Software products are being tested in pilot cantons during ongoing operations for the introduction of the DMAV geodata model. The rmDATA Geomatik solution is one of these, and is currently being thoroughly tested by Hersche Ingenieure AG.

Hersche Ingenieure AG has been established in the eastern Switzerland region for 75 years, with four locations. In addition to civil engineering, spatial planning, and consulting, geomatics is a key pillar of the company's business. This includes engineering geodesy, geoinformatics, inventory surveys with 3D scanners and surveying drones, and monitoring measurements. In the field of official surveying, Hersche serves as the updating surveyor's office for the five districts of the canton of Appenzell Innerrhoden. 

Test operation with rmDATA solution

The engineering firm volunteered to test the rmDATA solution in the pilot canton for the introduction of the DMAV. Managing Director Raphael Breu emphasizes: “We are already very familiar with rmDATA products, so testing mutations with them was an obvious step.” The canton's Office for Geoinformation also pushed for the pilot and took over data control itself.

Hersche engineers have been using rmGEO and rmNETZ for technical surveying since 2019, and rmDATA GeoMapper with specialist modules was added shortly afterwards for planning. rmDATA 3DWorx is available for evaluating point clouds from 3D scans and surveying drones.  

rmDATA Geomatik will replace both the planning software and the official surveying software in the future. “With the all-in-one solution, we would then only have one software product in-house, which would also simplify training and reduce costs,” explains Raphael Breu. He also sees a major advantage in the improved connection of the measuring instruments without any loss of information.

Requirements and challenges

The biggest challenge is probably reserving time in day-to-day business to push ahead with test operations and find suitable mutation projects for testing purposes. Breu also sees regular communication with the software manufacturer as a significant advantage: “It's exciting to be involved in the process and to be able to influence the implementation of the product.” He admits that the office has very high standards when it comes to planning. The results of the previous solution and established workflows are being compared with those of the new software. 

Collaboration with the software house

During the test phase, special cases occasionally arose that were clarified with rmDATA support. Was it a function that had not yet been implemented or a misuse? A concrete example of this was the right-angle pull, which rmDATA promptly implemented in response to specific requirements. This practical feedback contributes to the ongoing optimization of the software.

"We felt that we were taken very seriously and well looked after during the pilot phase. rmDATA responded strongly to our concerns and feedback, and it was clear that the company is passionate and committed to driving further developments forward—because there was a great deal of uncertainty in the industry at the beginning," reports the engineer-surveyor. This constructive cooperation is also confirmed by Michael Schulz, Managing Director of rmDATA Switzerland, who is in regular and personal contact with the office.

“We are very satisfied and feel that we are being taken very seriously in the pilot project. We appreciate the exchange with rmDATA and the ongoing implementation of our requirements. In this pilot project, both we as users and the software manufacturer benefit from each other.” Raphael Breu, Hersche Ingenieure AG

Final report positive

Hersche Ingenieure is targeting mid-2026 as the planned date for the switch to the new production line in the field of official surveying. Raphael Breu is certain that the final report following the pilot operation will be positive. The engineer and surveyor emphasizes: "I am very positive that many aspects have been implemented. The tests have been completed on our part to the extent that we can say: rmDATA Geomatik works well and is suitable for DMAV."  
 

As a team of specialists from various fields of engineering, the employees of Hersche Ingenieure provide support and advice on a wide range of projects. They place great importance on long-term cooperation based on partnership. With four locations in Appenzell, Gais, Oberegg, and St. Gallen, they have been offering services in the fields of building construction, civil engineering, geomatics, spatial planning, and consulting for over 75 years.