“Our mission goes beyond selling technology,” declares Andrew Jones, Business Unit Manager of Monitoring at Aptella. “We’re essentially providing our clients with a safeguard – enabling them to predict and prevent potential infrastructure failures before they become catastrophic problems.”
“I get excited about growing someone else’s business,” Jones adds. “It doesn’t matter if it’s a single person operation or a mine site with a couple of thousand people, increasing a company’s capability is what brings me satisfaction – making them safer, more efficient and overall more sustainable.”
Infrastructure monitoring has evolved from periodic manual checks to a sophisticated, instantaneous early warning system. Aptella’s comprehensive portfolio covers the breadth of this technological advancement, delivering insights that protect, predict, and optimise critical assets.
Mr Jones frames the company’s approach with characteristic clarity: “Every sensor we deploy is a sentinel. We’re not just measuring movement – we’re creating a comprehensive narrative of structural behaviour that allows our clients to make proactive, informed decisions.”
Aptella’s monitoring technologies represent a carefully curated ecosystem of solutions designed to address the most complex infrastructure challenges:
> Locator One: A breakthrough in GNSS monitoring capabilities
> Senceive: Wireless precision for critical infrastructure
> Omnidots: Advanced vibration and sound monitoring intelligence
> Topcon Delta: Sub-millimetre total station monitoring
Diving deeper, Aptella’s solutions cover a broad technological spectrum. Its wireless solutions, such as Senceive, offer long term, battery efficient monitoring for railways, tunnels, and sensitive structures, with sensors capable of operating for up to 15 years. These sensors can detect critical movements and send alerts within seconds. Recently, Senceive has revolutionised sensor technology with the release of the GeoWAN 2.0 sensor, enabling users to connect to their own gateways, swap batteries in the field without compromising sensitive electronics, and optimise materials to deliver a highly competitive solution for large scale monitoring installations.
The Omnidots vibration monitoring system offers granular insights for construction and industrial applications, with the ability to distinguish between different vibration sources and provide instant, contextual alerts.
“In the seven years I’ve been in monitoring, I’ve worked across underground mines, huge sports stadiums, wind farms and some of the biggest rail projects currently underway in Australia,” notes Jones. “The variety we come across is what keeps me on my toes – each project represents a unique challenge.”
The versatility of Aptella’s monitoring solutions is demonstrated through their diverse project portfolio, where practical safeguards and solutions are put in place for critical infrastructure across the Asia Pacific.
“Many times with monitoring projects, the period leading up to the transaction is heavily consultative and there tends to be a real problem or application that needs solving,” explains Jones. “At this point we’re really collaborating with the client to arrive at a solution. The trust built during this stage forms lasting bonds and we continue to work with these clients long term.”
Aptella has provided crucial monitoring solutions for several significant infrastructure projects throughout Australia. For the Sydney Metro Upgrade, Aptella’s wireless monitoring technology supported critical underground operations by providing continuous tracking of live rail. The system allowed stakeholders to access vital data remotely, enhancing decision making capabilities during sensitive construction phases.
At a prominent Queensland mining operation, Aptella deployed monitoring systems that simultaneously tracked both open pit stability and tailings dam integrity. The solution enabled different monitoring frequencies and alert thresholds based on risk profiles, delivering tailored data to various stakeholders from surveyors to safety teams.
During the Sydney Gateway project, Aptella’s sensors provided real time feedback during a delicate bridge operation, complementing traditional surveying methods to ensure structural integrity throughout the process.
“The after sales service we provide is a fundamental part of what we do,” Jones emphasises. “We continue to work to make sure the client’s system is working as they need it.”
The recently launched Locator One system epitomises Aptella’s innovative approach. Designed for deployment in the most challenging environments, it represents a quantum leap in remote monitoring technology.
“The Locator One takes principles of satellite positioning that have been accepted for decades and efficiently couples them with a self powered receiver that can provide a location every hour, every day, accurate to within a few millimetres,” Jones explains enthusiastically. “For a receiver that costs less than $2.5k to own outright with this level of accuracy, I don’t believe there is another receiver on the market that can meet the same specifications.”
The system’s key advantages include its ability to take readings every hour without external solar panels, unlike competing systems limited to 1-2 readings per day, and its outright ownership model that ensures clients maintain complete control of their data.
“Remote doesn’t mean unreliable,” explains Jones. “The Locator One proves that sophisticated monitoring can happen anywhere – from isolated mining sites to critical infrastructure corridors where traditional systems would fail.”
What truly distinguishes Aptella is its philosophy of customer partnership. “Our relationship doesn’t end with the sale and that is at the absolute core of our business.” emphasises Joshua Allan, Aptella’s Executive Manager or Group Services. “We provide comprehensive post deployment support, including system optimisation, ongoing training, and continuous performance analysis. Our clients aren’t just purchasing hardware – they’re gaining a long term monitoring partner committed to their success.”
This commitment manifests through customised implementation strategies, comprehensive system training, ongoing technical support, periodic performance reviews, and proactive technology recommendations that ensure clients maximise the value of their monitoring investment.
“In terms of what we do differently, I think this is where we come to the front,” Jones reflects. “Good projects don’t end well, they start well and it’s this kind of consultation that makes the difference.”
Aptella’s monitoring portfolio isn’t static – it’s a dynamic, continuously evolving suite of technologies. The company maintains a dedicated innovation team constantly assessing emerging monitoring techniques and integrating cutting edge solutions.
“Innovation isn’t about having the most sensors,” notes Mr Jones. “It’s about understanding how those sensors can solve real world challenges. Our team doesn’t just follow technological trends – we’re actively shaping the future of infrastructure monitoring.”
From mining operations spanning thousands of hectares to delicate urban construction projects, Aptella’s monitoring solutions provide a critical layer of intelligence. These technologies don’t just measure movement – they prevent potential failures, optimise maintenance schedules, and ultimately extend the lifecycle of critical assets across the country.
Mr Jones summarises the company’s broader mission: “Every millisecond of data we capture represents potential savings, enhanced safety, and more intelligent infrastructure management. That’s the real value we deliver.”
As infrastructure becomes increasingly complex and environmental challenges intensify, monitoring technologies will play an ever more critical role. Aptella remains committed to pushing the boundaries of what’s possible, developing solutions that transform raw data into actionable, predictive intelligence.
“We’re not just monitoring infrastructure,” Mr Jones concludes. “We’re helping our clients build a more resilient, intelligent future.”
