Pointly vs TopoDOT

Pointly classifies and vectorizes large LiDAR point clouds from airborne, mobile and terrestrial sources. It accepts LAS and LAZ files and can return classified files in those formats, alongside vectors in DXF, Shapefile, CSV or GeoJSON. Workflows can combine AI classification with rule-based checks using geometry, semantic rules and reference data, with quality control where needed. The service supports API, self-hosted and web use. Its hosted platform runs on Microsoft Azure in the EU by default; separate tenants in other Azure regions are available on request. Pointly Box runs inside a customer's network and can be air-gapped, with licensing via a hardware key. The free account allows three uploads of up to 15 MPoints each to try standard classifiers. Professional S costs 99.00 € per month, net excluding VAT, and includes 500 MPoints per month and unlimited projects. Pointly describes its certification as ISO/IEC 27001:2022 and says it usually answers enquiries within one business day.

TopoDOT is Windows point-cloud processing software for modeling, analysis, and production deliverables. It runs as a desktop application inside Bentley MicroStation, requiring a compatible MicroStation environment. Road and DOT workflows include template extraction, pavement extraction, and intensity-based extraction for topographic and GIS outputs. Rail tools handle rail, overhead catenary, and corridor inspection geometry. Utility workflows extract towers, poles, wires, and clearances, while structural tools turn dense point clouds into 3D meshes for bridges, pier caps, and complex buildings. Automatic Asset ID applies machine learning to identify and extract assets and attributes. The software supports point-cloud registration, classification, geospatial analysis, E57 and LAS/LAZ files, and point-cloud-to-mesh work. TopoDOT describes automation, AI, and machine learning as retaining technician visibility, control, and judgment. Organization licenses allow unlimited users and workstations, with annual maintenance based on tracked workstation user-days. Enterprise 300 costs $12,000 once, with maintenance at $26.00 per user-day.