis Hotel – Auckland
Time: 1pm-4pm

Open to both S+SnZ members and non members. 

In the spatial world, incredible hardware is only as good as the control network backing it up. This three-hour workshop is a deep dive into the lifecycle of spatial data. We are going to tackle everything from the mathematical heavy lifting of grid-to-ground conversions to the massive datasets generated by modern reality capture.

Whether you are wrestling with datums or drowning in point clouds, this session is about taking back control of your data and delivering absolute confidence to your clients.

Part 1: The Control Foundation (First 1.5 Hours)

Before we can fly a drone or walk a scanner, we need to talk about the bedrock of our profession. The first half of this workshop tackles the complex, often messy reality of combining different measurement types in the real world.

We will get hands-on with:

• The Grid vs. Ground Challenge: Demystifying datums and investigating scale factors so your networks stay in perfect harmony.
• The Ultimate Mashup: Workflows for successfully marrying tightly controlled Total Station data with GNSS information.
• Taming the Unknown: Strategies for accurately incorporating legacy data or information with completely unknown scale factors into a rigorous modern control network.

Part 2: Reality Capture & Point Clouds (Second 1.5 Hours)

Once the control is locked in, we scale up. Point clouds are not all created equal, and the methodology you choose massively influences the accuracy and suitability of the final deliverable. Building on the control principles from Part 1, we will explore and compare modern reality-capture technologies to see how they stack up:

• Tripod-Mounted Laser Scanners: The heavy hitters delivering uncompromising accuracy and high-density data for detailed engineering.
• Handheld SLAM Scanners: Walk-and-scan freedom enabling rapid data capture in complex, GPS-denied environments.
• UAV LiDAR Systems: Taking it to the skies for massive, large-scale topographic and infrastructure projects.

Finally, we’ll talk about the end game—leveraging your expertise as a spatial professional to manage, QA, and deliver data so the end-user gets exactly what they need for the right application.

Learning Outcomes

• Master the Mix: Learn to confidently combine scaled Total Station and GNSS control with unscaled spatial data.
• Command Scale Factors: Understand how to investigate, apply, and manage scale factors across diverse datasets.
• Compare the Tech: Cut through the noise and understand the true differences in accuracy, efficiency, and suitability across tripod, SLAM, and UAV scanning methods.
• Match the Tool to the Task: Quickly identify the absolute best capture technology for specific, real-world project requirements.
• Deliver with Confidence: Develop robust strategies for managing, categorizing, and delivering point cloud data to ensure it is 100% fit for purpose.