How to make money from drones? Find out how heap counting function can transform your business!

Many companies operating in the drone industry focus on aerial photography, promotional videos or roof inspections. While these are valuable services, the real potential lies in working with spatial data – and one of the most profitable examples is just heap counting.

Any company that accumulates aggregates, raw materials or waste must regularly monitor the volume of its inventory. Traditional methods (such as surveying) are costly, time-consuming and difficult to do on an ongoing basis. The drone and Skysnap software offer the possibility of automated, fast and highly accurate heap volume counting.

1. The operator takes a drone flight over the landfill.
2. The images from the flight are sent for processing – Skysnap generates an orthophotomap and a point cloud.
3. A user (e.g., a mine owner) can count the volume of heaps on his own in a few minutes without leaving his office – everything happens in the Skysnap Portal.

For the drone operator, this means the possibility of providing recurring service i earning from regular raids, and for the customer – real savings and access to up-to-date data.

• 💰 New source of income – heap counting is a service for which customers pay regularly.
• 📈 Added value – you show that your drone is not just a camera, but also a tool for spatial analysis.
• 🔁 Long-term cooperation – companies collecting bulk material need measurements even every 2-4 weeks.

🧘‍♂️ Less stress – with SkySnap, it is the customer himself who generates the reports, and you just provide the data.

• Mines and gravel pits
• Manufacturing plants (e.g., concrete plants)
• Construction companies and developers

Landfills and recycling centers

1. Regularity – thanks to the availability (not so expensive) I can not only take place, but can be done regularly
2. Precise 3D measurements – higher accuracy than with traditional methods.
3. Speed and convenience – online order, quick measurement, reports even in 24 hours.
4. Safety – no need to enter heaps, remote measurements.
5. Lower costs – cheaper than surveying, savings in logistics and planning.
6. 24/7 availability – data and measurement history online in SkySnap Portal.
7. Modern image – you show that your company works innovatively.
8. Flexibility – single measurements or cyclic monitoring.
9. Ready reports – volumes, orthophotos and 3D models in PDF and for export.

We have prepared checklist for operators who want to start making money from heap counting. You can find it here in our e-book, along with tips advice and other useful articles