[Multiple positions for a single group/object?]

Thanks for the tip, this does seem to be the prevailing method and it works for changing angles in orthogonal views but leaves me wanting for renderings involving perspective views.

 

[Multiple positions for a single group/object?]

I often work with automated rigging and am trying to easily present multiple position variations of lighting trusses.  

 

I've always just made a layer for each configuration, but duplicating all the objects can quickly create a very large file.

 

Is there a way to show the same object in multiple positions?