Case Study: C.D. Smith achieves 5.5x layout productivity with Trimble FieldLink and Robotic Total Stations

C.D. Smith Increases Layout Efficiency and Overall Productivity with Trimble Robotic Total Stations

C.D. Smith Construction, a family‑owned general contractor, faced slow, labor‑intensive layout workflows using two‑person mechanical total stations that required manual point entry, flash‑drive data shuttling, repeated site visits, and time‑consuming arc/dimension work. Virtual Design & Construction leaders sought a way to speed field layout, improve coordination with office models and reduce reliance on multi‑person crews.

They adopted Trimble FieldLink and Trimble Robotic Total Stations (RTS655), replacing two‑person stations with 10 RTS units and training superintendents to use them on site. The change delivered a 5.5x (550%) increase in points laid per hour, enabled real‑time cloud updates and one‑person layouts, freed skilled labor for other tasks, improved accuracy for as‑builts and fabrication, and produced substantial time and cost savings across projects.

C.D. Smith

Jamie Spartz

Director of Virtual Design & Construction