Trimble (News - Alert) unveiled the Trimble Slate Controller, an all-in-one device for mobile communications and surveying data collection.

The solutions provided by the company leverage position or location data and are useful in surveying, construction, agriculture, fleet and asset management, public safety and mapping.

According to officials, the Trimble Slate Controller is designed for compatibility with Trimble Access field software and the Trimble R4 GNSS receiver. It supports a surveyor’s everyday workflow offering a rugged, convenient easy to use smartphone solution.

Erik Averse, vice president of Trimble’s Survey Division said, “Surveyors require mobile, rugged solutions that can readily withstand and perform in the toughest of conditions. With the introduction of the Trimble Slate Controller, we are providing a rugged handheld device designed to run survey workflows while also delivering the capabilities and convenience of a smartphone.”

The Trimble Slate Controller features voice, SMS text, and 3.75G cellular data transfer capabilities on GSM global cellular networks. It provides optimum connectivity in the field and its wireless communication capabilities are used by surveyors in the field to communicate with the office.

The device also has an integrated 8-megapixel camera that enables job documentation and point attribution as it helps record geotagged, high-quality digital photos, said officials.

The Trimble Slate Controller is sleek and ergonomically designed and is easy to handle. Its screen ensures sunlight readability so it can be used outdoors during the daytime. The rugged construction includes a 4.3 inch capacitive touch, Gorilla glass display, which covers the entire front surface ensuring both readability and durability.

The device works on the Trimble Access field software which provides capabilities to streamline topographic, stakeout, control and other surveying applications. The Trimble Slate Controller along with Trimble Access and the Trimble R4 GNSS receiver delivers a dedicated GNSS solution that helps during real -time and post-processed GNSS surveys.

Trimble also announced functionality updates including increased satellite tracking and Real Time Kinematic (RTK) performance to its integrated GNSS survey receiver portfolio, which includes the Trimble R4, Trimble R6, Trimble R8 GNSS systems and is rounded out by the recently released Trimble R10 GNSS System.