LandAirSea Provides Real-Time GPS Tracking Solutions for CP Communications

LandAirSea Systems, Inc., a leading manufacturer and developer of passive and real-time GPS tracking systems since 1994, has recently been selected by CP Communications as a provider for their GPS tracking solutions.

CP Communications has been a leading source for the rental of production communications equipment and services. With over fifteen years of experience, CP provides high quality, sophisticated wireless and wired communications systems to the broadcast, theatrical, live event, film, corporate and other entertainment industries.

For the past five years, CP Communications has been chosen as the signal transport for the NFL’s Super Bowl halftime show. This year, CP provided fiber transports to and from the entertainment trucks for Touchdown Entertainment’s halftime show at Super Bowl XLVI, which featured legendary and powerhouse musical artists such as Madonna, Cee Lo and Nicki Minaj.

CP Communications Takes The SilverCloud to The Transitions Championship

This past weekend, CP Communications was in Tampa Bay, FL, providing broadcast fiber optics production solutions for the PGA’s Transitions Championship Golf Tournament (March 15-18, 2012). This time, however, they decided to take LandAirSea’s SilverCloud real-time GPS tracking system along with them.

Common applications for the SilverCloud GPS tracking system, usually include fleet vehicle management, law enforcement surveillance and personal vehicle tracking. CP Communications, however, used the SilverCloud to track their broadcast team on-site and on-course in real-time.

Broadcast teams that provide media and television services for PGA tournaments have the enormous task of covering all 18 holes on a golf course simultaneously, which poses significant challenges, especially in the amount of terrain that’s covered, when compared to NFL and NBA games. This means that prompt and efficient communication between on-site camera/audio crews and the command station is absolutely vital in order for the production to operate and run smoothly.

CP Communications utilized the SilverCloud real-time GPS tracking system to accurately locate and monitor team members that were dispersed throughout the Innisbrook Golf Resort. The intuitive and user-friendly SilverCloud online mapping software allowed them to see precisely where each team was at all times without having to contact them individually.

The 3-second continuous updates also provided CP Communications the ability to track their teams on the map in true real-time without having to constantly refresh or ping the device (update speed based on data plan).

The SilverCloud’s real-time GPS location data, helps save fleet dispatchers, and in this case, production crew managers, valuable time and energy as well. Managers will be able to locate and route their teams to the proper place without having to figure out where they are first. This is an extremely important feature when it comes to live sporting events, like PGA golf tournaments, which are viewed by millions of people worldwide.

When asked what compelled CP Communications to go with the SilverCloud GPS tracking system, Senior Vice President of Sales and Marketing, Kurt Heitmann said that both the familiarity of the SilverCloud’s mapping interface, which is powered by Google Maps, and the speed of the location updates were ultimately the determining factors.

The SilverCloud Offers a Wealth of Useful Features

LandAirSea’s SilverCloud real-time GPS tracking system has a wide array of useful features. The SilverCloud’s web-browser based software gives users the ability to set geo-fences, produce event and time-based alarms and generate detailed driving reports, which indicates speed, distance, number of stops and location data. The powerful GPS module is accurate to within 3 meters of the device (6 feet), and the rechargeable lithium ion battery is capable of providing up to 6 days of tracking on full charge with average driving (roughly 2 hours a day).

With the patent-pending ShareSpot feature, users of the SilverCloud will be able to share their precise GPS location online in real-time. With the ShareSpot users will also have the option to share the precise location of their vehicles on their personal or corporate website, blog or even their Facebook page.

The SilverCloud real-time GPS tracking system from LandAirSea have been designed with precision precision, simplicity and durability.

Arizona Experience rolls out Arizona Mining and Mineral Resources

On 14 March, the Virtual Arizona Experience rolled out the Arizona Mining and Mineral Resources theme showcasing the miners, mines, and minerals that shaped Arizona and formed, and continues to form, the backbone of the state economy.

Experience Arizona is a dynamic, multimedia, 4D (3D plus time) web environment with interactive maps, hundreds – soon to be thousands - of images, historical timelines, flyovers of iconic landscapes, interviews with Arizona leaders, featured artists, videos - onsite and at the Arizona Experience YouTube channel, and oral histories that capture the experiences of the men and women that shaped the state.

We used Microsoft Research's new Layerscape visualization software to produce the 3D flyovers, and we worked closely with software company ESRI to broadcast interactive maps that incorporate spatial data, content, interactive timelines, and photo galleries. These dynamic tools and extraordinary content are tailor made for teachers challenging their students to explore Arizona's past, examine its present, and imagine its future.

The March 14th roll out of the Arizona Mining and Mineral Resources theme includes:

Mining Arizona’s Metals – interactive map of active mines in Arizona, Morenci mine flyover, and surface and underground mining techniques slideshow.
Rock Products – Building Arizona – interactive cement plant tour, map with locations and mineral commodities of more than 300 quarries or mines, videos and photo gallery.
Featured Artist – World renowned mineral photographer Jeff Scovil with a photo gallery of some of his best images of Arizona minerals. And a short video on “how to photograph minerals.”
Miners Story – Video gallery of the men and women of San Manuel recounting their experiences living and working in one of Arizona’s historic mining communities.
H. Mason Coggin Photo Collection – Arizona historic mines and miners photo gallery.
Later in March, we'll add the following to the Arizona Mines and Minerals section:

Featured Museum Exhibit: University of Arizona Mineral Museum’s, “100 Years of Arizona’s Best: The Minerals that made the State,” which includes a virtual tour of 16 historic mining communities illustrated with images and videos.
More Miners Story – Oral histories of the men and women of Arizona’s mining communities.
Interview with Mila Lira of the Arizona’s Copper Corridor Economic Development Coalition.
Future of Arizona Mining – an interview with Dr. Mary Poulton, Chair, University of Arizona Mining & Geological Engineering Dept.
On Statehood Day, 14 February 2012, Governor Brewer rolled out the Arizona Experience with its Arizona Lands and Celebrates themes. Over the next year, we'll release a new theme each month. Conceived to commemorate one hundred years of statehood, the Arizona Experience celebrates where Arizona has come from and where it is going.

February 2012: Land & Arizona Celebrates
March 2012: Mining & Minerals
April 2012: Biotech & Life Sciences
May 2012: Sports & Recreation
June 2012: Energy
July 2012: Water
August 2012: Technology & Aerospace Science
September 2012: People & Culture
October 2012: Ranching & Agriculture
November 2012: Native American Culture
December 2012: Astronomy & Interplanetary Discovery
January 2013: 21st Century Workforce
February 2013: "Best of" Arizona Centennial

Slagboom & Peeters Purchase an UltraCam Eagle

Graz, Austria - Slagboom & Peeters Aerial Surveys, a remote sensing firm based in the Netherlands, has contracted with Microsoft’s UltraCam business unit and subsidiary, Vexcel Imaging GmbH, to purchase an UltraCam Eagle ”ultra-large” format digital aerial camera system. The UltraCam Eagle provides the newest technology in the line of award-winning UltraCam digital aerial camera systems.

“Slagboom & Peeters started using digital UltraCam cameras in 2004, and we have purchased every new model of large format camera as it has become available,” stated Mr. Yoeri Slagboom, Owner, Slagboom & Peeters Aerial Surveys. “We will operate the UltraCam Eagle in conjunction with our UltraCamX and UltraCamXp and deploy the camera best suited for each job. The large footprint of the UltraCam Eagle will reduce flight hours needed to complete large projects, and with the restrictions of weather and air traffic control this is a great asset in many places.”

The UltraCam Eagle will be used worldwide on all types of mapping and orthophoto projects. During busy seasons, Slagboom & Peeters’ UltraCam Eagle, UltraCamX, and UltraCamXp digital camera systems provide extra capacity for its customers, many of whom are also UltraCam users. Utilizing the same camera systems as its customers allows Slagboom to offer compatible and efficient data acquisition.

“As a longstanding UltraCam customer, Slagboom & Peeters is a highly valued customer,” said Alexander Wiechert, Microsoft Business Director. “We are very happy to add the UltraCam Eagle to the firm’s data acquisition resources and assist the company with following its mission of providing customers with the latest technology available at all times.”

The UltraCam Eagle features a PAN image footprint of 20,010 pixels across the flight strip. In addition to the ultra-large image footprint, the UltraCam Eagle includes enhanced electronics for improved frame rate and less noise (72 dB signal-to-noise ratio for high image dynamic) when compared to previous UltraCam systems, and innovative high-resolution, high-performance lenses and state-of-the art CCD technology (@ 5.2 µm pixel size) for sharp images with a high dynamic range. The UltraCam Eagle is the first multi-cone digital photogrammetric camera to offer an exchangeable lens system with 80mm (standard) and 210mm (tele for high altitude flights) and includes filters with curved characteristics to flatten out vignetting, enabling the lens system to operate at its best Modulation Transfer Function (MTF) performance for maximum image sharpness and contrast. This digital camera system boasts a new housing concept with everything integrated into a modular sensor head, including the UltraNav embedded flight management and direct georeferencing system from Applanix, and in-flight exchangeable, solid state storage for high reliability and minimal ground time. Compared to previous UltraCam systems, the smaller physical form factor of the UltraCam system makes it quicker and easier to install, requires less aircraft space, and weighs less for more efficient aircraft fuel consumption.

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, UltraCamXp Wide Angle and UltraCam Eagle digital photogrammetric sensors. Rounding out the UltraCam mapping systems offering is the UltraMap workflow software system for processing UltraCam imagery to Level 02 and Level 03 quality data, and with features that include distributed processing with automated load balancing, automated project-based color balancing, and additional quality control tools.

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, UltraCamXp Wide Angle and UltraCam Eagle digital photogrammetric sensors. Rounding out the UltraCam mapping systems offering is the UltraMap workflow software system for processing UltraCam imagery to Level 02 and Level 03 quality data, and with features that include distributed processing with automated load balancing, automated project-based color balancing, and additional quality control tools.

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 Slagboom & Peeters Aerial Surveys

Slagboom & Peeters Aerial Surveys was founded in 1961 and over the years has evolved into a high-end aerial data acquisition and processing firm. The company provides digital aerial photographs for mapping and orthophoto production worldwide. With a fleet of aircraft equipped with Vexcel UltraCam cameras and in-house processing capacity, the company has earned a prominent place in the market in the Netherlands. For additional information please go to www.slagboomenpeeters.com

Updated Digital Maps for Germany, Austria and Switzerland

GfK GeoMarketing has updated its digital maps for Germany, Austria and Switzerland to reflect the latest status. The new map editions for Germany, Austria and Switzerland are now completed and include all available maps of postcode and administrative levels such as municipalities and districts as well as supplementary topographic details. The maps provide a reliable basis for detailed market analysis and planning.

GfK GeoMarketing has released new, updated digital maps for Germany, Austria and Switzerland. The maps provide comprehensive and detailed cartographic coverage of these countries' administrative and postal boundaries, as well as topographic details. Digital maps of postal boundaries (e.g., the five-digit postcodes in Germany) and administrative boundaries (federal states, districts and municipalities) comprise the foundation for software-based spatial analyses.

Geomarketing analyses require up-to-date maps, as outdated boundaries result in errors when carrying out software-based regional analyses. Only up-to-date maps ensure that customer data can be correctly imported into the maps and subsequently visualized and evaluated by a mapping software. The latest maps are also required in order to correctly import and analyze company turnover figures and external data on market potential.

"Since 2011, reforms have resulted in around 1,000 changes to postal and administrative boundaries in Germany, Austria and Switzerland," explains Klaus Dittmann, head of the cartography division at GfK GeoMarketing. "There has been an especially large number of changes in Germany, including a district reform in the federal state of Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania, around 100 dissolved municipalities, almost 800 renamed municipalities as well as more than 300 new five-digit postcodes. The approximately 100 maps contained in the new 2012 map editions for Germany, Austria and Switzerland reveal the latest official status of the boundaries and regional levels in these countries."

Germany

Administrative levels:

Districts: District reform in the federal state of Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania: The former 18 urban and rural districts were restructured into 8 new urban and rural districts.
Municipalities: 99 dissolved, 15 new, 5 name changes, 783 ID changes
Postal levels:

5-digit postcodes: 9 dissolved, 5 new, more than 300 cities and streets received new postcode assignments

Switzerland

Administrative levels:
Municipalities: 66 dissolved, 10 new, 12 boundary changes

Postal levels:
4-digit postcodes: 1 new, 2 name changes, multiple boundary changes

Austria

Administrative levels:

Districts: 2 dissolved, 1 new
Municipalities: 4 name changes, 38 ID changes
Postal levels:
4-digit postcodes: 15 new, 4 name changes, 31 boundary changes

Applications
Digital maps play an essential role in international expansion and sales territory planning, serving as an indispensable component of geomarketing software or geographic information systems (GIS). These software applications are used to analyze and display the geographic component of company and market data on digital maps.

Coverage, quality, format
The high-quality maps included in the edition feature comprehensive coverage; gapless, overlap-free boundaries; national and local attributions and infinite zoom capability.

Like all digital maps offered by GfK GeoMarketing, the new editions for Germany, Austria and Switzerland are available in all standard map formats, including *.shp (ESRI), *.mid/*.mif (MapInfo), *.gdb (GeoDatabase) and *.lay (GfK GeoMarketing). The maps are also available in the Oracle (Spatial) database format for use in Oracle Business Intelligence applications.

The maps are part of GfK GeoMarketing's cartographic coverage of 240 countries, the world's largest collection of digital administrative and postcode maps.

Additional information can be obtained by contacting Doris Steffen, Tel. +49 (0)7251 9295180 or d.steffen@gfk-geomarketing.com.

Print-quality illustrations can be found at www.gfk-geomarketing.com/maps-dach-2012 (2 MB)

GfK GeoMarketing is one of the largest providers of geomarketing services in Europe for customers and users from all branches of trade. Key business areas include:

Consultancy and reports
Market data
Digital maps
Geomarketing software RegioGraph
GfK GeoMarketing is a subsidiary of the globally active GfK Group. One of the world's leading market research institutes, the GfK is represented in more than

North Carolina to Offer Esri GIS to All K–12 Schools in State

With the signing of a statewide license for unlimited classroom use of Esri's ArcGIS software, K–12 schools in North Carolina have initiated a comprehensive program to introduce geospatial technology to their students. The license will be administered by Dr. Reed Perkins, chair, Division of Math and Natural Sciences, Queens University of Charlotte, who is a longtime advocate for GIS education in the secondary school system.

"The statewide license is an opportunity to open K–12 students' eyes to the power and wonder of GIS," says Perkins. "Taught in the right way, GIS is a self-priming pump. A little exposure to GIS gets people wanting to know even more. The fact that the license covers the entire state will have an enormous impact because, like many states, there are parts of North Carolina without the resources to support a full site license. This gives every district, school, and formal youth club the opportunity to share twenty-first-century geospatial technology and imagination with its students."

In addition to all K–12 schools in the state, North Carolina's license includes after-school programs like 4-H clubs, Scout troops, and Boys & Girls Clubs. Perkins indicates that GIS professionals and educators from around the state will contribute to this initiative by installing software and helping teachers integrate ArcGIS into their lesson plans.

"North Carolina has a long history of GIS in its schools, and some educators have taught ArcGIS for many years," says Charlie Fitzpatrick, Esri K–12 Schools Program manager. "With its statewide license, every K–12 student in any class or club in the state can use GIS in school or online, building for college and career."

Queens University of Charlotte is a private, co-ed, Presbyterian-affiliated comprehensive university with a commitment to both liberal arts and professional studies. Located in the heart of historic Charlotte, Queens serves approximately 2,700 undergraduate and graduate students through its College of Arts and Sciences, the McColl School of Business, the Wayland H. Cato, Jr. School of Education, the James L. Knight School of Communication, Hayworth College for Adult Studies and the Andrew Blair College of Health which features the Presbyterian School of Nursing.

Merrick Provides Services on Over 1,000 Miles of Transmission Line

Merrick & Company’s (www.merrick.com)  geospatial solutions group is currently working with HDR Engineering, Inc (HDR) and is serving the Department of Energy, Western Area Power Administration group. In conjunction with HDR, Merrick is providing LiDAR surveying and engineering services in the Upper Great Plains Region for conductor rating and clearance assessments. Merrick surveyed lines span 1,116 miles crossing North and South Dakota. Merrick is utilizing its helicopter sensor platform for data collection and providing PLS-CADD ready classified LiDAR data, color ortho imagery, and high resolution color forward and aft oblique structure imagery.

Merrick & Company, an $125 million geospatial, engineering, architecture, design-build, and surveying firm, serves domestic and international clients by providing geospatial technologies, products, and services for the sustainable infrastructure, energy,  and national security markets.  Merrick maintains ten offices in the U.S. as well as two offices in Mexico, Canada, and the United Kingdom.

More information about Merrick’s GeoSpatial Solutions business unit is located at Merrick GeoSpatial Solutions.

DeLorme Partners With Alvarez & Associates to Offer Award Winning inReach Satcom Device

DeLorme and Alvarez & Associates, two service-disabled veteran owned small businesses (SDVO/SB), are partnering to provide the award-winning DeLorme inReach™ to U.S. government customers under the NASA Solutions for Enterprise-Wide Procurement (SEWP) IV contract. The SEWP contract is a flexible contract vehicle that allows U.S. government organizations to rapidly receive products and solutions that meet their mission needs.

For areas without traditional wireless service – which includes over 90 percent of the Earth's surface – inReach is an affordable satellite communicator offering two-way SOS and personal text messaging, delivery confirmation, follow-me remote GPS tracking, and worldwide coverage via the Iridium network.

inReach was first-to-market with those capabilities, resulting in numerous awards from high-profile trade organizations and consumer publications, including the National Marine Marketers Association, the Consumer Electronics Association, and Backpacker, Popular Science, Men’s Journal, and Outside (magazines).

Those award-winning capabilities make inReach highly valuable to government clients. The two-way text messaging is especially crucial in SOS situations. U.S. government personnel or other in-distress users deployed to remote locations around the globe can describe their situation so that search-and-rescue authorities know what assets to deploy. They can also exchange updates with the response center, including sharing information on subsequent injuries or damage, changing weather conditions, and revised responder ETAs.
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For free-form two-way messaging, inReach can be paired with either an Android smartphone or a DeLorme Earthmate PN-60w handheld GPS receiver. It can also be used as a standalone device, allowing remote tracking and pre-programmed messages and SOS alerts to be sent via the device’s pushbutton interface, with confirmation of delivery.

“This significant partnership with Alvarez & Associates provides a procurement vehicle for rapid deployment of inReach devices to support U.S. government operations all over the world,” said Kevin Ryan, Vice President of Government Solutions for DeLorme. “The global two-way messaging, SOS alerting, and remote tracking capabilities of inReach will provide a reliable and vital communications solution for warfighters and other U.S. government personnel in remote and high-risk environments.”

DeLorme is a longtime leader in innovative mapping and GPS products, and most recently the company has earned numerous prestigious awards for its groundbreaking integration of GPS navigation and satellite communications. The ability to develop all the critical components necessary to compete in these fast-changing technologies distinguishes DeLorme as a provider of unique solutions for both the commercial and government markets. DeLorme is based in Yarmouth, ME, U.S.A., and is home to Eartha, the world’s largest revolving globe. To learn more, visit www.delorme.com.

Founded in 2004, Alvarez & Associates (A&A) is a Washington, D.C.-based information technology company. In 2007, A&A was awarded the NASA SEWP IV contract as one of only six service-disabled veteran owned small businesses (SDVO/SB) prime contractors out of 38. The NASA SEWP – Solutions for Enterprise-Wide Procurement – is a government-wide acquisition contract which allows A&A to provide the latest in technology products to any federal government agency, while helping those agencies achieve their SDVO/SB set-aside goals. For more information, go to www.alvarezassociates.com or call 877.739.7289.

Telogis Takes Driver Safety to the Next Level with Telogis Driver Scorecard

Telogis Inc., the platform for location intelligence, further enhances its driver safety capabilities with the introduction of Telogis Driver Scorecard™ — part of the Telogis Fleet Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) fleet management system — to more easily manage and communicate the behaviors that directly influence driver and asset safety. Telogis Driver Scorecard offers the most extensive metrics available to fleets today to identify risky driving behaviors, improve safety, and reduce the time and costs associated with accidents. The platform’s safety scorecard leverages InSight Alerts to trend driver behavior over time to positively impact safety and driver behavior trends.

Telogis Fleet is part of the Telogis platform of SaaS location intelligence solutions that includes Telogis Route, Telogis Progression and Telogis Mobile — making Telogis the only company that provides fleet management, multi-vehicle route optimization and planning, work order management and mobile integration on a single enterprise platform.

“With Telogis Driver Scorecard, we’re able to configure the scorecard to the needs of each fleet,” says Sean McCormick, product manager, Telogis Fleet. “From standard metrics to configurable weightings, we’re able to identify risky driving behavior. With the combination of Driver Scorecards, real-time alerts, and enterprise dashboards, Telogis enables companies to create better safe driving awareness programs and sustainable driving pattern changes, resulting in significantly improved safety.”

Telogis Driver Scorecard reports on activities critical to driver safety: hard braking, hard acceleration, excessive speeding, speeding vs. posted speed limit, after-hours use, and seatbelt use. Reports are configurable to show daily, weekly and monthly trends. InSight Alerts can also be programmed for real-time feedback to supervisors. Being able to measure and ensure that your fleet exhibits safe driving behaviors is valuable for potential insurance discounts, as well as to reduce workers compensation claims (avoiding accidents by pinpointing safety concerns), and to improve vehicle maintenance.

“If you’re simply monitoring driver violations, that doesn’t tell the whole story because a driver may still be exhibiting risky behavior.” says McCormick. “ By implementing the Telogis Driver Scorecard, you can enhance your safety initiatives with real-time, actionable information leading to greater total safety along with a reduction in costs associated with bad driving.”

Telogis Inc., the platform for location intelligence, is dedicated to enhancing the value of its customers’ businesses through intelligent integration of location technology, information and services. Telogis was established in 2001 and is headquartered in Aliso Viejo, Calif., with offices in Europe and Latin America as well as development centers in Austin, Texas, and Christchurch, New Zealand. Telogis’ products and services are used and distributed in more than 60 countries worldwide. To learn more about Telogis, visit www.telogis.com or call toll free at 866-TELOGIS (866-835-6447).

eSpatial Releases New Whitepaper: Free Resource to Help Organisations Start Using Mapping Software

eSpatial, leading provider of GIS (Geographical Information Systems) and pioneer in SaaS-based mapping software, has released a new whitepaper designed to help organisations understand how to start using mapping software.

Aimed at newcomers to the technology, the whitepaper, "Start Mapping Your Data in 7 Easy Steps", breaks down the business process behind successful use of mapping software.

The whitepaper is available free of charge upon registration, and can be accessed at: http://esp.tl/wJkuaK

"Start Mapping Your Data in 7 Easy Steps" leverages eSpatial's considerable expertise in the mapping software business, and provides a clear, user-friendly guide that enables any organisation to successfully start using mapping software.

"We've worked with many businesspeople in order to get them started with our mapping software, and we understand the challenges that they face," says eSpatial's Chief Sales & Marketing Officer Colm Mulcahy.

"This whitepaper is one of the ways in which we plan to share our knowledge and expertise with the wider business community, as they continue to explore the benefits of mapping software."

Want to learn how to use mapping software in 7 easy steps? Register for your copy of "Start Mapping Your Data in 7 Easy Steps" today!

eSpatial is a leading provider of Geographic Information Systems (GIS), and a pioneer in the provision of mapping software delivered via Software-as-a-Service (SaaS).

Our flagship product, eSpatial OnDemand GIS (formerly known as iSMART), has pioneered the availability of a full-function GIS or mapping software with SaaS delivery.

As an established presence in the GIS and mapping space, eSpatial has developed considerable expertise and intellectual property in spatial software use and development.

We are proud to work with leading technology partners such as Oracle, NAVTEQ and Digital Globe; and to count many leading organisations amongst our global customer base.

eSpatial is headquartered in Dublin, Ireland.

OpenStreetMaps Growth Accelerates

OpenStreetMap’s growth accelerated in 2011 extending the achievements of 2010. Following up last year’s publication Geo-Analytics on OpenStreetMap Road Data, BEYONAV has again crunched metrics on a weekly snapshot of the complete OSM dataset using BEYONAV’s proprietary BeyoViewer software package.

BeyoViewer loads the entire OSM planet dataset compressed dump file into memory in about two hours, after which street maps can be browsed in real-time as vector data and the worldwide length statistics can be calculated in about 42 seconds. The results show a rapid yet steady trajectory in the growth of the database size by a number of measures.

The OSM dataset in it’s entirety grew nearly 75% in 2011, and over 150% — more than doubling in size — over the last two years. On average, over 96,000 kilometers of new roadway were added every weeks during 2011, compared to 64,000 kilometers of new roadway each week during 2010. The pace of the growth is very steady. Even at the very small time interval of seven days, the standard deviation of how much data is contributed to OSM each week is remarkably low.

OpenStreetMaps was founded in 2004 and quickly gained the attention of all of the major players in the mapping industry. While MapQuest and Microsoft are presently major contributors in terms of dollars and hardware, Google has also been a contributor, and dozens of companies are listed on OSM’s web site as having contributed their own proprietary data to the OSM database. OSM is widely considered to have the most complete cartographic record of our planet outside of possibly Google Maps which incorporates OSM with their own proprietary mapping data. Nonetheless, Steve Coast, founder of OSM was recently quoted in a Wired Magazine article as saying the project is “still waiting for the big one” in terms of acceptance and becoming a game-changer in the industry.

We at BEYONAV believe OSM is poised to have a very big year in 2012 due to a confluence of several ingredients.

MapQuest’s free Open JavaScript Maps API puts brawn and heft behind serving OSM data online easily to any website or JavaScript developer, which the OpenStreetMap Foundation is does not provide.
The Google Maps API has up until now been completely free for any Internet facing, publicly accessible web site. Google has stated that they will begin charging web sites that exceed certain usage thresholds imminently.
A sophisticated desktop editor JOSM was released for editing OSM data, putting power into the hands of contributors.
Support by GIS Analysis packages like QuantumGIS put OSM data into the hands of contributors and analysts who wish to use OSM data on the desktop.
As BEYONAV’s analysis shows, the OSM database has matured far beyond being simply an inferior free and open source alternative to commercial data sources. The rapid and steady pace of growth assures potential commercial users that this is a sustainable and solid foundation upon which to entrust their business plans.
The OSM Google+ stream includes countless mentions of companies recently switching from Google Maps to OSM.
Using BeyoViewer technology, BEYONAV is capable of compiling OSM data for very efficient custom applications. Jens Nitzschke, Founder and President of BEYONAV explains, “The BeyoMap spatial database engine powering the BeyoViewer applications.

Jens Nitzschke, Founder and President of BEYONAV explains, “The BeyoMap spatial database engine powering the BeyoViewer application allows for large scalability displaying vector map data at any scale on the fly unlike traditional OSM tools which typically render pre-generated tile images.” Using Beyomap spatial database technology, BEYONAV is capable of processing planet OSM data as well as commercial map data from Navteq and TomTom. For more information, contact BEYONAV via their web site. http://www.beyonav.com

Liberty Wines Deliveries Flow Better with Paragon Routing Software

London wine wholesaler Liberty Wines is boosting its delivery service with an advanced route planning and scheduling system from Paragon Software Systems. The software incorporates street level mapping for accurate routing and has special Olympics planning functionality to ensure that Liberty’s customers receive their daily orders on time during the games. The software will integrate with Liberty’s order processing system (Vintner) to speed the planning process. Liberty also anticipates that Paragon’s Single Depot software solution will enable better use of its delivery fleet resources.

“Paragon will enable us to plan more efficiently and effectively, making better use of our vehicle fleet and improving the service to our customers. The street level-mapping option we have selected takes account of road constraints such as one-way streets, no-entries and turn restrictions. This will help us to plan and manage our London deliveries with greater accuracy, where timed deliveries to leading restaurants are a key part of our service offering. The pre-programmed Olympic planning feature is extremely important as we are located on the Olympic Route Network and this will ensure we provide the best service during the games,” says Ben Marriott, Customer Services Manager at Liberty Wines.

Liberty Wines runs a fleet of large delivery vans for daily deliveries throughout London and once weekly deliveries to customers throughout the Home Counties. About 80 per cent of fleet resources are subcontractors, with some Liberty Wines’ own vehicles and drivers. The new software will maximise their loads and plan the delivery schedules and routes automatically, highlighting where there is spare capacity.

“The majority of our drivers are subcontractors who are paid a daily rate. When we plan manually we can only estimate start and finish of their runs, but with Paragon we’ll have visibility of their workloads,” says Ben Marriott. “We’ll also have the added benefit of knowing precisely which vehicle and driver is delivering each order without searching through paperwork; the information will be available to us at the push of a button.”

Liberty Wines offers a unique customer service that allows London customers to place orders at any time of the day or night for delivery the next day. This around the clock ordering is what sets the company apart from its competitors, resulting in as many as 200 deliveries a day. To streamline order processing and fulfilment, the company’s Vintner system will export the order and delivery requirements into Paragon, which will then automatically create the delivery routes and schedules. This information is uploaded back to the order processing system to update the customer records. This also provides accurate data for management reporting on delivery performance.

Paragon Software Systems is a market leader in transport optimisation with over 1,500 routing and scheduling systems installed in more than 33 countries. Paragon helps companies reduce transport costs by up to 20 per cent through more efficient deployment of vehicles and drivers. Headquartered in Dorking, UK and with US offices in Dallas, Paragon is a respected pioneer in routing and scheduling with over 30 years of know-how.

Paragon is employed by transport operations ranging from just 10 vehicles at a single site to hundreds of vehicles operating from several sites. The system is used for routing and scheduling optimisation; managing transport resources; strategic planning; scheduling home deliveries continuously as orders are being confirmed; and managing the execution of the transport plan in real time using vehicle tracking technology.

Paragon assists many leading companies with their logistics including ASDA, Royal Mail Group, Harrods, Sainsbury's, AB Agri, CEVA Logistics, Wincanton, DHL Exel, Norbert Dentressangle, Linde, Fuller's, John Lewis, Tesco, Keystone Distribution, Raleigh and many others.

Applanix Introduces POS MV System with Integrated Fugro Marinestar Capability

London - March 13, 2012 - Applanix, a world leader in products and solutions for mobile mapping and positioning, introduced today its POS MV™ system capable of receiving Fugro’s Marinestar positioning service.

By using the Marinestar positioning service, POS MV can deliver significant benefits:

Large area of operations: no geographical limitations
Easy to use: no additional hardware to purchase, integrate and maintain
High accuracy: position data is accurate to less than 1 decimeter
Efficiency: data is produced in real-time
The announcement was made today at Oceanology International 2012, the world's largest marine exhibition. Visit Applanix at booth J150.

The Marinestar positioning service from Fugro includes Marinestar GPS – a high performance, high-accuracy GPS augmentation service and Marinestar GNSS, a high performance augmentation service for both the GPS and GLONASS Navigation Satellite Systems. By integrating Marinestar capability, the POS MV can operate off shore and without reference stations, significantly expanding its operating environment.

“The Applanix POS MV is trusted throughout the hydrographic community to provide highly accurate position and orientation information for georeferencing multibeam sonar and vessel-borne LiDAR,” said Peter Stewart, Director of Marine Products at Applanix. “POS MV with Marinestar capability takes its performance to a new level and to new environments. By expanding the areas of operation, hydrographic surveyors can maximize the return of their investment in multibeam sonar and laser scanning hardware using the POS MV.”

The POS MV with Marinestar capability can be purchased through the Applanix global sales network. Subscription to the Marinestar service is available through Fugro. For more information, please visit www.applanix.com.

ABOUT APPLANIX

Applanix, a Trimble Company (NASDAQ: TRMB), develops, manufactures, sells and supports products and solutions for mobile mapping and positioning. Applanix’ products and solutions are used in a variety of applications, including road profiling, GIS data acquisition, aerial surveying and mapping, railroad track maintenance and seafloor mapping. Established in 1991, Applanix supports its growing global customer base with exceptional service.

Exhibitors Choose GEO-12 for Product Launches

Exhibitors at the UK’s only geospatial trade  exhibition will be launching a diverse range of solutions for capture and  application of geographical information. Unmanned Aerial Vehicles, panoramic  cameras and thermal imaging systems will all feature alongside the latest in  satellite navigation, laser scanning and surveying systems. Virtual reality and  secure client technologies make an appearance for the first time complementing a  packed programme of seminars and workshops featuring topical subjects such as  Building Information Modelling (BIM), GNSS, underground mapping and crowd  sourcing.

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 as well as live product demos. Those  lucky enough to have secured a ticket for the event’s sell-out Gala Dinner  sponsored by KOREC and Trimble, can look forward to a great evening beginning  with a drinks reception, four-course dinner and a grand audio-visual  presentation from Australian John Brock on “Hollywood Movie  Surveyors!”

First time exhibitors Gatewing will be showcasing how  the gap between traditional terrestrial surveying and conventional  photogrammetry has been filled with the Gatewing X100 UAV while GeoPlace will be  demonstrating the next generation of addressing solutions. Handheld will be  promoting their range of rugged mobile computers and XPERTEX will provide an  overview of their secure client technologies deployable on iPads, laptops and  other devices.

Other first time exhibitors include Mapping Solutions who will be demonstrating the ILRIS terrestrial LiDAR system, NCTech who will be presenting iSTAR a 360 degree rapid imaging panoramic camera; visual technology company Spheron VR will be showing their latest HDR (High Dynamic Range) camera system  and virtual reality and advanced visualisation specialist Virtalis will be  demonstrationg their GeoVisionary system. New to the UK market is GeoMax AG  showing new products like the Robotic Zoom80 and Zenith10/20 GNSS receivers.

Platinum Sponsors include FARO with a range of portable  systems for the measurement and 3D documentation of spaces and objects; Leica  Geosystems with the latest Viva series of total stations and GNSS, as well as  Opti-Cal Survey Equipment and SCCS both Leica Geosystems distributors and  service partners. Gold Sponsors include 3D Laser Mapping demonstrating mobile  mapping system StreetMapper, Hemispere GPS with a new family of RTK receivers  and returning exhibitor Landmark. MBS Survey Software will be launching the  latest version of Floorplans software with more than 25 new features while Ohmex will be demonstrating a new echo sounder for use in shallow water hydrographic  surveying. Positioning Resources will be launching the ProMark 800 a powerful  RTK survey solution and Z+F UK Laser will be demonstrating their most advanced  phased based laser scanner yet.

Making up the sell-out event are  Silver Sponsors Applications in CADD with a standalone version of 4Site; C-Scope  International a world leading manufacturer of pipe and cable location equipment  and Penmap.com who will be launching the world’s first GPS+Galileo handheld  receiver to achieve sub metre accuracies. Phoenix Surveying and Safety Equipment  will be exhibiting alongside Topcon with a range of new and exciting surveying  technology and returning exhibitors Stanburys will be re-launching the i-Series camera range.

Integrate Information of Highway Bus Routes on SuperWebGIS

SuperGeo Technologies, the leading global provider of complete GIS software and solutions, assisted the administrations of Directorate General of Highways in establishing, unifying, and integrating the data of bus routes and stations through the Internet to provide decision strategies and multiple query functions for the public in Taiwan.

In Taiwan, bus stops belong to different administrations. Hence, it is difficult for the public to find traffic information which is not well-integrated and distributed via a single platform. To encourage the usage of public transportation and enable them to query bus information such as routes, stop information, etc., the “Highway Bus Information System” was announced to public in 2009.

Initially, the system cannot fully satisfy the local government with managing information and enable users to easily query bus info due to discordant formats of bus stops. By utilizing SuperWebGIS, the project achieves to investigate and compile the information of bus routes and stops thoroughly nationwide; additionally to comprehensively integrate spatial and attribute data which are related to countrywide operating bus routes of the 1,300 roads.

By accessing the system, the public can query required bus information via the Internet, mobile phones, or telephones and receive references for planning their itineraries. For the government, the Highway Bus Information System not only promotes the use of public transportation but also help achieve the goal of Energy Conservation and Carbon Reduction.

The details of the application are available at http://www.supergeotek.com/Library_2_201203.aspx

For more information about SuperWebGIS, please visit http://www.supergeotek.com/ProductPage_SWG3.aspx

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.

Blue Marble Releases Desktop 2.4 with Powerful New Seismic Survey Conversion Tool

Blue Marble Geographics (www.bluemarblegeo.com) is pleased to announce the release of the latest version of the Blue Marble Desktop v2.4. This release introduces the Seismic Survey Conversion Tool, a major enhancement to the Point Database Job designed to support native seismic data formats. Blue Marble’s geospatial data manipulation 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.

Many of the new enhancements found in Blue Marble Desktop 2.4 are focused around the Geographic Calculator (v7.7). The Seismic Survey Conversion Job allows users to work directly, and in a very flexible manner, with a variety of Oil and Gas industry formats including SEG P1, SPS, and UKOAA P1/90. The tool also enables users to format ASCII data faster and more efficiently. A new File Import Wizard guides the user through the assignment of header components and column formats consistent with each file specification. The tool can convert multiple record (e.g. shot, receiver) types and convert grid and geodetic coordinates within the same file, all in one pass.

Desktop 2.4 also introduces a Web Mapping Service (WMS) interface for remote data connections in all data viewer windows and Well Known Text and PRJ coordinate system matching now preserves base geodetic coordinate system references. Additionally, Desktop v2.4 features enhanced envelope logic and the Audit Trail now tracks the current Desktop user when any changes are made to the geodetic datasource.

Blue Marble President Patrick Cunningham stated, “Our users in Oil and Gas exploration have had a real need for better software tools for working with seismic data and we are pleased to continue to turn out improvements in this area, with the goal of making those users more efficient and the data they output more reliable.”

Blue Marble Geographics of Gardiner, ME is a leading developer and provider of software products and services for highly accurate geospatial data conversion solutions. Blue Marble is known for their coordinate conversion expertise and is the developer of The Geographic Calculator and GeoCalc SDK. In November 2011 Blue Marble acquired Global Mapper, LLC. and is pleased to introduce Global Mapper desktop and SDK software to its product line.

CompassData and SIS Exhibiting Together: Join SIS and CompassData Spring ASPRS March 19-23

March 14, 2012 - Starkville, MS – Exhibiting for ASPRS begins Wednesday, March 21^st.  Mapping software firm Spatial Information Solutions® (SIS) will be exhibiting alongside survey and ground control firm CompassData® in Sacramento, CA.

CompassData collects survey data used for control and checkpoints and SIS provides software which uses surveyed checkpoints to verify data accuracy. When you visit booth 223 during exhibiting hours, you’ll see the latest SIS software releases: Topo Analyst and LiDAR Testing Extension: as well as the company’s flagship product, Accuracy Analyst. You can also visit the world’s largest commercially available archive of ground control, with more than 18,000 points; and find out more about the comprehensive Field Services and independent QA/QC offered by CompassData.

“For anyone looking at improving the accuracy and quality of their data products, our booth should provide a nice ‘one-stop shop’ for control, checkpoints, and verification solutions!” said Chuck O’Hara, President of SIS.

O’Hara and Mike Tully of Aerial Services, Inc. will be presenting “When Accuracy Counts, Error/Accuracy Assessment and Photogrammetry” in a Special Session, Wednesday 3:30-5:00 pm, in Room 305 of the Sacramento Convention Center.  O’Hara will also be presenting “Data Life Cycle Approaches to LiDAR Data Verification” during the Accuracy/Error Assessment # 5: LiDAR, Friday 9:00-10:30 am, in Room 310 of the Sacramento Convention Center.

If you are interested in a booth appointment, we are happy to accommodate your request and show you SIS software and CompassData’s amazing surveyed checkpoint archive or a demo of tools and technologies. For appointments, email Leslie O’Hara, leslie@spatialis.com or call 662-323-0202 or email Hayden Howard, Hayden@compassdatainc.com or call 303-627-4058.

Created with photogrammetrists and mapping professionals in mind, the software from SIS is designed to ensure data accuracy and quality in GIS digital maps. Surveyed checkpoints are an integral part of ensuring mapping accuracy by verifying the specific location points on the surface of the earth. SIS technology automates geodata accuracy and quality verification, verifies LiDAR and raster elevation data accuracy, and provides other QA/QC tools.  

For more information, visit http://www.spatialis.com to learn more about Accuracy Analyst and Topo Analyst, or contact Leslie O’Hara at leslie@spatialis.com or phone her at 662-323-0202 ex. 11. Following purchase, Leslie will provide information on how to choose three free GCPs.  Visit CompassData’s archive files at http://www.compassdatainc.com/archive.htm

About CompassData

CompassData^® is the world’s foremost supplier of GPS-based ground control survey data, maintaining the largest commercially available archive of Ground Control Points (GCP). Continuously adding to its more than 18,000 GCP, CompassData provides accurate geospatial data and collection services for clients in a partnership model. CompassData is the home of the Control Freaks®, famous for their worldwide data collection capability and their mission to map the world. A Woman-Owned Small Business, registered on the CCR, CompassData delivers value by providing accurate geospatial data and collection services on time and within budget. Call 303-627-4058 or visit www.compassdatainc.com.

About Spatial Information Solutions, Inc.

Spatial Information Solutions, Inc. (SIS) provides software-based map accuracy and content enhancement solutions that enable its customers to map with confidence. For more information, visit http://www.spatialis.com/.

RapidEye Imagery Contributes to African Malaria Control Project

Brandenburg / Havel, Germany, March 13, 2012 –  RapidEye, the leader in high- resolution, wide area repetitive coverage of earth through its constellation of satellites announced today that its imagery is being used by the MALAREO project to assist with malaria control programs in countries in southern Africa.

While mosquitoes can obviously not be observed via satellite, their habitats, which are considered malaria risk areas, can be. The MALAREO project, funded by the European Commission under FP7, is a mixed European-African consortium which incorporates years of experience in malaria control with the Global Monitoring for Environment and Security (GMES) EO capacity.

Approximately 25,000 square kilometers of RapidEye data was provided via the EC/ESA GMES Space Component Data Access (GSC-DA) covering the MALAREO study area in South Africa, Swaziland and Mozambique. The data was acquired on five different days between July 18 and November 10, 2011,  with total cloud cover of less than one percent.  RSS - Remote Sensing Solutions GmbH, partner in the project consortium, is responsible for data processing and the development of Earth Observation (EO) products.

Even small water bodies and wetlands play an important role as larval breeding sites for malaria transmitting Anopheles mosquitoes. The identification of water bodies and wetlands are a direct indicator for malaria risk and the distance of local population to water is a major determinant for malaria incidence. In addition, the relation between different land cover types and malaria incidence will be geo-statistically investigated by incorporating other remotely sensed environmental parameters such as elevation, land surface temperature, rainfall estimates, vegetation indices, etc. In addition, it is a hypothesis that recently introduced large-scale irrigated agriculture in the region has caused a change in malaria incidence patterns. High resolution RapidEye data will be used to investigate the relationship between these factors and malaria incidence.

Last month, a meeting with end-users from the Southern African National Malaria Control Programmes and the MALAREO project team took place in Durban, South Africa, where  RapidEye imagery and the first derived products were presented. The end-users emphasized the benefit of these EO products for malaria control, since these products will greatly improve planning of malaria control measures and will compliment the approach of linking environmental and epidemiological data, which is a first step towards an early warning system for malaria.

Project partners are the South African Medical Research Council and the University of KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa; The National Malaria Control Program of Swaziland, RSS - Remote Sensing Solutions from Germany, The Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, and EUROSENSE, the project coordinators, based in Belgium.

For more information about the MALAREO project, please visit the website www.malareo.net. A large portion of this press release was contributed by Dr.

Jonas Franke, from RSS near Munich. www.rssgmbh.de  

About RapidEye

RapidEye is a leading provider of quality high-resolution satellite imagery. With a constellation of five Earth Observation satellites, RapidEye images over 4 million square kilometers of earth every day, and adds at least one billion square kilometers of imagery to its archive every year. Online searching and viewing of its massive collection of imagery is quick and easy with EyeFind, RapidEye's archive discovery tool. With an unprecedented combination of wide area repetitive coverage and five meter pixel size multi-spectral imagery, RapidEye is a natural choice for many industries and government agencies. RapidEye: Delivering the World.

INTERGEO 2012 National And International Networking Set to Continue

Whether at local, national or international level, INTERGEO covers all the latest industry trends.  And this year's fair – the 18^th leading conference trade fair for geodesy, geoinformation and land management – is set to provide even more impetus thanks to a number of parallel events. "INTERGEO provides an ideal platform for other important meetings in Hanover. The additional events this year include the second Navigation Conference, the first German INSPIRE Conference and the third CLGE conference of European surveyors", says Olaf Freier, Managing Director of Hinte GmbH, the company responsible for organizing INTERGEO from 9 to 11 October 2012 on behalf of the DVW.

INTERGEO is the world's most important industry event for geodesy, geoinformation and land management. Its unique combination of trade fair and conference makes it an annual highlight at both economic and political level and a driving force for future national and international business. The signs already bode well for INTERGEO 2012. Three-quarters of the space in Halls 8 and 9 in Hanover has already been reserved. "This is around ten percent higher than last year", says Olaf Freier. 

Some 15,000 trade visitors and 1,400 conference participants from around the globe are once again expected to attend the industry event of the year, which is hosted by DVW – the German Society for Geodesy, Geoinformation and Land Management e.V. For the first time, the CLGE (Council of European Geodetic Surveyors) is inviting its members from 35 countries, including all EU member states, to take part in a conference as part of INTERGEO on 11 October.

The CLGE and DVW are also inviting students interested in pursuing a career in the industry to the trade fair for the European Students Meeting (ESM) on 10 October 2012, where they will be given an insight into the latest developments at international companies.

The first ever Navigation Conference aimed at exploring the synergies between navigation, IT technology and geodata was held alongside INTERGEO 2011 in Nuremberg. Following the success of this event, the interdisciplinary dialogue is set to continue this year in Hanover. The Navigation Conference is hosted jointly by the German Federal Ministry of Transport, Building and Urban Development (BMVBS) and the industry association BITKOM. 

German Minister of the Interior Hans-Peter Friedrich is patron and keynote speaker

As patron of the event, German Minister of the Interior Dr. Hans-Peter Friedrich will be the keynote speaker on the first day of the fair on 9 October. Steven W. Berglund, CEO of Trimble Navigation Limited, and CheeHai Teo, President of FIG (International Federation of Surveyors), will hold the keynote speeches on the subsequent days. 

Trade fair funding for new companies

For over 80 percent of exhibiting companies, INTERGEO is either important or very important according to the results of the 2011 exhibitor survey. Some 90 percent of companies said that they had realized the goals they set out to achieve by taking part in the industry platform.

Given these results, it is fair to say that INTERGEO is the most important event of the year, not least for new companies. For the fourth time, the German Federal Ministry of Economics and Technology (BMWi) is providing funding to help German start-ups and new companies take part in INTERGEO. It will cover 80 percent of their trade fair costs.

Interested companies can find out more about funding opportunities at www.intergeo.de/innovation.

GGP Systems Expands with New Appointments

Croydon - 13 March 2012 - Geospatial software company GGP Systems has made three new appointments to its technical services team based at the company’s headquarters in South London. Phil Donachie, an experienced IT professional joins as Senior Implementation and Support Consultant while Matthew Allwood and Anttoni Stoimenov have both been appointed as Developers.
 
Donachie joins Croydon based GGP Systems from Morrison Facilities Services, a subsidiary of the Anglian Water Group. At Morrisons he held the position of IT Consultant acting as an IT ambassador for the Business Solutions Group. In his new role at GGP Systems Donachie will be supporting a growing UK wide customer base of GGP’s Geographical Information System (GIS), Gazetteer Management Solutions and web mapping applications.
 
Dr Matthew Allwood joins GGP’s development team from the Defence Science and Technology Laboratory where he has spent a number of years developing and operating Monte Carlo simulations. With experience of object oriented design of new model functionality, development of plans, model documentation and frontline support for other members of his team, Allwood brings a much valued skill set to the company.
 
Anttoni Stoimenov previously worked on projects to develop an identity card recognition system for telecommunications companies, developed document management software and helped design and implement a client booking module and resource management system for a travel agency.
 
Croydon-based GGP Systems specialise in GIS and Gazetteer Management solutions specifically designed for the UK public sector. 

Brian Raber Selected to Fill Vacancy on MAPPS Board of Directors

Reston, VA, March 12, 2012 - Richard W. "Dick" McDonald, CP, PLS, (T3 Global Technologies, Bridgeville, PA), the President of MAPPS, has announced the selection of Brian R. Raber CMS, GISP, GLS, of Merrick & Company, Aurora, CO to the position of director on the MAPPS Board of Directors.  

Mr. Raber was elected unanimously by the MAPPS Board to fill the vacancy caused by the resignation of Dr. James Page from the James W. Sewall Company, Old Town, Maine, who became Chancellor of the University of Maine System.

Mr. Raber has served as a member of MAPPS Legislative Affairs Committee which advises the MAPPS Board on legislative and policy issues affecting the profession. He also served as a member of the MAPPS Excellence Awards Committee which reviewed the competition's implementation and has been an advocate for the membership's participation in the program. He has also been an active volunteer on a number of committees and as a speaker and participant at MAPPS conferences.  

"Brian stood out among the exceptional candidates considered by the MAPPS Board to fill a vacancy," said McDonald. "His commitment as an active participant in MAPPS and the support of his firm were positive attributes that led to his selection."  

Mr. Raber serves as Vice President for GeoSpatial Solutions at Merrick & Company where he has been employed for 21 years. He earned a bachelor degree in Cartography and Geography at West Virginia University and a master degree in the same discipline at the University of Idaho. He serves as a member of the West Virginia University Board of Visitors.

Pursuant to the MAPPS bylaws, Mr. Raber was selected by the other members of the MAPPS Board to serve as a director until the next business meeting of the association, to be held at the MAPPS Summer Conference in Snowmass/Aspen, CO on July 10-14, 2012. 

About MAPPS

Formed in 1982, MAPPS is the only national association exclusively comprised of private firms in the remote sensing, spatial data and geographic information systems field in the United States. The MAPPS membership spans the entire spectrum of the geospatial community, including Member Firms engaged in satellite and airborne remote sensing, surveying, photogrammetry, aerial photography, LIDAR, hydrography, bathymetry, charting, aerial and satellite image processing, GPS, and GIS data collection and conversion services. MAPPS also includes Associate Member Firms, which are companies that provide hardware, software, products and services to the geospatial profession in the United States and other firms from around the world. Independent Consultant Members are sole proprietors engaged in consulting in or to the geospatial profession, or provides a consulting service of interest to the geospatial profession.

MAPPS provides its 160+ member firms opportunities for networking and developing business-to-business relationships, information sharing, education, public policy advocacy, market growth, and professional development and image enhancement.

For more information on MAPPS, please visit www.MAPPS.org

GIS Health Check – West University Place, Texas Ensures Continued GIS Success

GOLDSBORO, N.C. – West University Place, Texas, a suburb of Houston, is the home of many Rice University professors and other professionals.  The City has been utilizing GIS for a number of years.  With the help of Geographic Technologies Group (GTG), they have integrated GIS with their existing IT investments and have created a host of GIS data.  Gary McFarland, IT Director, for West University Place understands the need to continue to improve and to ensure that his organization has the tools they need to get their job done.  James Kelt, South Central Regional Manager, for GTG states: “Mr. McFarland was considering ideas for more fully utilizing GIS.  A variety of needs existed.  We spoke with him about our unique planning methodology and our popular “GIS Health Check”.  The Health Check allows us to quickly evaluate client needs and gaps in their systems.  After discussing this innovative approach to strategic planning, Mr. McFarland agreed that this was exactly what West University Place was needing.”  For less than $5,000 the City will get a full on-site diagnostic of their existing GIS to include how it interfaces with other IT investments, a data evaluation, and a road map for the next three years.  GTG is the leader in GIS Strategic Planning worldwide with over 700 clients.  Curtis Hinton, President of GTG, states: “Our goal is to be the best consulting company that our clients have ever utilized.  West University Place has been a great customer and we are looking forward to making them a continued success.”  For more information about the GIS Health Check call Curt Hinton at 919-344-2169, email him at chinton@geotg.com or go to the following: http://www.geotg.com/healthcheck.

About Geographic Technologies Group, Inc. (GTG):

GTG is a full-service local government GIS consulting company offering specialized experience in the planning, design, implementation, and procurement of geo-technologies.  GTG has unmatched technical GIS capabilities, demonstrated successes, international experience, and a reputation for successfully implementing the right solutions. GTG develops GIS products that spatially enable various enterprise solutions and integrates an organization's IT investment via a common interface. GTG also offers stand alone products for land management, public safety, public access, touch screen technology, and utilities.

GTG has more than 700 clients located throughout North America and Europe and serves all levels of government as well as the private sector. To support our clients, GTG maintains four offices located across the United States: Headquarters in North Carolina, and regional offices in Texas, Florida, and Ohio.

Additional information may be obtained by contacting Geographic Technologies Group, Inc. at 888-757-4222 or you can access our website at www.geotg.com.

Retail Turnover 2012 in Germany

This month's map from GfK GeoMarketing shows the regional distribution of stationary retail turnover in Germany at the level of districts (data source: "GfK Retail Turnover 2012" / GfK GeoMarketing).

About the study

GfK Retail Turnover reveals the regional distribution of retail-related turnover at the point of sale. In contrast to GfK Retail Purchasing Power, which is calculated at consumers’ places of residence, GfK Retail Turnover is calculated at the locations at which sales are made. GfK Retail Turnover is defined as the turnover of the POS retail trade, excluding motor vehicle and fuel sales as well as mail-order retail, but including retail-related turnover from bakeries, confectionaries and butchers.

GfK GeoMarketing annually calculates GfK Retail Turnover for every regional level as a total sum, per inhabitants in euros and as an index (German average = 100). The calculated figures include coverage of all German urban and rural districts as well as all municipalities and postcodes with more than 10,000 inhabitants.
Regionalized retail turnover data is also available for many European countries.

More results from the 2012 study can be found in the press release published on February 14, 2012, at www.gfk-geomarketing.com/fileadmin/newsletter/pressrelease/retail-turnover-2012.html.

Download the map in high-resolution *.jpg format (14.8 x 21 cm) here (approx. 2.5 MB).

The map may be freely distributed and reproduced if the following attribution is included: “Illustration: GfK GeoMarketing”.

Additional illustrations can be found in our online press section at www.gfk-geomarketing.com/en/press/map_of_the_month.html

About GfK GeoMarketing

GfK GeoMarketing is one of Europe’s largest providers of geomarketing solutions for customers from all branches of trade. Key business areas include:

• Consultancy and reports
• Market data
• Digital maps
• Geomarketing software RegioGraph

GfK GeoMarketing is a subsidiary of the globally active GfK Group. One of the world's leading market research institutes, the GfK is represented in more than 100 countries by over 11,000 employees.

More information on GfK GeoMarketing:
www.gfk-geomarketing.com

DeLorme inReach(tm) Earns Prestigious Backpacker Magazine 2012 Editors' Choice Award

The DeLorme inReach 2-way satellite communicator has been honored with a 2012 Backpacker magazine Editors’ Choice Award. This is the most prestigious award in the outdoor industry, given annually in recognition of outstanding innovation in design, materials, and performance.

inReach is one of only 13 products to be so honored for 2012. The Backpacker Editors’ Choice Awards, bestowed each year since 1993, recognize the products that Backpacker editors have chosen as the best of the year based on months of trail testing by teams of highly experienced hikers and climbers. With no set categories for the awards and no set number of recipients, the products and the testing process drive the award categories.

"No other magazine or website conducts in-depth field-testing as vigorously or impartially as the crew led by Gear Editor Kristin Hostetter,” said Editor-in-Chief Jonathan Dorn. “The results are reviews that lead consumers to smart, durable products that consistently prove their worth with years of best-in-class performance."

With 90 percent of the Earth’s surface lacking cell phone service, inReach is a full-featured communication alternative for remote or high-risk environments. It is the first consumer-affordable satellite communicator with two-way SOS and personal text messaging, delivery confirmation, “follow me” online GPS tracking, and worldwide coverage via Iridium, the world’s furthest-reaching satellite network. It can serve as a standalone device or be paired with an Android smartphone or DeLorme Earthmate PN-60w GPS for send-and-receive messaging.

In its product review, Backpacker called inReach a “game changer.” “The two-way text messaging enabled me to maintain a running dialogue with friends and family,” said Dorn, who had first-hand experience with inReach during recent trips to the Andes and Tetons.

Gear Editor Kristin Hostetter described how inReach helped her stay connected while doing field testing. “My kids’ classes followed my progress in Chile and fired me questions.” Keeping friends and families updated is one of inReach’s key attributes.

inReach communication and tracking capabilities, coupled with the ability to describe an SOS situation and exchange updates with responders, make inReach a must-have for anyone who spends time in the outdoors beyond cell phone range.

"inReach's two-way communication can eliminate one of the most vexing issues search-and-rescue authorities face – false alarms," said Patrick Shay, DeLorme Vice President and General Manager for Connected Solutions.

“We are delighted to be honored for innovation by such an esteemed publication,” said Jim Skillings, DeLorme Vice President for Commercial Products. “This award is a further validation of how important this product is to outdoor enthusiasts.”

Since last Fall, inReach has received numerous other prestigious awards from the National Marine Manufacturers Association, Popular Science, National Geographic Adventure, Men’s Journal, the Consumer Electronics Association, Outside magazine, and Gear Junkie.

inReach is available at a suggested retail price of $249.95. For more information or to find a retailer, go to www.delorme.com.

About DeLorme

DeLorme is a longtime leader in innovative mapping and GPS products, and most recently the company has earned numerous prestigious awards for its groundbreaking integration of GPS navigation and satellite communications. The ability to develop all the critical components necessary to compete in these fast-changing technologies distinguishes DeLorme as a provider of unique solutions for both the commercial and government markets. DeLorme is based in Yarmouth, ME, U.S.A., and is home to Eartha, the world's largest revolving globe. To learn more, visit www.delorme.com.

About Backpacker

Backpacker(www.backpacker.com) brings the outdoors straight to the reader's doorstep, inspiring and enabling them to go more places and enjoy nature more often. The authority on active adventure, Backpacker is the world's first GPS-enabled magazine and website, and the only outdoor media whose editors personally test the hiking trails, camping gear, and survival tips they publish. Backpacker's Editors' Choice Awards, an industry honor recognizing design, feature, and product innovation, has become the gold standard against which all other outdoor-industry awards are measured. And the magazine recently launched mobile media applications that allow users to text-message hiking maps and directions to their phones. In the last four years, Backpacker has won five National Magazine Awards, the publishing industry’s highest honor. In 2008, the magazine won the NMA for General Excellence, joining The New Yorker, Mother Jones, GQ, andNational Geographic as top winners in their respective size categories. In 2009, it won three awards, including General Excellence Online. Backpacker has also won numerous other print, design, and digital awards, and its writers have been recognized in prestigious contests and best-of-the-year anthologies.

Geospatial Mapping Enhances Arlington Cemetery Management

Officials at Arlington National Cemetery will use an Army-designed geospatial mapping system to manage cemetery operations, the executive director of the Army National Cemeteries Program said Thursday.

Kathryn A. Condon testified before the House Veterans Affairs Committee's disability assistance and memorial affairs subcommitee to provide an update on the progress made in rectifying long-standing management problems at Arlington National Cemetery.

"Arlington is no longer a paper-based operation. By producing a single electronic map of Arlington, the staff will assign, manage and track gravesites with an authoritative digital map," Condon said. "It will allow us to synchronize in real time our burial operations at Arlington."

The geospatial mapping system allows officials to synchronize burial operations with other daily operations, such as public ceremonies, infrastructure repair, grounds upkeep and public safety activities, Condon explained. The system is linked to Arlington's interment scheduling system, which allows schedulers to assign gravesites and assign procession routes. It also alerts Arlington staff of other activities in the area, she said.

Arlington is the first national cemetery to use this technology, Condon told the panel.

The geospatial mapping system will use the information collected and validated as part of the Army's gravesite accountability study. The gravesite accountability effort resulted in the first review, analysis and coordination of records kept in various ways at Arlington over the cemetery's history, Condon said.

The Gravesite Accountability Task Force physically examined and photographed 259,978 gravesites, niches and markers using a custom-built smartphone application and matched each photo with records in a database. Arlington officials are 84 percent complete in validating records, officials said, and are on track to finish this summer.

Once complete, Arlington's accountability effort will create a single, verifiable and authoritative database of all those laid to rest at Arlington, officials added, and it will be linked with Arlington's geospatial mapping system.

Cadcorp Fire Conference Hits the Spot by Focussing on GIS for Resilience and Efficiency

Chief Fire Officer, James Courtney of South Yorkshire Fire and Rescue (SYFR) welcomed 70 attendees to the 2012 Cadcorp Fire Conference, held at the brigade’s HQ in Sheffield on 6th March. He drew particular attention to the part being played by Geographic Information Systems (GIS) at a time when fire services are being asked to do more with limited resources.

The conference entitled ‘GIS technology in the fire service, its contribution to resilience and efficiency’ provided an opportunity for fire brigades throughout the UK to come together and share their experiences.

Graham Howe, SYFR Watch Manager, provided an account of how the brigade has been using GIS to explore the service impact of possible station closures. He generated response time maps for different configurations of fire stations. By subtracting a response time maps of a proposed configuration, from a response time maps of the existing configuration, he can easily identify where services would be improved, and where services would deteriorate.

The presentation by Cathy McGoran and Gemma Polmear, GIS Analysts with Nottinghamshire Fire and Rescue Service, reminded the attendees that it is not just the location of stations that affect call out times, but also the home addresses of fire officers on-call. They have estimated and mapped the time it will take officers to travel from home to station and by embedding the resultant maps in intelligent PDF documents, have provided a simple but very effective tool for use by the brigade in staffing and rostering.

Mike Baines, System Administrator, Greater Manchester FRS, described the improvements in data sharing his authority is experiencing following its implementation of a corporate GIS supported by a centralised spatial data warehouse. He also described some of the advantages of using GIS (rather than CAD) to manage the still valuable printed book plots.

Hiren Patel, Research Analyst with Leicestershire FRS, gave a valuable lesson in the practical application of simple descriptive statistics in spatial analysis, and made a convincing case for the wider adoption of the box plot as a convenient way of graphically depicting groups of numerical data measures.

Will Stewart, Information Services Manager at the States of Jersey Fire and Rescue, gave the audience a feel for the geographic challenges faced by an island fire brigade, not least the requirement to be self-sufficient and have a ‘can-do’ attitude. Will described how the deployment of a simple and easy to use GIS application in their Command Support Unit helps in the management of large incidents on the island.

In the afternoon, it was the turn of Cadcorp partners to share some of their developments. First to present was Atul Patel, Product Director at 3tc Software. He described his company’s mobile data solution – MODAS – which is about to be deployed by SYFR. He even had a system on hand for participants to evaluate.

The organisation providing map data to MODAS – the Ordnance Survey – had an opportunity to present on their other products of value to the fire service. Nick Turner, Address Migration and Business Development Manager at the OS, described the National Address Gazetteer and the addressing products that are now on offer through the gazetteer hub managed by GeoPlace™. He gave helpful advice on when to use Address Base™, AddressBase™ Premium and AddressBase™ Plus.

Lisa Thompson, Research Associate from the prestigious Jill Dando Institute at University College London, gave an illuminating presentation entitled ‘Beyond the Blobs: an introduction to KDE’. It was interesting to hear the views of an expert who has been instrumental in encouraging the growth of hot-spot mapping in the emergency services, using the method called ‘Kernel Density Estimation’. Lisa’s key message concerned pushing the boundaries of hot spot mapping to find out why they exist, rather than simply plotting their location.

Mike O’Neil, CEO, Cadcorp, emphasised the value of the conference to Cadcorp. ‘The Fire Service is an important and growing market for Cadcorp. We find there is an appetite for brigades to learn from each other especially at a time when resources are tight. This annual event which attracted seventy delegates, looks set to continue as an important component in our events calendar.’

About Cadcorp

Cadcorp® is a UK based developer and supplier of GIS and web mapping software. From its headquarters in Stevenage, Hertfordshire, Cadcorp's sales, support, distribution and partner network stretches worldwide.

Cadcorp SIS® - Spatial Information System® software suite – is an integrated family of standalone, web, developer and mobile GIS products. Our cost-effective solutions help organisations in the public and private sectors maximise their investment in geographic information by making it easier to share spatial data between people and between systems.

As a long-standing technical member of the Open Geospatial Consortium, Inc® (OGC), Cadcorp has been at the forefront of the application of open technologies and standards-based solutions. Cadcorp is an ISO9001:2008 and ISO/IEC 27001:2005 certified company and an Oracle® Partner. In the UK, Cadcorp is an Ordnance Survey® Developer Partner; Northern Ireland Land & Property Services® (LPS) Licenced Partner; corporate member of the Association for Geographic Information (AGI) and a corporate member of the British Cartographic Society (BCS).