Trimble and Manitowoc Cranes announced that they have signed an agreement to collaborate on the development of solutions that can harness precise positioning technology, wireless communications and comprehensive software capabilities to enhance productivity in the construction lifting industry.Trimble and Manitowoc intend to develop solutions that will transform the way in which crane operations and information are managed on a construction site.By combining the strengths of Trimble and Manitowoc Cranes, the companies intend to develop a solution tailored for the lifting industry that provides real time, centimeter level positioning data for multiple cranes working on a cons?truction site.The solution would be able to measure crane position in absolute coordinates using rugged, easy to install, non-contact sensors that can be installed on both fixed and mobile cra?nes. It is planned that the in cab displays of cranes that are fitted with the developed solution will permit oper?ators to view the site, multiple working crane zones, forbidden zones, target locations and other site information.