Application of Technologies for Trimble Navigation Limited - Case Study Example

Contents: Serial number Title Page # 1 Executive Summary 2 2 Section 1: Introduction 3 3 Section 2: Significance of application of technologies and small businesses for Trimble 5 4 Section 3: A description of the data collection process beginning with the development of survey instrument 8 5 Section 4: Presentation and discussion 9 6 conclusion 10 Executive Summary: Trimble Navigation Limited is a leading provider of advanced location- based solutions with an objective to maximize productivity and enhance profitability in favor of the organization. The company was founded in 1978 to integrate its positioning expertise in Global Positioning Systems, optical and inertial technologies with application software, wireless communication, laser and services to provide complete commercial solutions for the execution of business as acquired by the company. The company has offices with 900 patents for the provision of services in a variety of industries including engineering and construction, agriculture, communication infrastructure, transportation and wireless trough its portfolio’s in 21 countries of the world1. The company has acquired new technologies for growth in emerging applications including automobile navigation, surveying, machine guidance, wireless platforms, asset tracking, and telecommunications infrastructure. Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS), Global Positioning System (GPS), Lasers, Optics, Inertial, and Compass are the technologies as acquired by the company for the execution of the business strategy in the competitive business environment and the application of the technology based strategy has resulted in the generation of business to the tune of $1.1 billion2 for FY 2009 in all the major fields of its operations. Small business program is one the important additional initiative of the Trimble Navigation for promotion of growth in original interventions of the company through the application all the eight components of the program. Application of the technological resources along with tangible and intangible resources assist the company for the execution of the business strategy for the achievement of the objectives of the company as in favor of all the stakeholders. The study has been designed into five major sections: introduction along with sub-topic, significance of technologies and small business program for Trimble, a description of the data collection process beginning with the development of survey instrument, presentation and discussion, and conclusion. Section 1: Introduction Trimble Navigation is a leading provider of advanced positioning solutions with an objective to maximize productivity and enhance profitability as in favor of the company. The company is pursuing its business strategy in twenty one countries of the world with headquarter at Stewart Drive Sunnyvale in major industries like construction ,land survey ,agriculture ,telecommunication ,mobile resource management ,asset tracking ,government sector and mapping. The company is a leading provider of advanced positioning solutions that maximize productivity and to enhance profitability through the application of tangible, intangible and technological resources. Trimble has integrated a wide range of positioning technologies including Global Positioning System (GPS), optical, laser, and inertial technologies with the application of software, wireless communications, and services to provide complete commercial solutions to the clients. All these integrated solutions provide customers to manage collect and analyze complex information in a quick and faster fashion for the organizations more competitive, efficient and profitable in the competitive business environment. The products of Trimble are used in more than hundred countries around the world through highly capable network of dealers and distribution partners to provide professional and technical services and support to the customers. The company is registered at NASDAQ Stock Exchange, TRMB and is executing its business strategy through the application of business tools like direct internal controls, risk assessment, management visibility as in favor of the organization, strategic partner alliances, acquisition and application of technologies in the field of communication and service delivery as per satisfaction of customers and to ensure economic viability and sustainability. Trimble has applied positioning technologies for commercial application in a systematic and phased manner. From 1978, the Trimble has focused on developing innovative positioning and navigation products through the application of technologies. The company has focused on the adoption of new technologies through diversification of business with new partners, geographical expansion as a multiple clients company with broad based technologies in the positioning systems. Trimble believes working with Small Business for making good business sense, therefore, the company has established a program to support the small business through the application of GPS and other allied technologies. The company is working through a long term strategy with the business partners and to empower them for attaining their objectives and goals for strengthening market position. The company seeks diverse small business suppliers that have the capacity to meet their corporate goals; the company relies on the talents and expertise of the suppliers who can provide a value-add product or service to the clients. The company works for the identification, utilization and promotion of business opportunities for small businesses with diverse ownership and management with an approach to execute business through the application of positioning technologies for profitability and sustainability of the business in the competitive business environment. The subtopic of application of technologies in the Trimble has been selected along with small business program. The sub-topic will provide an overview of the concept that application of technologies is an important element on the supply side of the business cycle for the achievement of goals and objectives of the organization. The selection of small business as a segment will illustrate the tactical strategy of the business and its application as in accordance with the mission of the organization. Section 2: Significance of application of technologies and small businesses for Trimble: Trimble applies Global Positioning System (GPS) for the execution of business strategies through a set of technologies. These technologies include Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS), laser, and optics, inertial, Galileo and Compass Navigation Satellite Systems, and Quasi-Zenith Satellite System (QZSS) for the execution of the business strategy of the company. GNSS is the standard arrangement for satellite navigation systems which gives geospatial positioning with global coverage. The technology allows receivers to determine their position accurately using signals transmitted along a line of sight path from the satellites to terrestrial receivers which calculate the precise time as well as position which can be applied as references for the execution of scientific experiments. GPS is an assemblage of 24 satellites which are orbiting the earth with accurate clocks for broadcasting information for the determination of location of the objects. Through the addition of sophisticated software, a communication link and a base station, location can be accurately determined with grater sophistication. The technology has facilitated the company for offering solutions in the fields of engineering and construction for buildings, agriculture with a set of product solutions in seeding information, public safety, and public policies. Lasers are applied in a range of applications to accurately determine grade, vertical alignment and distance of the objects in engineering and construction projects. Spinning lasers technology emits a rotating 360-degree beam of light that is applied as, grade or horizontal reference as for their application in the studies with high accuracy by determining phase shift beam return time. Laser technology combined with a unique scanning methodology to capture the shapes of physical structures and to convert them into digital format called as 3D Laser scanning and the technology has revolutionized high engineering and survey projects. Another type of technology includes the use of optics as an integral part of essential surveying instrument labeled as total station to enable the surveyor to compare locations in relation to one another as part of the system. The use of Optics allows professionals to accurately pinpoint the exact feature to be calculated while lasers measure the distance to sure the optic lenses were positioned correctly within the instrument as an art and for optimum production and accurate results as through the application of technological assets in the systems of the company. The use of inertial technology senses changes in motion and is used when GPS signals are obstructed as to achieve the targets as are associated with the application of the technology. Beginning with an initial location based on a landmark and target, inertial technology applies accelerometers and gyroscopes to fix the successive position based on movement of the object. Inertial technology complements the use of GPS and is currently applied for aerial photogrammetry, high-end road construction, vehicle tracking, and marine applications. Modernized GPS satellites are in the orbit, and all of these satellites are in a position of transmitting L2C signals as civilian use. Use of these technologies have facilitated in the improvement of efficiency , increased productivity and lower costs as the company has generated 1.1 billion $ as revenue in the year 20093. The company believes working with Small Business makes good business sense. In pursuance thereof, Trimble has established a program to maintain the development of small business. Trimble do this by seeking diverse small business suppliers that meet the corporate goals like work with them long-term strategy , seeking to empower the stakeholders to attain their goals and objectives through the application of technology as a resource. The company has trends as convergence of a wide variety of electronic devices ,mobile resource management, application of the technologies and business strategies in emerging markets like China, India and Eastern Europe which has emerging demands for the positioning technologies. Section 3: A description of the data collection process beginning with the development of survey instrument: The study has been completed through the collection of data relating to the Trimble Navigation since its formation as a business company in the field of Global positioning system for offering accurate solutions. The type and nature of the technologies has provided a platform for their review and analysis. The selection of technology and the type of business is the core issue in Trimble. The selection of Small business program along with all its components have provided a guideline for its replication in other similar programs for the achievement of desired results. The small business program of Trimble based on its components as in combination and not isolation. These core elements include program infrastructure like staffing along with support team and program components, strategic plan for accomplishing objectives in a year ,management participation with full executive support ,fulfillment of the customer’s requirements ,goals and objectives of the small business and their sub-contracting for their completion, internal efforts as made by the administration ,external efforts for the promotion of program, identification the issues relating to the small business program and program review on semi-annual and annual basis for the accomplishment and success against the designed goals4. Section 4: Presentation and discussion: Trimble Navigation has applied global positioning system for the promotion and growth of the priority sectors as selected by the business corporation. Convergence, automation mobile resource management, emerging markets, application of software and adoption of significance alliances are the chief business tools as selected by the company. GPS capability is becoming widely popular with a variety of electronic devices such as cell-phones, chipsets and subsystems with the application of technologies. Another important trend is the use GPS with positioning technologies to automate systems like heavy machines in construction, agriculture, and mining and in the public sectors like fire safety management and tracking for the vehicles. The company has also applied a business tool in the shape of mobile resource management through the use of human and financial resources along with combination of wireless handheld computing systems with the support of GPS based vehicle tracking as a growing trend at the mobile work place. These resources have revolutionized the transportation industry by improving delivery times, worker safety, productivity and vehicle utilization as in profitable manner. The company has selected small business program as a segment of the business strategy for its application and to achieve objectives of the company in a specific period like in one year. Section 5: Conclusion: Trimble Navigation has applied global position system and other similar technologies for the achievement of the goals of the company. The company has its presence in twenty one countries of the world and its products are being utilized in more than one hundred countries which reflects that the business strategy along with the selection of technologies have yielded in positive manner as in favor of the company. Trimble has acquired a diverse range of technologies from 1978 to the present age with technological up-gradation of the businesses. These businesses are covering a wide range of sectors like industry, agriculture, science and technology and space and upper atmosphere. The selection of small business program along with the available technologies had provided an opportunity to the company for the execution of the business as on outsourcing basis. Small business program has helped in the form of increased revenue, business advice to the partners and the customers, provision of technical assistance, Cross-divisional service opportunities, and enhanced credibility as in favor of the business company. Mobile resource management by the business corporations has revolutionized the transportation industry by vehicle utilization, improving delivery times, and worker safety and productivity. Business strategy along with the selection of specific technologies is a key factor in the execution of the business as in favor of the administration and all other stakeholders. Reference: 1. Michael Russell Rip, James M. Hasik (2002). The Precision Revolution: GPS and the Future of Aerial Warfare. Naval Institute Press. p. 65. ISBN 1557509735. http://books.google.com/?id=mB9W3H90KDUC. Appendix: Interview with Mr.Ulf Johansson, Chairman Trimble Navigation Ltd. (Interviewee): Interviewer: When did you start business? Interviewee: The Company has started its business in 1978 in the field of global positioning system for the execution of business strategies through a set of technologies. Interviewer: What is Global positioning system? Interviewee: GPS is a constellation of 24 satellites orbiting the Earth. Interviewer: Is there another technology applied by the company? Interviewee: Yes, the company has selected and other technologies for running the business strategy of the company in business competitive environment. Interviewer: What is the name of the core business as applied by the company? Interviewee: The Company has adopted small business program as core program for explaining the business mechanism of the company. The company will provide a program in the shape of small business program for its replication by other business organizations as on sustainable basis. Read More