Manage Point Cloud Data in Bulk with LRTK Cloud! How to Use It to Improve On‑Site Efficiency

Table of Contents

• [Challenges of Point Cloud Data Management and the Need for Bulk Management](#点群データ管理の課題と一括管理の必要性)

• [What Is LRTK Cloud?](#LRTKクラウドとは何か)

• [Benefits of Managing Point Cloud Data in Bulk with LRTK Cloud](#LRTKクラウドで点群データを一括管理するメリット)

• [How to Use LRTK Cloud (Step-by-Step)](#LRTKクラウドの使い方ステップ解説) - [1. Acquiring Point Cloud Data and Uploading to the Cloud](#1-点群データの取得とクラウドへのアップロード) - [2. Viewing and Measuring Point Clouds on the Cloud](#2-クラウド上での点群閲覧・計測) - [3. Data Sharing and On‑Site Utilization](#3-データ共有と現場での活用)

• [Why LRTK Cloud Improves On‑Site Efficiency](#LRTKクラウド活用で現場効率が上がる理由)

• [Simple Surveying with LRTK Enables Anyone to Use 3D Data](#LRTKによる簡易測量で誰でも3Dデータ活用)

• [Frequently Asked Questions](#よくある質問)

Challenges of Point Cloud Data Management and the Need for Bulk Management

In recent years, construction and surveying sites have begun to acquire large volumes of point cloud data (collections of 3D coordinate points) via laser scanners and drones. Point cloud data can record site terrain and structures with high fidelity, but there are several challenges in managing these data. Traditionally, it has been common to bring point cloud files back from the site on USB memory sticks or external hard drives and copy them to office PCs for storage. However, this approach can lead to the following problems:

• Data dispersion and loss risk: When point cloud data are scattered across multiple PCs and storage devices, it becomes unclear which dataset is the latest, and in the worst case data can be lost. Exchanging paper drawings or USB sticks carries the risk of loss or damage due to handling errors.

• Sharing effort and time lag: To share point cloud data with other team members or partner companies, large files must be attached to emails or handed over on physical media, which takes time and effort. A time lag occurs before the latest on‑site data can be reviewed in the office, hindering rapid decision‑making.

• Need for specialized software and high‑performance PCs: Viewing and editing point cloud data often requires dedicated software and powerful computers, so contents cannot always be checked immediately on site or while away from the office. As a result, the freshly acquired 3D data may not be utilized promptly and can go to waste.

To solve these issues, centralized cloud management of point cloud data is effective. If point cloud data are stored together in the cloud, they can be accessed anytime, anywhere over the internet and serve as backups. Having the same latest data available simultaneously on site and in the office greatly reduces information sharing time lags. Using a centralized cloud environment fundamentally eliminates problems such as data dispersion and the hassle of sharing.

What Is LRTK Cloud?

So, what is the solution that addresses these challenges: LRTK Cloud? LRTK Cloud is a cloud service integrated with the high‑precision positioning system “LRTK series,” providing a platform for centralized management and sharing of point cloud and surveying data collected on site. With the compact RTK‑GNSS receiver for smartphones, the LRTK Phone, and its dedicated app, anyone can easily acquire centimeter‑level position information and 3D point clouds, and LRTK Cloud plays the role of storing and enabling use of those measurement data on the internet cloud.

When data are uploaded to LRTK Cloud, the latest information collected on site can be shared immediately with in‑house teams and stakeholders. There is no need to install specialized software—just access LRTK Cloud from a web browser to view on‑site point clouds and coordinate data. In short, LRTK Cloud is a service that enables centralized management of all surveying information, including point clouds, on the cloud and supports real‑time sharing and utilization.

Benefits of Managing Point Cloud Data in Bulk with LRTK Cloud

Using LRTK Cloud to centrally manage point cloud data on the cloud brings many benefits. Here are the main points.

• Manage large datasets online: Large point cloud files that used to consume PC storage can be stored centrally in the cloud. You can upload vast point clouds acquired on site directly to the cloud and accumulate them, reducing the burden on local devices. Because data are safely stored and backed up in the cloud, the risk of data loss due to device failure or loss is minimized.

• Integrate and display multiple point clouds and models: With LRTK Cloud’s 3D viewer, you can display multiple uploaded point clouds and 3D models simultaneously and overlay them. Since each point cloud is tagged with coordinates (absolute coordinates) from acquisition, they can be displayed in correct positional relationships on a map. For example, point clouds measured separately for different construction areas can be centrally managed in the cloud and reviewed on a single screen to see the overall picture.

• 3D measurements in the browser: Even without specialized software, you can view point cloud contents in a web browser and measure distances, areas, and volumes. Because expensive installed software is unnecessary, anyone in the organization can easily use 3D data. LRTK Cloud also supports one‑click calculations for tasks such as area measurements on slope tops, complex terrain area calculations, and large earthwork volume estimations.

• Smart data sharing: LRTK Cloud has a simple URL‑based sharing feature. You can select the point cloud data or surveying results you want to share and generate a dedicated URL with one click. Just send the generated link to stakeholders, and they can view the data from a browser without logging in (CSV or drawing downloads are available as needed). Passwords and expiration dates can be set, enabling smooth sharing with external parties while maintaining security.

• Integration with other systems: Point clouds and positioning data centralized in the cloud can be exported in various formats as needed. Coordinate lists can be exported to CSV for import into CAD or GIS, and 3D point clouds can be downloaded in common formats (e.g., XYZ) for further analysis in other point cloud processing software. Functions to upload BIM/CIM design models or drawing data to the cloud and overlay them with point clouds are planned to be enhanced, making integrated management of design and field measurement data feasible.

• Security and reliability: Because construction and surveying data often contain sensitive information, LRTK Cloud implements robust security measures such as encrypted communications and operation in secure data centers. With data backed up in the cloud, you can prevent data loss even if field devices fail or disasters occur. Compared to managing on‑premises servers, there are significant advantages in security and operational stability.

Thus, LRTK Cloud is more than just online storage; it provides an all‑in‑one environment for leveraging point cloud data. Centralized cloud management enables consistent sharing and utilization of 3D data from the field to the office.

How to Use LRTK Cloud (Step-by-Step)

Now let’s explain how to use LRTK Cloud in practice, step by step. To make it easy for first‑time users, we’ll follow the workflow from on‑site data acquisition to cloud sharing.

1. Acquiring Point Cloud Data and Uploading to the Cloud

First, acquire data on site. LRTK Cloud is most effective when used together with the dedicated smartphone app (LRTK app). For example, use the compact GNSS receiver mounted on a smartphone, the LRTK Phone, and the app to measure 3D point clouds of targets. By leveraging LiDAR sensors or photogrammetry techniques, anyone can easily obtain high‑precision point clouds. After measurement, upload the point cloud data saved in the app to the cloud. Simply tap the “Upload to Cloud” button in the app to send data to your cloud account on the spot.

If you have network connectivity, the upload completes immediately from the field and is reflected in the office cloud view in real time. Even in areas with unstable communication such as inside tunnels, you can upload later when you regain internet access. Once data are in the cloud, the whole team can view them, enabling “instant sharing of acquired point cloud data” while still on site.

If you want to import point clouds from other devices you already have, that’s supported too. The LRTK Cloud web interface has a file upload function where you can drag and drop external point cloud files (LAS, OBJ, CSV, etc.) from your PC via the browser to register them in the cloud. This lets you centrally manage all 3D data in LRTK Cloud, including point clouds acquired by drones or laser scanners.

2. Viewing and Measuring Point Clouds on the Cloud

After upload is complete, use LRTK Cloud’s web platform to work with the data. In the cloud management screen, select the target point cloud data and launch the “3D Viewer” to display the point cloud in three dimensions within your browser. This allows you to immediately inspect point clouds collected on site from office PCs or tablets.

In the viewer you can freely change viewpoints with mouse controls and inspect terrain and structural details. You can also perform analyses with one click, such as measuring the distance between two points, drawing polygons to calculate area, and computing the volume of embankments from multiple point clouds. For example, if you have point cloud data of a slope failure, you can instantly calculate the volume of collapsed material in the cloud. Analyses that previously required expensive point cloud processing software can be handled within LRTK Cloud, enabling immediate use of data on site.

LRTK Cloud also includes map display and cross‑section features; if point cloud data contain positional information, acquisition points are plotted on the map. If needed, you can download point cloud data from the cloud and perform detailed analysis in specialized in‑house software. A workflow of quickly assessing contents in the cloud and then moving to detailed analysis is an efficient approach.

3. Data Sharing and On‑Site Utilization

Once you have reviewed and measured a point cloud on the cloud, share it with stakeholders to support on‑site decision‑making. LRTK Cloud lets you issue shareable URL links for individual datasets. For example, to show a completed point cloud model to a client or subcontractor, generate a link with one click from the dataset’s “Share” option and send it to them. Recipients can view the point cloud in the web 3D viewer without an LRTK Cloud account, so you can convey 3D information smoothly to those without dedicated software.

This sharing feature enables everyone involved to review fresh on‑site data the same day and take next actions. For instance, if you measure the height of a structure during foundation work and share it via the cloud, an office coordinator can immediately check deviations from design values and instruct the site if necessary. In disaster response, scanning a collapse site and uploading the point cloud to the cloud allows remote engineers to analyze the data quickly and develop emergency measures. Through real‑time data sharing via LRTK Cloud, the field and office stay synchronized throughout the project.

Furthermore, large volumes of data accumulated in the cloud can be managed efficiently using organization and search features. You can organize data into folders by project or purpose and add tags such as “terrain,” “structure inspection,” or “drone photography” to each dataset so that you can quickly find desired point clouds later. Archive or delete outdated data to keep access to the most current and useful information. Such management practices make point cloud data utilization on the cloud even more effective.

Why LRTK Cloud Improves On‑Site Efficiency

As described above, using LRTK Cloud enables quick completion of workflows from point cloud acquisition to sharing. Let’s summarize how that impacts on‑site operational efficiency.

• Reduce rework through real‑time sharing: Because field point clouds can be shared instantly via the cloud, the office can check them immediately. If omissions or measurement errors are found, additional measurements or corrective instructions can be issued on the spot, reducing the need to return to the site later. This cuts wasted project time and improves operational efficiency.

• Faster decision‑making: Problems or progress observed on site can be grasped from the point cloud and shared with all stakeholders immediately, speeding up discussions and decisions. Cloud sharing is especially powerful in time‑critical situations such as disaster response or schedule delays. Eliminating information gaps between the field and office enables timely judgment.

• Labor and effort reduction: Traditional surveying often required carrying heavy equipment (e.g., total stations) and working in teams of two. With LRTK, tasks can be completed with a compact device and a single smartphone, enabling one person to work. Post‑acquisition data distribution is automated in the cloud, removing the need for staff to physically deliver data on USB drives. The ability for a small team to efficiently perform field measurement and data organization is a major advantage in construction sites facing labor shortages.

• Lower barrier to expertise: Point cloud acquisition with LRTK and cloud operation are designed to be intuitive and usable by non‑specialist staff. The cloud handles complex software operations and coordinate calculations so that digital tool usage does not depend heavily on site staff’s IT literacy. As a result, organizational ICT utilization and DX (digital transformation) can progress smoothly, leading to overall efficiency improvements in field operations.

By using LRTK Cloud, the boundary between field and office is lowered and rapid, data‑driven collaboration becomes possible. From daily construction management to emergency response, on‑site productivity and decision‑making speed can be dramatically improved.

Simple Surveying with LRTK Enables Anyone to Use 3D Data

While LRTK Cloud improves efficiency in data management and sharing, the “simple surveying with LRTK” streamlines the very process of data acquisition. Traditional surveying often required carrying heavy total stations in two‑person teams or processing point clouds acquired with specialized laser scanners back at the office. Standalone GPS units typically produced errors of 5-10 m (16.4-32.8 ft), which is not sufficient for precision surveying. The LRTK series lowers these hurdles so that anyone can perform high‑precision 3D surveying after a short training session.

For example, you can put the LRTK Phone device weighing only a few hundred grams in your pocket, hold a smartphone, and walk while continuously acquiring wide‑area 3D point clouds. With only about 5 minutes of operational instruction, beginners can quickly learn to use the surveying equipment. In practice, even a slope on the order of 100 m (328.1 ft) can be scanned neatly in about 1 minute, and acquired point clouds are tagged with public coordinate system positions (absolute coordinates) from the start. In other words, non‑specialists can collect accurately positioned point cloud data in a short time.

Data obtained by this “simple surveying” are automatically synchronized to LRTK Cloud. Since measurements taken on a smartphone are uploaded to the cloud immediately and can be shared and checked in the office, there is no need to carry expensive surveying equipment or large PCs on site. Even if the smartphone’s local storage is small, you can delete data from the device after cloud sync, so you can continue measuring without worrying about storage capacity. The combination of simple surveying with LRTK and cloud utilization dramatically streamlines the entire flow from data acquisition to management and sharing.

Even teams handling 3D point clouds for the first time can focus on “how to use the measured data” by adopting LRTK. LRTK handles complex device operation and data processing so site staff can concentrate on decision‑making and creative tasks based on the obtained information. LRTK is truly an innovative solution that strongly supports on‑site DX (digital transformation).

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What do I need to use LRTK Cloud? A: To use LRTK Cloud, you need a cloud account issued by our company to log in. For on‑site data acquisition, please prepare a smartphone, the LRTK Phone device, and the dedicated LRTK app. You can view cloud data using a PC or tablet web browser; no special software is required.

Q: Can I upload point cloud or surveying data from other vendors? A: Yes, LRTK Cloud can import externally acquired data for centralized management. Point clouds in common formats such as LAS or LAZ, OBJ models, and surveying coordinate lists in CSV are supported. You can set the coordinate system at upload time, so data measured with other vendors’ devices can be combined with LRTK data in the cloud.

Q: Can I use it at sites without internet connectivity? A: Real‑time cloud synchronization requires internet access, but you can save data to your device offline without issue. In areas without coverage such as tunnels or mountainous regions, you can accumulate point cloud data on the smartphone and upload them to the cloud later when you move to a location with reception. Internet access is required for viewing and sharing on the cloud, but data acquisition itself works offline.

Q: Are data stored securely in the cloud? A: Yes. LRTK Cloud pays close attention to security and data protection. Communications are fully encrypted and data are stored in a secure cloud environment. Automatic backups are performed to prepare for unforeseen events, allowing rapid recovery from cloud data even if a device fails or a disaster occurs. Share links support password and expiration settings, and access controls can be managed flexibly.

Q: How much does LRTK Cloud cost? A: Plans are available according to your usage needs. We will propose the best plan based on project scale and data volume, so please contact us for detailed pricing. A free trial is also available, so we recommend trying it before implementation.