Hoornstra Infrabouw specializes in the reconstruction of sewer systems and pavements. The company often works on behalf of public authorities, such as municipalities, and carries out projects based on official specifications. Their core activities include paving, sewer system construction, and implementing stormwater drainage solutions.
Bart van Overbeek is a site surveyor and draftsman at Hoornstra Infrabouw. Together with a colleague, he is responsible for site surveying and staking out, as well as creating both above- and below-ground as-built drawings.
From Manual to Digital
Previously, Bart had to travel to each project site to manually collect measurement data. Bart explains: “Back then, everything was measured by hand. Data was written down on scraps of paper, which sometimes got lost or were hard to read. That made creating as-built drawings time-consuming and stressful. Since we started using marXact’s UNI-Complete surveying kit, that process has completely changed.”
Now, site managers, excavator operators, and groundworkers each use their own UNI device to take measurements directly on-site. The data is automatically stored in the UNI-Cloud, where Bart can easily access, edit, and process it from the office. This saves him a significant amount of time.
A More Peaceful Workflow
The switch to marXact has made the workflow much more organized. “Sometimes I manage 10 to 15 projects at once. With the UNI-Cloud, I can now see all of them directly on my laptop. Measurements taken in the field are instantly available, so I no longer need to chase sketches. I can immediately start working on as-built drawings from the cloud, without waiting for manual notes. That saves a lot of time and brings much more peace of mind to my work,” Bart shares.
Digital surveying doesn’t just speed up the entire process; it also makes projects more structured and transparent. “Through the UNI-Cloud, I can monitor fieldwork in real time and step in if adjustments are needed,” he continues. “Stakeout files can be imported at the office and easily shared with the field. I can support the team remotely, and vice versa, without needing anyone to come to the office. It’s also helpful for our clients. Some of them want to receive raw measurement data – I can send it to them straight from the UNI-Cloud with just a few clicks.”
Raising the Bar with Digital Surveying
Digital surveying isn’t just a step forward — in many project specifications, it has become a requirement. Increasingly, clients are requesting precise and transparent measurement data of open trenches.
“We document everything,” says Bart. “When we install a stormwater drainage system, for example, we measure every component: from junctions and gullies to the pipes themselves. In the UNI-Collect software, each component gets its own layer with corresponding attributes. For pipes, we record the invert level — the lowest internal point of the pipe — while for manholes, we record different details.” Everything is linked directly to the right attribute and automatically included in the as-built documentation, ensuring nothing is overlooked.
The UNI-GR2 GNSS receiver plays a key role in this process. “With the UNI-GR2 we measure exact coordinates: latitude and longitude for position, and depth linked to NAP (Dutch elevation standard). That’s especially important for manholes: we always measure the center point, and if the manhole isn’t too deep, we also log the NAP of the bottom. All this data is easily retrievable via the stakeout function in UNI-Collect, allowing us to work quickly and accurately without unnecessary digging.”
Working More Efficiently with KLIC Data
For any excavation work, a KLIC request is mandatory. “A huge advantage is marXact’s KLIC functionality. KLIC data can be easily imported via the cloud, allowing us to stake out and survey cables and pipes precisely.” This means trial trenches can be dug exactly where needed, and the exact location of existing infrastructure is recorded. “We really only dig where necessary,” Bart emphasizes.
Support You Can Count On
Hoornstra Infrabouw experiences marXact’s customer support as very reliable. “The support team is always friendly, reachable, and helpful — no matter how small the issue is. Our team can contact them directly with questions or problems and always gets quick and effective assistance,” Bart says.
marXact also regularly organizes Demo Drinks on Thursdays at SOMA College in Harderwijk, The Netherlands. “I’ve attended twice myself to get more insights into using the UNI-Cloud,” Bart explains. “You can bring your own gear, and they really think along with you. Everything is explained calmly and clearly — even if you ask the same thing three times, they’ll gladly help you again.”
Conclusion
“Thanks to marXact, I work more efficiently and with less stress as a draftsman. Digital surveying is now essential to our daily work. The accuracy, speed, and user-friendliness make a huge difference, and the excellent support from marXact completes the package,” Bart concludes.
