The 3 main benefits of owning Scanfly and your own LiDAR data

In a technological landscape increasingly oriented towards “all-inclusive” solutions that bind customers to subscription plans, the ability to maintain ownership of one’s assets is becoming a crucial issue. Scanfly positions itself as a pioneer in this regard, giving its customers back total control not only over their data but also over the mapping system itself.

The “turnkey” solutions offered by many service providers in the geospatial sector, particularly in mobile mapping and surveying, promise ease and convenience. However, this apparent simplicity often hides a fundamental limitation: the user has access to the data, but does not own it, nor does he or she have the freedom to choose how to process, host, or analyze their LiDAR and image acquisitions.

Although these service models may seem attractive in the short term, they have significant disadvantages for professionals in surveying, infrastructure management, and mobile mapping. Unlike these solutions, Scanfly offers an alternative that provides greater flexibility and control, allowing professionals to integrate the data they capture into any workflow, including cloud-based ones, as they wish.

Why is data ownership so important?

Relying on third-party services can lead to several problems, including financial dependence and a lack of control over your most valuable assets: your data. By purchasing hardware such as Scanfly systems, you eliminate the “sunk cost fallacy” of recurring subscriptions and gain complete control.

Here are the three main advantages:

1. Full control and operational flexibility

Owning your own mobile mapping system, such as Scanfly, and the data it produces means having full authority over how, when, and where to use the information collected. With a proprietary system, you are not bound by third-party terms and conditions, restrictions, or license limitations, ensuring complete operational flexibility.

This translates into:

• Freedom of use: You can use your hardware and data for any project, without additional costs or restrictive licenses.
• Future adaptability: Having a Scanfly gives you the flexibility to update, rework, or integrate your data with new emerging technologies without relying on external suppliers.
• No risk of service interruptions: You don’t have to worry about service interruptions due to changes in third-party supplier policies.

For organizations that base their decisions on geospatial data, this level of control ensures maximum operational flexibility and the ability to respond quickly to new market demands.

2. Data security and advanced compliance

Maintaining control over your Scanfly system and the mobile mapping data it produces minimizes your exposure to security breaches and compliance risks. Fewer access points mean fewer potential points of security failure. This approach offers an option that ensures maximum security while still allowing integration with your chosen self-managed cloud workflows.

Key benefits include:

• Reduced breaches: The less data you share with external cloud platforms, the less you are exposed to unauthorised access by third parties.
• Regulatory compliance: Avoid potential violations of data privacy laws such as the GDPR in the EU, the CCPA in California, and other regional regulations that may apply to the use of third-party services. Many countries, such as Saudi Arabia and South Korea, have data localisation or sovereignty laws that require personal data to be stored on physical servers located in the country of origin. With in-house data, you are in control.
• Protection for sensitive data: For governments, defense contractors, and critical infrastructure companies working with sensitive geospatial data related to national security, internal storage dramatically reduces risks compared to third-party cloud platforms that hackers could target.

Scanfly, with its architecture that promotes system and data ownership, ensures that your critical information remains secure and under your control.

3. Competitive advantage and revenue potential

Exclusive access to high-quality geospatial data and ownership of the acquisition system give your company a significant strategic advantage. By owning your mapping system and the data it produces, you can not only optimize internal operations, but also explore new business opportunities.

This includes:

• Offering proprietary datasets: You can offer your customers proprietary datasets, instead of having to purchase or license external ones, setting yourself apart from the competition.
• Always up-to-date maps: Generate up-to-date maps without relying on outdated or generic third-party datasets.
• Customised datasets: Collect customised datasets tailored to your specific needs, rather than using generic, publicly available data.
• New sources of income: You have the option to sell or license your data to third parties, such as urban planners, infrastructure developers, or mapping platforms, creating an additional revenue stream.

With Scanfly, your initial investment in hardware guarantees you a data asset that can be reused, updated, or repurposed at no additional cost, maximizing your long-term return on investment.

Concluding remarks

Owning your own Scanfly mobile mapping system and the data it produces gives you control, security, and long-term financial benefits. Whether you operate in surveying, urban planning, infrastructure management, or any industry that relies on geospatial intelligence, having exclusive rights to your data and full ownership of your tool is key to the success and security of your business.

Are you ready to take control of your data and your mobile mapping system? Discover how Scanfly can support your strategy.