SECON, at first devoted to topographic and mapping services, has since diversified to become a firm providing total solutions for geospatial and design-engineering services that include dynamic data capture, processing, presentation, design and drafting, photogrammetry, Lidar and GIS-based customisation and application development.

Total Solutions
Up until a few decades ago the work of the surveyor and engineer was coupled only loosely. With the introduction of modern equipment, hardware and software, all demanding a high level of skill, the gap swiftly closed. It was found that in order to avoid duplication clients preferred to source total solutions from one provider; this also minimised other time and cost-consuming factors. There was an emerging awareness that the backbreaking efforts of the surveyor seemed less appreciated than the ‘front-office’ contribution of the engineer. These developments, together with the demand for quality and valued-added services, propelled us towards setting up our own IT, GIS and R&D wing to develop various total-solutions in the fields of irrigation, road, township and public-health engineering. Our export-oriented geospatial division delivers advanced solutions to clients using technologies such as Lidar, photogrammetry and stereo satellite imagery. Steady growth and diversification improved the range of services, so that we now provide total solutions for both Indian and international clients. Although we act globally, the core value of the company remains a commitment to quality delivery, customer satis­faction and employee welfare measures.

Founding Stage
The founder, Major B. M. Appachu, served in the Indian Army Corps of Engineers and the Survey of India before venturing into business with just one part-time employee at US$4 per month. He was operating from a one-room tenement with a worn-out typewriter on his desk, a 1918 vintage Cooke & Sons Vernier Theodolite, a plane table and a sight-rule set, equipment later augmented by an Indian Clinometer. At that time all land-survey activities were controlled by government agencies and private firms could undertake no large-scale survey or cartographic work. The single passion driving Mr Appachu was his surveying heart, nourished by work in the Himalayas, on the Andaman coast, in the deserts of Rajasthan and the dense forests down south when he was a soldier. His professional ability was sound and his survival instinct supreme, under the harshest of conditions. Besides, there was indispensable family support from his wife, who was a professional doctor, and two young children.

Start-up Problems
As with all start-ups, the first year was full of ups and downs on all fronts. Surveying fieldwork was followed by same-day drafting and documentation, done manually with pencil and paper. Marketing was tough, and convincing the bank even tougher, with rundown equipment and no collateral as premise for loans. It took only a matter of months to spend the initial capital of US$1,500. Meanwhile the founder’s wife, the doctor, took care of the children and household expenses, while a US$20 army pension supplemented family income. As a technician Mr Appachu knew very little about ‘Ways of Doing Business’ and it took a year to realise that the right contacts, utilising opportunities and calculating risk are all of equal importance.

Oil Industry
Determined against all odds to make a success of his endeavour, he took off to Mumbai, India’s financial heart, in an attempt to win over the oil industry. This was the first step on the ladder; the oil industry turned out to be a generous and timely paymaster for quality delivery. His first assignment, the 110km-long Mumbai–Pune pipeline was a success both financially and in terms of professional profile.

Irrigation projects and long-distance cross-country pipeline projects soon followed. The money earned was wisely used to reinforce the company by attracting trained manpower, purchasing equipment and so on. The profit margin was 200%, and within six years a million-dollar firm was off the ground. Part of earnings was invested in company-owned property to establish collateral, a prerequisite for the bank. With enhanced company profile and prestigious assignments like missile launch sites, refineries, high-precision tunnel alignment, shrimp-farm projects and townships to its credit, SECON had proved itself an acknowledged leader in surveying in India.

Maturation
Today the company has exe­cuted over 52,000km of pipeline, about 10,000km of roads and over 10,000km2of irrigation networks across India. Offering total solutions and expertise has enabled it to undertake data capture, processing and design delivery for water-supply projects for 101 towns in north-western Libya based on the ‘onshore–offshore’ model. The successful completion of this project has provided the confidence to push for many more areas in North Africa, the ­Middle East and other regions. Our ground-survey strength, along with the total solution, including high-end geospatial and value-added GIS services, helps us get involved in more international projects, since there is a worldwide shortage of certified surveyors. Our capabil­ities in aerial survey, Lidar, photogrammetry  processing etc are gaining prominence, and we have obtained approval from the Ministry of Defence for aerial survey projects in India.

Future
Keeping pace with continual technological advance is a challenge that includes upgrading of equipment and training of staff. Conducting surveys demands the endurance and adaptability to harsh conditions of dedicated crews. The modern trend of opting for desk jobs results in a shortfall in licensed surveyors. With the opening up of the Indian economy comes a current boom in infrastructure development. As a provider of total solutions we can serve both the Indian and global marketplace. We also want to partner with national space and defence agencies to develop tools and support ser­vices for advanced space applications for land development and defence needs. Another wish is to create joint ventures with global partners having synergy with our own areas of competence, including full-fledged air survey, photogrammetry and Lidar.

SECON Private Limited, Plot No.147, 7B Road, EPIP, White Field, Bangalore - 560 066, India, e-mail: pradeep@secon.in