Granville County, North Carolina is taking receipt of new GIS layers
for public safety. After attending a GIS seminar (10 Ways to Improve
Your Public Safety with GIS) at a recent North Carolina joint NENA/APCO
conference, Granville County 911 Manager, William Wheeler, realized that
a ramped up GIS was critical for public safety. Under Mr. Wheeler’s
guidance, the county choose Geographic Technologies Group (GTG) to
create the needed data sets and to create a vision for moving GIS to the
enterprise at the County. Curtis Hinton, President of GTG states; “the
county has taken great strides forward. We have just delivered a
comprehensive five year plan that ensures that all county departments
are getting a return-on-investment from GIS.” The county will be
leveraging Esri’s ArcGIS for Local Government suite of tools to quickly
roll out databases and applications to departments. Mr. Hinton further
points out, “the county quickly realized that enterprise GIS was a
reality even in these down economic times. GIS will be implemented
incrementally and responsibly.”
For more information on attending a “10 Ways to Improve Your Public
Safety with GIS” workshop or this project please contact Matthew McLamb
at mmclamb@geotg.com or 888-757-4222.
Saturday, 3 March 2012
Esri Wins 2012 IBM Beacon Award for Best Industry Solutions for Government
Redlands, California - March 01, 2012 - Esri was named winner of a 2012 IBM Beacon Award for Best Industry Solutions for Government in recognition of Esri Maps for IBM Cognos.
This honor is awarded each year to a select number of IBM business
partners to recognize information technology excellence, commitment to
skills attainment, industry knowledge, and innovative solutions based on
IBM technology and services.
"Esri shares IBM's vision for a smarter planet," said Esri president Jack Dangermond. "Esri Maps for IBM Cognos helps deliver that vision by integrating Esri maps and data into IBM Cognos Business Intelligence reports, providing powerful analytics capabilities."
The Beacon Awards are a central and vital element of IBM's business partner recognition program. Announced at the IBM PartnerWorld Leadership Conference (held this year in New Orleans, Louisiana, United States) and selected by leading industry influencers and IBM executives from among hundreds of nominations, IBM Beacon Awards recognize a small number of IBM business partners that have demonstrated business excellence in delivering IBM-based solutions resulting in client transformation and business growth. This year's awards recognized business partner achievements in 27 award categories.
"The IBM Beacon Awards were established more than a dozen years ago to recognize business partners globally for their excellence and innovative solutions based on IBM technology," said Mark Hennessy, general manager, IBM Global Business Partners & Midmarket. "Our winners are business partners that have delivered unique and innovative solutions that raise the standard for business excellence, bringing client value. We congratulate Esri on winning the Beacon Award for Best Industry Solutions for Government and demonstrating its ability to provide value by creating Esri Maps for IBM Cognos."
For more information about the IBM Beacon Awards, including information about winners and finalists, visit https://www304.ibm.com/partnerworld/wps/servlet/ContentHandler/pw_com_prb_beacon.
To learn more about IBM PartnerWorld, a comprehensive program that offers marketing and sales resources, training, certification, and technical support to help create new revenue and market opportunities for IBM business partners, visit http://www.ibm.com/partnerworld. To find an IBM business partner with a particular set of skills, a technology reseller, or a consultant with industry expertise, visit the Business Partner Locator at https://www-304.ibm.com/partnerworld/wps/bplocator/search.jsp.
"Esri shares IBM's vision for a smarter planet," said Esri president Jack Dangermond. "Esri Maps for IBM Cognos helps deliver that vision by integrating Esri maps and data into IBM Cognos Business Intelligence reports, providing powerful analytics capabilities."
The Beacon Awards are a central and vital element of IBM's business partner recognition program. Announced at the IBM PartnerWorld Leadership Conference (held this year in New Orleans, Louisiana, United States) and selected by leading industry influencers and IBM executives from among hundreds of nominations, IBM Beacon Awards recognize a small number of IBM business partners that have demonstrated business excellence in delivering IBM-based solutions resulting in client transformation and business growth. This year's awards recognized business partner achievements in 27 award categories.
"The IBM Beacon Awards were established more than a dozen years ago to recognize business partners globally for their excellence and innovative solutions based on IBM technology," said Mark Hennessy, general manager, IBM Global Business Partners & Midmarket. "Our winners are business partners that have delivered unique and innovative solutions that raise the standard for business excellence, bringing client value. We congratulate Esri on winning the Beacon Award for Best Industry Solutions for Government and demonstrating its ability to provide value by creating Esri Maps for IBM Cognos."
For more information about the IBM Beacon Awards, including information about winners and finalists, visit https://www304.ibm.com/partnerworld/wps/servlet/ContentHandler/pw_com_prb_beacon.
To learn more about IBM PartnerWorld, a comprehensive program that offers marketing and sales resources, training, certification, and technical support to help create new revenue and market opportunities for IBM business partners, visit http://www.ibm.com/partnerworld. To find an IBM business partner with a particular set of skills, a technology reseller, or a consultant with industry expertise, visit the Business Partner Locator at https://www-304.ibm.com/partnerworld/wps/bplocator/search.jsp.
Education Alliance Agreement Signed with Northeastern University
PCI Geomatics, a world-leading developer of geoimaging software and
systems, announced today that it has signed an Education Alliance
agreement with Northeastern University (NEU), located in Boston, MA.
In order to promote cooperation and knowledge exchange, PCI Geomatics has created the ‘PCI Geomatics Education Alliance Program’ designed to create strong reciprocal relationships with select educational institutions. Under the terms of the Alliance Program, PCI Geomatics provides software licenses to support teaching and research activities in exchange for insights into the work being conducted at the University with PCI Geomatics software. The program fosters communication between the University and PCI scientists, and provides an outlet to the commercial world, highlighting the work conducted at the University using PCI Geomatics software.
“PCI greatly values the contributions of Universities and other educational institutions to advance our collective knowledge of remote sensing science and applications,” said Brad Schmidt, VP of Sales and Marketing at PCI Geomatics. “The purpose of the Education Alliance Program is to support the education sector, which acts as a beacon for teaching, research, and innovation.”
“We are pleased to have been selected to participate in PCI’s Education Alliance Program,” said Dr. Cordula Robinson, Academic Specialist in the College of Professional Studies (CPS) at Northeastern University. “Geomatica is an excellent teaching aid in conveying the fundamentals of Remote Sensing and Digital Image Processing to our Graduate students. In addition, it offers excellent tools for customization that are leveraged for research in directed studies. We have a wide variety of students using this technology through our online course offerings.”
PCI Geomatics has implemented other Educational Alliance agreements recently, and aims to have regional representation in all parts of the world.
In order to promote cooperation and knowledge exchange, PCI Geomatics has created the ‘PCI Geomatics Education Alliance Program’ designed to create strong reciprocal relationships with select educational institutions. Under the terms of the Alliance Program, PCI Geomatics provides software licenses to support teaching and research activities in exchange for insights into the work being conducted at the University with PCI Geomatics software. The program fosters communication between the University and PCI scientists, and provides an outlet to the commercial world, highlighting the work conducted at the University using PCI Geomatics software.
“PCI greatly values the contributions of Universities and other educational institutions to advance our collective knowledge of remote sensing science and applications,” said Brad Schmidt, VP of Sales and Marketing at PCI Geomatics. “The purpose of the Education Alliance Program is to support the education sector, which acts as a beacon for teaching, research, and innovation.”
“We are pleased to have been selected to participate in PCI’s Education Alliance Program,” said Dr. Cordula Robinson, Academic Specialist in the College of Professional Studies (CPS) at Northeastern University. “Geomatica is an excellent teaching aid in conveying the fundamentals of Remote Sensing and Digital Image Processing to our Graduate students. In addition, it offers excellent tools for customization that are leveraged for research in directed studies. We have a wide variety of students using this technology through our online course offerings.”
PCI Geomatics has implemented other Educational Alliance agreements recently, and aims to have regional representation in all parts of the world.
Clark Labs Releases New Video Demonstrating REDD Deforestation Modeling with Land Change Modeler
Worcester, MA - Clark Labs of Clark University is pleased to announce
that a new video has been added to the video series on its website.
This latest video, entitled REDD Deforestation Modeling with Land Change Modeler in IDRISI, introduces the new REDD modeling feature tool included in the latest release of IDRISI, the Selva Edition. This video demonstrates how to model baseline land cover change and to predict future “with project” scenarios, as well as how these scenarios will impact projected GHG emissions through the implementation of a REDD project.
A REDD project proposal, or the Project Design Document submitted to the Verified Carbon Standard (VCS) Organization, requires maps and statistics of GHG emissions, based on various scenarios and standards. The new REDD analysis tool within Land Change Modeler facilitates the creation of these VCS outputs at the specified reporting intervals.
This video, utilizing Madagascar data from Conservation International, highlights how to model land use change from forest to non-forest and create baseline prediction maps based on business-as-usual scenarios and calculate the amount of potential GHG emissions from such predicted forest loss. The Land Change Modeler software also allows you to quantify reductions in GHG emissions in both the project and leakage areas if a REDD project were to be implemented.
This video is one of several videos directly related to the widely-used Land Change Modeler application. IDRISI’s Land Change Modeler is becoming the de facto modeling software for developing REDD projects. This particular video follows on from the REDD Baseline Modeling video. It is recommended that you watch the other videos as well to gain a better appreciation of the complexities involved in modeling land use change.
Other videos on the Land Change Modeler application within the Resources section of the Clark Labs website, www.clarklabs.org, include:
For further information, please contact Clark Labs at Clark University, Worcester, MA Tel: 508-793-7526.
This latest video, entitled REDD Deforestation Modeling with Land Change Modeler in IDRISI, introduces the new REDD modeling feature tool included in the latest release of IDRISI, the Selva Edition. This video demonstrates how to model baseline land cover change and to predict future “with project” scenarios, as well as how these scenarios will impact projected GHG emissions through the implementation of a REDD project.
A REDD project proposal, or the Project Design Document submitted to the Verified Carbon Standard (VCS) Organization, requires maps and statistics of GHG emissions, based on various scenarios and standards. The new REDD analysis tool within Land Change Modeler facilitates the creation of these VCS outputs at the specified reporting intervals.
This video, utilizing Madagascar data from Conservation International, highlights how to model land use change from forest to non-forest and create baseline prediction maps based on business-as-usual scenarios and calculate the amount of potential GHG emissions from such predicted forest loss. The Land Change Modeler software also allows you to quantify reductions in GHG emissions in both the project and leakage areas if a REDD project were to be implemented.
This video is one of several videos directly related to the widely-used Land Change Modeler application. IDRISI’s Land Change Modeler is becoming the de facto modeling software for developing REDD projects. This particular video follows on from the REDD Baseline Modeling video. It is recommended that you watch the other videos as well to gain a better appreciation of the complexities involved in modeling land use change.
Other videos on the Land Change Modeler application within the Resources section of the Clark Labs website, www.clarklabs.org, include:
- Introduction to Land Change Modeler in IDRISI
- Predicting Land Cover Change with Land Change Modeler in IDRISI
- REDD Baseline Modeling with Land Change Modeler in IDRISI
For further information, please contact Clark Labs at Clark University, Worcester, MA Tel: 508-793-7526.
AgriCharts Brings Advanced Interactive Weather to Agribusiness Websites
AgriCharts, the agricultural division of Barchart.com, Inc., which provides market data, agribusiness website hosting
and technology solutions to the agricultural industry, announces a new
relationship with Weather Decisions Technologies (WDT), a global leader
in state-of-the-art weather services, to provide WDT's iMap, a dynamic
and interactive weather mapping solution, to clients of AgriCharts. The
new interactive weather maps are available to clients using AgriCharts'
website hosting service and content solutions. The iMap solution
utilizes the Google Maps API and provides users with the ability to
launch the weather map into full screen mode, as well as view weather
from a global level all the way down to a farm level, including local
high resolution.
"We are excited to announce our relationship with WDT. Their iMap solution delivers our clients with a world-class interactive weather solution that can be instantly integrated into their website," said Mark Haraburda, AgriCharts Managing Director. "With this new tool agribusinesses can provide their clients and website visitors with access to the best interactive weather service available direct from their website," added Haraburda.
"Weather is a very high priority for farmers and producers as well as up-chain service providers and processors," said Mike Gauthier, Sr. Vice President of Sales for WDT.
"With AgriCharts, we are bringing the most powerful, innovative, and accurate weather, radar and satellite data available in the United States, transforming AgriCharts' client websites into reliable decision-making tools for hundreds of agribusiness and thousands of farmers," said Gauthier.
AgriCharts' iMap interactive weather features include:
About AgriCharts
AgriCharts, a division of Barchart.com, Inc. which provides market data solutions to the equity, futures, mutual fund and foreign exchange markets, provides agricultural information and technology services to the agricultural industry. AgriCharts' services include agribusiness website hosting and management, market data and information, cash grain bid management, website content and real-time quote services. AgriCharts goal is to provide successful market data, information and technology solutions to meet the requirements of today's agricultural industry.
"We are excited to announce our relationship with WDT. Their iMap solution delivers our clients with a world-class interactive weather solution that can be instantly integrated into their website," said Mark Haraburda, AgriCharts Managing Director. "With this new tool agribusinesses can provide their clients and website visitors with access to the best interactive weather service available direct from their website," added Haraburda.
"Weather is a very high priority for farmers and producers as well as up-chain service providers and processors," said Mike Gauthier, Sr. Vice President of Sales for WDT.
"With AgriCharts, we are bringing the most powerful, innovative, and accurate weather, radar and satellite data available in the United States, transforming AgriCharts' client websites into reliable decision-making tools for hundreds of agribusiness and thousands of farmers," said Gauthier.
AgriCharts' iMap interactive weather features include:
- Zoom in and out, even to the farm level (from World to Street Level views)
- Integrated with Google Maps for Terrain, Satellite, and Road Map views
- ClickCast – click anywhere and receive current conditions and forecast
- Launch into Full Screen Mode with a single click
- Radar and satellite overlays (including Local High Resolution)
- Current conditions overlay
- Rainfall overlays
- Flood index overlay
- Winter weather overlays
- Severe weather overlays
- Global weather (current conditions and forecasts)
- Search with your mouse or by address, zip code or city
- Save your exact location by clicking anywhere on the map
- Add custom markers/pins
- Adjust transparency levels
- Custom default view (by location and type of overlays)
- Custom map sizes
About AgriCharts
AgriCharts, a division of Barchart.com, Inc. which provides market data solutions to the equity, futures, mutual fund and foreign exchange markets, provides agricultural information and technology services to the agricultural industry. AgriCharts' services include agribusiness website hosting and management, market data and information, cash grain bid management, website content and real-time quote services. AgriCharts goal is to provide successful market data, information and technology solutions to meet the requirements of today's agricultural industry.
Auto Insurance Premiums Falling for Safe Drivers from GPS Navigation Reporting
The TomTom GPS system will be developing a specialized navigational
system called the TomTom PRO 3100. This GPS system will be built to
assist insurance companies in tracking the driving habits of their
customers.
Auto insurance companies are on the hub of releasing new policies that will allow their policy holders to pay less if they have safe driving practices. While this could be extremely beneficial the system may also work as a disadvantage seeing that it will be tracking all of the policy holders driving and will drive up their premiums for unsafe driving practices.
Auto insurance companies are trying to find ways to help their customers save money, and to single out the unsafe drivers that hold policies with them. The overall goal is to charge the higher rates to the individuals with unsafe driving practices, so that they safe drivers do not have to pay the additional money that is currently divided out among all of their policy holders.
Currently most auto insurance companies will rate the price that their policy holder pays based on their record, how much they drive, and the type of car that they drive. Some vehicles have more safety features than others, so the auto insurance company takes that into consideration when working out the policy holder’s premium. This means that if someone is driving around in a classic Porsche that has no seatbelts or airbags than their insurance will be much higher than someone that drives around in a current model minivan with all of the up-to-date safety features. A big factor in current auto insurance prices is simply the amount of miles that a person drives in a year. Someone will pay higher insurance premiums if they average around 20,000 miles per year versus someone that averages around 10,000 miles per year. This is simply due to the fact that the person driving twice the amount of miles is more likely to be in an accident or need to file a claim due to exposure.
The GPS tracking system is setup to not only help insurance companies, but to encourage safer driving. Many people will change habits that cost them money, and if they are paying higher premiums due to unsafe driving practices than they will most likely become more conscious of their driving habits.
Auto insurance companies are on the hub of releasing new policies that will allow their policy holders to pay less if they have safe driving practices. While this could be extremely beneficial the system may also work as a disadvantage seeing that it will be tracking all of the policy holders driving and will drive up their premiums for unsafe driving practices.
Auto insurance companies are trying to find ways to help their customers save money, and to single out the unsafe drivers that hold policies with them. The overall goal is to charge the higher rates to the individuals with unsafe driving practices, so that they safe drivers do not have to pay the additional money that is currently divided out among all of their policy holders.
Currently most auto insurance companies will rate the price that their policy holder pays based on their record, how much they drive, and the type of car that they drive. Some vehicles have more safety features than others, so the auto insurance company takes that into consideration when working out the policy holder’s premium. This means that if someone is driving around in a classic Porsche that has no seatbelts or airbags than their insurance will be much higher than someone that drives around in a current model minivan with all of the up-to-date safety features. A big factor in current auto insurance prices is simply the amount of miles that a person drives in a year. Someone will pay higher insurance premiums if they average around 20,000 miles per year versus someone that averages around 10,000 miles per year. This is simply due to the fact that the person driving twice the amount of miles is more likely to be in an accident or need to file a claim due to exposure.
The GPS tracking system is setup to not only help insurance companies, but to encourage safer driving. Many people will change habits that cost them money, and if they are paying higher premiums due to unsafe driving practices than they will most likely become more conscious of their driving habits.
Blue Marble Announces First Global Mapper Training to be held in Dallas the Week of April 8th
Gardiner, Maine - Blue Marble Geographics (www.bluemarblegeo.com) is pleased to announce its first Global Mapper public training classes during the week of April 8th at the Hilton Dallas/Park Cities in Dallas, TX. Registration is now open and interested users can sign up at www.bluemarblegeo.com/solutions/training_details.php?id=10 Space is limited for these two-day training courses so interested parties are encouraged to act quickly.
Blue Marble’s geospatial data manipulation, visualization and conversion solutions are used worldwide by thousands of GIS analysts at software, oil and gas, mining, civil engineering, surveying, and technology companies, as well as governmental and university organizations. Blue Marble is known for its applied geodesy training courses using the Blue Marble Desktop and the Geographic Calculator. These popular courses are well received across all industries but resonate particularly well with users who need a refresher on certain GIS concepts and a hands-on training experience that applies the concepts with software. The Global Mapper training courses will leverage that course design reviewing appropriate concepts and applying them with the software. David McKittrick , a GIS trainer with over eight years’ experience in the design and delivery of GIS courses, will conduct the Global Mapper classes.
Attendance at this class will provide both novice and experienced users an opportunity to learn about and utilize the principal features and functions of Global Mapper (v. 13). Employing a hands-on approach, each class will cover the key elements of the software including interface navigation; file, layer, and project management; data access and importing; feature creation and editing; cartographic rendering and visual customization; 3-D modeling and analysis; and data exporting and sharing.
Day one will offer a functional overview of the software covering the most frequently used components and common file formats and day two will provide an opportunity to learn about some of the more advanced mapping and GIS tools.
No previous experience is necessary to attend the class however a working knowledge of the principals of GIS, as well as the key associated file formats, is recommended. Participants should bring a windows-based laptop computer for the purpose of using the software during the class. Evaluation copies of Global Mapper (v. 13) as well as the necessary sample data files will be provided to all attendees.
“We are pleased to roll out our Global Mapper training program,” stated Blue Marble President Patrick Cunningham. “We know these courses will be well received and we are excited to provide our users with assistance in leveraging the program to its fullest extents.”
Blue Marble’s geospatial data manipulation, visualization and conversion solutions are used worldwide by thousands of GIS analysts at software, oil and gas, mining, civil engineering, surveying, and technology companies, as well as governmental and university organizations. Blue Marble is known for its applied geodesy training courses using the Blue Marble Desktop and the Geographic Calculator. These popular courses are well received across all industries but resonate particularly well with users who need a refresher on certain GIS concepts and a hands-on training experience that applies the concepts with software. The Global Mapper training courses will leverage that course design reviewing appropriate concepts and applying them with the software. David McKittrick , a GIS trainer with over eight years’ experience in the design and delivery of GIS courses, will conduct the Global Mapper classes.
Attendance at this class will provide both novice and experienced users an opportunity to learn about and utilize the principal features and functions of Global Mapper (v. 13). Employing a hands-on approach, each class will cover the key elements of the software including interface navigation; file, layer, and project management; data access and importing; feature creation and editing; cartographic rendering and visual customization; 3-D modeling and analysis; and data exporting and sharing.
Day one will offer a functional overview of the software covering the most frequently used components and common file formats and day two will provide an opportunity to learn about some of the more advanced mapping and GIS tools.
No previous experience is necessary to attend the class however a working knowledge of the principals of GIS, as well as the key associated file formats, is recommended. Participants should bring a windows-based laptop computer for the purpose of using the software during the class. Evaluation copies of Global Mapper (v. 13) as well as the necessary sample data files will be provided to all attendees.
“We are pleased to roll out our Global Mapper training program,” stated Blue Marble President Patrick Cunningham. “We know these courses will be well received and we are excited to provide our users with assistance in leveraging the program to its fullest extents.”
ASPRS Announces Newly Elected Vice President and Division Directors
The results of the 2012 election have been tallied by the American
Society for Photogrammetry and Remote Sensing (ASPRS) Tellers Committee
and they reported that Stewart Walker, Director - Product Initiatives
for the Geospatial eXploitation Products business area of BAE Systems in
San Diego, California, won the election to become ASPRS Vice President
for 2012. With the installation of officers at the ASPRS Annual
Conference in March, Roberta (Bobbi) Lenczowski moves into the position
of President; Stephen D. DeGloria becomes President-Elect, and Gary
Florence becomes Past President.
Stewart Walker has MA, MScE and PhD degrees in geography and geomatics from the universities of Glasgow, New Brunswick and Bristol and an MBA from Heriot-Watt. He has authored approximately 200 technical papers.
Walker joined ASPRS in 1973. He is an ASPRS Certified Photogrammetrist and a chartered land surveyor (U.K.). In 1977 he switched from academic life at the University of East London to the private sector, with Surveying and General Instrument Company, Kern, Leica, LH Systems, and Leica Geosystems, in sales, product management and business development, in England, Switzerland and the U.S. He became product manager for SOCET SET® in 1991, when Leica undertook worldwide distribution, joined BAE Systems in 2004 and is responsible for new directions in the development of SOCET GXP® and enterprise software products.
He has served ASPRS as President then National Director of the Southwest U.S. Region, Co-Chair of the Defense and Intelligence Committee, and Chair of the Conference Planning Committee for the ASPRS 2010 Annual Conference.
Walker says, “To ensure a vibrant, visible Society, we must market ASPRS energetically and recruit new members relentlessly; entice student members to stay after graduation; foster the Student Advisory Council and its initiatives; and develop fresh ideas for young professionals.”
Matthew Dunbar was elected Assistant Division Director of the ASPRS Geographic Information Systems Division (GISD). Dunbar is the GIS Program Director at the University of Washington's Center for Studies in Demography and Ecology, where he has led the development of a research infrastructure for spatial analysis since 2008. He has a PhD in Geography from the University of Kansas, where he worked at the Kansas Applied Remote Sensing Program. He has over 10 years of Geographic Information Systems and Analysis (GIS/GIA) experience encompassing spatial data acquisition and database development, analysis and modeling, cartography (print and web-based), manuscript development, and overall project management.
Dunbar got involved in ASPRS earlier in his graduate education. He became a member in 2002, served as a student volunteer at many of his first conferences, and is the proud recipient of several ASPRS scholarships: The Central Region's Francis E. "Gene" Lortz Memorial Scholarship (2004) as well as the National Ta Liang Memorial Award and William Fischer Memorial Scholarship (2005). He also served as a founding officer of the University of Kansas Student ASPRS chapter, and currently advises the Puget Sound ASPRS Student Chapter at the University of Washington.
Robert Thomas was elected Assistant Division Director of the ASPRS Photogrammetric Applications Division(PAD). Thomasis Vice President of Analytical Services with Integrity Applications Incorporated (IAI). He graduated with a Bachelor’s degree in Physics from the University of Colorado in 1996 before being commissioned in the United States Air Force as a Mapping, Charting and Geodesy (MC&G) officer. While assigned to Strategic Air Command (SAC), he served in a number of key positions in the areas of photogrammetry, geopositioning, and multi-spectral image processing.
Following his return from Desert Shield/Storm, Thomas transitioned to the private sector and joined Science Applications International Corporation (SAIC) as a member of their professional staff. While working in Omaha, Nebraska, Thomas completed his master’s degree in Applied Math at the Creighton University during the summer of 1995. Following a five-year assignment with United States European Command, Stuttgart, Germany, he returned to the States in 2001 and accepted a position with IAI. In his current role, he is responsible for a highly-specialized team of scientists and engineers working next-generation image and geospatial product chain analysis.
Thomas has over 24 years of defense support experience in program management and advanced research and technology development in the core area of photogrammetric-based geospatial analysis and services. Outside of his leadership role to include business development, he participates directly as a systems engineer on a number of key customer sponsored initiatives, geospatial standards development, lidar-based enhancements, image-processing, and rigorous error propagation. Thomas frequently delivers key geopositioning-related briefs in support of senior future warfare systems management forums including select Defense Science and Defense Acquisition Boards. A member of ASPRS since 1993, he is actively involved with the recently formed Defense and Intelligence Committee.
James Stuart Blundell was elected Assistant Division Director of the ASPRS Remote Sensing Applications Division(RSAD). Blundell is Director, Strategic Programs at Exelis - Visual Information Solutions. Previously he was vice president of Geospatial Products & Solutions at Overwatch Systems, Ltd. While there he oversaw the research and development of a broad array of tactical and strategic intelligence software products and solutions used by imagery and geospatial analysts. Prior to joining Overwatch in 2006, Blundell was the co-founder of Visual Learning Systems, Inc. which became a leader in the development of automated feature extraction (AFE) software technology for the remote sensing community. The introduction of Feature Analyst in 2001 was the first instance of using machine learning approaches in commercial-off-the-shelf software to address the issue of generating cartographic feature data from a new generation of commercial Earth imaging satellite such as IKONOS. From 1997-2008 Blundell served as the principal investigator on a wide range of research projects for NASA Stennis Space Center, JPL, NGA, NSF, Army Geospatial Center and other organizations exploring the use of AFE technology to support mapping, object detection and other mission planning requirements. VLS was acquired by Overwatch in 2006.
Blundell has supported ASPRS through the development and teaching of professional workshops. In addition, he has authored or co-authored multiple professional publications on the use of AFE technology. Blundell received his BS in Geophysical Engineering from Montana College of Mineral Science & Technology in 1986 and his MS in Geology from the University of Wyoming in 1988. During his tenure at the University of Wyoming, Blundell was fortunate to have the privilege of working with Dr. Harold Lang at JPL on quantitative approaches for remote sensing of sedimentary basins in the Wind River Mountains of Wyoming.
Christopher Parrish was elected Assistant Division Director of the ASPRS Lidar Division(LD). Parrish is the Lead Physical Scientist in the Remote Sensing Division of NOAA’s National Geodetic Survey (NGS). In his current position, Parrish is responsible for conducting research into remote sensing systems, platforms, and software in support of NOAA programs and serves as NGS’ Project Manager for Integrated Ocean and Coastal Mapping (IOCM). Parrish also holds an appointment as an Affiliate Professor in the University of New Hampshire (UNH) Earth Sciences Department and is based at the NOAA-UNH Joint Hydrographic Center-Center for Coastal and Ocean Mapping (JHC-CCOM). Parrish’s academic background includes a PhD in Civil and Environmental Engineering with an emphasis in Geospatial Information Engineering from the University of Wisconsin, an MS in Civil Engineering from the University of Florida, and a BS in Physics from Bates College. His primary research interests include full-waveform lidar, sensor modeling and calibration, uncertainty analysis, and coastal mapping applications. Parrish was the 2011 President of the ASPRS Potomac Region.
Michael Zoltek was elected Assistant Division Director of the ASPRS Professional Practice Division(PPD). Zoltek is a licensed Professional Photogrammetrist/Surveyor experienced since 1990 in a wide variety of public and private sector projects and currently holds active professional registrations in 14 states, as well as being a Certified Federal Surveyor (CFedS) and a Geographic Information Systems Professional (GISP). He has a Bachelor of Science Degree in Surveying & Mapping from the University of Florida (1993) and has worked as a survey field crew member, CAD draftsman, project surveyor, project photogrammetrist, private sector survey manager, QA/QC coordinator, and has held the positions of Vice President/Regional Manager at Nobles Consulting Group, Inc. (Niceville, FL) and Vice President of Surveying & Mapping at Pictometry International, Corp. (Rochester, NY).
Zoltek has been in “responsible charge” of production on projects since 1997 and has been responsible for the training of staff in field techniques and office procedures and software packages. He has been active in state surveying societies and has attended annual conferences of Florida, Alabama and Georgia. He has served as an expert witness on boundary related litigation cases in Florida and has been a guest lecturer at both the University of Florida and Troy University Geomatics Programs. Zoltek has also been a presenter of professional technical seminars at the Rocket City Geospatial Symposium at Troy University, The Surveying and Mapping Society of Georgia (SAMSOG) Summer Conference, at Avatech Solutions’ in-house training seminars in Virginia Beach, Virginia and Las Vegas, Nevada and also at Pictometry’s Futureview Conferences and various State Pictometry User’s Groups (PUGs). A member of ASPRS since 1992, he is also a member of URISA and the New York State GIS Association.
Founded in 1934, ASPRS is an international professional organization of 6,000 geospatial data professionals. ASPRS is devoted to advancing knowledge and improving understanding of the mapping sciences to promote responsible application of photogrammetry, remote sensing, geographic information systems and supporting technologies.
Stewart Walker has MA, MScE and PhD degrees in geography and geomatics from the universities of Glasgow, New Brunswick and Bristol and an MBA from Heriot-Watt. He has authored approximately 200 technical papers.
Walker joined ASPRS in 1973. He is an ASPRS Certified Photogrammetrist and a chartered land surveyor (U.K.). In 1977 he switched from academic life at the University of East London to the private sector, with Surveying and General Instrument Company, Kern, Leica, LH Systems, and Leica Geosystems, in sales, product management and business development, in England, Switzerland and the U.S. He became product manager for SOCET SET® in 1991, when Leica undertook worldwide distribution, joined BAE Systems in 2004 and is responsible for new directions in the development of SOCET GXP® and enterprise software products.
He has served ASPRS as President then National Director of the Southwest U.S. Region, Co-Chair of the Defense and Intelligence Committee, and Chair of the Conference Planning Committee for the ASPRS 2010 Annual Conference.
Walker says, “To ensure a vibrant, visible Society, we must market ASPRS energetically and recruit new members relentlessly; entice student members to stay after graduation; foster the Student Advisory Council and its initiatives; and develop fresh ideas for young professionals.”
Matthew Dunbar was elected Assistant Division Director of the ASPRS Geographic Information Systems Division (GISD). Dunbar is the GIS Program Director at the University of Washington's Center for Studies in Demography and Ecology, where he has led the development of a research infrastructure for spatial analysis since 2008. He has a PhD in Geography from the University of Kansas, where he worked at the Kansas Applied Remote Sensing Program. He has over 10 years of Geographic Information Systems and Analysis (GIS/GIA) experience encompassing spatial data acquisition and database development, analysis and modeling, cartography (print and web-based), manuscript development, and overall project management.
Dunbar got involved in ASPRS earlier in his graduate education. He became a member in 2002, served as a student volunteer at many of his first conferences, and is the proud recipient of several ASPRS scholarships: The Central Region's Francis E. "Gene" Lortz Memorial Scholarship (2004) as well as the National Ta Liang Memorial Award and William Fischer Memorial Scholarship (2005). He also served as a founding officer of the University of Kansas Student ASPRS chapter, and currently advises the Puget Sound ASPRS Student Chapter at the University of Washington.
Robert Thomas was elected Assistant Division Director of the ASPRS Photogrammetric Applications Division(PAD). Thomasis Vice President of Analytical Services with Integrity Applications Incorporated (IAI). He graduated with a Bachelor’s degree in Physics from the University of Colorado in 1996 before being commissioned in the United States Air Force as a Mapping, Charting and Geodesy (MC&G) officer. While assigned to Strategic Air Command (SAC), he served in a number of key positions in the areas of photogrammetry, geopositioning, and multi-spectral image processing.
Following his return from Desert Shield/Storm, Thomas transitioned to the private sector and joined Science Applications International Corporation (SAIC) as a member of their professional staff. While working in Omaha, Nebraska, Thomas completed his master’s degree in Applied Math at the Creighton University during the summer of 1995. Following a five-year assignment with United States European Command, Stuttgart, Germany, he returned to the States in 2001 and accepted a position with IAI. In his current role, he is responsible for a highly-specialized team of scientists and engineers working next-generation image and geospatial product chain analysis.
Thomas has over 24 years of defense support experience in program management and advanced research and technology development in the core area of photogrammetric-based geospatial analysis and services. Outside of his leadership role to include business development, he participates directly as a systems engineer on a number of key customer sponsored initiatives, geospatial standards development, lidar-based enhancements, image-processing, and rigorous error propagation. Thomas frequently delivers key geopositioning-related briefs in support of senior future warfare systems management forums including select Defense Science and Defense Acquisition Boards. A member of ASPRS since 1993, he is actively involved with the recently formed Defense and Intelligence Committee.
James Stuart Blundell was elected Assistant Division Director of the ASPRS Remote Sensing Applications Division(RSAD). Blundell is Director, Strategic Programs at Exelis - Visual Information Solutions. Previously he was vice president of Geospatial Products & Solutions at Overwatch Systems, Ltd. While there he oversaw the research and development of a broad array of tactical and strategic intelligence software products and solutions used by imagery and geospatial analysts. Prior to joining Overwatch in 2006, Blundell was the co-founder of Visual Learning Systems, Inc. which became a leader in the development of automated feature extraction (AFE) software technology for the remote sensing community. The introduction of Feature Analyst in 2001 was the first instance of using machine learning approaches in commercial-off-the-shelf software to address the issue of generating cartographic feature data from a new generation of commercial Earth imaging satellite such as IKONOS. From 1997-2008 Blundell served as the principal investigator on a wide range of research projects for NASA Stennis Space Center, JPL, NGA, NSF, Army Geospatial Center and other organizations exploring the use of AFE technology to support mapping, object detection and other mission planning requirements. VLS was acquired by Overwatch in 2006.
Blundell has supported ASPRS through the development and teaching of professional workshops. In addition, he has authored or co-authored multiple professional publications on the use of AFE technology. Blundell received his BS in Geophysical Engineering from Montana College of Mineral Science & Technology in 1986 and his MS in Geology from the University of Wyoming in 1988. During his tenure at the University of Wyoming, Blundell was fortunate to have the privilege of working with Dr. Harold Lang at JPL on quantitative approaches for remote sensing of sedimentary basins in the Wind River Mountains of Wyoming.
Christopher Parrish was elected Assistant Division Director of the ASPRS Lidar Division(LD). Parrish is the Lead Physical Scientist in the Remote Sensing Division of NOAA’s National Geodetic Survey (NGS). In his current position, Parrish is responsible for conducting research into remote sensing systems, platforms, and software in support of NOAA programs and serves as NGS’ Project Manager for Integrated Ocean and Coastal Mapping (IOCM). Parrish also holds an appointment as an Affiliate Professor in the University of New Hampshire (UNH) Earth Sciences Department and is based at the NOAA-UNH Joint Hydrographic Center-Center for Coastal and Ocean Mapping (JHC-CCOM). Parrish’s academic background includes a PhD in Civil and Environmental Engineering with an emphasis in Geospatial Information Engineering from the University of Wisconsin, an MS in Civil Engineering from the University of Florida, and a BS in Physics from Bates College. His primary research interests include full-waveform lidar, sensor modeling and calibration, uncertainty analysis, and coastal mapping applications. Parrish was the 2011 President of the ASPRS Potomac Region.
Michael Zoltek was elected Assistant Division Director of the ASPRS Professional Practice Division(PPD). Zoltek is a licensed Professional Photogrammetrist/Surveyor experienced since 1990 in a wide variety of public and private sector projects and currently holds active professional registrations in 14 states, as well as being a Certified Federal Surveyor (CFedS) and a Geographic Information Systems Professional (GISP). He has a Bachelor of Science Degree in Surveying & Mapping from the University of Florida (1993) and has worked as a survey field crew member, CAD draftsman, project surveyor, project photogrammetrist, private sector survey manager, QA/QC coordinator, and has held the positions of Vice President/Regional Manager at Nobles Consulting Group, Inc. (Niceville, FL) and Vice President of Surveying & Mapping at Pictometry International, Corp. (Rochester, NY).
Zoltek has been in “responsible charge” of production on projects since 1997 and has been responsible for the training of staff in field techniques and office procedures and software packages. He has been active in state surveying societies and has attended annual conferences of Florida, Alabama and Georgia. He has served as an expert witness on boundary related litigation cases in Florida and has been a guest lecturer at both the University of Florida and Troy University Geomatics Programs. Zoltek has also been a presenter of professional technical seminars at the Rocket City Geospatial Symposium at Troy University, The Surveying and Mapping Society of Georgia (SAMSOG) Summer Conference, at Avatech Solutions’ in-house training seminars in Virginia Beach, Virginia and Las Vegas, Nevada and also at Pictometry’s Futureview Conferences and various State Pictometry User’s Groups (PUGs). A member of ASPRS since 1992, he is also a member of URISA and the New York State GIS Association.
Founded in 1934, ASPRS is an international professional organization of 6,000 geospatial data professionals. ASPRS is devoted to advancing knowledge and improving understanding of the mapping sciences to promote responsible application of photogrammetry, remote sensing, geographic information systems and supporting technologies.
NAVTEQ® Maps Power Audi Connected Car Technology Research
NAVTEQ, the leading global provider of maps, traffic and location data
enabling navigation, location-based services and mobile advertising
around the world, is joining with Audi and three leading U.S.
universities to further the Audi Urban Intelligent Assist (AUIA)
project. The goal of the project is to develop connected car
technologies that reduce congestion, improve safety and make driving
less stressful in increasingly chaotic and rapidly growing urban centers
around the world. The universities will be supplied with NAVTEQ® Map
data to support their pursuit of developing state of the art innovations
and solutions for the connected car.
NAVTEQ Maps include data which can specifically support Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS), such as Geometry, Slope and Height. Relying on these ADAS capabilities, future Audi models could be able to help drivers better detect and avoid dangerous situations. The universities will also have access to NAVTEQ Map data such as Traffic Patterns™, Speed Limits, Enhanced 3D City Models, Enhanced Junction Views and POIs. This broad offering supports Audi's vision of developing models that will know preferred destinations, routes the motorist's have most commonly traveled and the time needed to reach appointments. The Audi Urban Intelligent Assist project will run through 2013.
"NAVTEQ Maps were a clear choice to power the Audi Urban Intelligent Assist research initiative," said Mario Tippelhofer, Electronics Research Laboratory. "The automotive grade quality of the data, as well as their commitment to development and innovation in the automotive industry, demonstrates why they are a trusted and valued supplier."
To stay at the forefront of in-vehicle technology, Audi is engaging the best universities to solve tomorrow's challenges. The Audi Urban Intelligent Assist project, a research initiative launched by Audi together with its Electronics Research Laboratory in Silicon Valley and three top U.S. universities – the University of Southern California, the University of California at Berkeley and the University of California at San Diego - will develop technologies to take the connected car, driver assistance and infrastructure electronics to the next level. Audi envisions that future connected Audi vehicles will take care of all the things that make driving in the city tedious and dangerous, so that motorists can enjoy the drive and get to where they want to go efficiently, safely and comfortably.
"We are dedicated to providing the highest level of automotive grade quality data to support research development and innovation in the industry," said Dave Dale, Vice President of Americas Sales, NAVTEQ. "Projects such as these reinforce that NAVTEQ Maps and our premium content not only add value to the automotive industry today, but will continue to play a significant role in automotive solutions of the future."
About NAVTEQ
NAVTEQ is the leading global provider of location content in the form of maps, traffic and places data that enables navigation, location-based services and mobile advertising around the world. NAVTEQ supplies precise, comprehensive location content to power automotive navigation systems, portable and wireless devices, Internet-based mapping applications and government and business solutions. The Chicago-based company was founded in 1985 and has approximately 5,500 employees located in 202 offices in 53 countries.
NAVTEQ Maps include data which can specifically support Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS), such as Geometry, Slope and Height. Relying on these ADAS capabilities, future Audi models could be able to help drivers better detect and avoid dangerous situations. The universities will also have access to NAVTEQ Map data such as Traffic Patterns™, Speed Limits, Enhanced 3D City Models, Enhanced Junction Views and POIs. This broad offering supports Audi's vision of developing models that will know preferred destinations, routes the motorist's have most commonly traveled and the time needed to reach appointments. The Audi Urban Intelligent Assist project will run through 2013.
"NAVTEQ Maps were a clear choice to power the Audi Urban Intelligent Assist research initiative," said Mario Tippelhofer, Electronics Research Laboratory. "The automotive grade quality of the data, as well as their commitment to development and innovation in the automotive industry, demonstrates why they are a trusted and valued supplier."
To stay at the forefront of in-vehicle technology, Audi is engaging the best universities to solve tomorrow's challenges. The Audi Urban Intelligent Assist project, a research initiative launched by Audi together with its Electronics Research Laboratory in Silicon Valley and three top U.S. universities – the University of Southern California, the University of California at Berkeley and the University of California at San Diego - will develop technologies to take the connected car, driver assistance and infrastructure electronics to the next level. Audi envisions that future connected Audi vehicles will take care of all the things that make driving in the city tedious and dangerous, so that motorists can enjoy the drive and get to where they want to go efficiently, safely and comfortably.
"We are dedicated to providing the highest level of automotive grade quality data to support research development and innovation in the industry," said Dave Dale, Vice President of Americas Sales, NAVTEQ. "Projects such as these reinforce that NAVTEQ Maps and our premium content not only add value to the automotive industry today, but will continue to play a significant role in automotive solutions of the future."
About NAVTEQ
NAVTEQ is the leading global provider of location content in the form of maps, traffic and places data that enables navigation, location-based services and mobile advertising around the world. NAVTEQ supplies precise, comprehensive location content to power automotive navigation systems, portable and wireless devices, Internet-based mapping applications and government and business solutions. The Chicago-based company was founded in 1985 and has approximately 5,500 employees located in 202 offices in 53 countries.
Intergraph® Launches GeoMedia® Smart Client for Integrating GIS into All Business Processes
Huntsville, AL - Intergraph® proudly announces the launch of GeoMedia®
Smart Client, providing a means for organizations to geospatially
accelerate their business workflows with the power of GIS. As an
enterprisewide solution, GeoMedia Smart Client obliterates the growing
disparity between antiquated GIS products and the needs of today’s
geospatial contributors.
Between those working with a rigid and technically demanding desktop GIS and a static, lightweight browser-based GIS, there exists a large potential user base. GeoMedia Smart Client equips this broader audience of users, providing a means for them to access and use rich geospatial data in their business processes.
“Today, users need the power of GIS, not as a horizontal technology, but delivered in vertical market focused workflows,” said Mladen Stojic, Vice President, Geospatial at Intergraph SG&I. “GeoMedia Smart Client is an inclusive solution that leverages configurable workflows to augment and deliver geospatial tools to meet the needs of these smart users.”
With GeoMedia Smart Client, organizations can create a single deployment that can be configured for an unlimited number of applications. Geographic changes are easily and interactively implemented across an enterprisewide smart GIS, seamlessly integrating into configurable workflows. Users from multiple departments can now leverage advanced geospatial functionality via simple-to-use map-based tools, streamlining their processes and honing their expertise. Now, a broader group of individuals (and departments) across an organization can create data, maps and reports for their projects, rather than having to rely on a GIS specialist or outsource this work.
At GeoMedia Smart Client’s core are workflow optimization and web editing capabilities, enabling an organization to develop efficient, customer-specific workflows to empower smart users. Providing the utmost flexibility, these workflows are sustainable and support ongoing, long-term business processes.
Learn more about GeoMedia Smart Client by visiting www.intergraph.com/geospatial/GMSmartClient or by attending our upcoming webinar, Smart Web Editing and Workflow Optimization, on March 6, 2012, at 10:00 a.m. (EST).
About Intergraph
Intergraph is the leading global provider of engineering and geospatial software that enables customers to visualize complex data. Businesses and governments in more than 60 countries rely on Intergraph’s industry-specific software to organize vast amounts of data to make processes and infrastructure better, safer and smarter. The company’s software and services empower customers to build and operate more efficient plants and ships, create intelligent maps, and protect critical infrastructure and millions of people around the world.
Intergraph operates through two divisions: Process, Power & Marine (PP&M) and Security, Government & Infrastructure (SG&I). Intergraph PP&M provides enterprise engineering software for the design, construction, operation and data management of plants, ships and offshore facilities. Intergraph SG&I provides geospatially powered solutions including ERDAS technologies to the public safety and security, defense and intelligence, government, transportation, photogrammetry, and utilities and communications industries. Intergraph Government Solutions (IGS) is an independent subsidiary for SG&I’s U.S. federal and classified business.
Intergraph is a wholly owned subsidiary of Hexagon AB, (Nordic exchange: HEXA B) and (Swiss exchange: HEXN). For more information, visit www.intergraph.com and www.hexagon.com.
Between those working with a rigid and technically demanding desktop GIS and a static, lightweight browser-based GIS, there exists a large potential user base. GeoMedia Smart Client equips this broader audience of users, providing a means for them to access and use rich geospatial data in their business processes.
“Today, users need the power of GIS, not as a horizontal technology, but delivered in vertical market focused workflows,” said Mladen Stojic, Vice President, Geospatial at Intergraph SG&I. “GeoMedia Smart Client is an inclusive solution that leverages configurable workflows to augment and deliver geospatial tools to meet the needs of these smart users.”
With GeoMedia Smart Client, organizations can create a single deployment that can be configured for an unlimited number of applications. Geographic changes are easily and interactively implemented across an enterprisewide smart GIS, seamlessly integrating into configurable workflows. Users from multiple departments can now leverage advanced geospatial functionality via simple-to-use map-based tools, streamlining their processes and honing their expertise. Now, a broader group of individuals (and departments) across an organization can create data, maps and reports for their projects, rather than having to rely on a GIS specialist or outsource this work.
At GeoMedia Smart Client’s core are workflow optimization and web editing capabilities, enabling an organization to develop efficient, customer-specific workflows to empower smart users. Providing the utmost flexibility, these workflows are sustainable and support ongoing, long-term business processes.
Learn more about GeoMedia Smart Client by visiting www.intergraph.com/geospatial/GMSmartClient or by attending our upcoming webinar, Smart Web Editing and Workflow Optimization, on March 6, 2012, at 10:00 a.m. (EST).
About Intergraph
Intergraph is the leading global provider of engineering and geospatial software that enables customers to visualize complex data. Businesses and governments in more than 60 countries rely on Intergraph’s industry-specific software to organize vast amounts of data to make processes and infrastructure better, safer and smarter. The company’s software and services empower customers to build and operate more efficient plants and ships, create intelligent maps, and protect critical infrastructure and millions of people around the world.
Intergraph operates through two divisions: Process, Power & Marine (PP&M) and Security, Government & Infrastructure (SG&I). Intergraph PP&M provides enterprise engineering software for the design, construction, operation and data management of plants, ships and offshore facilities. Intergraph SG&I provides geospatially powered solutions including ERDAS technologies to the public safety and security, defense and intelligence, government, transportation, photogrammetry, and utilities and communications industries. Intergraph Government Solutions (IGS) is an independent subsidiary for SG&I’s U.S. federal and classified business.
Intergraph is a wholly owned subsidiary of Hexagon AB, (Nordic exchange: HEXA B) and (Swiss exchange: HEXN). For more information, visit www.intergraph.com and www.hexagon.com.
Esri ArcGIS Provides Quick and Easy Access to S-57 Data
Esri ArcGIS software can now be used to visualize S-57 data with the
symbology that the International Hydrographic Organization (IHO)
requires. The IHO is an intergovernmental organization that supports
safe navigation and protects the marine environment; S-57 is its
electronic data transfer standard. The Esri S-57 Viewer can be downloaded
at no cost; it allows users to quickly and easily display this data in
electronic navigational charts (ENCs) with no data translation.
Esri S-57 Viewer is an add-on to ArcGIS for Desktop. The viewer allows users to
Esri S-57 Viewer is an add-on to ArcGIS for Desktop. The viewer allows users to
- Query and analyze S-57 datasets in a GIS-centric environment
- Overlay S-57 data with other mapping data, such as bathymetric, topographic, environmental, and satellite imagery layers
- Apply various IHO S-52 properties such as Color Scheme and Safety Contour Depth
GTS Announces New GPS Module For The Ricoh G700SE-M Digital Camera To Deliver Advanced Geotagging
Carlsbad, CA - March 01, 2012 - Geo Tactical Solutions
(GTS), in collaboration with Ricoh Americas Corp. and Eka Technologies,
is in the final stages of development for its new SE-7 GPS module for
the Ricoh G700SE-M Rugged GPS Camera.
The SE-7 module will add several important capabilities to the Ricoh
G700SE-M to support advanced geospatial photo collection, mapping and
analysis. Noteworthy features of the SE-7 module include greater speed
and accuracy of GPS readings, automatic photo ‘memos’, recording
‘object’ location, GPS Track-logs, the ability to record and display
multiple GPS coordinate formats, electronic compass, selective
availability anti-spoofing module (SAASM) compatibility and GIS
integration.
The SE-7’s SAASM provides accurate GPS readings even in the presence of malicious jamming or spoofing. Secure and decrypted GPS signals are recorded by connecting an external GPS SAASM device such as a DAGR (Defense Advanced GPS Receiver) to the SE-7 module. This powerful feature ensures the accuracy and precision of GPS coordinates in a GPS-compromised environment.
Automatic ‘Memos’
The Ricoh G700SE-M with SE-7 supports up to 20 attribute fields called ‘memos’ which are used to tag photographs with relevant information such as photographer’s name, operation ID, operation type, unit ID, and so on. This information, along with GPS coordinates, GPS date and Zulu time, are automatically stored as metadata in each image file on the G700SE-M. “Memos are set by the operator before collecting photographs to automate the process of recording complete who, what, when, where and why information for each photo,” explained Andy Shannon, Sales and Support Manager at Geo Tactical Solutions. “Collecting this information not only transforms a photograph into a powerful information source, it keeps photographs organized by common attributes and facilitates more complete, accurate and simplified mapping and reporting during data processing.”
Electronic Compass and GPS Track-Logs
The SE-7’s electronic compass allows users to accurately record the direction a photograph is taken regardless of the angle the camera is held. In addition, the SE-7’s GPS Track-Log feature can record and map the geographic path by which photographs are collected. After images are collected in the field, data is uploaded from the SE-7 module in preparation for analysis, mapping and reporting.
Recording ‘Object’ Location
Laser range finders may be connected wirelessly to the SE-7 module via Bluetooth or by cable connection to record distance and GPS coordinates of objects within photographs. The Ricoh G700SE-M with SE-7 module combines the range finder’s data with GPS positional data to calculate the location of an ‘object’ within a photograph. All GPS coordinates collected with the SE-7 module may be stored and displayed in a variety of formats including LAT/LONG, MGRS, Decimal Degrees, DMS, UTM and State Plane depending on user requirements.
SAASM CompatibilityLaser range finders may be connected wirelessly to the SE-7 module via Bluetooth or by cable connection to record distance and GPS coordinates of objects within photographs. The Ricoh G700SE-M with SE-7 module combines the range finder’s data with GPS positional data to calculate the location of an ‘object’ within a photograph. All GPS coordinates collected with the SE-7 module may be stored and displayed in a variety of formats including LAT/LONG, MGRS, Decimal Degrees, DMS, UTM and State Plane depending on user requirements.
The SE-7’s SAASM provides accurate GPS readings even in the presence of malicious jamming or spoofing. Secure and decrypted GPS signals are recorded by connecting an external GPS SAASM device such as a DAGR (Defense Advanced GPS Receiver) to the SE-7 module. This powerful feature ensures the accuracy and precision of GPS coordinates in a GPS-compromised environment.
Automatic ‘Memos’
The Ricoh G700SE-M with SE-7 supports up to 20 attribute fields called ‘memos’ which are used to tag photographs with relevant information such as photographer’s name, operation ID, operation type, unit ID, and so on. This information, along with GPS coordinates, GPS date and Zulu time, are automatically stored as metadata in each image file on the G700SE-M. “Memos are set by the operator before collecting photographs to automate the process of recording complete who, what, when, where and why information for each photo,” explained Andy Shannon, Sales and Support Manager at Geo Tactical Solutions. “Collecting this information not only transforms a photograph into a powerful information source, it keeps photographs organized by common attributes and facilitates more complete, accurate and simplified mapping and reporting during data processing.”
Electronic Compass and GPS Track-Logs
The SE-7’s electronic compass allows users to accurately record the direction a photograph is taken regardless of the angle the camera is held. In addition, the SE-7’s GPS Track-Log feature can record and map the geographic path by which photographs are collected. After images are collected in the field, data is uploaded from the SE-7 module in preparation for analysis, mapping and reporting.
GIS/Mapping Integration
GTS offers photo mapping software (PhotoGIS) along with the Ricoh G700SE-M (with SE-7 GPS module) for mapping, editing and reporting photos collected in the field. Digital photographs collected with the G700SE-M can be converted into a number of file formats suitable for mapping in popular GIS applications such as ArcGIS, FalconView, TIGR and Google Earth for further geographic analysis. After importing data, the images are plotted as a separate spatial data layer along with their associated attribute information (‘memos’).
GTS offers photo mapping software (PhotoGIS) along with the Ricoh G700SE-M (with SE-7 GPS module) for mapping, editing and reporting photos collected in the field. Digital photographs collected with the G700SE-M can be converted into a number of file formats suitable for mapping in popular GIS applications such as ArcGIS, FalconView, TIGR and Google Earth for further geographic analysis. After importing data, the images are plotted as a separate spatial data layer along with their associated attribute information (‘memos’).
“As a direct result of customer feedback, we designed and developed the
SE-7 module to be extremely lightweight, rugged, and versatile while
providing all the capabilities required by the most demanding operations
and workflows,” noted Mr. Shannon. “This new enhancement will allow the
Ricoh G700SE-M to lead the way in GPS camera technology for years to
come.”
Telit Wireless Solutions Announces High-Performance GPS/GLONASS Module for Navigation Devices
Telit Wireless Solutions (AIM: TCM), a global leader in
machine-to-machine (M2M) wireless technology, today announced a new dual
GPS/GLONASS module that dramatically improves navigation performance by
providing access to both the Russian GLONASS global navigation
satellite system and U.S. GPS.
Telit Location Solutions’ new Jupiter® SL869 provides three times the usual satellite visibility by accessing to up to 22 satellites compared to the six or eight satellites normally available through standard GPS, providing optimum performance for any navigation application, from personal and asset tracking to automotive solutions.
The Jupiter SL869 reduces the delay from several minutes to seconds for a navigation device to acquire its position after being powered on. The module also reduces the incidence of lost satellite coverage, especially problematic in urban areas with tall buildings, by enabling additional satellite fixes that reduces blind spots. Finally, the module enables more accurate positioning, better “pinning” a person, car or an asset’s true location on a digital map.
“Accessing the combined GPS/GLONASS constellations is a major step forward in navigation, providing the best satellite geometry to obtain the most accurate position possible more often,” said George Arnott, vice president, Telit Location Solutions, a business unit of Telit. “The difference in performance between standard GPS and GPS/GLONASS is like night and day. Telit is proud to be one of the first OEM module providers to offer this innovation to the global market.”
With the identical form factor of previous product generations, the Jupiter SL869 can easily replace standard GPS modules in devices and applications. The product also features “automatic jamming immunity,” automatically blocking up to eight radio frequency interferers, increasing the performance of the GPS.
“With its first official product launch under the Telit umbrella, Telit Location Solutions has released a leading-edge navigation module that’s destined to have a major impact on the GPS industry,” said Oozi Cats, CEO of Telit. “As with all Telit products, customers will also receive premier global support from design to deployment.”
Formerly known as Navman Wireless OEM before being acquired by Telit in January 2012, Telit Location Solutions has more than 20 years of experience serving the GPS market and has sold millions of its high-performance Jupiter GPS modules worldwide.
Telit Location Solutions’ new Jupiter® SL869 provides three times the usual satellite visibility by accessing to up to 22 satellites compared to the six or eight satellites normally available through standard GPS, providing optimum performance for any navigation application, from personal and asset tracking to automotive solutions.
The Jupiter SL869 reduces the delay from several minutes to seconds for a navigation device to acquire its position after being powered on. The module also reduces the incidence of lost satellite coverage, especially problematic in urban areas with tall buildings, by enabling additional satellite fixes that reduces blind spots. Finally, the module enables more accurate positioning, better “pinning” a person, car or an asset’s true location on a digital map.
“Accessing the combined GPS/GLONASS constellations is a major step forward in navigation, providing the best satellite geometry to obtain the most accurate position possible more often,” said George Arnott, vice president, Telit Location Solutions, a business unit of Telit. “The difference in performance between standard GPS and GPS/GLONASS is like night and day. Telit is proud to be one of the first OEM module providers to offer this innovation to the global market.”
With the identical form factor of previous product generations, the Jupiter SL869 can easily replace standard GPS modules in devices and applications. The product also features “automatic jamming immunity,” automatically blocking up to eight radio frequency interferers, increasing the performance of the GPS.
“With its first official product launch under the Telit umbrella, Telit Location Solutions has released a leading-edge navigation module that’s destined to have a major impact on the GPS industry,” said Oozi Cats, CEO of Telit. “As with all Telit products, customers will also receive premier global support from design to deployment.”
Formerly known as Navman Wireless OEM before being acquired by Telit in January 2012, Telit Location Solutions has more than 20 years of experience serving the GPS market and has sold millions of its high-performance Jupiter GPS modules worldwide.
Esri Selects Winners of ArcGIS Online Grant Program for Educators
Esri has awarded five grants to select university and college faculty
members to create exemplary higher education course materials and
implementations of ArcGIS Online. Grantees receive $10,000 (US) each, as
well as assistance from curriculum development specialists on Esri's
education solutions team.
ArcGIS Online is a cloud-based geospatial platform that enables individuals to create and share maps, apps, and map services. Later this year, Esri will introduce new features to ArcGIS Online, providing enhanced mapping and data sharing capabilities to support collaboration within an organization. Esri will include ArcGIS Online subscriptions in its educational site licenses at no extra cost.
"Our goal is to help early adopters demonstrate the potential of the ArcGIS Online platform to support spatial thinking and learning across the curriculum," says David DiBiase, director of Esri's education solutions team. "We believe this new platform will enable hundreds of thousands more students worldwide to experience the power of GIS."
The grant winners and their projects are as follows:
About Esri
Since 1969, Esri has been giving customers around the world the power to think and plan geographically. The market leader in geographic information system (GIS) technology, Esri software is used in more than 300,000 organizations worldwide, including each of the 200 largest cities in the United States, most national governments, more than two-thirds of Fortune 500 companies, and more than 7,000 colleges and universities. Esri applications, running on more than one million desktops and thousands of web and enterprise servers, provide the backbone for the world's mapping and spatial analysis. Esri is the only vendor that provides complete technical solutions for desktop, mobile, server, and Internet platforms. Visit us at esri.com/news.
ArcGIS Online is a cloud-based geospatial platform that enables individuals to create and share maps, apps, and map services. Later this year, Esri will introduce new features to ArcGIS Online, providing enhanced mapping and data sharing capabilities to support collaboration within an organization. Esri will include ArcGIS Online subscriptions in its educational site licenses at no extra cost.
"Our goal is to help early adopters demonstrate the potential of the ArcGIS Online platform to support spatial thinking and learning across the curriculum," says David DiBiase, director of Esri's education solutions team. "We believe this new platform will enable hundreds of thousands more students worldwide to experience the power of GIS."
The grant winners and their projects are as follows:
- Mark Lindberg, Len Kne, and their colleagues at the University of Minnesota (Minneapolis, MN) will evaluate how the software can be used to support teaching, research, and enterprise services across a large land grant university.
- Dr. Fred L. Miller and colleagues at Murray State University (Murray, KY) will develop and deploy business GIS exercises for marketing majors.
- Dr. Christopher Bone at the University of Oregon (Eugene, OR) will use the software as a platform for a new introductory course, entitled Our Digital Earth, to expose students to the geospatial data and technologies found in their daily lives.
- Ken Yanow at Southwestern College (Chula Vista, CA) will create a series of assignments for a suite of general education courses that will enroll a diverse population of 2,000 students per year.
- Dr. Eui-kyung Shin at Northern Illinois University (DeKalb, IL) will develop geographic curriculum materials that enhance spatial thinking and active learning for elementary preservice teachers.
About Esri
Since 1969, Esri has been giving customers around the world the power to think and plan geographically. The market leader in geographic information system (GIS) technology, Esri software is used in more than 300,000 organizations worldwide, including each of the 200 largest cities in the United States, most national governments, more than two-thirds of Fortune 500 companies, and more than 7,000 colleges and universities. Esri applications, running on more than one million desktops and thousands of web and enterprise servers, provide the backbone for the world's mapping and spatial analysis. Esri is the only vendor that provides complete technical solutions for desktop, mobile, server, and Internet platforms. Visit us at esri.com/news.
El Paso Water Utilities Implements Trimble Fieldport Mobile Software
Trimble (NASDAQ: TRMB) announced today that the El Paso Water Utilities
in Texas has successfully implemented Trimble® Fieldport® software to
enhance its utility field operations. The Trimble Fieldport software is
an interactive Geographic Information System (GIS) map-based mobile work
management solution for utility field workers.
“El Paso Water Utilities is committed to improving our efficiencies, reducing costs and better serving the needs of our community. We believe that Trimble Fieldport software is helping pave the way for improved customer service and field service activities,” said Armando Renteria, Chief Information Officer of the El Paso Water Utilities.
With the deployment of Trimble Fieldport software on field crew mobile computers and integration to its Customer Information System (CIS), El Paso Water is optimizing its processes for customer service and field operations work planning in real-time. In addition, enhanced management reporting functionality is now helping the utility improve operational efficiency, reliability of service and increase worker productivity by ensuring that the right resources are available at the right time. With Trimble Fieldport software, El Paso Water is improving critical work processes such as customer field service by efficiently dispatching field crews as well as optimizing field inspection activities and field data collection for better asset management.
El Paso Water Utilities customer service field crews are equipped with mobile computers and Trimble Fieldport software, which they use to record updates about service calls and synchronize with the customer service system from the field. Back in the office, customer service representatives have access to the updated information, which they can share with customers calling to inquire about their accounts throughout the day. Trimble Fieldport also makes it easy for El Paso Water Utilities’ workers to see updates posted by customer service quickly and easily from the field.
In addition to streamlining communication between the field and the office, Trimble Fieldport has also enabled more effective distribution of work orders, both at the beginning of the shift and throughout the day. Previously, work order completion information was manually entered into the CIS by office staff the following day. Now, with Trimble Fieldport’s wireless synchronization, work orders are closed within minutes of the work being completed. Since dispatchers can now see the progress of each field worker, this also means they can distribute new work orders as soon as they are generated throughout the day, rather than handling work communicated over the radio and jotted down on a piece of paper by the service worker.
Trimble Fieldport is also helping the utility increase worker productivity by ensuring that the right resources are available at the right time as well as optimizing field inspection activities and field data collection.
“Being able to synchronize data and have real-time updates between the field and the office throughout the day makes us more efficient on a number of levels,” said Renteria. “For example, it’s easier to get through our backlog of lower priority work – things like fixing a cracked meter box – because we can easily track the progress and reassign those jobs based on workload and location of our employees in the field, rather than leaving those work orders in the service trucks to be completed at the discretion of the worker.”
In addition, the implementation of Fieldport has enabled El Paso Water Utilities to eliminate a variety of administrative processes. In the past, office administrative personnel would take radio calls continually throughout the day from field service workers and update their progress on a paper log. Trimble Fieldport’s wireless synchronization means that these calls are no longer necessary.
Also, prior to implementing the technology, hundreds of paper work orders would be reviewed by hand each evening to see if any had incorrect account balance information. Since Trimble Fieldport imports work order data, the calculation of amounts due is done automatically and the hand vetting processes is no longer needed.
“Now that so many of our processes are automated, we can allocate the time we used to spend calling back and forth, looking at work orders and keying in data for more useful projects,” said Renteria.
Trimble’s Fieldport software is currently used by public and private utilities throughout the U.S. that serve millions of residential and commercial customers nationwide.
Trimble’s Utilities Field Solutions group specializes in field and office solutions for GIS mapping and work management, field data collection, design and inspection, outage management, and vehicle tracking for electric, gas, water and wastewater utilities around the world. Trimble’s solutions integrate advanced positioning and mapping technologies with software and hardware to automate utility mapping, design and operations, enabling increased field worker productivity, enhanced regulatory compliance and improved customer service and response.
For more information about Trimble’s utility enterprise solutions, visit: www.trimble.com/ufs.
About El Paso Water Utilitie
El Paso Water Utilities serves over 200,000 commercial, industrial and residential customer accounts by providing reliable water services, engineering, construction and maintenance. El Paso Texas has more than 700,000 residents that live in the greater Metropolitan area. For more information, visit: http://www.epwu.org.
About Trimble
Trimble applies technology to make field and mobile workers in businesses and government significantly more productive. Solutions are focused on applications requiring position or location—including surveying, construction, agriculture, fleet and asset management, public safety and mapping. In addition to utilizing positioning technologies, such as GPS, lasers and optics, Trimble solutions may include software content specific to the needs of the user. Wireless technologies are utilized to deliver the solution to the user and to ensure a tight coupling of the field and the back office. Founded in 1978, Trimble is headquartered in Sunnyvale, Calif.
“El Paso Water Utilities is committed to improving our efficiencies, reducing costs and better serving the needs of our community. We believe that Trimble Fieldport software is helping pave the way for improved customer service and field service activities,” said Armando Renteria, Chief Information Officer of the El Paso Water Utilities.
With the deployment of Trimble Fieldport software on field crew mobile computers and integration to its Customer Information System (CIS), El Paso Water is optimizing its processes for customer service and field operations work planning in real-time. In addition, enhanced management reporting functionality is now helping the utility improve operational efficiency, reliability of service and increase worker productivity by ensuring that the right resources are available at the right time. With Trimble Fieldport software, El Paso Water is improving critical work processes such as customer field service by efficiently dispatching field crews as well as optimizing field inspection activities and field data collection for better asset management.
El Paso Water Utilities customer service field crews are equipped with mobile computers and Trimble Fieldport software, which they use to record updates about service calls and synchronize with the customer service system from the field. Back in the office, customer service representatives have access to the updated information, which they can share with customers calling to inquire about their accounts throughout the day. Trimble Fieldport also makes it easy for El Paso Water Utilities’ workers to see updates posted by customer service quickly and easily from the field.
In addition to streamlining communication between the field and the office, Trimble Fieldport has also enabled more effective distribution of work orders, both at the beginning of the shift and throughout the day. Previously, work order completion information was manually entered into the CIS by office staff the following day. Now, with Trimble Fieldport’s wireless synchronization, work orders are closed within minutes of the work being completed. Since dispatchers can now see the progress of each field worker, this also means they can distribute new work orders as soon as they are generated throughout the day, rather than handling work communicated over the radio and jotted down on a piece of paper by the service worker.
Trimble Fieldport is also helping the utility increase worker productivity by ensuring that the right resources are available at the right time as well as optimizing field inspection activities and field data collection.
“Being able to synchronize data and have real-time updates between the field and the office throughout the day makes us more efficient on a number of levels,” said Renteria. “For example, it’s easier to get through our backlog of lower priority work – things like fixing a cracked meter box – because we can easily track the progress and reassign those jobs based on workload and location of our employees in the field, rather than leaving those work orders in the service trucks to be completed at the discretion of the worker.”
In addition, the implementation of Fieldport has enabled El Paso Water Utilities to eliminate a variety of administrative processes. In the past, office administrative personnel would take radio calls continually throughout the day from field service workers and update their progress on a paper log. Trimble Fieldport’s wireless synchronization means that these calls are no longer necessary.
Also, prior to implementing the technology, hundreds of paper work orders would be reviewed by hand each evening to see if any had incorrect account balance information. Since Trimble Fieldport imports work order data, the calculation of amounts due is done automatically and the hand vetting processes is no longer needed.
“Now that so many of our processes are automated, we can allocate the time we used to spend calling back and forth, looking at work orders and keying in data for more useful projects,” said Renteria.
Trimble’s Fieldport software is currently used by public and private utilities throughout the U.S. that serve millions of residential and commercial customers nationwide.
Trimble’s Utilities Field Solutions group specializes in field and office solutions for GIS mapping and work management, field data collection, design and inspection, outage management, and vehicle tracking for electric, gas, water and wastewater utilities around the world. Trimble’s solutions integrate advanced positioning and mapping technologies with software and hardware to automate utility mapping, design and operations, enabling increased field worker productivity, enhanced regulatory compliance and improved customer service and response.
For more information about Trimble’s utility enterprise solutions, visit: www.trimble.com/ufs.
About El Paso Water Utilitie
El Paso Water Utilities serves over 200,000 commercial, industrial and residential customer accounts by providing reliable water services, engineering, construction and maintenance. El Paso Texas has more than 700,000 residents that live in the greater Metropolitan area. For more information, visit: http://www.epwu.org.
About Trimble
Trimble applies technology to make field and mobile workers in businesses and government significantly more productive. Solutions are focused on applications requiring position or location—including surveying, construction, agriculture, fleet and asset management, public safety and mapping. In addition to utilizing positioning technologies, such as GPS, lasers and optics, Trimble solutions may include software content specific to the needs of the user. Wireless technologies are utilized to deliver the solution to the user and to ensure a tight coupling of the field and the back office. Founded in 1978, Trimble is headquartered in Sunnyvale, Calif.
Innovative Approach to Using Public Assets Saves Millions
London - 29 February 2012 - Public sector organisations in South West
England are collaborating to make more effective use of their property
assets and rationalise their accommodation requirements. In the initial
years this is expected to save local taxpayers around GBP 1.5 million
per annum.
Working under the ‘Community Budgets’ initiative, the partnership is using local authorities’ Local Land and Property Gazetteer (LLPG) addressing information from to provide a system of common reference to enable all partner assets to be mapped and facilitate joint working. The partnership’s efforts were recognised at the recent National Gazetteers Exemplar Awards, where it was awarded the winner in the Integration Award category.
The public sector was challenged to find radical new solutions using a whole area approach to not only deliver better value for money, but also better local services. In the project, partners from a wide range of public sector organisations across the South West including: local authorities; fire; police and NHS organisations came together to better manage public sector property assets across the region.
Bristol City Council, who headed up the technical work stream, used the LLPG data from the local authority partners to create a common data format, enabling every organisation to submit its own property details in a consistent way, complete with precise location. All the data was held in a central database.
The result is an online web mapping resource, with properties searchable by address or postcode. Clicking on a building reveals a pop-up box which provides: an address; property classification; a property reference number and contact details for the person responsible for managing the property.
Asset managers can ‘post’ opportunities so they can let each other know when a building might have some free space available, is available for let or is up for sale.
Some innovative shared space arrangements have arisen as a result of the project, with savings of over GBP 1.5m in the first year. Service users benefit from more convenient, joined-up service provision. Tenants benefit from rents that may be below normal market levels and building owners benefit from increased contributions to their own management costs.
Richard Mason, Managing Director for GeoPlace said: “This innovative project in the South West, led by South Gloucestershire, is very much at the forefront of the agenda and it is great to see the substantial savings which using addressing information can bring. As the most efficient part of the public sector, councils are always seeking innovative ways to improve services and save the taxpayer millions of pounds in the process.”
National Address Gazetteer Database
The National Address Gazetteer database is managed by GeoPlace. It brings together data from local authorities’ Local Land and Property Gazetteers (LLPGs) Ordnance Survey, Valuation Office Agency and Royal Mail. AddressBase products are produced from the National Address Gazetteer Database and made available by Ordnance Survey. To find out how the National Address Gazetteer Database can make substantial savings for your organisation, please visit www.geoplace.co.uk
List of project partners
Bristol City Council, South Gloucestershire Council, Bath & North East Somerset Council, North Somerset Council, Avon and Somerset Police Authority, Avon Fire and Rescue Services, Avon and Wiltshire Mental Health Partnership NHS Trust, Great Western Ambulance Service, NHS Bath and North East Somerset Trust, NHS Bristol, NHS South Gloucestershire and North Somerset PCT
GeoPlace
GeoPlace is a public sector limited liability partnership between the Local Government Association and Ordnance Survey. GeoPlace’s role is to create and maintain the National Address Gazetteer Database and the National Street Gazetteer for England and Wales, the definitive sources of publicly owned spatial address and street data. Through agreement with Scotland’s Improvement Service Company, the plan is to extend coverage to Scotland.
Local Government Association
The Local Government Association is a political organisation that is run by its members. The LGA always strives to agree a common cross-party position on issues and to speak with one voice on behalf of local government. It aims to set the political agenda and speak in the national media on the issues that matter to council members.
Ordnance Survey
Ordnance Survey is Great Britain’s national mapping agency, providing the most accurate and up-to-date geographic data, relied on by government, business and individuals. Ordnance Survey utilises the National Address Gazetteer Database to create the AddressBase range of products which are available for use in both the public and commercial sectors.
Working under the ‘Community Budgets’ initiative, the partnership is using local authorities’ Local Land and Property Gazetteer (LLPG) addressing information from to provide a system of common reference to enable all partner assets to be mapped and facilitate joint working. The partnership’s efforts were recognised at the recent National Gazetteers Exemplar Awards, where it was awarded the winner in the Integration Award category.
The public sector was challenged to find radical new solutions using a whole area approach to not only deliver better value for money, but also better local services. In the project, partners from a wide range of public sector organisations across the South West including: local authorities; fire; police and NHS organisations came together to better manage public sector property assets across the region.
Bristol City Council, who headed up the technical work stream, used the LLPG data from the local authority partners to create a common data format, enabling every organisation to submit its own property details in a consistent way, complete with precise location. All the data was held in a central database.
The result is an online web mapping resource, with properties searchable by address or postcode. Clicking on a building reveals a pop-up box which provides: an address; property classification; a property reference number and contact details for the person responsible for managing the property.
Asset managers can ‘post’ opportunities so they can let each other know when a building might have some free space available, is available for let or is up for sale.
Some innovative shared space arrangements have arisen as a result of the project, with savings of over GBP 1.5m in the first year. Service users benefit from more convenient, joined-up service provision. Tenants benefit from rents that may be below normal market levels and building owners benefit from increased contributions to their own management costs.
Richard Mason, Managing Director for GeoPlace said: “This innovative project in the South West, led by South Gloucestershire, is very much at the forefront of the agenda and it is great to see the substantial savings which using addressing information can bring. As the most efficient part of the public sector, councils are always seeking innovative ways to improve services and save the taxpayer millions of pounds in the process.”
National Address Gazetteer Database
The National Address Gazetteer database is managed by GeoPlace. It brings together data from local authorities’ Local Land and Property Gazetteers (LLPGs) Ordnance Survey, Valuation Office Agency and Royal Mail. AddressBase products are produced from the National Address Gazetteer Database and made available by Ordnance Survey. To find out how the National Address Gazetteer Database can make substantial savings for your organisation, please visit www.geoplace.co.uk
List of project partners
Bristol City Council, South Gloucestershire Council, Bath & North East Somerset Council, North Somerset Council, Avon and Somerset Police Authority, Avon Fire and Rescue Services, Avon and Wiltshire Mental Health Partnership NHS Trust, Great Western Ambulance Service, NHS Bath and North East Somerset Trust, NHS Bristol, NHS South Gloucestershire and North Somerset PCT
GeoPlace
GeoPlace is a public sector limited liability partnership between the Local Government Association and Ordnance Survey. GeoPlace’s role is to create and maintain the National Address Gazetteer Database and the National Street Gazetteer for England and Wales, the definitive sources of publicly owned spatial address and street data. Through agreement with Scotland’s Improvement Service Company, the plan is to extend coverage to Scotland.
Local Government Association
The Local Government Association is a political organisation that is run by its members. The LGA always strives to agree a common cross-party position on issues and to speak with one voice on behalf of local government. It aims to set the political agenda and speak in the national media on the issues that matter to council members.
Ordnance Survey
Ordnance Survey is Great Britain’s national mapping agency, providing the most accurate and up-to-date geographic data, relied on by government, business and individuals. Ordnance Survey utilises the National Address Gazetteer Database to create the AddressBase range of products which are available for use in both the public and commercial sectors.
Bluesky Aerial Photography Flooring Stands Out for London Developer
Leicestershire, UK - 29 February 2012 - Aerial photographs from Bluesky
are being used to market a stunning range of new apartments in London.
The high resolution, full colour images of London have been used with
dramatic effect to create an Eastenders’ style floor in the marketing
suite of Bellway Homes’ Equinox development in Poplar. Produced by
Printed Space on behalf of property marketing agency Think BDW, the
images clearly show the proximity of the development to landmarks such
as the River Thames and the City as well local facilities.
The original image file supplied by Bluesky was manipulated by Printed Space to exactly fit the available space and the design requirements of the project. The real world view of the development and surrounding area also includes 3D style depictions of famous landmarks including the old Millennium Dome, now the O2 Arena, and Canary Wharf.
The Bluesky images were printed onto Floorink, a hard wearing, 4m wide vinyl cushion floor. Developed by Forbo, in partnership with Printed Space, Floorink provides a unique design solution for any space. "Floorink allows people to get creative with their floor space, rather than having to choose from a standard range or set pattern. The high quality of the print allows clients to have very intricate designs and detailed photographs reproduced to fill their floor area,” commented Michelle Holt, Director of Printed Space.
“Bluesky aerial mapping is a perfect choice to have printed for commercial, educational and exhibition floor spaces. For this particular installation, the aerial photography gives the prospective buyer a large scale visual guide to the area they would be moving to - you can clearly see bus stops, parks, where traffic builds up etc. I think it is such an invaluable tool for this marketing suite, and it really makes them stand out from their competitors."
The Bluesky image was reproduced from an original aerial survey of London flown in 2010, captured at a height of 3,400 metres with a large format DCX digital survey camera. The resulting images were processe into a map accurate digital data set covering 1,539 square kilometres of Greater London at 25cm resolution.
About Bluesky
Bluesky is a UK-based specialist in aerial imaging and remote sensing data collection and processing. An internationally recognised leader with projects extending around the globe, Bluesky is proud to work with prestigious organisations such as Google, the BBC and Government Agencies.
Bluesky has unrivalled expertise in the creation of seamless, digital aerial photography, 3D landscape/cityscape visualisations and prints and also runs a national mapping centre, providing digital mapping, satellite imagery and aerial photography including ultra-high resolution imagery of cities and towns.
Bluesky is now leading the way developing innovative solutions for environmental applications including the UK’s first nationwide map of solar potential, citywide property ‘heat loss’ maps, 3D maps of trees, and historical aerial photography.
www.bluesky-world.com
About Printed Space
Printed Space provides a bespoke printing service for any interior design project. They tailor make their printed product range to fit the exact ‘space’; however big or small; whether that space is a wall, a floor or a window. They print onto several finishes of wallpaper depending on the application and a range of roller blind fabrics with varying opacities. Unique to Printed Space is the option to have any image or design printed onto a 4m (13ft) wide vinyl cushion floor.
The original image file supplied by Bluesky was manipulated by Printed Space to exactly fit the available space and the design requirements of the project. The real world view of the development and surrounding area also includes 3D style depictions of famous landmarks including the old Millennium Dome, now the O2 Arena, and Canary Wharf.
The Bluesky images were printed onto Floorink, a hard wearing, 4m wide vinyl cushion floor. Developed by Forbo, in partnership with Printed Space, Floorink provides a unique design solution for any space. "Floorink allows people to get creative with their floor space, rather than having to choose from a standard range or set pattern. The high quality of the print allows clients to have very intricate designs and detailed photographs reproduced to fill their floor area,” commented Michelle Holt, Director of Printed Space.
“Bluesky aerial mapping is a perfect choice to have printed for commercial, educational and exhibition floor spaces. For this particular installation, the aerial photography gives the prospective buyer a large scale visual guide to the area they would be moving to - you can clearly see bus stops, parks, where traffic builds up etc. I think it is such an invaluable tool for this marketing suite, and it really makes them stand out from their competitors."
The Bluesky image was reproduced from an original aerial survey of London flown in 2010, captured at a height of 3,400 metres with a large format DCX digital survey camera. The resulting images were processe into a map accurate digital data set covering 1,539 square kilometres of Greater London at 25cm resolution.
About Bluesky
Bluesky is a UK-based specialist in aerial imaging and remote sensing data collection and processing. An internationally recognised leader with projects extending around the globe, Bluesky is proud to work with prestigious organisations such as Google, the BBC and Government Agencies.
Bluesky has unrivalled expertise in the creation of seamless, digital aerial photography, 3D landscape/cityscape visualisations and prints and also runs a national mapping centre, providing digital mapping, satellite imagery and aerial photography including ultra-high resolution imagery of cities and towns.
Bluesky is now leading the way developing innovative solutions for environmental applications including the UK’s first nationwide map of solar potential, citywide property ‘heat loss’ maps, 3D maps of trees, and historical aerial photography.
www.bluesky-world.com
About Printed Space
Printed Space provides a bespoke printing service for any interior design project. They tailor make their printed product range to fit the exact ‘space’; however big or small; whether that space is a wall, a floor or a window. They print onto several finishes of wallpaper depending on the application and a range of roller blind fabrics with varying opacities. Unique to Printed Space is the option to have any image or design printed onto a 4m (13ft) wide vinyl cushion floor.
SuperGeo Supports to Establish GIS Education Center in Kaohsiung
With the increasing demands and application use of Geographic
Information Systemin the south of Taiwan, SuperGeo Technologies has
co-founded the GIS Education Center with the Geography Department at
National Kaohsiung Normal University (NKNU), one of the most reputed and
finest Universities in Taiwan.
The foundation of GIS Education Center at NKNU aims to collaborate the research work with industry and to serve as an academic organization to spread Geographical Information Systems (GIS) knowledge, providing customizable support to the local governmental units, the educational institutes and private enterprises.
At the initial stage, the GIS education center is available for students, educators, and the public officials to study expert Geospatial knowledge and receive professional GIS training. In the future, it will focus on planning various GIS related projects and offering GIS certificate program to reach the growing demand for GIS skills in domestic job market.
Targeting at the region of South Taiwan, the long-term goal of the GIS Education Center is to become a top-level research center to create regional source of Geospatial technology and encourage professional research and development. Being a professional GIS software and solution provider, SuperGeo will continually promote the GIS development with the high educational institutions around the world.
About SuperGeo
SuperGeo Technologies Inc. is a leading global provider of GIS software and solutions. Since the establishment, SuperGeo has been dedicated to providing state-of-the-art geospatial technologies and comprehensive services for customers around the world. It is our vision to help users utilize geospatial technologies to create a better world.
SuperGeo software and applications have been spread over the world to be the backbone of the world’s mapping and spatial analysis. SuperGeo is the professional GIS vendor, providing GIS-related users with complete GIS solutions for desktop, mobile, server, and Internet platforms.
The foundation of GIS Education Center at NKNU aims to collaborate the research work with industry and to serve as an academic organization to spread Geographical Information Systems (GIS) knowledge, providing customizable support to the local governmental units, the educational institutes and private enterprises.
At the initial stage, the GIS education center is available for students, educators, and the public officials to study expert Geospatial knowledge and receive professional GIS training. In the future, it will focus on planning various GIS related projects and offering GIS certificate program to reach the growing demand for GIS skills in domestic job market.
Targeting at the region of South Taiwan, the long-term goal of the GIS Education Center is to become a top-level research center to create regional source of Geospatial technology and encourage professional research and development. Being a professional GIS software and solution provider, SuperGeo will continually promote the GIS development with the high educational institutions around the world.
About SuperGeo
SuperGeo Technologies Inc. is a leading global provider of GIS software and solutions. Since the establishment, SuperGeo has been dedicated to providing state-of-the-art geospatial technologies and comprehensive services for customers around the world. It is our vision to help users utilize geospatial technologies to create a better world.
SuperGeo software and applications have been spread over the world to be the backbone of the world’s mapping and spatial analysis. SuperGeo is the professional GIS vendor, providing GIS-related users with complete GIS solutions for desktop, mobile, server, and Internet platforms.
Tuesday, 28 February 2012
Press Release: Williams-Meridian Provides Advanced Real Estate GIS and Market Data to TierraStar
Houston, Texas based Williams-Meridian Companies recently completed a successful trial of it's upcoming real estate analytical platform using the firm's extensive market data and geographic information systems (GIS) technologies for TierraStar Real Estate, a real estate brokerage, economic development and commercial development firm based in McKinney, Texas.
Using the company's rapid-deployment capabilities, Williams-Meridian provided a comprehensive set of geospatial data, high resolution images, demographic and income overlays, and land mapping tools to TierraStar in conjunction with the firm's robust financial analysis methods. Combining these elements into a customized platform, Williams-Meridian enabled TierraStar to shorten its real estate land acquisition advisory process significantly.
In a matter of only a few weeks after selecting Williams-Meridian, TierraStar was able to review virtually every individual land parcel in the entire San Antonio metropolitan statistical area, both privately-held and government-owned, relative to its demographic trending strength, site engineering capacity and financial viability from a return on investment (ROI) perspective. By using Williams-Meridian's proprietary technologies, TierraStar was able to rely on superior information sets and market data, better advise its existing commercial real estate client after months of using traditional channels, and complete the company's real estate brokerage services within a substantially shorter time. From initial project analysis to final cash closing on a large raw land parcel by the commercial real estate buyer, TierraStar completed its real estate services in only a few weeks using Williams-Meridian's technologies.
Upon project completion the company's President, Philip Williams, congratulated TierraStar by saying, "I believe that these technologies will play an integral part in what I sincerely hope is a lasting business relationship between Williams-Meridian and TierraStar, enabling your firm with a significant advantage over the big brokerage firms while we provide a level of service that far exceeds the traditional approach taken by them."
Company Overview
Williams-Meridian Companies is a privately held, commercial real estate development firm providing creative, full-service solutions to its valued partners. Based in Houston, Texas, Williams-Meridian offers a wide range of commercial real estate services to clients across the nation, including real estate consulting, corporate real estate strategies, leading or co-developing projects, or providing joint venture equity on select real estate investments or development projects across all real estate asset classes.
URISA Data Policy & Amicus Brief Decision Statement
February 27, 2012 - Des Plaines, IL - At its February 24, 2012 meeting, the URISA Board of Directors again considered the draft Sierra Club vs. Orange County, California amicus brief. A Board motion to sign an earlier version of the brief on February 2 failed to pass a vote.
The Board’s deliberation followed a joint URISA Board and Policy Committee conference call to discuss the Board’s February 2 decision in light of the Policy’s Committee’s recommendation to sign the brief. Glenn O’Grady, Policy Committee Chair, was invited to again discuss the matter with the Board during the February 24 meeting.
Before considering the question of signing the SC v. OC amicus brief, the Board drafted and approved the following data sharing policy that reflects URISA’s role as an international organization and the need for the organization to be aware of data policies and situations in many countries:
The Board’s deliberation followed a joint URISA Board and Policy Committee conference call to discuss the Board’s February 2 decision in light of the Policy’s Committee’s recommendation to sign the brief. Glenn O’Grady, Policy Committee Chair, was invited to again discuss the matter with the Board during the February 24 meeting.
Before considering the question of signing the SC v. OC amicus brief, the Board drafted and approved the following data sharing policy that reflects URISA’s role as an international organization and the need for the organization to be aware of data policies and situations in many countries:
It is URISA's policy that all units of government should freely provide the means for their citizens to fully participate in their own governance by publishing and otherwise supplying geospatial data to all interested parties. URISA believes that governmental geospatial programs must be appropriately funded and that there are multiple acceptable mechanisms for such funding. Credible studies have shown that the value of geospatial data to the governmental agencies and the people they serve increases with the breadth of data sharing.
The Board then discussed reconsideration of signing the draft amicus brief. However no motion to sign the brief reached the floor for a vote by the Board.
The Board did agree to continue advocating for the principles outlined in the data sharing policy. Specific actions will include continued pursuit of URISA’s 2011-2012 Advocacy Agenda item 2 (Nationwide Development of High Quality, Publicly Accessible Geospatial Data), participation in COGO’s URISA/NSGIC – Data Sharing Legal & Policy Framework initiative, and advocating for the newly approved URISA data sharing policy with state governors and legislatures.
Individual URISA members are free to make their own choice to sign or not to sign the SC v. OC amicus brief. The value of a professional organization is not to tell its members what to think in a case like this. It is to create an environment where each individual can be exposed to the range of arguments about the issue so that they can make their own decision. This would be the case no matter how the Board voted.
The Board then discussed reconsideration of signing the draft amicus brief. However no motion to sign the brief reached the floor for a vote by the Board.
The Board did agree to continue advocating for the principles outlined in the data sharing policy. Specific actions will include continued pursuit of URISA’s 2011-2012 Advocacy Agenda item 2 (Nationwide Development of High Quality, Publicly Accessible Geospatial Data), participation in COGO’s URISA/NSGIC – Data Sharing Legal & Policy Framework initiative, and advocating for the newly approved URISA data sharing policy with state governors and legislatures.
Individual URISA members are free to make their own choice to sign or not to sign the SC v. OC amicus brief. The value of a professional organization is not to tell its members what to think in a case like this. It is to create an environment where each individual can be exposed to the range of arguments about the issue so that they can make their own decision. This would be the case no matter how the Board voted.
Yotta DCL Wins £2.27m Highways Agency Contract to Survey 140,000km of UK Roads
Leamington Spa - 28 February 2012 - UK highway surveying company Yotta DCL has signed a four-year contract worth around GBP2.27 million (USD3.6 million) with the Highways Agency. Over the life of the agreement, Yotta DCL will survey and monitor approximately 140,000km of motorway and other major roads across England.
As part of the agreement, Yotta DCL will perform a Traffic Speed Condition Survey (TRACS) to determine the condition of the road surface, assess the areas in particular need of repair and determine where immediate action needs to be taken.
During the bid process, Yotta DCL was awarded the highest score on the overall qualitative criteria used to select the successful bidder. Yotta DCL will use its new state-of-the-art Tempest highways data capture vehicles to carry out the survey and will also participate in the development of new algorithms to produce more accurate modeling of the road surface deterioration.
“This is a great start to 2012 for Yotta DCL and we are delighted to be awarded this significant contract with the Highways Agency. At the time of our preliminary results, we highlighted the potential for our new Tempest vans. That potential has today become clear and this contract win is testament to Yotta DCL’s technical superiority and progress,” said Nick Smee, Managing Director, Yotta DCL
About Yotta DCL
About Yotta DCL
Yotta DCL is at the forefront of highway technology and services. The company’s surveyors cover hundreds of miles of roads collecting all types of data every day to help transform highway surveys into solutions with real benefits. Its broad experience working with local authorities enables Yotta DCL to provide a range of survey solutions for councils to efficiently manage and maintain their highway assets.
Esri to Demo Operations Dashboard at TechAdvantage
Redlands, California - February 27, 2012 - Union Power Cooperative of North Carolina will join Esri at the upcoming TechAdvantage Conference & Expo to demonstrate its operations dashboard—a comprehensive view of the electric distribution network that merges data from throughout the company into one real-time map.
TechAdvantage, an event that attracts professionals from electric cooperative engineering, energy services, operations, information technology, purchasing, and supply management, will be held March 6–9, 2012, in San Diego, California.
"We have taken the Electric Distribution Operations Dashboard template from Esri and made it work for us," said Todd Harrington, GIS administrator for Union Power Cooperative. "We learned that the dashboard provided more information to our employees and was much faster and easier to use than our existing digital maps."
Within the first week of implementing the dashboard, the utility recovered more than $3,000 lost to meter tampering. Operators also report a considerable savings in time since personnel are no longer tied up with the tasks of extracting data, cleaning it up, and producing maps.
Attendees of TechAdvantage can visit Esri at booth #1439 and connect with Union Power Cooperative by attending the paper session Tying It all Together, on Thursday, March 8, at 8:00 a.m.
About Esri
Since 1969, Esri has been giving customers around the world the power to think and plan geographically. The market leader in GIS technology, Esri software is used in more than 300,000 organizations worldwide including each of the 200 largest cities in the United States, most national governments, more than two-thirds of Fortune 500 companies, and more than 7,000 colleges and universities. Esri applications, running on more than one million desktops and thousands of web and enterprise servers, provide the backbone for the world's mapping and spatial analysis. Esri is the only vendor that provides complete technical solutions for desktop, mobile, server, and Internet platforms. Visit us at esri.com/news.
GEO-12 Seminar Programme Announced
Organisers of the UK’s only geospatial trade exhibition have just released details of the seminar programme that will run alongside the ‘sell out’ event. The two day programme of topical seminars and workshops will include a focus on Building Information Management (BIM), exploration of new tools for data collection including UAVs (Unmanned Aerial Vehicles) and crowd sourcing as well as assessment of global satellite navigation systems (GNSS).
Special workshop sessions will include a laser scanning clinic and an open floor debate looking at the next edition of the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) guidance on land surveying.
The sell-out GEO-12 exhibition, taking place on the 21st and 22nd of March 2012 at the Holiday Inn, London Elstree, is completely free to attend.
Annual attendee numbers of 600 or more are attracted by a delegate package that includes free onsite parking and refreshments, a stimulating programme of free seminars and workshops and live product demos. In addition, those wishing to extend their stay can complement their experience with a ticket for the event’s Gala Dinner sponsored by KOREC and Trimble, topping the evening off with a great deal on overnight accommodation.
The two-day programme of seminars and workshops is designed to complement the geospatial focus of the exhibition. Building Information Management is a topical issue driven by government requirements for all public sector contracts of £10 million or over to be undertaken using BIM by 2015. A dedicated seminar session will explore the relationship between BIM and geospatial technologies and look at some of the opportunities and solutions that are coming to market.
New data collection methodologies and innovations, including UAV, crowd sourcing and the recent dramatic uptake of laser scanning will also be explored and discussed. Sessions will include ‘Mapping the Underground: buried utility surveys’, ‘Mapping and Visualisation’, ‘Beyond the Point Cloud’ and ‘GNSS: just how accurate and reliable is it?’.
“We hope that the mix of topical, interesting, informative and even challenging seminars and workshops we have carefully crafted appeals to visitors both old and new,” comments Stephen Booth of PV Publications, organisers of the event and publishers of Geomatics World, GIS Professional and Engineering Surveying Showcase. “The speakers we have already secured are of the highest quality and include some well know names from the geospatial world.”
MapText Software Receives Letter of Compliance for FAA DO-178B Airworthiness Standard
Monmouth Junction, NJ – February 28, 2012 - MapText is proud to announce that it has received an FAA DO-178B Letter of Compliance for its new Dynamic Text Placement software component for real-time aeronautical charting.
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) regulates the use of software and hardware systems in commercial aircraft. The DO-178B standard is a central component of this regulatory process. The standard specifies aspects of airworthiness for software systems based on how critical they are to flight safety.
MapText, Inc., a subsidiary of Lufthansa Systems AG, has been developing a dynamic label placement component for aeronautical charts. MapText’s software is capable of continuously re-labeling electronic charts and it provides smooth pan and zoom capabilities. Dynamic labeling also enables the “nose-up” navigation mode for pilots. In this mode, the airplane symbol remains static in the center of the display while the chart moves and turns under it. The advantage of real-time dynamic electronic charts over paper or PDF is that they can retrieve and present the latest available data, such as changes in weather conditions, runway status, etc.
MapText engaged an FAA Designated Engineering Representative (DER) to guide the development of a compliant software product as defined by the airworthiness standard. After an extensive review by the DER, the Dynamic Text Placement software received its Letter of Compliance with the FAA airworthiness standard.
The dynamic labeling software component will be initially embedded in the Airport Moving Map (Lido/AMM) application developed by MapText’s parent company, Lufthansa Systems. It will also be used in flight-deck charting applications. The dynamic labeling component is flexible and can also be used in non-certified environments, such as iPad-based aeronautical applications for on-board use by pilots.
MapText, Inc.
MapText is the leading label-placement solutions provider for local, state, and national government mapping agencies worldwide. Its software places text automatically for virtually any kind of map or chart – to high cartographic standards and at incredible speed. The software is in use worldwide for making city street maps, highway maps, cadastral maps, soil maps, utility maps, as well as nautical and aeronautical charts. MapText is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Lufthansa Systems AG. For more information, visit www.maptext.com and www.LHsystems.com
Monday, 27 February 2012
TomTom Expands Coverage Of Real Time Traffic Products For Licensing Customers
Mobile World Congress, Barcelona - 27 February 2012 -
Today TomTom announces a partnership with NDrive whereby TomTom will
deliver maps and enhanced content to power their innovative
location-based applications. NDrive, a provider of navigation services
and software for GPS units and mobile phones, has millions of users
worldwide. Through the three year global agreement, TomTom is equipping
more users of mobile devices with the most accurate maps, points of
interest, and other enhanced content.
"TomTom is excited to enter into a new agreement with NDrive that presents great potential for ensuring our location content gets into the hands of as many users possible," said Nuno Campos, Vice President of Sales and Marketing for TomTom Licensing. "We're convinced that the TomTom map and enhanced content will enrich not only NDrive user's navigation experiences but all location-based information sharing."
"NDrive develops applications for Android, Apple iOS, HP webOS, Samsung bada, Symbian and Windows Mobile platforms, reaching millions of smartphone users globally," said Luis Baptista-Coelho, NDrive's Chief Executive Officer. "We believe that the location experience of our users is enriched by the accuracy and freshness of the data delivered by TomTom."
TomTom maps provide navigable coverage in 109 countries with 35.8 million kilometers of roads. By leveraging the TomTom map, NDrive will be able to provide consumers with a full range of location services – ranging from delivering turn-by-turn driving directions to sharing location information with friends.
About TomTom
TomTom is a global supplier of location and navigation products and services. We provide consumers and enterprise, government and automotive industry customers with digital maps, traffic intelligence, navigation software, PNDs, automotive systems, fleet management services, smartphone apps, fitness devices, POIs and speedcam intelligence.
Headquartered in Amsterdam, TomTom has over 3,500 employees and operates from 50 locations in 35 countries.
TomTom (AEX: TOM2) is listed on NYSE Euronext. More information can be found at www.tomtom.com. For the most up-to-date route planner, including live traffic information please visit www.tomtom.com/livetraffic
"TomTom is excited to enter into a new agreement with NDrive that presents great potential for ensuring our location content gets into the hands of as many users possible," said Nuno Campos, Vice President of Sales and Marketing for TomTom Licensing. "We're convinced that the TomTom map and enhanced content will enrich not only NDrive user's navigation experiences but all location-based information sharing."
"NDrive develops applications for Android, Apple iOS, HP webOS, Samsung bada, Symbian and Windows Mobile platforms, reaching millions of smartphone users globally," said Luis Baptista-Coelho, NDrive's Chief Executive Officer. "We believe that the location experience of our users is enriched by the accuracy and freshness of the data delivered by TomTom."
TomTom maps provide navigable coverage in 109 countries with 35.8 million kilometers of roads. By leveraging the TomTom map, NDrive will be able to provide consumers with a full range of location services – ranging from delivering turn-by-turn driving directions to sharing location information with friends.
About TomTom
TomTom is a global supplier of location and navigation products and services. We provide consumers and enterprise, government and automotive industry customers with digital maps, traffic intelligence, navigation software, PNDs, automotive systems, fleet management services, smartphone apps, fitness devices, POIs and speedcam intelligence.
Headquartered in Amsterdam, TomTom has over 3,500 employees and operates from 50 locations in 35 countries.
TomTom (AEX: TOM2) is listed on NYSE Euronext. More information can be found at www.tomtom.com. For the most up-to-date route planner, including live traffic information please visit www.tomtom.com/livetraffic
AgTerra Launches New Mapping Software
AgTerra Technologies of Sheridan, Wyoming announces the release of
MapItFast, new mapping software for Android tablet and smartphone
devices. MapItFast allows users to easily map points, lines, and areas
(including user labels and descriptions) based upon their current GPS
location. Features are placed on background street maps and/or aerial
imagery. Pictures from any camera may also be included.
According to Alan Telck, president of AgTerra Technologies, "The MapItFast app is designed for users who need a quick and easy way to map without expensive, cumbersome hardware and technically challenging software. MapItFast users can create professional and detailed maps without calling on a GIS expert. Furthermore, people are able to use the smartphone or tablet they are already comfortable with to get the job done."
MapItFast only requires a GPS for creating maps on the device; however if a cellular data or Internet connection is available, MapItFast engines allow all map elements to be instantly available to project participants anywhere in the world. Maps may be securely shared, analyzed and edited online and even exported to formats that allow the data to be used in other GIS software systems such as Google Earth and ArcGIS.
MapItFast is an ideal mapping solution for outdoor based activities such as inspections and surveys, wildfire and disaster response, utility work, crop scouting, mobile asset tracking, wildlife management, oil and gas fieldwork, rangeland monitoring, weed and pest projects, and even outdoor recreational activities such as hiking, biking, horseback riding, geocaching and hunting.
More information and a video about the MapItFast product and other technology tools offered by AgTerra may be found at www.mapitfast.com or the company's website at www.agterra.com.
AgTerra Technologies, Inc. of Sheridan, Wyoming (www.agterra.com) is a solutions provider delivering data collection and information systems technology to the agriculture and natural resource industries. The company's solutions help businesses ease the challenges of data collection, management, and distribution of information; leading to better decision-making, increased workforce productivity and greater value to their patrons.
According to Alan Telck, president of AgTerra Technologies, "The MapItFast app is designed for users who need a quick and easy way to map without expensive, cumbersome hardware and technically challenging software. MapItFast users can create professional and detailed maps without calling on a GIS expert. Furthermore, people are able to use the smartphone or tablet they are already comfortable with to get the job done."
MapItFast only requires a GPS for creating maps on the device; however if a cellular data or Internet connection is available, MapItFast engines allow all map elements to be instantly available to project participants anywhere in the world. Maps may be securely shared, analyzed and edited online and even exported to formats that allow the data to be used in other GIS software systems such as Google Earth and ArcGIS.
MapItFast is an ideal mapping solution for outdoor based activities such as inspections and surveys, wildfire and disaster response, utility work, crop scouting, mobile asset tracking, wildlife management, oil and gas fieldwork, rangeland monitoring, weed and pest projects, and even outdoor recreational activities such as hiking, biking, horseback riding, geocaching and hunting.
More information and a video about the MapItFast product and other technology tools offered by AgTerra may be found at www.mapitfast.com or the company's website at www.agterra.com.
AgTerra Technologies, Inc. of Sheridan, Wyoming (www.agterra.com) is a solutions provider delivering data collection and information systems technology to the agriculture and natural resource industries. The company's solutions help businesses ease the challenges of data collection, management, and distribution of information; leading to better decision-making, increased workforce productivity and greater value to their patrons.
Aerial Imaging Incorporated Purchases UltraCamXp
Graz, Austria - Aerial Imaging Incorporated has contracted with
Microsoft’s UltraCam business unit and subsidiary, Vexcel Imaging GmbH,
to purchase an UltraCamXp digital aerial photogrammetric camera.
“We were looking for one camera that could do it all. The UltraCam is a tried and true digital system based on mature technology that we feel very comfortable investing in at this time,” stated Marcel Joubert, President of Aerial Imaging Incorporated. “References from other owners convinced us that the system is extremely reliable and priced competitively, and that we could count on great product support. Vexcel supplied us with sample 2cm GSD data, and our local government was astounded with the excellent clarity and visible detail of the imagery. This also gave us added confidence in our purchase of the camera.”
Aerial Imaging Inc. will use its UltraCamXp to serve its government and commercial customers, primarily in Western Canada. The large footprint and substantial on-board data storage makes collecting large areas cost-effective at varying altitudes and mapping scales. In addition, the infrared band on the digital camera allows the company to compete for forestry projects, which is a key market in Canada.
“Microsoft is pleased to provide the UltraCamXp to Aerial Imaging Inc. to help meet the increasing demand for high resolution digital imagery in its geographic region,” said Alexander Wiechert, Microsoft Business Director. “The UltraCamXp offers features that are highly suitable for the types of projects that Aerial Imaging intends to pursue.”
About the UltraCamXp
The UltraCamXp photogrammetric digital aerial camera provides a pixel size of 6 micrometers and a footprint of 196 megapixels (17,310 across track x 11,310 along track). The resolution ratio of 1:3 between pan and color bands allows the production of high-resolution pan-sharpened products. The collection rate of 2.5 Gbits per second allows for rapid data collection. The low-cost, exchangeable on-board storage devices hold up to 6,600 images each—approximately 4.2 terabytes of data. The vast storage capability permits more efficient data collection as a result of uninterrupted image collection and minimal ground time.
About Microsoft's UltraCam Business Unit
With its operations based in Graz, Austria, and sales and support teams in North America, Microsoft's UltraCam business unit brings more than two decades of photogrammetry expertise to Microsoft's Bing Maps business unit. The division is responsible for the highly successful line of UltraCam digital aerial mapping systems that include the UltraCamLp, UltraCamXp and UltraCamXp Wide Angle and the new UltraCam Eagle digital photogrammetric sensors. Rounding out the UltraCam mapping systems offering is the UltraMap workflow software system that provides an automated project-based color balancing module and additional quality control tools.
About Microsoft
Founded in 1975, Microsoft (Nasdaq "MSFT") is the worldwide leader in software, services and solutions that help people and businesses realize their full potential.
About Aerial Imaging Incorporated
Aerial Imaging Incorporated, based near Calgary in Alberta, Canada, provides imaging services throughout Western Canada. The company specializes in high resolution aerial data collection and processing for the environmental, transportation, infrastructure, government and energy markets. For more information, visit www.aerialimaging.org or contact Marcel Joubert at 403-995-7070 or aiinc@telus.net.
“We were looking for one camera that could do it all. The UltraCam is a tried and true digital system based on mature technology that we feel very comfortable investing in at this time,” stated Marcel Joubert, President of Aerial Imaging Incorporated. “References from other owners convinced us that the system is extremely reliable and priced competitively, and that we could count on great product support. Vexcel supplied us with sample 2cm GSD data, and our local government was astounded with the excellent clarity and visible detail of the imagery. This also gave us added confidence in our purchase of the camera.”
Aerial Imaging Inc. will use its UltraCamXp to serve its government and commercial customers, primarily in Western Canada. The large footprint and substantial on-board data storage makes collecting large areas cost-effective at varying altitudes and mapping scales. In addition, the infrared band on the digital camera allows the company to compete for forestry projects, which is a key market in Canada.
“Microsoft is pleased to provide the UltraCamXp to Aerial Imaging Inc. to help meet the increasing demand for high resolution digital imagery in its geographic region,” said Alexander Wiechert, Microsoft Business Director. “The UltraCamXp offers features that are highly suitable for the types of projects that Aerial Imaging intends to pursue.”
About the UltraCamXp
The UltraCamXp photogrammetric digital aerial camera provides a pixel size of 6 micrometers and a footprint of 196 megapixels (17,310 across track x 11,310 along track). The resolution ratio of 1:3 between pan and color bands allows the production of high-resolution pan-sharpened products. The collection rate of 2.5 Gbits per second allows for rapid data collection. The low-cost, exchangeable on-board storage devices hold up to 6,600 images each—approximately 4.2 terabytes of data. The vast storage capability permits more efficient data collection as a result of uninterrupted image collection and minimal ground time.
About Microsoft's UltraCam Business Unit
With its operations based in Graz, Austria, and sales and support teams in North America, Microsoft's UltraCam business unit brings more than two decades of photogrammetry expertise to Microsoft's Bing Maps business unit. The division is responsible for the highly successful line of UltraCam digital aerial mapping systems that include the UltraCamLp, UltraCamXp and UltraCamXp Wide Angle and the new UltraCam Eagle digital photogrammetric sensors. Rounding out the UltraCam mapping systems offering is the UltraMap workflow software system that provides an automated project-based color balancing module and additional quality control tools.
About Microsoft
Founded in 1975, Microsoft (Nasdaq "MSFT") is the worldwide leader in software, services and solutions that help people and businesses realize their full potential.
About Aerial Imaging Incorporated
Aerial Imaging Incorporated, based near Calgary in Alberta, Canada, provides imaging services throughout Western Canada. The company specializes in high resolution aerial data collection and processing for the environmental, transportation, infrastructure, government and energy markets. For more information, visit www.aerialimaging.org or contact Marcel Joubert at 403-995-7070 or aiinc@telus.net.
1st Edition of 2012 North Carolina Motorcycle-Maps Released
Dennis Munden, Owner/President of Motorcycle-Maps has announced that the
1st edition of the 2012 North Carolina Motorcycle-Map is now available
for those riders wishing to ride the Tarheel State. The paper version
shows highlighted ride routes around the state classified for various
skill/experience levels. Roads from scenic to experienced allow riders
to pre-select a ride route on which they are comfortable.
While rides routes are an important part of the map the main focus is on biker friendly mom and pop businesses across the state. Many of these businesses are located on back roads around the state and sometimes may be difficult to find. Partnering with Motorcycle-Maps they are given visibility they may otherwise have.
This 1st edition has the Cape Hatteras Lighthouse on the outer banks of North Carolina gracing the cover of the map. David Huff, the Lead Ad Rep for North Carolina, was instrumental in getting permission for the photo on the cover.
The North Carolina map is available through North Carolina Welcome Centers free of charge, customer locations, they can also be ordered on-line through the website at: www.motorcycle-
Motorcycle-Maps can be found on;
Facebook
Twitter
Google +
Tumblr
In addition to social media and distribution locations across the state Motorcycle-Maps also offers an iPhone app available under the navigation category in the Apple Store. Providing real time updates and nationwide coverage the app is available for $2.99.
Publisher of individual state motorcycle friendly maps with focus on biker friendly mom and pop businesses across each state.
Whistle Stop Press of Southern Pines, NC is the designer and printer for the award winning Motorcycle-Maps.
For those biker friendly businesses that may be interested in joining the Motorcycle-Maps program for the NC map, please contact David Huff, davidh@motorcycle-
Motorcycle-Maps is actively seeking experienced Ad Sales Representatives across the country. Interested parties may contact Dennis Munden at dmunden@motorcycle-
Motorcycle-Maps is the publisher of individual state motorcycle friendly maps with focus on biker friendly mom and pop businesses across each state
While rides routes are an important part of the map the main focus is on biker friendly mom and pop businesses across the state. Many of these businesses are located on back roads around the state and sometimes may be difficult to find. Partnering with Motorcycle-Maps they are given visibility they may otherwise have.
This 1st edition has the Cape Hatteras Lighthouse on the outer banks of North Carolina gracing the cover of the map. David Huff, the Lead Ad Rep for North Carolina, was instrumental in getting permission for the photo on the cover.
The North Carolina map is available through North Carolina Welcome Centers free of charge, customer locations, they can also be ordered on-line through the website at: www.motorcycle-
Motorcycle-Maps can be found on;
Google +
Tumblr
In addition to social media and distribution locations across the state Motorcycle-Maps also offers an iPhone app available under the navigation category in the Apple Store. Providing real time updates and nationwide coverage the app is available for $2.99.
Publisher of individual state motorcycle friendly maps with focus on biker friendly mom and pop businesses across each state.
Whistle Stop Press of Southern Pines, NC is the designer and printer for the award winning Motorcycle-Maps.
For those biker friendly businesses that may be interested in joining the Motorcycle-Maps program for the NC map, please contact David Huff, davidh@motorcycle-
Motorcycle-Maps is actively seeking experienced Ad Sales Representatives across the country. Interested parties may contact Dennis Munden at dmunden@motorcycle-
Motorcycle-Maps is the publisher of individual state motorcycle friendly maps with focus on biker friendly mom and pop businesses across each state
FINIS® Unveils Hydro Tracker GPS
Livermore, CA - FINIS, the worldwide leader in
technical swimming development and provider of select training equipment
for the U.S. Olympic Swim Team, announces the FINIS Hydro Tracker GPS.
The Hydro Tracker GPS is a tracking, mapping and performance reporting
fitness accessory designed for open water swimmers. Hydro Tracker GPS, a
multi-sport device captures the swimmer’s course and key performance
data for an in-depth post-swim, statistical report. The free online
FINIS Streamline Training Log allows swimmers to set goals and analyze
stats including splits, speed, distance, accumulated time, and
elevation. Swimmers can share their results with friends via CSV, KML
Google Earth, Facebook and Twitter. The Hydro Tracker GPS is available
now for $129.99 at www.FINISInc.com/hydrotracker and select retailers.
“We created the Hydro Tracker GPS to meet the needs of open water swimmers and fitness enthusiasts,” says John Mix, President of FINIS. “Our Hydro Tracker GPS and free Streamline Log allows swimmers to dig deeper into their key workout stats, providing them with invaluable ongoing feedback. This new GPS system will help maximize anyone’s results.”
The Hydro Tracker GPS easily and securely attaches to swim goggle straps on the back of the head, or included neoprene armband and does not require GPS calibration. Full features and benefits include:
About FINIS
Founded in 1993 in Northern California, FINIS was started by John Mix and Olympic Gold Medal Swimmer Pablo Morales. The Monofin and the Swimmer’s Snorkel were the first products they developed for the US market; afterwards, they continued to focus on creating training tools for swimmers and coaches worldwide. FINIS products are currently available in over 60 countries and are used by US and International Olympic teams, elite triathletes, and fitness swimmers.
Innovative research and design is FINIS’ highest priority. This dedication has resulted in truly unique products such as: the Swimmer’s Snorkel, which is recognized as the paramount tool to improve a swimmer’s technique, the SwiMP3 that uses bone conduction technology to play music instead ear buds, and the Z2 Zoomers fins, which demonstrate an intimate understanding of swimming musculature, hydrodynamics, and engineering.
“We created the Hydro Tracker GPS to meet the needs of open water swimmers and fitness enthusiasts,” says John Mix, President of FINIS. “Our Hydro Tracker GPS and free Streamline Log allows swimmers to dig deeper into their key workout stats, providing them with invaluable ongoing feedback. This new GPS system will help maximize anyone’s results.”
The Hydro Tracker GPS easily and securely attaches to swim goggle straps on the back of the head, or included neoprene armband and does not require GPS calibration. Full features and benefits include:
- Accurate GPS Tracking – Engineered to rest on the back of the head so swimmers receive a constant GPS signal
- Online Mapping – View your route on a Google Maps™ integrated satellite map complete with zoom function
- Performance Reporting – Set goals and analyze stats including splits, speed, distance, accumulated time and elevation
- Hydrodynamic Clips –Attaches the tracker securely to goggle straps for optimal signal detection
- Rechargeable Lithium-Ion Battery – Up to 16 hours of use
- Time-Lapse Animation -Watch the progress of your workout with a click of a button to see elevation variations
- 2 Button Operation – Simple and easy to use interface with LED indicators
- Neoprene Armband – Slip the tracker on your arm or bike for use in other outdoor activities
- Share Workouts – Export your data from the Streamline Log using CSV or Google Earth files, or share via Facebook and Twitter
- Multi-Sport Compatible – Can be used for swimming, running, walking, biking, skiing, hiking & more
- No Calibration Needed -Just put on the tracker and you’re ready to go
- Adjustable Sampling Rate – Configure how often you want to record GPS data so that you can control accuracy and battery life
- Waterproof – Built to withstand the roughest environments
About FINIS
Founded in 1993 in Northern California, FINIS was started by John Mix and Olympic Gold Medal Swimmer Pablo Morales. The Monofin and the Swimmer’s Snorkel were the first products they developed for the US market; afterwards, they continued to focus on creating training tools for swimmers and coaches worldwide. FINIS products are currently available in over 60 countries and are used by US and International Olympic teams, elite triathletes, and fitness swimmers.
Innovative research and design is FINIS’ highest priority. This dedication has resulted in truly unique products such as: the Swimmer’s Snorkel, which is recognized as the paramount tool to improve a swimmer’s technique, the SwiMP3 that uses bone conduction technology to play music instead ear buds, and the Z2 Zoomers fins, which demonstrate an intimate understanding of swimming musculature, hydrodynamics, and engineering.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)