Surveying GNSS RTK Equipment for Agricultural Companies

In today's agricultural business environment, where every penny counts, optimizing costs is crucial for maintaining stable growth and competitiveness. A key area that demands particular attention is land resource management, especially when it comes to acquiring new land plots and establishing boundaries through surveying work. The traditional approach of hiring external surveyors can quickly become a significant financial burden. For instance, consider an agricultural enterprise that actively acquires new land, with annual expenses on surveyor services reaching approximately 1.1 million hryvnias. We'll demonstrate through calculations that investing in GNSS RTK surveying equipment is a far more cost-effective solution.

Investing in GNSS RTK Equipment: Why It Matters?

Let’s consider the possibility of purchasing GNSS RTK equipment for an agricultural company. The one-time cost of such equipment, including the RTK signal subscription, ranges from 75,000 to 110,000 hryvnias from the company Geometer. At first glance, this amount may seem significant, but it doesn’t compare to the annual expenses on surveyor services. In Ukraine, the cost of surveyor services in 2024 is 250-300 UAH for determining the coordinates of a single point. A single land plot may require 4, 5, 10 points or more, depending on the field’s configuration. Typically, for a standard rectangular plot, a surveyor charges 1,000 UAH for determining the boundaries of each plot.

We would like to note that the GNSS RTK correction subscription period can be shorter and cheaper. This depends on the frequency of the company’s land acquisition activities.

Financial Benefits from GNSS RTK: The Numbers Speak for Themselves

1. In the first year, the costs for owning GNSS RTK equipment (411,500 UAH) are lower than the expenses for surveyor services (1,100,000 UAH). This results in a 58.85% savings.
2. Starting from the second year, the savings become even greater. The costs for owning GNSS RTK equipment decrease to 319,000 UAH per year, providing a 68.1% savings compared to surveyor services.

In subsequent years, the costs associated with using GNSS RTK equipment can be further reduced. The GNSS correction subscription can be purchased only during periods when it is truly needed, for example, for one week, costing around 1,500 UAH. This approach allows the company to consolidate the necessary measurement tasks and perform them more efficiently.

When considering the economic aspect of this decision, it becomes clear that the investment in your own GNSS RTK surveying equipment pays off within the first year. Even taking into account the labor costs of a land department employee, the company can save up to 60% compared to the costs of external surveyors. In subsequent years, savings can reach up to 70%, making this decision not only rational but also strategically important for the continued development of the agricultural company.

Payback Period and Economic Impact from GNSS RTK

One of the key aspects when considering investments in your own GNSS RTK equipment is the payback period. In a scenario where an agricultural company spends 1,100,000 UAH annually on surveyor services, with these costs evenly distributed throughout the year, the full payback on owning your own surveying equipment will occur within 4.5 months. This means that in less than half a year, the company will fully recoup the costs of purchasing the equipment and paying the employee’s salary.

After reaching the break-even point, using your own geodetic equipment will bring significant economic benefits. All subsequent costs for determining plot boundaries will be much lower than the expenses of hiring external specialists. This not only reduces financial costs but also increases the company’s responsiveness and independence in land resource management. Thus, the investment pays off not only financially but also strategically, providing long-term competitive advantages.

Overcoming Fears: Simplicity and Accessibility of GNSS RTK Equipment from Geometer

Many farmers avoid investing in their own surveying equipment, fearing that the learning process and working with such equipment will be too complex. There is a stereotype that working with high-precision geodetic instruments requires special knowledge and skills that are difficult to acquire. However, these concerns are entirely unfounded when it comes to equipment from Geometer.

Geometer has done everything possible to create high-precision surveying equipment that is both easy to use and affordably priced. Our developments enable farmers to easily integrate new technologies into their workflows without spending much time on training. The Geometer team provides initial training, helping clients quickly master the equipment. Moreover, we offer ongoing technical support at all stages of equipment use. Geometer’s technical department is responsible for warranty and post-warranty service, ensuring uninterrupted operation of the equipment.

Geometer’s GNSS RTK surveying equipment is so user-friendly that anyone who can operate a smartphone can work with it. This means it is accessible to everyone.

Thus, our clients receive not only an effective but also an intuitively understandable solution for land management, making it accessible even to those without specialized technical experience.

In an environment where constant cost control is essential, investing in your own GNSS RTK geodetic equipment is the optimal solution for companies looking to manage their land resources efficiently. Cost savings, reduced dependence on external specialists, and the ability to quickly address tasks are the advantages that make this solution beneficial and strategically sound for any agricultural company focused on long-term success.