从测距、测角问题的解决到全站仪的诞生，再到数年的磨合，中国人用了20多年时间掌握了全站仪的所有核心技术。回首中国全站仪的发展历史，纷繁复杂，大浪淘沙……
    一、 测距仪的诞生，砰然使测绘发生改变
    测距仪出现前，国内测距的主要方式是“一条基线两个角”，这种“以角求边”的方式工作量大，效率低下。
    从上世纪50年代末60年代初开始，我国陆续试制光电测距仪，可惜困难重重。进入70年代，几次大地震的发生使得对长距离激光测距的需求更加迫切，国家连续发动了几次大规模科研攻关，其中三支代表力量分别是：中国地震局武汉地震研究所、北京光学仪器厂、广东测绘仪器厂。这一系列攻关在原理上进了一步，试制出了样机———足足30公斤，但由于电子元器件、材料、工艺等多方面的限制，无法解决实际应用问题及批量生产。
    在70年代，国外比较可靠的、有实用价值的测距仪已经出现，主要代表就是瑞士威尔特（WILD，现已并入徕卡）、瑞典AGA（现已并入天宝）。他们研制生产的测距仪可直接测量3公里，甚至10公里，使业界大吃一惊，给整个行业的测绘方式带来根本性的变化。
    1979年国家改革开放，引进热潮形成，北光、广东测绘仪器厂、常州第二电子仪器厂成为引进学习测距仪技术的主要代表。其中北光主要和瑞典AGA合作，广东厂和常州二电仪则主要与日本测机舍（即索佳）、尼康合作。国人对引进寄予厚望，但事与愿违，在整个引进过程中，多是为进口散件组装仪器，学到的只是皮毛，根本无法触及核心技术。
    1986年至1987年间，常州二电仪5名骨干集体跳槽至常州工学院校办工厂（即常州大地测距仪厂），成为轰动一时的行业事件（详见2版）。当时还在广东厂就职的南方测绘的创始人马超也十分关注此事，他清楚地意识到，这5人通过引进掌握了一些技术，他们有创新意识，有一直坚持国产化的决心，他们就是中国的希望。
    当这5人顶着巨大的压力，成功研制出性能稳定的测距仪后，市场销售却不尽人意。他们一年的销量仅仅20余台，进口的在中国如火如荼。
    1989年，南方测绘成立，1991年，南方测绘和常州大地厂正式携手合作，大地厂负责技术，南方公司负责市场，一年竟能卖出两三百台，实现了测距仪的国产化，迫使进口测距仪逐步退出中国市场。
    二、电子测角，国营和民营的对垒
    在电子测角出现前，常常是光学经纬仪上架装测距仪，我们称之为“半站仪”，这种方式从上世纪70年代中一直延续到90年代初。当测距问题彻底解决后，测角问题提上日程，北光和苏一光成为此时引进国外技术的国营企业代表，北光还同日本拓普康合资成立了北京拓普康仪器有限公司。
    那时北光和苏一光都是很强大的国营企业，是主流，南方公司尽管与大地厂合作在市场上呼声很高，也远不能够与这两家相提并论。
    1994年，北光5名技术员改投南方公司旗下（详见2版），这在现在看来是平常的事情，在当时引起了很大的波澜，北光称之为“挖角”。当时的南方除了销售自己生产的仪器附件，还大量销售北光的仪器，彼此关系不错，为了解开这次“挖角”的结，南方公司总经理马超与北光的领导进行协商，协商的结果是：5名技术员里有3名即将退休，另外两名是当时北光的年轻骨干，但还不是技术领导，北光还有中青年技术骨干近40名，双方都认为没有必要在这个问题上结梁子。关系得以缓解。
    这些技术员的到来充实了南方公司的技术实力，他们在南方的平台上迸发出了很大的热情，1994年12月，南方公司通过层层技术攻关，推出中国第一台电子经纬仪，成功解决了电子测角问题。随后几年，在南方电子经纬仪的一再冲击下，北京拓普康仪器有限公司解体，南方公司电经逐步发展，产量达到世界第一。
    人们常说，南方公司的成功和崛起是一个奇迹，一个神话，可以参考却无法复制。现在，当我们站在更高的角度重新回顾、审视这一过程时就会发现，南方公司真正核心的优势，不见得是在技术上，更多的是一种灵活的体制，适合市场的策略和以人为本的文化。
    三、与常州大地厂分家，八年磨合全站仪
    当所有的人为测距、测角问题的解决欢呼雀跃，憧憬第一台国产全站仪尽快实现时，隐藏在常州大地厂和南方公司之间的矛盾逐渐凸现。那时，南方公司已十分强势，市场锋芒锐利，希望能在南方的主导下与大地厂共同打天下，然而大地厂以掌握核心技术为由，不认同南方主导的现实，双方谈判最终失败，1994年南方公司与大地厂的合作关系正式瓦解，大地厂十几名从生产到科研的骨干在此次决裂后选择了追随南方公司，并在常州组建了测距仪厂，从此，北京主攻测角，常州主攻测距的格局形成，也形成了南方公司一统天下的局面，中国测绘仪器行业进入了高速发展时期。
    1995年底，在业内惊诧的目光中，南方测绘推出中国第一台国产全站仪样机NTS-202（详见2版）。
    2003年，经过8年磨合，南方测绘推出第二代全站仪———全中文内存NTS-320系列、NTS-350系列全站仪，整体达到了进口仪器的水平（详见2版）。
    四、360，跨越同类进口全站仪的杰作
    2008年，南方测绘推出第三代全站仪———NTS-360R系列全站仪。360全站仪的诞生，不仅代表了国产全站仪的最高水平，更成为跨越同类进口全站仪的杰作（详见2版）。
    2009年，南方全站仪的产量将达到2.5万台，不但在国内遥遥领先，产量也将位居世界第一。
 

From the distance measurement, angle measurement solution to the problem to the birth of Total Station, and then to the run for several years, Chinese people spent more than 20 years to master all the core technologies of Total Station. Looking back on history of development of Total Station, complicated, Ebb Tide ... ...
    First, the birth of rangefinder, slammed to make mapping changes
    Rangefinder before the onset of the main form of domestic Ranging, "a baseline of two corner", this "demand side in order to corner" approach to heavy workload and inefficient.
    From the late 50th century and the early 60s, China one after another trial EDM Unfortunately, very difficult. Into the 70's, several major earthquakes took place makes long-range laser rangefinder needs were more urgent, the state has launched several large-scale scientific research, including three representatives of power are: Wuhan Institute of Seismology, China Seismological Bureau, Beijing Optical Instrument Factory, Guangdong mapping Instrument Factory. This series of research in the theory a step upward mobility, prototype prototype --- out of a full 30 kilograms, but because of electronic components, materials, technology and many other constraints, can not solve problems and the practical application of mass production.
    In the 70's, more reliable foreign countries, there are practical value of the range finder has emerged, the main representative is 瑞士威尔特 (WILD, has been incorporated into the Leica), Sweden AGA (now incorporated into the Tianbao). They develop and produce a range finder can be directly measured three kilometers or 10 kilometers, so that the industry by surprise, giving way surveying and mapping industry as a whole brought about fundamental change.
    In 1979, the country's reform and opening up, the introduction of wave formation, Northern Light, Guangdong mapping Instrument Factory, Changzhou and second to study the introduction of electronic instruments factory to become the main representative of rangefinder technology. And Sweden, where the main AGA Northern Light co-operation, Guangdong Factory and Changzhou two electric meter is mainly with the Japanese sokkisha (ie, SOKKIA), Nikon co-operation. People on the introduction of high expectations, but backfire in the whole process of introduction, mostly imported spare parts for the assembly of instruments, learned only superficial and can not touch the core technology.
    From 1986 to 1987, the Changzhou two electric meter five key collective-run factories switched to the Changzhou Institute of Technology (ie, Changzhou earth DME plant) as the sensation of industry events (see 2 version). Guangdong factory inauguration was also the founder of the Southern mapping Ma Chao is also very concerned about this, he clearly realized that five people through the introduction of a number of techniques to master, they have a sense of innovation, there has always insisted the determination of localization, they are China's hope.
    When these five people under immense pressure, the successful production of stable performance of the rangefinder, the market was less than satisfactory. Their one-year sales of just more than 20 sets, imported in full swing in China.
    In 1989, the South mapping was established in 1991, the South the land surveying and Changzhou plant formally work together, and earth, plants responsible for technical, Southern Company is responsible for the market to sell 2 300 units a year could really be able to realize the localization of the rangefinder, forced to import rangefinder gradually withdraw from the Chinese market.
    2, electronic measuring angle, The standoff between the state and private
    Before the advent of the electronic angle measurement, optical theodolite shelves are often loaded range finder, which we call "half-point Instrument", in this way 70 years from the last century, has been extended to the early 90's. When the distance measurement problem completely resolved, the measured angle question on the agenda, the North light SU to become a ray at this time the introduction of foreign technology, state-owned enterprises on behalf of, Northern Light is also a joint venture with Topcon Topcon Instrument Co., Ltd. in Beijing.
    At that time, North Light and Light is a very powerful Soviet state-owned enterprises, is the mainstream, despite the Southern Company plant in cooperation with the earth the strong demand in the market, but also far from being able to be compared with these two.
    In 1994, the Northern Lights 5 Technicians switched to Southern Company's (see 2 version), which now appears to be the usual thing, at the time caused great waves, North-ray called the "lure them away." At that time the South In addition to selling their own production equipment accessories, but also a large number of sales of North-ray equipment, a good mutual relations, in order to solve this "lure them away," the knot, the South and North Light, general manager of Ma Chao's leadership to conduct consultations, negotiations The result: five technicians, there are three about to retire, the other two are younger then the backbone of the north light, but not a technical leader in the North-ray technicians are young and middle aged nearly 40, both sides agreed that there is no need in this matter on the knot liangzi. Relationship was defused.
    The arrival of these technicians enriched the company's technical strength in the South, they burst out of the south platform, a great deal of enthusiasm, in December 1994, the South through layers of technology research, launched China's first electronic theodolite, successfully resolving Electronic angle measurement problems. The following years, repeated in the south under the impact of electronic theodolite, Beijing Topcon Instrument Co., Ltd. disintegration of electricity through the gradual development of Southern Company, the output to reach the world.
    It is often said the company's success and the rise of the South is a miracle, a myth, you can refer to but can not be copied. Now, as we stand on a higher degree of re-review, look at this process, we will find that the real core of the South's advantage is not necessarily technically, is more of a flexible system, suited to market strategy and people-oriented culture.
    Third, with the Changzhou factory separation of the earth, for eight years running-total-station
    When all of the people ranging, angle measurement problems cheered, looking forward to the first China-made total station as soon as possible, the hidden land in Changzhou factory and the South gradually highlights the contradiction between the companies. At that time, the South has a very strong market, a sharp edge, hoping in the south and the earth under the auspices of the common plants around trying to conquer the land plants, however, to grasp core technology, the grounds do not agree with the South-led reality, the ultimate failure of negotiations, 1994 years, Southern Company and the earth plant partnership with the collapse of the earth a dozen plants from production to research and break the backbone in this post have chosen to follow the Southern Company, and formed a DME plant in Changzhou Since then, Beijing main attack angle measurement , Changzhou main attack ranging pattern formation, but also the formation of the South's dominance of the Chinese surveying and mapping equipment industry has entered a rapid development period.
    By the end of 1995, in the astonished eyes of the industry, the South launched China's first homemade mapping prototype Total Station NTS-202 (see 2 version).
    In 2003, after eight years of run-in, the South launched the second generation of total station surveying and mapping all the Chinese --- NTS-320 Series Memory, NTS-350 Series Total Station, as a whole has reached the level of imports of equipment (see 2 version).
    4, 360, across a masterpiece of similar imported Total Station
    In 2008, the South launched the third generation of total station mapping --- NTS-360R Series Total Station. 360 Total Station was born, not only represents the highest level of domestic total stations, total stations have become a masterpiece of cross similar imported (see 2 version).
    In 2009, the South total station output will be 2.5 million units, not only in the country ahead, production will be highest in the world.