Topcon’s flagship solutions—Pocket 3D and 3D-MC—have become foundational tools across construction sites nationwide. Pocket 3D provides surveyors with comprehensive site management capabilities, allowing them to collect, verify and manage topographic data all from a handheld device. Meanwhile, 3D-MC transforms ordinary excavators, dozers and graders into precision instruments through sophisticated machine control technology that guides operators to exact grade with centimeter level accuracy.
Despite their advanced capabilities, these powerful platforms share a common virtue: simplicity.
“The main reason most of our customers love the software is the ease of use,” says Shane O’Brien, Product Application Specialist of Machine Control at Aptella. “Whether it’s Pocket 3D or 3D-MC, you can tell right away if something’s working or not. There’s a little bar at the bottom — green means it’s good, red means it’s bad. It’s that simple.”
Part of what sets Topcon apart is the seamless consistency between its products. Once an operator is comfortable using one software product, they’re already most of the way to mastering another.
“The menu layouts are very similar between Pocket 3D and 3D-MC. The structure is the same — four clear columns covering the job, the machine, site specifics, and display options,” explains O’Brien. “It means that someone who knows one product can switch to the other without starting from scratch.”
That kind of interoperability saves time, lowers training costs, and makes it easier for teams to be flexible across different roles and responsibilities. In a world where skilled labor is in short supply, those are major wins.
Construction professionals need tools that match their environment—rugged, responsive, and intuitive. Topcon’s development team has clearly spent time on job sites, as evidenced by how the software accommodates day to day needs for customers.
“It’s all touch operated. Pinch to zoom, drag and drop, move anything around the screen just by pressing and holding — no keyboards or complex commands,” says O’Brien. “These guys are earthmovers. They like to push, pull, move. The software fits naturally into that.”
The interface is also highly customisable. Operators can display multiple views on a single screen, rearrange layout elements, and tweak everything from font size to color — all within a few taps.
“Any option should be within three or four touches,” O’Brien says. “Changing font size, layout, display — it’s all meant to be quick and logical.”
This speed and simplicity don’t just make the work easier — they empower operators to take on more responsibility.
“I was just on a call this morning with a machine operator who’s started doing his own design work. He wanted to create a simple surface, and I talked him through it over the phone. At the end, he goes, ‘Oh, this is pretty easy. I can do this myself — I don’t need my surveyor anymore.'”
That kind of lightbulb moment is becoming more common as customers realise just how much they can do with Topcon’s software suite — often using a single device.
The technology is deliberately breaking down traditional silos between design, survey, and machine operation, creating more efficient workflows and dramatically reducing downtime.
“With MC-Mobile, the operator can go out, design the project, and then simply click that same device into their machine and start digging. The workflow and capabilities are a game changer,” says O’Brien.
This convergence of tools is driving a major shift in the industry, where operators are no longer just drivers — they’re data users, decision makers, and active contributors to design and quality assurance. And they’re loving the autonomy.
“It’s the ability for an operator to sit on their own, not have someone come up and tell them to go up or down — they can just dig and do what they need to do. That’s the future.”
Despite the advanced capabilities, the software is designed to be accessible — even for users new to the Topcon ecosystem.
The development team has focused on simplifying complex technical operations into intuitive processes that align with how construction professionals actually work.
“It’s very user friendly. You’ve got green bars, a cut-fill number in millimeters, and we’ve added QR codes to most equipment now,” says O’Brien. “Scan the code, and it takes you straight to help guides. Everything is at your fingertips.”
Support from Aptella backs this up, offering a level of service that customers can rely on.
“We provide phone support, and we can remote into the customer’s screen to walk them through fixes or training in real time. Whether it’s hardware issues or learning a new function in the software, we’re always right there with them.”
Topcon’s tools don’t just make daily operations easier — they help customers avoid mistakes and optimise performance.
The intelligent design validation features have proven particularly valuable on complex projects with multiple overlapping elements or tight tolerances.
“The software can detect problems in the design — like double-ups or unnecessary layers — and help sort it all out automatically,” O’Brien explains. “That’s huge on complex or high pressure jobs.”
It’s also proving useful well beyond traditional construction.
“We had a customer removing buried copper cable. They used Pocket 3D to measure where it was and then used 3D-MC to dig it up and recycle it. We’ve also seen it in vineyards, agriculture, even recycling facilities — it’s everywhere now.”
No Longer Optional – The New Standard
When O’Brien first started in the field, GPS and machine control were considered a niche add on. That’s no longer the case.
“Now it’s expected. Everyone sees the value — better grades, less rework, less material wasted. Major projects just assume you’ll be using GPS or machine control,” he says. “And it’s moving fast. In a few years, it’s going to be everywhere, on every job.”
As automation becomes more embedded in construction workflows, the value of user friendly, integrated software will only increase — and Topcon, delivered through Aptella, is well positioned to lead the charge.
“The difference now is that people want to engage with the technology — and they can, because it’s easy. It’s not a barrier anymore. It’s a tool that really works for them.”
From large scale civil works to niche applications in agriculture and resource recovery, Topcon’s software is helping customers get the job done — faster, smarter, and with more control. And through Aptella’s expert support and partnership, that software is helping redefine what’s possible in the field.
As Shane O’Brien puts it: “It’s all about making life easier for the customer. And that’s what Aptella and Topcon do best.”
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