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The Harlow Report -GIS

ISSN 0742-468X •  Since 1978
On-line Since 2000

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A

AAG: Association of American Geographers announced that Douglas Richardson will lead its new Research and Strategic Initiatives (RASI) Division. The RASI Division will manage geographic research and policy projects for the AAG, and will oversee the implementation of the AAG’ s Strategic Initiative to foster greater coordination and integration of public sector, private sector, and university geographic research, education, and applications. Dr. Richardson comes to the AAG from the GeoResearch Institute, a non-profit geographic research and policy institute which he recently established. Prior to that, he founded and was the president of GeoResearch, Inc., which pioneered the invention and development of real-time interactive GPS/GIS mapping technologies and management systems, from 1980 through 1998, when he sold the firm and its patents.

AAG: Association of American Geographers will hold its 99th Annual Meeting in New Orleans on March 5 - 8, 2003. The theme of the conference is ÒAdvancing Geography in Partnership With You,Ó which reflects AAGÍs commitment to supporting geographic research and education around the world. AAG Executive Director Doug Richardson also noted that the presidential plenary session at this yearÕs meeting will focus on the linkages among private, public, and university sector geographic research and applications.

AAG: Association of American Geographers: Dr. Douglas B. Richardson is the new Executive Director of the Association of American Geographers, effective January 1, 2003. Richardson, formerly President and founder of GeoResearch, Inc. has been serving as Director of Research and Strategic Initiatives at the AAG since July 2001. He succeeds retiring Executive Director Ronald F. Abler. Richardson holds a Bachelor's degree from the University of Michigan and a Ph.D. (1980) in geography from Michigan State University.

AAG: Association of American Geographers announced that Douglas Richardson will lead its new Research and Strategic Initiatives (RASI) Division. The RASI Division will manage geographic research and policy projects for the AAG, and will oversee the implementation of the AAG’ s Strategic Initiative to foster greater coordination and integration of public sector, private sector, and university geographic research, education, and applications. Dr. Richardson comes to the AAG from the GeoResearch Institute, a non-profit geographic research and policy institute which he recently established. Prior to that, he founded and was the president of GeoResearch, Inc., which pioneered the invention and development of real-time interactive GPS/GIS mapping technologies and management systems, from 1980 through 1998, when he sold the firm and its patents.

American Electric Power Co. (AEP) said a unit at its Cook Nuclear Plant, located along Lake Michigan’s eastern shoreline, briefly entered into an emergency plan on Friday, December 19, 2003 following an internal filter leak. The company said in a release that an “unusual event,” the lowest classification level, was declared for about 90 minutes until the filter was bypassed and the leak isolated. AEP said a leak Friday evening in a filter for a system that supplies water to the reactor coolant pump seals at its Cook Nuclear Plant Unit 2 caused a brief entry into the plant’s emergency plan. AEP said the unit was at 100 percent power when the 30 gallon–per–minute leak was found and power was not reduced. The company said no radioactive water was released from the system or to the atmosphere, and its Cook Unit 1 was not affected and remains at full power.

AGI: Association for Geographic Information decided to manage its own business matters more effectively by using the geographic information technology it has promoted for the past 12 years. AGI selected Intergraph Mapping and GIS SolutionsÕ GeoMedia¨ products - GeoMedia, GeoMedia Professional, and GeoMedia WebMap - for implementation in its offices. The London-based AGI will use GeoMedia to analyze its membership, plan events, and deliver services more efficiently to its members throughout the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland.“In a case of practicing what we preach, AGI decided it was time to use the benefits of GIS to manage our affairs more effectively,” said Mark Linehan, AGI director.“We chose the GeoMedia technology because it provides desktop- and server-based solutions with the ability to integrate data from different sources, and it enables different levels of access to our staff.”

AirZip,Inc. (http://www.airzip.com) and ESRI (http://www.esri.com ) announced a business technology alliance. AirZip will integrate its middleware product, AirZip Image Accelerator, into ESRIÕs Geography Network for the rapid delivery of geographic information and mapping.AirZip provides performance image delivery solutions for rich media. AirZip claims to be the first and only provider to support standard image compression solutions as well as offering a proprietary solution that is unrivaled in performance today.

Alliant Energy went into production using ArcGIS8.1 geographic information system (GIS) technology. Alliant is currently in the process of finalizing migration of all legacy data and applications. “Our goals are to consolidate and deploy information throughout the enterprise using ArcGIS with Miner and Miner’s ArcFM,” says Ted Wadzinski, team leader, GIS systems and services, Alliant Energy. “We’re now rolling into production with the new environment and a host of related applications.” Alliant provides electric, gas, water, and steam services to more than three million customers worldwide. Created in 1998 through the merger of Wisconsin Power & Light Co., IES Industries, and Interstate Power Co., and strategic investments, Alliant today serves more than 1,000 communities in Iowa, Wisconsin, Minnesota, and Illinois.

Analytical Surveys,Inc. prevailed in an arbitration, first brought against the Company on June 26, 2002, by two former owners of Cartotech, Inc. Cartotech merged with ASI in 1998. The former owners, the Epner Family Limited Partnership and the Braverman Family Limited Partnership (together the ÒClaimantsÓ), alleged that certain representations and warranties made by the Company in the merger agreement were false. The Claimants alleged that the financial condition of the Company was worse than depicted in its year-end financial statements for 1997 and the unaudited reports for the first two quarters of fiscal 1998. A threeÐmember panel of the American Arbitration Association conducted a fourÐday, evidentiary hearing in the matter between October 28 and 31, 2003, and issued its decision on December 17, 2003. The panel concluded that the Claimants failed to prove to the satisfaction of the panel that ASI breached any of its representations and warranties or that ASI made material misrepresentations in connection with the publicly filed financial statements issued prior to the closing date of the merger. The panel awarded nothing to the Claimants and ordered each side to bear its own attorneysÕ fees.

Analytical Surveys,Inc. appointed Tom Bannon, as Senior Vice President, Utility Operations. Tom will lead the Company's utility operations, with a focus on operational leadership and project/program management. Most recently, Mr. Bannon was Vice President-Chief Operations Officer-Global Delivery and Executive Program Director for the Convergent Group and SchlumbergerSema respectively. He will be based in ASI's San Antonio, TX Solution Center.

America’s Highest Peak Grows The indications on maps of the precise elevation of America’s highest peak, Mt Aconcagua, will have to be corrected and increased by two meters. This is the result of an Italian-Argentinian Scientific Expedition led by Geologist Giorgio Poretti. Previously mapped at a height of 6959.75 meters this highest mountain of the southern hemisphere has been remeasured using the most modern global positioning (Leica GPS530) and terrestrial surveying methods and results reveal that it is 6961.83 meters).

Applied Geographics, Inc. (AGI) promoted Steven J. Anderson to the position of Principal. Anderson has served as the Director of Business Development and a Project Director for AGI since early 2001, and manages the company’s office in Manchester, Connecticut. Anderson has over nineteen years of experience in survey, digital mapping, CADD, GIS, and permitting. He began his career in 1983 as a survey rod man, and worked through all aspects of surveying from field to office. Anderson made the transition to GIS technology in 1986, achieving a leadership position as a consultant and project manager for state and local governments around the country.

Applied Geographics, Inc. (AGI) won a contract with the City of Rye, New York to conduct a major photogrammetric data conversion project. AGI will convert tiled AutoCAD-format planimetric and topographic layers to city-wide seamless GIS data layers, perform utility data and annotation conversion, and automate City utility networks. “We look forward to working with the City on this project which is consistent with the City’s mission: ’to deliver efficiently a wide variety of quality services and share information with residents,’” said project manager David Weaver. “GIS, and especially Web-based mapping applications, provide a cost-effective way to streamline the integration and dissemination of public information.”

Applied Geographics, Inc. (AGI) (http://www.appgeo.co) recently completed a report that recommends a design approach for a Shared GIS Service for the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. The development of the Shared GIS Service concept parallels current Commonwealth efforts to establish E-Government services, including the creation of the Mass.Gov Web-portal. The Executive Office of Environmental Affairs (EOEA) and the Executive Office of Administration and Finance Ð Information Technology Department (EOAF-ITD) contracted with AGI for this strategic planning report. The proposed Shared GIS Service architecture capitalizes on recent industry advancements in services oriented architecture standards, including the SOAP, WSDL and UDDI standards.

Applied Geographics, Inc. (AGI)(http:// www.appgeo.com) hired Kenneth Dooley as business development manager in their Boston, MA office,. Mr. Dooley has more than 17 years of professional marketing and business development experience in the GIS arena. He held several senior level marketing and management positions at Intergraph Corp. and Advanced Visual Systems, where he was responsible for promoting GIS technology in earth sciences, engineering and environmental markets.

Applied Geographics, Inc. (AGI) was been awarded a General Services Administration (GSA) Federal Supply Schedule for general purpose commercial information technology (IT) software and services. Under this schedule, AGIÍs consulting services can be purchased directly by federal government agencies. AGI was the first company of the 2004 federal government fiscal year to be awarded a GSA Schedule 70.

Applied Geographics, Inc. (AGI)(http:// www.appgeo.com) Applied Geographics, Inc. (AGI) announced that Morgen Bullock joined the firm as a GIS Analyst for the municipal sector in the Boston office. Prior to joining AGI, Ms Bullock interned at the Adirondack Park Agency in Raybrook, New York, performing GIS interpretation of land cover/land use maps and updating maps, shapefiles and attribute data for the staff. She attended Colgate University with a double concentration in Mathematics and Geography. While at Colgate, Ms. Bullock served as a GIS Research Assistant. ÒMorgen is a welcome addition to the Municipal Team at AGI,Ósaid Joan Gardner president of AGI. ÒShe will compliment our efforts to expand services, and provide timely updates to existing municipal projects.Ó

ArcGIS 8.2, (http://www.esri.com/software/arcgis/) is available from ESRI. The company says that “ArcGIS is a scalable family of software products (ArcView, ArcEditor, ArcInfo, ArcSDE, and ArcIMS) comprising a complete GIS built on industry standards that is rich in functionality and works out of the box. The ArcGIS 8.2 release improves integration with ArcIMS, adds two new extensions, and also includes a portfolio of enhancements and new features.” Also, ESRI released ArcPad 6 and ArcPad Application Builder 6. This is the release of ESRI’s mobile mapping and GIS technology. It includes a new development product, extended GPS receiver support, enhancements to key functions, internationalization and localization, and continued growth as the mobile client in the ArcGIS family of products.

ArcGIS Schematics (http://www.esri.com./software/arcgis/arcgisxtensions/schematics/index.html )ArcGIS Schematics 2.2.2 and ArcGIS Schematics Software Development Kit (SDK) 2.2.2 are now shipping from ESRI. ArcGIS Schematics is an ArcGIS extension that enables users to automatically generate, visualize, and manipulate schemas and diagrams from network data within the ArcGIS geodatabase. ArcGIS Schematics SDK is a comprehensive toolkit to develop and customize schematic applications from any standard relational database management system. ArcGIS Schematics can be used for electric, gas, transportation, telecommunications, water/wastewater, petroleum, etc.

ArcIMS 3.1 (http://www.esri.com/software/arcims/) users now have the option of adding routing capabilities to their ArcIMS software-powered Web sites with ESRI’s new ArcIMS Route Server extension.ArcIMS Route Server offers the ability to incorporate point-to-point driving directions and fast, accurate routing into Web sites built with ArcIMS 3.1. It also calculates optimal routes based on time and distance and accommodates multiple stops along a route. ArcIMS Route Server’s features include the ability to perform rapid cross-country routing, set routing preferences (highway preferences, shortest route, or fastest route), and use precision settings to fine-tune results. It is a valuable addition to any ArcIMS software-powered Web site.

ArcSDE 8.3 Is Now Shipping (http://www.esri.com/) ESRI announced that ArcSDE 8.3 is now shipping. Released simultaneously for IBM DB2 and Informix, Microsoft SQL Server, and Oracle, ArcSDE 8.3 contains updates for MapObjects—Windows 2.2, ArcSDE CAD Client, ArcSDE C API, and ArcSDE Java API. ArcSDE plays a fundamental role within the ArcGIS system, providing an application server that integrates the storage of vector, raster, and survey data within a database management system. ArcSDE also provides support for managing long transactions and versions in complex, multiuser editing environments.

ArcWeb USA http://www.esri.com/software/arcwebservices/) ESRI announced the availability of ArcWeb USA. ArcWeb USA is ESRIÕs first offering of ArcWeb Services packages. These packages are suites of self-contained modular components and applications that can be published and accessed over the Web. They are designed to give developers the ability to include GIS content and capabilities in their applications without having to host the data or develop the necessary tools themselves.

ASPRSASPRS: A complete report of Phases I through III of the American Society for Photogrammetry and Remote Sensing (ASPRS) 10 year Industry Forecast of Remote Sensing was published in the January 2004 issue of Photogrammetric Engineering and Remote Sensing (PE&RS). The study documentation was prepared by Charles Mondello, Pictometry International Corp., Forecast Coordinator; Dr. George F. Hepner, University of Utah; and, Dr. Ray A. Williamson, The George Washington University. Among the important findings of the report, Phase III assessed the effect of 9-11 and related national economic circumstances on industry growth. Consistent with the contraction of the U. S. economy since 2001, study respondents reduced their growth projections in Phase II to 9% over the next few years; downward from the 14% projected in Phase I. The relative small size of most companies providing industry services with limited resources for Research and Development was cited as the primary factor for this reprojection. Phase III further developed the real and potential effects of the attacks of 9-11 on governmental policy indicating that increased restrictions on the pubic availability of geospatial information have had a negative effect on organizations producing geospatial data and information, especially in data export, airspace restrictions and data purveyance to the public. The exectuve summary can be obtained through http://www.asprs.org/asprs/publications/pe&rs/2004journal/january/jan_frame.html .

ASPRSASPRS: By a majority vote of the American Society for Photogrammetry and Remote Sensing (ASPRS) Board of Directors, the Society has issued a resolution calling for immediate support and funding for the continuation of the nationÕs Landsat Program. Due to a technical failure in the Enhanced Thematic Mapper Plus (ETM+) instrument on board the Landsat 7 spacecraft in May 2003, collection of useful moderate resolution, multispectral remote sensing data has been jeopardized.

ASPRS and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) formally entered into a contract agreement to support the ASPRS/NASA Ten-Year Remote Sensing Industry Forecast. Under the contract, NOAA will fund a complete written summary of the Forecast that will be available to those interested. James R. Plasker, ASPRS executive director, stated, “With NOAA’s focus on facilitating U.S. leadership in commercial remote sensing, and ASPRS’s breadth of visibility across the industry, this relationship is certain to further the ForecastÕs ability to meet the needs of the remote sensing community.”

ASPRS (http://www asprs.org/) selected the winners of The William A. Fischer Memorial Scholarship Award that were presented recently to four students working in the fields of photogrammetry and remote sensing. These scholarships are awarded to top scholars who are making valuable contributions to the industry and show great potential to be the industry leaders in years to come. Ludmila Monika Moskal, currently a Ph.D. student with the Department of Geography Ð Kansas Applied Remote Sensing Program at the University of Kansas is the recipient of two awards this year - William A. Fischer Memorial Scholarship Award and the Ta Liang Award Citation William A. Fischer Memorial Scholarship. Other winners are: Yong Hu (the Robert E Altenhofen Memorial Scholarship), Sorin Popescu (LH Systems internship), and Mark Kachmar (Space Imaging Award for Application of High Resolution Digital Satellite Imagery).

Avenza Systems Inc (http://www.avenza.com) announced the immediate availability of floating or networked licenses of MAPublisher 6.0 for Adobe Illustrator. MAPublisher 6.0 is feature rich mapmaking software used to produce high quality maps from GIS data. The addition of floating licenses make this powerful cartographic production environment even more efficient and workgroup friendly. This triÐplatform solution offers support for Windows, Mac and Linux servers and includes the ability to check out a license for remote use on a laptop computer.

Avenza Systems Inc (http://www.avenza.com) released MAPublisher 6.0 for Adobe Illustrator. MAPublisher 6.0 is powerful mapmaking software used to produce high quality maps from GIS data. Significant new functionality in MAPublisher 6.0 includes support for Adobe Illustrator CS, new floating MAP Views palette, improved drag-and-drop projecting, support for Illustrator symbols and styles and import/export support for additional map data file formats. “This is an impressive upgrade,” said David Nelson of J.D. Nelson Mapping Services, “It makes MAPublisher much more productive. And moving MAPublisher to AICS is going to make a huge difference.Ó” he added.

Avenza Systems Inc (http://www.avenza.com) appointed Jeff Hoedeman to the newly created position of Vice-President, Business Development, effective immediately. “We’re excited to have Jeff join our team to grow our international reseller network and enhance our sales initiatives,” said Ted Florence, president of Avenza Systems Inc. “Avenza is experiencing rapid growth as MAPublisher becomes recognized as the software of choice for producing high quality maps and Jeff’s appointment will greatly benefit our continued growth,” he added.

Avenza Systems Inc (http://www.avenza.com) announced that Fleming College equipped their Geomatics Institute in Lindsay (Canada) with 60 licenses of MAPublisher software. This implementation extends the existing usage of MAPublisher in FlemingÕs Geomatics program. Future plans call for additional MAPublisher seats to be installed in the college's new Institute of Geomatics at Fleming in Fall 2003. “Having MAPublisher in our labs meets our objective of ensuring that our students have access to the best software tools available for cartographers and GIS professionals,” said Hardy Kraft, Project Manager, Geomatics Institute at Fleming, Sir Sandford Fleming College.

Azteca Systems and Miner & Miner Consulting Engineers Inc. have partnered to create a powerful computer maintenance management system to Public Works and Utilities organizations around the world. The companies, long-time ESRI business partners, agreed to combine their respective technologies to provide a more comprehensive solution for GIS-based asset maintenance management for Water, Wastewater and Storm Water utilities. Both firms will offer Miner & Miner’ s ArcFM solution with Azteca’ s Cityworks Enterprise Asset Management software.

Azteca Systems will host the third annual Cityworks User Conference, June 4–6, 2003, in Park City Utah. The conference is open to all Cityworks software users with current Update & Support or paid registration. This annual event draws about 200 attendees and exhibitors. “We are always very excited to host this event for the benefit of our user community,” says Brian Haslam, president. “We truly envision this as a means to maintain and extend our support for our customers. Our entire staff is present to answer questions, solve technical issues, show off our newest technology and grow our relationships. I personally look forward to this event each and every year …”.

Cityworks InBox is a browser based solution for accessing work orders and services requests in Cityworks, a GIS based asset and maintenance management solution. Cityworks InBox provides users full access to service request, work order and task information using the same GIS enabled database and common utility functions as Cityworks. An intuitive user interface allows for significant screen size making Cityworks InBox ideal for use on field laptops and tablet PCs. Customizable, InBox can be made to match client specific forms and organizational look and feel.

Azteca Systems released Version 4.1 of its Cityworks GISÐbased asset and maintenance management software. According to company spokesman Tom PalizziÒCityworks 4.1 combines the results of user feedback with general market interests. While the core functionality remains, Version 4.1 offers a new user interface and enhanced domain security. With full support of ESRIÕs leading ArcGIS software and the GeoDatabase, Cityworks is still the only GISÐbased asset and maintenance management solution available. Version 4.1 supports ESRI’s ArcView 3.x environment, as well.Ó

B

 P Align="Left"> Boundary Solutions, Inc.(BSI) announced that Pacific Gas and Electric and Cadastra Inc. choose BSI to help comply with federal requirements for pipeline safety, or “High Consequence Areas,” (for more about the regulations see http://www.epa.gov/fedrgstr/EPA-IMPACT/2002/August/Day-06/i19840.htm ).

Blue Marble Geographics signed an agreement with 4MationGeo, Inc. ( www.4mationgeo.com ) to sell iSync Mobile 2.1, field data collection software for Windows CE and the Pocket PC. This fieldÐproven product enables Blue Marble to provide its worldwide customer base with an easy–to–use, mobile solution for collecting spatial information. “In the past, geographical information systems were used almost exclusively by specialized users. However, as the market for GIS has broadened, a need for an easy–to–use, affordable field data collection solution has developed,Ó said Patrick Cunningham, president of Blue Marble.”

Broadbeam Corporation, is offering 10,000 of its intuitive Mobile Development Environments (MDE) free . Providing for the rapid design and development of mobile applications in the enterprise, the offering will be available via www.broadbeam.com on a first come, first served basis. The MDE is part of BroadbeamÕs mobile framework, Mobile Solutions System (MSS)™. The MDE offers a visual development environment that can be used to create mobile optimized applications from the data source simply by dragging and dropping objects and automatically generating code for client and server.

C

CARIS was acknowledged by the University of New Brunswick (UNB) in Fredericton for its leadership in geomatics education in the academic sector by improving the ability of students to work with and explore the potential of spatial data. Through its Academic Partnering Program, CARIS provides educational institutions with software at a greatly reduced cost.

Condat AG (http://www.condat.de) and ESRI (http://www.esri.com)announced an integrated technology alliance. Condat will integrate its wireless middleware product, Skyware®, into ESRI’s Geography Network for delivering device-aware GIS data and software components over the Internet ESRI’s Geography Network enables service providers to make GIS data and software components available as Web services over the Internet to customers for using in ESRI products, custom solutions, and wireless clients. Condat’s Skyware extends this capability by putting GIS directly into the hands of mobile device users, regardless of where the user is or what device they are using. Skyware ’s technology provides dynamic, device-optimized content in such a generic way, that map-services can become available to mobile devices without any action required by the content provider

Cimmetry’s AUTOVUE wins CADALYST “Best Of Show”. AutoVue 15.4 © was selected by CADALYST magazine as winner of its “Best of Show” award. AutoVue is a visualization and collaboration solution allowing users to view and markup over 200 different 2D/3D CAD, plot, raster, hybrid and office documents.

           "We are very proud to receive the award from this respected and leading industry publication." said Brian Strasser, Business Development Manager at Cimmetry Systems. "We have always considered our viewing solutions to be the best. This award, received from an independent, industry source, cements our position as the viewing solution of choice for both the AEC and manufacturing markets."

Contact: Derek Gold • Cimmetry Systems • Email: Derek_gold@cimmetry.com • Phone: 1-514-735-3219


Citizens Gas & Coke Utility( www.citizensgas.com) headquartered in Indianapolis, selected a spatial technology solution from http:// www.gepower.com GE Network Solutions to design and manage its gas network. The solution will allow Citizens Gas & Coke Utility to design its network Within the GIS environment, eliminating duplicate tasks and data sets. “Citizens Gas chose GE Network Solutions as our Geographic Information Systems (GIS) software provider and conversion vendor for a variety of reasons,” said Jeff Bremer, Superintendent of Engineering and Construction and GIS Project Manager at Citizens Gas & Coke Utility.

Collins Software released version 3 of Maverick Professional. It is a Windows Utility for the translation of many popular GIS and Non-GIS Database formats. This utility accepts 28 input database formats and can translate these to 25 output formats for a combination of 700 translators in a single package. Evaluation software is available from the site.

CompassCom Inc. released Version 4.0 of its CompassTrac™ and CompassFDE™ Automatic Vehicle Location products. CompassTrac is the mobile positioning and fleet tracking component of the CompassCom AVL system, and CompassFDETM is the universal location data server software.

Conservation Geography: Case Studies in GIS, Computer Mapping, and Activism is the latest addition to the ESRI book store. The book shows how the most powerful tool in conservation is one that allows the integration of knowledge from all the different aspects of nature. The level of integration that is possible with a GIS is unparalleled. You can get it online http://www.esri.com/esripress or by calling 800-447-9778. It lists for $US19.95

Consumers Energy (CE), ( www.consumersenergy.com) will implement 1,800 seats of Tadpole-Cartesia's field information system solution, which was developed using ESRI's ArcPad software. Field employees in CE's service, distribution, and line groups will benefit from this large-scale deployment of a field geographic information system (GIS). Consumers Energy is one of the nation's largest utilities, providing electric and natural gas service to more than six million residents in all 68 counties of Michigan's Lower Peninsula.

D

Digital Map Products (DMP) (http://www.digitalmapproducts.com/ ), a developer of high-performance Internet-hosted mapping applications announced today the addition of several prominent businessmen to its Board of Directors. This includes Patrick F. Stone, a former CEO at Fidelity National Information Solutions (NASDAQ: FNIS) and President/COO at Fidelity National Financial (NYSE: FNF). Stone and the other new board members, Bruce R. Culver and William Urschel, bring a wealth of business, executive and entrepreneurial experience to DMP that will enhance its corporate strategy to increase penetration into the real estate market and expand nationally.

E

Ekahau, (http://www.Ekahau.com/ ) leading wireless positioning technology provider, said it will enter in the Wi-Fi site survey and network optimization market by utilizing its wireless location finding platform, the Ekahau Positioning Engine, as the core technology. Ekahau Positioning Engine can pinpoint the location of a wireless client device, such as PDA, laptop or other Wi-Fi enabled device, with an average of 3.5ft (1m) accuracy. The first product of the new network enhancement line is the Ekahau Site Survey (ESS), a tool that helps the VARs and system integrators installing 802.11 networks to optimize the access point locations for improved network

Emerge (http://www.emergeweb.com/) completed delivery of more than 35,000 square miles of imagery for the Southern California Association of Governments (SCAG) several months early. The contract, signed in December 2000, called for data collection, processing and delivery by April 2002, but EMERGE completed delivery in late January. EMERGE provides high quality digital orthorectified mosaic imagery products for a variety of land use applications serving state, county, municipal and federal governmental agencies, forestry, agriculture, transportation, energy providers and public utilities. Using a patented collection process integrating GPS and IMU technology, the imagery is geometrically and radiometrically corrected for use in land management, mapping and GIS applications.

Epson America announced its wide format printer, EPSON Stylus Pro 10600. The EPSON Stylus Pro 10600 uses the same high-speed print engine as the EPSON Stylus Pro 10000, now making it the company’s fastest ink jet printer to date. This printer’s Photo Accelerator Technology virtually guarantees full print engine performance when printing RGB-based image files, even when using slower computer systems. Images can be printed up to 231 square feet per hour using the printer’s fastest settings and approximately 72 square feet per hour.

ESRI’s ArcWeb for Developers now includes Geographic Data Technology (GDT) North American street data. With the inclusion of this data source in the ArcWeb for Developers suite of ArcWeb Services, users can easily find routes not only within the United States and Canada but also between the two countries. The new street data comes from Dynamap/Canada and Dynamap/2000, GDT’s premiere street network databases for Canada and the United States, optimized for routing. They include detailed street data along with administrative boundaries, landmarks, water features, and more. ArcWeb for Developers is a suite of GIS Web services that ESRI offers to developers and is part of ESRI’s family of ArcWeb Services.

ESRI released of BusinessMAP Travel Edition. “Our newest database mapping software is much more than a travel planner,” said Bill McNeil, manager of ESRI’s Business Products Group. “BusinessMAP Travel Edition offers the business traveler access to a large number of data and map sets such as consumer expenditure and Dun & Bradstreet business listings. For a small additional cost, our users can even access European, Canadian, and digital elevation city maps plus aerial photos. This software is so easy to use that virtually anyone can create, populate, and print a map quickly.”

ESRI Business Information Solutions (ESRI BIS), a division of ESRI, announced Business Analyst Online, an updated and renamed version of its Web site. Business Analyst Online is a oneÐstop shop for businesses and marketing professionals seeking marketing information applications. Business Analyst Online combines geographic information system (GIS) technology with extensive business, demographic, and consumer household data to deliver Web capabilities previously available only through ESRIÕs Business Analyst desktop software.

ESRI announced the inclusion of several new data sources in ArcWeb for Developers. Subscribers to ArcWeb for Developers now can obtain instant access via the Web to real time traffic information from TrafficCast, current weather from Meteorlogix, recent earthquakes from the U.S. Geological Survey, and much more. ArcWeb for Developers offers the ability to perform routing and geocoding on Tele Atlas MultiNetª street data for the U.S. in addition to existing routing capabilities on GDT Dynamap/2000 and Tele Atlas MultiNetª street data for Europe.

ESRI announced the release of MapObjects – Java Edition 2. MapObjects-Java Edition is a powerful collection of pure Java clientside and serverside components used to build custom, cross platform mapping and GIS applications. Software developers can use the highÐlevel components for rapid development or exercise the programming interface for fine grained control and deliver applications that perform a variety of spatial–based query and display functions at the presentation, Web, and server tiers.

ESRI announced the availability of the ArcGIS Pipeline Data Model, jointly developed by M.J. Harden Associates, Inc., and ESRI. The model is a first step toward broad industry consensus on a common conceptual data model for the pipeline industry. “ESRI is providing this data model that represents common, fundamental aspects of most pipeline data models,” says Steve Grisé, ArcGIS data models product manager, ESRI. “We're providing what we believe will be an invaluable tool to help pipeline companies realize the many benefits of GIS throughout the enterprise.”

ESRI was selected to be part of the PB Farradyne, Inc., team that will design, build, and operate TravInfo® , the San Francisco Bay Area's real-time traffic and transit information source. PB Farradyne, Inc., a division of the Parsons, Brinckerhoff, Quade & Douglas, Inc., engineering firm in New York, was awarded a $38 million, six-year contract by the Metropolitan Transportation Commission (MTC), the transportation planning, coordinating, and financing agency for the Bay Area.

PB Farradyne's TravInfo® contract calls for providing the systems and services to collect, disseminate, and market timely, comprehensive, accurate, and reliable travel information on major roadways and public transportation in the nine-county Bay Area. ESRI will provide software and services support to PB Farradyne for map display functionality on the MTC TravInfo® project.

ESRI will develop two map display applications for two different environments. One will operate independently on each TravInfo¨ workstation. The other is an Intranet-enabled application that will give other agencies access to TravInfo® data without having to install the application locally.

Ernie Ott, ESRI transportation industry manager, said “One of the most exciting benefits that GIS offers to transportation managers is a full feedback loop. ”

For a complete discussion, see TravInfo® II Heads Towards Deployment • A Discussion with Emily Van Wagner and Michael Berman • Co-Project Managers of TravInfo® .

ESRI’s ArcLogistics Route 3 began shipping in August, 2001. ArcLogistics Route is an interactive desktop routing and scheduling software application that ESRI says helps businesses and organizations deliver goods or services more efficiently, reducing costs and improving customer service

ESRI Business Information Solutions (ESRI BIS) announced the release of the 17th edition of The Sourcebook of ZIP Code Demographics, the 15th edition of The Sourcebook of County Demographics, and the 2003 edition of SourcebookáAmerica with ArcReader.

Six New Books from ESRI Press Getting to Know ArcGIS Desktop • Basics of ArcView, ArcEditor, and ArcInfo, by Tim Ormsby, Eileen Napoleon, Robert Burke, Carolyn Groessl, and Laura Feaster, is a workbook for learning ArcGIS, the newest geographic information system (GIS) technology from ESRI. The three GIS products that comprise ArcGIS/ArcView, ArcEditor, and ArcInfo, are built on a common interface and core capability, with each product offering a different level of functionality. Users of Getting to Know ArcGIS Desktop gain a thorough understanding of ArcView, which they can put to work immediately or use as a firm foundation for learning ArcEditor and ArcInfo.

ESRI announced support for Microsoft SQL Server 2000. For the past seven years, ESRI has evolved their ArcSDE software, the gateway to managing spatial data in a database management system (DBMS), to take advantage of the advancements in DBMS technology. Microsoft Corporation recently introduced SQL Server 2000, which provides important new ways to handle image data types and database views and introduces support for user-defined functions. "ESRI’s commitment to open technology includes our ability to provide solutions that integrate with leading software providers," says Jack Dangermond, president, ESRI. "To achieve that goal, ArcSDE 8.1 has been extended to support SQL Server 2000. All of ESRI’s popular client applications, including the ArcGIS family of client applications, will be able to access geographic data in SQL Server 2000."


IBM, and ESRI, announced a global strategic alliance designed to serve the emerging marketplace for GIS technology. The demand for these systems is expected to increase, as the marketplace grows, to more than $60 billion by 2005, quadrupling the current opportunity, according to multiple sources.

IBM and ESRI will take advantage of this growth as both companies jointly market the industry’s first enterprisewide GIS solution. Initial target industries include government and telecommunications

Under the terms of the agreement, both companies will jointly market, sell, and provide integration services for ESRI Enterprise Solutions for local government and telecommunication customers. The GIS Enterprise Solutions will include ESRI ’ s GIS software technology combined with IBM software, hardware, and services. Specifically, GIS enterprise technology from IBM will include DB2 Universal Database with Spatial Extender; WebSphere; operating on IBM eServer; pSeries, xSeries or Intellistations, integrated by IBM professional services. ESRI will promote IBM as a leading solution provider for Enterprise GIS.

In return, IBM Global Services will establish a global GIS consulting practice. Current plans call for the further integration of data mining and statistical technologies to make the joint solution applicable for both customer relationship management (CRM) and supply chain scenarios.

Contact: Mike Azzi • IBM • Email: azzi@us.ibm.com • Karen Hurlbut • ESRI • Email: khurlbut@esri.com


ESRI and the USDA signed a purchase agreement for a department-wide site license for ESRI software. The Blanket Purchase Agreement (BPA) will enable USDA to embark on an ambitious and far reaching program and strengthen program delivery by extending the functionality of ESRI GIS throughout the entire organization, according to ESRI. The BPA sets in motion a five-year effort that will expand the use of GIS technology throughout the USDA by providing a complete enterprise suite of ESRIÕs GIS software to all USDA agencies. The $32 million agreement includes the roll in of legacy software currently within the U.S. Forest Service and other USDA agencies. GIS software applications and extensions from ESRI include ArcInfo, ArcEditor, ArcView, and ArcIMS, which features an array of Internet aware solutions, browsers, and mobile devices.

ESRI released a new version of Site Starters for ARC/IMS. Version 1.1. Site Starters are a suite of application templates, each addressing a specific business function (such as a database search). According to ESRI, .the foremost enhancement offered with version 1.1 of the ArcIMS Site Starters is the introduction of the buffer application. This new application combines a typical database search application with spatial query functionality from the GIS. Users can locate features, define buffer parameters, and generate buffer reports with integrated maps.

ESRI also entered into an agreement with SignalSoft to integrate ESRIÕs geodetic conversion source code library into SignalSoft Õs Location Manager product, a standards-compliant location gateway for mobile operators worldwide to deploy either emergency or commercial location-based services. Location Manager can be configured as a Mobile Positioning Center (MPC) for ANSI-41 networks or as a Gateway Mobile Location Centre (GMLC) for GSM networks.on Spinney, ESRIÕs location services industry manager told us: “Geodetic conversion is a critical component for any location gateway. Not only does the location gateway need to provide interfaces between location technologies and applications, but it also must be capable of transforming georeferenced conventions from one map projection to another.”

ESRI (http:// www.esri.com/seminars) l it will conduct a series of workshops in key US cities to teach ESRI software users how to get the most out of the ArcGIS software suite According to an ESRI spokesperson " Workshop attendees will be given lecture-style instruction consisting of slides and demonstrations. Attendees will receive a workbook and CD with video tutorials that can be reviewed later and shared with coworkers." For a list of cities and dates, go to their web site at http:// www.esri.com/seminars

Estimotion Ltd. a leading Israeli-based provider of traffic forecasting technology selected ESRI’s location-based GIS technology to deliver highly accurate, real-time traffic information to mobile workforce and urban commuters worldwide. Systematics Technologies, ESRI ’s distributor in Israel, provided the software and support to Estimotion. EstimotionÕs technology perpetually updates current and predicted traffic situation pictures using location data from mobile networks and other sources. The resulting time–dependent traffic information is valuable for intelligent transportation system implementations. Estimotion ’s applications will use ESRI’s ArcView 8.x technology to perform complex spatial analysis, generate output data, and produce traffic situation views based on incoming observations and updated traffic behavior patterns. ESRI’s ArcSDE will manage the spatial data. Estimotion’s routing technology was developed with ArcObjects.

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FirsHop  (http://www.firsthop.com/) launched the First Hop GPRS AcceleratorTM 1.1. to transparently accelerate mobile access to enterprise applications such as e-mail, synchronised MS Exchange applications and file retrieval via FTP (File Transfer Protocol). The product offers unique VPN (Virtual Private Network) support, TCP (Transmission Control Protocol) optimisation for office applications such as SAP, and flexible deployment to meet the needs of large and medium-size enterprises. It also allows users to browse the Internet with a high quality of service (QoS) in a user-friendly, convenient format. First Hop GPRS Accelerator 1.1. solves existing data transmission problems faced by mobile enterprise users, such as poor quality of data and slow speed of service. In addition to improving transmission quality, the optimisation methods are fully compliant with commonly used VPN technologies to guarantee the confidentiality and integrity of remote access data transfer.

Florida Keys Mosquito Control District (FKMCD) engaged AT&T Wireless business partner CompassCom Inc. to provide Automatic Vehicle Location (AVL) technology and GIS mapping support for a major mosquito control program. FKMCD purchased CompassTrac ™, the mobile positioning and fleet tracking component, and CompassFDE™, the universal AVL server, from the CompassCom suite of products. Central to this program’s success, the CompassCom AVL solution is being used to monitor the locations of insecticide spraying vehicles. See also CompassCom

Fort Myers, Florida (www.cityftmyers.com) selected Accela, Inc., to implement a new enterprise land information system. The system will be used by employees in the Community Development Department to provide a centralized approach to resource, land, and permit management for four key divisions: Building Permitting & Inspections, Code Enforcement, Planning, and Development Services.

GDT Dynamap® Canada Street Data (http://www.esri.com/data ) ESRI announced that new commercial data from Geographic Data Technology Canada, (GDTÐCanada), has been added to its online collection of downloadable data sets.Visitors to the data section of ESRI’s Web site now can access and download userÐdefined areas of a special Internet-optimized version of GDTÐCanada’s Dynamap® Canada database containing detailed street and address coverage along with postal and census information, landmarks, and water features.

GE Power Systems acquired M.J. Harden Associates, Inc. (MJH) of Kansas City, Mo., a leader in geospatial data management and integration services. The terms of the transaction were not disclosed. MJH specializes in geographic information system (GIS) solutions for a wide range of industries including pipelines and utilities. M.J. Harden will become part of the pipeline integrity services division of PII Pipeline Solutions. Based in the U.K., PII was acquired by GE in 2002 and is a member of GE Power Systemsâ Oil & Gas business.

GE Network Solutions (http:// www.gepower.com). announced the release of its Smallworld PowerOn®Remote Dispatch 2.0 software product. A key component of the Smallworld PowerOn product suite, the Smallworld PowerOn Remote Dispatch software is a web–based tool for dispatching work crews from remote service centers. The product provides full access to the Smallworld PowerOn map window and allows users to view outage orders, maintenance orders, crews, and network status information from a web browser. Utility companies in production with the product have successfully decentralized dispatching capabilities during storms and other events that cause high volumes of outage orders. This latest release of the Smallworld PowerOn Remote Dispatch software delivers new functionality and product enhancements to support utility company efforts to improve network reliability and service restoration processes, according to the company.

GE Network Solutions (http:// www.gepower.com) announced that its Smallworld Design Manager software was selected by UtiliCorp United to help the company manage and standardize its facility design process at more than 70 field offices. The Design Manager product will provide complete support for the construction planning, design, and build functions at UtiliCorp. The product is built upon GE Network SolutionsÕ proven AM/FM/GIS database management technology, already in use at UtiliCorp. Carol Keeney, Applications Manager for Energy Delivery Applications at UtiliCorp, said, “Our experience with GE Smallworld as a strategic partner has enabled UtiliCorp to move to Design Manager…”

GE Network Solutions (http://www.gepower.com/home/index.html) released the latest added-value module for its XA/21Š Energy Management System. The XA/21Š Transmission Security Management 2.0 module provides enhancements to a powerful set of tools for efficiently operating and protecting the integrity of electric power systems. The XA/21 Transmission Security Management product provides a high performance environment for performing network analysis, contingency analysis, optimal power flow, and fault-level analysis functions. The module allows control center operators to identify and analyze potential operating problems and formulate preventative strategies.

GE Power Systems (http://www.gepower.com/) announced that Dominion has selected GE Network Solutions software to manage the engineering design process for planning, designing and constructing extensions to their natural gas transmission and distribution network. GE Network Solutions isa business unit within GE Power Systems. It was created from the integration of three GE companies Ð GE Smallworld, GE Harris, and sofion. According to Dennis Murphey of GE Power Systems, “Initial rollout will support over 85 designers throughout the gas transmission and distribution business, with the potential to extend into other groups.”

GE Network Solutions (http:// www.gepower.com) reported that Hydro-Québec, one of the largest electric utilities in North America, selected its Smallworld Core Spatial Technology and Design Manager software. Hydro-Québec is undertaking this major geographic information system (GIS) integration project, in conjunction with an on-going complete business process reengineering initiative, in the distribution area. Warren Ferguson, general manager of GE Network Solutions, explained, “Smallworld Core Spatial Technology will be integrated with Hydro-Québec's own outage management system (CED) and Cyme’s distribution engineering analysis package. An important component of the project is the integration of Smallworld Design Manager with SAP PM/PS. Hydro-Québec relies on SAP PM/PS to perform maintenance management and distribution work management. This integration will allow Hydro-Québec to fully leverage its SAP investment.”

http://www.gepower.com/dhtml/network_solutions/en_us/index.jsp GE Network Solutions, announced that Country Energy, Australia's largest regional energy business, selected the ENMACª distribution management system and the Smallworld Core Spatial Technologyª software from GE Network Solutions to manage the operations of its extensive electrical network. Ken Stonestreet, group general manager of Service Delivery at Country Energy, said, ÒWe selected the ENMAC software via a rigorous benchmarking exercise which showed it to be the clear leader. Our aim is to establish a virtual control room to manage Country EnergyÕs electrical network which covers an area of 573,000 square km. A key benefit for us is the ability to take advantage of economies of scale, without centralizing System Operations into one site. The ENMAC software supports that requirement and also provides close integration with Smallworld Core Spatial Technology.Ó

- The Geography Network

ESRI said that it is furthering its support for open standards for technologies and data. As part of U.S. and international initiatives to promote the growth of open standards based technology and services, Geography Network complements and supports the Federal Geographic Data Committee’s efforts to create a National Spatial Data Infrastructure (NSDI).

Contact:  Jesse Theodore • ESRI • Heinrich-Wild-Strasse • CH-9435 Heerbrugg (Schweiz) • Phone: 909-793-2853, extension 1-1419 • E-Mail: Jesse Theodore

GeoIT expanded its strategic services group by hiring Joseph Hobbs. Mr. Hobbs is a pioneer in the AM/FM/GIS industry with more than 26 years of experience managing large AM/FM/GIS projects for several major utilities and multi-participant projects in North America. Mr. Hobbs brings his knowledge of local government and private utility business practices and technology; GIS and landbase design and implementation; data conversion practices; management consulting; and system implementation. He is active in many industry organizations; he is a published author, a registered Land Surveyor, and was the Conference Chair for the upcoming GITA XXIV Conference in March 2001.

Mr. Hobbs comes to GeoIT from Apex Data Services. As Vice President, he directed GIS business development and provided guidance and direction for the focused execution of data conversion projects for private utilities and local municipalities.

Contact: Cate McCaslin. • Email: : cmccaslin@geoit.com • Phone (303-708-9355 • Fax (303-708-9356 • Web: GeoIT
The Geography Network

ESRI said that it is furthering its support for open standards for technologies and data. As part of U.S. and international initiatives to promote the growth of open standards based technology and services, Geography Network complements and supports the Federal Geographic Data Committee’s efforts to create a National Spatial Data Infrastructure (NSDI).

Global Geomatics and SoftMap Technologies formed a strategic partnership aimed at advancing the state-of-the-art in visualization of electronic maps and other geospatial data. The relationship between the companies is focused on making GIS technology useable for mass market consumption and will result in joint development of certain GIS technologies, the licensing of the companiesâ technologies, and the introduction of several new products.

GeoMicro Provides Mapping for Handmark Express™ is a wireless information service for Smartphones (Palm OS and Windows Mobile) as well as PDAs with WiFi and an Internet connection. Handmark, a developer and publisher of software for smart mobile devices, created Express as a wireless information application to accelerate delivery of the information most in demand by a mobile generation. According to Handmark vice president Douglas Edwards, “even if there were no constraints on bandwidth, viewing web pages through a tiny two inch screen is a less than satisfactory experience. Express is an application that talks directly to Handmark servers for an optimum user experience, it’s faster, easier and does much more than try to squeeze a service designed for desktops onto a handheld screen. Express was created specifically for the mobile device. It’s much more than just better than browsing, Express makes smartphones smarter.”

Geospatial Information & Technology Association (GITA) (http://www.gita.org/) held its 26th annual meeting March 17-20, 2002. 2,754 attendees joined together at the Tampa Florida Convention Center along with 181. Next year's conference will be held March 2-5, 2003, at the San Antonio Convention Center in San Antonio, Tex. The theme of the 2003 conference is Wide Open Spatial Frontiers: Adding Value to Your Business

GITA and OGC (Open GIS Consortium, Inc. ) signed a memorandum of understanding to commit to work together to create a program of jointly supported educational and market development activities designed to benefit the members of both organizations and the geospatial community as a whole. GITA Executive Director Bob Samborski comments, “GITA members are on the cutting edge of technology spanning many uses of geospatial technology. Through this agreement GITA will be in a better position to help our community of utility and other infrastructure based organizations understand and take full advantage of the benefits of interoperability.”

GITA formed an Educational Outreach Committee to promote GIS, GPS (global positioning satellites), and remote sensing technology in schools, colleges, and universities across North America. Specifically, the committee will encourage educational institutions to offer GIS as standalone programs. Ashok Wadwani, president of Applied Field Data Systems, Inc., in Houston, Texas, was named chair of the committee. Wadwani is president of the GITA's Gulf Coast Chapter, one of 19 regional GITA chapters in North America.

Global Geomatics introduced MapFusion, the first commercial-off-the-shelf software that permits access to geospatial data from diverse sources and formats without requiring complex pre-processing or time-consuming translations. Designed to meet demanding military and commercial requirements, MapFusion supports interoperability between prevalent geospatial military standards including VPF, RPF, ADRG, and DTED, as well as among popular GIS business packages from ESRI¨, Informix¨ (an IBM¨ subsidiary), Intergraph¨ , MapInfo¨ , ObjectFX, Oracle¨ , and Virtual Prototypes. It can also retrieve data from proprietary and open GIS file formats. ÒMost software is designed to read four or five different types of data. Global Geomatics can read about 80. Their product is like a universal translator for geographic information,Ó said Susan Carson Lambert, executive director of the Office of Geographic Information, Commonwealth of Kentucky.


GPU takes on the weather. With two States of grid in the US alone to manage and maintain and a customer-centric policy of delivering irreproachable service, GPU is now joining a wave of utilities turning to technology to provide field workers with a more effective way of gathering asset damage information, and to improve response times to outages. Instead of reams of paper-based maps or hastily assembled map books, both of which are ill-suited to working in arduous conditions and tend to be sadly out-of-date, GPU is now deploying an innovative field information system to provide field crews with a link into its corporate networks and direct access to mission-critical asset maps and job information.

GPU's solution comes from California-based field mapping solutions vendor, Tadpole-Cartesia. CDs of the vendor's Conic GIS software will be available in GPU's operating regions and in emergency staging trailers for use on laptops used by the utility's field workers, and on those brought to an emergency scene by external field crews.

As Ray Fulton, business process consultant at GPU Energy, explains: “Whether the crews are from a different operating area, region or another company, the need for asset information on physical plant is the same - it has to be immediately available, and it has to be accurate“

Contact: GPU Energy • Ray Fulton: • Phone: 610-921-6704 • E-Mail: rcfulton@gpu.com

H

har*GIS LLC (www.har-gis.com) provider of mobile Field Information Systems(tm),announced the expansion of its staff in support of the company’s growth. har*GIS has added a new director of sales, as well as a director of industry applications, and expanded the role of a consulting partner. “As we continue to develop enhanced software offerings and provide solutions to a growing list of clients, it became critical to provide this added expertise to our customers,” said Jim Hargis, president of har*GIS.

Humboldt University in Berlin The Demography Department of the Institute for Social Sciences, Humboldt University in Berlin, the first European GeoMedia® Research Grant recipient, chose to use GeoMedia technology to develop a data management system that will enable the people of Berlin access to a rich knowledge base of socio–demographic information through the Web. Intergraph Mapping and GIS Solutions awarded the university $5,000 (U.S.) and a $50,000 software donation as part of an innovative education program to encourage applied geospatial research. The Demography Department is undertaking the research project to address the need for a comprehensive, easily accessible data management system to link the city's disparate data to multiple users in an interactive environment.

Hydro Ottawa Limited purchased Intergraph Mapping and Geospatial SolutionsÕ G/Electric for geofacilities management and InServiceª, for outage and mobile workforce management. Hydro Ottawa serves approximately 260,000 customers in the Ottawa region and is the third largest electric utility in Ontario. G/Electric and InService will form the foundation of Hydro OttawaÕs integrated Geospatial Resource Management (GRM) environment, which supports seamless workflows among applications that manage and maintain a service-delivery network. G/ElectricÕs open architecture facilitates integration between geospatially related analysis applications. InServiceÕs outage management capability will enable Hydro Ottawa to manage dayÐtoÐday network operations more efficiently and reduce restoration time during power outages throughout its 1,050-square-kilometer service territory. In addition, it will analyze operating data to help predict and correct probable distribution network failures.


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IDELIX makers of the visualization technology known as Pliable Display Technology (PDT), announced the opening of an office in Olympia, WA, marking its first expansion steps into the United States. Pliable Display Technology is a patents-pending virtual lens technology designed to improve the productivity and workflow efficiency of those who rely on their existing pan and zoom functions for data exploration and analysis.

Idelix Software Inc. makers of the visualization technology known as Pliable Display Technology (PDT), entered a partnership to integrate PDT within an Internet client. This partnership is through the GeoInnovations program of GeoConnections, a web-based initiative led by Natural Resources Canada, to develop the Canadian Geospatial Data Infrastructure (CGDI) (http://cgdi.gc.ca/). PDT will address the challenge of viewing high-density online geospatial data sets on a limited size screen display. Product completion date is scheduled for summer of 2002.

ImageLinks said that its Open Source Software Image Map (OSSIM) and Active Archive ranked in the top 10 of the National Imagery and Mapping AgencyÕs (NIMA) Commercial Electronic Light Table for the Intelligence Community (CELTIC) Pathfinder assessment. The CELTIC Pathfinder assessment focused on next generation image analysis and manipulation tools in a field of 300 software packages. OSSIM and Active Archive were evaluated on 261 functions by 16 organizations from the U.S. intelligence community. From 17 finalists, 10 products were chosen for hands-on technical evaluations. The ImageLinks products ranked eighth in overall expert ratings and first in the mosaic-only category. OSSIM was the only Beta product.

ImageLinks ImageLinks implemented an advanced new atmospheric correction algorithm based on the 6S radiative transfer code. This correction will be adopted as one of the standard digital image processing techniques ImageLinks applies to aerial and satellite imagery. According to the company, atmospheric correction improves image clarity by compensating for distortions caused by gaseous absorption and molecular and aerosol scattering along the Sun-target-sensor path.

ImageLinks ImageLinks entered into a long term business relationship with CAE Inc. of Montreal, Canada, as CAE’s preferred provider of imagery databases. CAE selected ImageLinks based on its track record for consistently delivering quality TrueTerrainªproducts, superior customer service and a detailed understanding of the Visual Simulation industry. Image Links creates TrueTerrain products by merging and mosaicking multi-source, multi-resolution satellite and aerial imagery on an elevation surface to provide realistic, geospecific terrain features.

ImageLinks, Inc. and Intermap Technologies, Inc.

ImageLinks, Inc. and Intermap Technologies, Inc., global providers of geospatial imagery data products and solutions, were awarded a significant new contract for their co–branded STARPlus imagery products. Under the contract, the two companies will build accurate, “cloud-free” base maps for the Solomon and Vanuatu island chains in the South Pacific that cover an area of nearly 100,000 square kilometers. The Solomon and Vanuatu islands are typically quite cloudy and therefore ideal for the application of STARPlus processing. True-color, color–infrared, and six band multispectral fused STARPlus products will be created for more than 600 7.5’ map sheets.

IntelliWhere™  http://www.intelliwhere.com/ a division of Intergraph Mapping and GIS Solutions, announced IntelliWhere OnDemand, a new vector-based mapping software product for personal digital assistants (PDAs). IntelliWhere OnDemand is an off-the-shelf solution that is ideal for organizations employing mobile workforces in government, transportation, utilities, and the military. With this new PDA software solution, a location-enabled mobile workforce benefits from wireless field access to data such as intelligent maps, diagrams, and asset information by connecting to a corporate GIS. A crucial advantage of IntelliWhere OnDemand is its data independence and support for open industry standards. Enterprises with multiple GIS data formats can use IntelliWhere OnDemand for publishing to hand-held devices and accepting updates from the field without the significant time and costs associated with data translation. IntelliWhere OnDemand will begin shipping in April, 2002.

Intergraph Mapping and Geospatial Solutions said the City of Siegburg Germany selected Intergraph’s GeoMedia® WebMap Professional as the new technology for the foundation of its SiGIS geographical information system. SiGIS provides city departments with comprehensive access to geospatial data. The city maintains more than 25 different types of information Ð from statistic, cadastral and real estate information to tourist and utilities information Ð to serve more than 35,000 residents.

Intergraph discusses technology directions with leading utilities and communication customers. Utilities and communications industry executives from the United States and Canada gathered at Intergraph HQ to discuss technology directions with Intergraph leaders. At the conference, Intergraph demonstrated its continued commitment to provide open, standards-based solutions for the utilities and communications markets by discussing new developments underway for the companyÕs geographic information system , Geospatial Resource Management and outage and mobile workforce management technology.

Intergraph Mapping and Geospatial Solutions and Z/I Imaging, an Intergraph company, announced that the contract to support the Land Reform Implementation Support (LARIS) project was signed. This contract, valued at $2.5 million (U.S.), has been awarded by the Federal Land Cadastre Service (FLCS) ministry of Russia. LARIS is the Russian Government’s large–scale land cadastre development program supported by a loan from the World Bank. Intergraph will provide FLCS with more than 20 copies of the ImageStation® Stereo Softcopy Kits (SSK) from Z/I Imaging for photogrammetry, along with mapping and GIS solutions that include GeoMedia® products, services, training and support to expand their cadastral mapping system. The FLCS is responsible for the State Land Cadastre for the Russian Federation, including overall system design, development, implementation and maintenance of the land cadastre and development of standardized solutions to support the system.

http://www.intergraph.com/ Intergraph Mapping and Geospatial Solutions, in collaboration with the University Consortium for Geographic Information Science (UCGIS), today announced a GeoMedia¨ research grant opportunity for UCGIS members. Furthering UCGISÕ longstanding commitment to the geographic sciences and education, the grant is open to any member using or intending to use Intergraph's GeoMedia technology as the foundation for geographic information systems (GIS) research. The GeoMedia research grant will award $5,000 (U.S.) cash funding and a $50,000 software donation in recognition of an exceptional and innovative applied research proposal submitted by a UCGIS member.

http://www.intergraph.com/gis Intergraph Mapping and Geospatial Solutions announced Version 5.1 of the GeoMedia® product suite. GeoMedia Version 5.1 speeds the collection, manipulation, and presentation of geospatial data, resulting in time savings for professionals performing common maintenance and editing operations for generating paper and digital maps, the most popular methods of displaying geospatial data. The enhanced GeoMedia suite of products for the desktop and the Web will be available during the first half of 2003. Intergraph is now shipping version 5.1 of GeoMedia and GeoMedia Professional.

http://www.intergraph.com Intergraph China, a business unit of US-based Intergraph Corporation announced that AnShun Electric Bureau purchased G/Electric, Intergraphâs next-generation geospatial information management system for electric utilities. AnShun Electric, located about 970 miles southwest of Beijing, serves 50,000 customers in the city of AnShun in GuiZhou province of mainland China. This initial implementation by AnShun is the pilot system for an integrated Geospatial Resource Management system that will eventually be deployed by AnShun City Electric Company of GuiZhou Province. Intergraph China will provide software technology and implementation services. The project is on a fast-track schedule, with completion anticipated in approximately four months. For Further Information: Raine Lee • Intergraph China Ph (86-21) 6283-4365 • rlee@ingr.com

Intergraph Mapping and GIS Solutions (http://www.ingr.com/gis) announced its newest GeoMedia(R) products, version 5.0. GeoMedia technology is broadly implemented in government and commercial enterprises worldwide. The GeoMedia (http:// www.GeoMedia5.com) product suite comprises GeoMedia and GeoMedia Professional for the desktop and GeoMedia WebMap and GeoMedia WebMap Professional (formerly GeoMedia WebEnterprise) for the Web.

Intergraph Mapping and GIS Solutions announced GeoMedia® PublicWorks, a new industry product targeted at local government and municipal public works departments that require sophisticated, IT-centric GIS solutions for building, analyzing, and maintaining an infrastructure network. The first release of GeoMedia PublicWorks is designed for public works professionals who are responsible for the modeling, management, and analysis of water and wastewater systems.

GeoMedia PublicWorks is an add-on to GeoMedia Professional, extending its data capture, placement, and editing tools for populating industry-standard databases such as Oracle8i™ GeoMedia PublicWorks also includes the ability to build, maintain, and validate connected networks using advanced feature modeling and rules-based digitizing. Tracing is also provided for analyzing networks to determine areas affected by network problems.

Contact: Intergraph Corporation • 1-800-791-3357 (within the U.S.) • 1-256-730-7191 (outside the US) • Web: http://www.intergraph.com/imgs

Intergraph Mapping and GIS Solutions (http://www.ingr.com/gis/) signed a marketing agreement with IBM Corporation (http://www.ibm.com/) The two companies will establish relationship between their technical, sales, and marketing teams to sell Intergraph's GeoMedia® product suite with IBM's DB2®database management software. “Our agreement with IBM reaffirms Intergraph's commitment to deliver leading-edge, standards-based solutions to customers worldwide,” said Bart Hoogenraad, global marketing director of Intergraph Mapping and GIS Solutions. said Brian Staff, director of Solutions Marketing, IBM Data Management Division. Had this to say: “Intergraph is an established solutions provider in key markets such as government and transportation.”

Intergraph Acquires SMMS Product Suite from RTSe USA Inc. Intergraph acquired the SMMS product suite from RTSe USA, Inc. (Redmond, WA). The products included in the deal are SMMS™, SMMS( for GeoMedia(r) and SMMS GeoConnect™.- provide tools for creating, querying and managing standard spatial metadata and for enabling Web-access to metadata. There are more than 200 customers with several licensed units using the SMMS products today.

Contact: Shelley T Miller. • Email: stmiller@ingr.com • Phone (256) 730-7631• Web: Intergraph

3M Selects   Intergraph's GeoMedia WebMap as the Internet Component for Its Transportation Asset Management System (TAMS). TAMS is a comprehensive transportation safety asset management system that inventories and manages the maintenance and replacement of traffic signs, pavement markings and other transportation infrastructure components throughout their life cycles.

“Our TAMS system meets changing safety needs by providing technology management services that help agencies better track and upgrade their transportation safety assets, ” said James Eggert, business development manager for the 3M TAMS project.

Contact: Intergraph • Phone: 1-800-791-3357 (within the U.S.) •
1-256-730-7191 (outside the U.S.) • Web: www.intergraph.com/imgs


Intergraph Mapping and GIS Solutions announced a new cartography and map production product, Digital Cartographic Studio (DCS) for cartographic professionals and map production operators. DCS is designed for medium to large size map production organizations, such as national mapping agencies and high-end cartographic production companies who generally produce a wide range of cartographic products.

Intergraph Utilities signed a contract with BEWAG (Burgenländische Elektrizitätswirtschafts-Aktiengesellschaft) for a multiphase implementation of G/Technology, Intergraph’s next generation utility GIS based on industry best practices. BEWAG serves 135,000 energy customers and is headquartered in Eisenstadt, the capital city of Burgenland, a popular wine producing region in Austria. The initial phase of the project includes 15 G/Electric Designer seats, 50 G/NetViewer licenses, an interface to the SAP R/3 enterprise system, and implementation services.

IBM, and ESRI, announced a global strategic alliance designed to serve the emerging marketplace for GIS technology. The demand for these systems is expected to increase, as the marketplace grows, to more than $60 billion by 2005, quadrupling the current opportunity, according to multiple sources.

IBM and ESRI will take advantage of this growth as both companies jointly market the industry’s first enterprisewide GIS solution. Initial target industries include government and telecommunications

Under the terms of the agreement, both companies will jointly market, sell, and provide integration services for ESRI Enterprise Solutions for local government and telecommunication customers. The GIS Enterprise Solutions will include ESRI ’ s GIS software technology combined with IBM software, hardware, and services. Specifically, GIS enterprise technology from IBM will include DB2 Universal Database with Spatial Extender; WebSphere; operating on IBM eServer; pSeries, xSeries or Intellistations, integrated by IBM professional services. ESRI will promote IBM as a leading solution provider for Enterprise GIS.

In return, IBM Global Services will establish a global GIS consulting practice. Current plans call for the further integration of data mining and statistical technologies to make the joint solution applicable for both customer relationship management (CRM) and supply chain scenarios.

Contact: Mike Azzi • IBM • Email: azzi@us.ibm.com • Karen Hurlbut • ESRI • Email: khurlbut@esri.com

IntelliWhere™, a division of Intergraph Mapping   (http://www.intelliwhere.com/) and Terra Map Server GmbH signed a strategic partnership agreement. It will allow businesses such as portal operators, mobile network operators, and short message service (SMS) service providers to quickly build and deploy sophisticated, high-performance location-based services without incurring the capital cost and investment risk of an in-house implementation. The service provided by the partnership includes the delivery of a range of high-volume LBS transactions - locate address, display map, find closest or nearest, identify routing and meeting points, and so forth. IntelliWhere's LocationServer software and the terramapserver geodata Web portal, provide the foundation for this new service.

Itron and Power Delivery Associates will collaborate to create a newly extended version of Origin GIS that will include a number of Itron’s design and analysis functions. Among these include Structural Analysis, Clearance Analysis, Profile View, Standards Manager, and Structure Modeler as well as validation routines that will allow the user to launch one or more analysis tools based on user-defined preferences. The tools will be integrated into the existing facilities placement and editing capabilities of Origin GIS and will provide users seamless design functionality with the new product.

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http://www.co.jackson.il.us/ Jackson County, Illinois. GIS keeps moving into the mainstream as evidenced by Jackson County Ilinois. The County's board just approved an expenditure of $57,000 out of its contingency fund to finish the second phase by creating an integrated seamless map for the entire county. There was a lone dissenter, according to The Southern Illinoisian, a local newspaper. In their September 30, 2002 issue, they said that “ Mark Holt was the only board member who dissented. He said he knows that the county is not ready financially to commit to the final third phase, which could cost as much as $375,000.

"I know of no (GIS) system in the state that's actually up and functioning," he said. "I'm not sure the system is ready right now to support what we really need. I think we'd be much better off to wait.” The paper reported that board member Gerald Compton said the third phase actually costs $76,000. Does this sound familiar?

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Kentucky Finance and Administration Cabinet

The Kentucky Finance and Administration Cabinet

chose PlanGraphics as one of two geographic information systems niche vendors for the Commonwealth of KentuckyÕs new Strategic Alliance Services (SAS) contracts. The Strategic Alliance is a state price contract arrangement that allows Kentucky agencies, local governments and education agencies to procure GIS and other information technology (IT) services more quickly and competitively from preÐqualified expert providers.

Kinder Morgan   (http://www.kindermorgan.com/. ) Kinder Morgan, a midstream energy company, contracted with EMERGE to provide 662 square miles of 1 meter imagery along its gas pipeline right-of-way in the state of Colorado. The natural color imagery covers the pipeline and a buffer of 4000 feet on either side. The imagery will be used in the creation of new pipeline alignment sheets and in various GIS applications that support pipeline safety compliance. Terrie Spicer, manager of CAD and mapping at Kinder Morgan, said the imagery "allows us to streamline our process and reduce man-hours for

Kissimmee Utility Authority (KUA) chose Miner & Miner’ ArcFM™ technology to modernize its business operations and improve facilities asset management. KUA completed data conversion for the project inÐhouse in only 3 months. In July, KUA went live with ArcFM and they are currently in the process of completing the implementation of the remaining ArcFM applications, including Designer, Responder, Network Adapter, Conduit Manager, and ArcFM Viewer.

KIVERA   (http://www.KIVERA.com/) Kivera announced a migration program for current MapQuest business-to-business customers. This offer helps facilitate the migration of their existing LBS application(s) to Kivera Location Engine(tm) technology. The Kivera migration program is designed to help MapQuest customers make the transition to Kivera technology quickly and cost-effectively. In response to several companies who have substituted MapQuest with Kivera solutions, the program provides the documentation and support required for basic implementation and integration. Additionally, Kivera offers special pricing to mitigate costs associated with a technology migration.

Kivera earned Frost & Sullivan's 2001 Market Engineering Award for Technology Leadership in LBS. Each year, this honor is bestowed upon the company that has demonstrated excellence in technology leadership with respect to location-based services. Ranked against market competitors, Kivera's location technology platform received the number one industry standing based on Frost & Sullivan's comprehensive market engineering measurement criteria.

“Success within the LBS market will rely on the ability to maintain flexible, open structures that can rapidly adjust to evolving technologies and industry challenges,Ó said Frost & Sullivan research analyst Brent Iadarola. ÒKiveraÕs innovative technology platform and software solutions enable enhanced performance for location-based services and an accuracy level that is unique to the industry. Service providers who demand a flexible, reliable and secure technology solutions will be pleased with Kivera's platform.”

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Leica Geosystems (http://www.leica-geosystems.com/) announced a regional reorganization of its North American operations to improve service to customers and dealers. “With this new organization, we will be better able to coordinate relations with both our distribution networks and customers,” said Matthew Smith, president of Leica Geosystems, Americas Region. “The new structure will provide each region with a Leica Geosystems vice president who will have New vice presidents and their territories are: Steve Crowfoot, Northeast; Robby Dudley, Southeast; John Clark, South Central; Ken Jagman, North Central; Jim Reed, Northwest; Jeff Surry, Southwest; and Peter Hettstedt, Canada. Pierre Desjardins will remain senior vice president for Latin America.

Leica Geosystems , didn’t understand the high-tech bust. During the first nine months of the Fiscal Year 2001, sales revenues grew by 22.1% and reached CHF 457.3 million. Earnings before interest and taxes were CHF 40.7 million, an increase of over 53%. During the last three months, three projects were launched, with the aim of capturing dynamic new growth markets through strategic acquisitions.

Contact: Fritz Staudacher • Leica Geosystems AG • Heinrich-Wild-Strasse • CH-9435 Heerbrugg (Schweiz) • Phone (direct) +41 71 727 3043 • E-Mail: Fritz.Staudacher@leica-geosystems.com

Leica Geosystems  (http://www.disto.com/) signed a distribution agreement with Lowe’s, one of the largest building supply retailers in the United States, to sell the DISTO(tm) brand handheld laser measuring tools. “This is a significant breakthrough for DISTO," said Klaus Brammertz, president of Leica Geosystems' Consumer Products Division. "Beginning in January 2002, we will begin selling a retail version of our DISTO products through the 700 Lowe's stores nationwide. Sold under the name "DISTO Tape," this new product will be targeted to the professional builder and tradesman. At a price point under $400, DISTO Tape offers an attractive solution for anyone needing accurate and simple measuring solutions at a reasonable price.”

DISTO handheld laser meters provide fast, easy measurements of distance, area and volume, indoors or outdoors, with an uncanny accuracy of up to ±3 mm at ranges up to 100 meters. For more about DISTO see our look at it in http://www.theharlowreport.com/2001/issue4/leicahand.html

Leica Geosystems   (www.leica-geosystems.com) Leica Geosystems introduced Version 2.0 of its GIS DataPROª office software, offering new enhancements and upgrades that will make it easier to collect, process and exchange GIS/GPS field data. GIS DataPRO is an office software suite designed to support Leica’s GS50 GIS/GPS data acquisition system. Among the new features in Version 2.0 are support of point and line offsets including post-processing and editing, unlimited importing of field jobs in a project, interpolation of RINEX data on standard imports, display of properties for each node of line and area measurements and easy one-step undo functions.


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AvenzaEffective on Monday October 27th, 2003, Avenza will be occupying new offices in midtown Toronto,Effective on Monday October 27th, 2003. The new office address is:

  • 124 Merton Street ¥ Suite 400
  • Toronto, ON ¥ Canada M4S 2Z2
  • Telephone: 416-487-5116 ¥ Fax: 416-487-7213

MapObjects 2.2 ( http://www.esri.com ) MapObjects 2.2 -Windows Edition just released! MapObjects - Windows Edition is ESRIÕs collection of embeddable mapping and GIS components that can be used to add dynamic mapping and GIS capabilities to existing Windows applications or build custom mapping and GIS solutions. ÒWith the release of MapObjects 2.2, ESRI is reaffirming its commitment to providing developers with robust tools for building GIS applications,Ósays Victoria Kouyoumjian,ESRIÕs MapObjects product manager.

Maverick Professional with Webmap (http://CollinsSoftware.com/) Version 5.1 of Maverick Professional with Webmap, just released. You can publish GIS databases, graphics and attributes, to standard HTML pages and JPEG images with hotspots on the image created from grids, symbols, text, or polygons that hyperlink to other pages.

Miner & Miner Consulting Engineers Inc. and Azteca Systems have partnered to create a powerful computer maintenance management system to Public Works and Utilities organizations around the world. The companies, long-time ESRI business partners, agreed to combine their respective technologies to provide a more comprehensive solution for GIS-based asset maintenance management for Water, Wastewater and Storm Water utilities. Both firms will offer Miner & Miner’ s ArcFM solution with Azteca’ s Cityworks Enterprise Asset Management software.

Miner & Miner  completed the implementation of an automated mapping suite of products for Kansas Gas Service (KGS), a division of ONEOK, Inc. ESRI’s ArcGIS and ArcIMS and Miner & Miner’s ArcFM will enable the gas distribution units to track facilities and land-based information. This will include analysis and production reporting of pipeline information, inventory, and geographics. “The software offers our users a thousand times more flexibility than our previous system. The open environment now allows us to create one centralized seamless database,” said Kenton Graber, ONEOK’s information technology development manager.

Manitoba Communications Inc a subsidiary of ManitobaTelecom Services, Inc. (MTS) and the leading full-service telecommunications provider for the Canadian Province of Manitoba, adopted IntergraphÕs G/Comms solution as their next-generation Geospatial Operations Support System. The new solution will provide an end-to-end geospatial network model for access network facility management, design and analysis. Future integration of the geospatial solution with the companyÕs other business applications will provide opportunities to further automate business processes throughout the enterprise. David Rourke, executive vice president, Operations, MTS Communications Inc., said “G/Comms will place MTSÕs facilities, equipment and structures in a flexible, high-performance database. This information system will provide operating efficiencies as well as significantly improve the speed at which we can deliver service to customers and our ability to leverage the network for increased revenues.”

MapTech’s Outdoor Navigator delivers detailed topographic maps and nautical charts for the millions of hi-tech mobile adventurers who use handheld PDAs. Outdoor Navigator lets you pick and download the maps and charts you want, when you want them from Maptech’s vast library over 60,000 maps. Connect the handheld to a GPS wireless receiver for a moving map that shows your location on highly detailed maps for recreation and even work. Outdoor Navigator works with Palm and Pocket PCs and even some of the new smart phones. Outdoor Navigator works like a subscription; the first year is $100 with an annual renewal of $30. Maps are delivered via the Internet. Any maps you download are yours to keep. Try it free at www.outdoornavigator.com.

NASA created this wonderful site to get kids interested in Mars. Trust me, your kids will appreciate it Ð it is fun, easy to use and informative. But if you donÕt get hooked on it first, IÕd be surprised. It is a site well worth visiting, Earthling.

MacDonald, Dettwiler and Associates Ltd. (MDA) won a $4.1 million (CDN) contract to modernize the processing of land information requests for the Borough of Telford & Wrekin,(www.telford.gov.ukk) a local authority in Shropshire, England. MDAÕs Information Systems Group will provide a turnkey system and manage the conversion process. LAMP is part of the National Land Information System (NLIS Ð www.nlis.org.uk) in the United Kingdom.

MJ Harden Associates, Inc. (http://www.mjharden.com) became the first photogrammetric mapping firm to negotiate a Consultant Professional Services Agreement for topographic mapping services directly with The Missouri Department of Transportation (MoDOT). This new program is referred to unofficially by MoDOT as the “Flight to Field to Finish” program. The new contract between MoDOT and MJH spans 3 years with an optional 4th year renewal. MJH will work directly for MoDOT's photogrammetry office, performing digital topographic mapping and related services, such as aerial photography, GPS control surveys, and analytics, to MoDOT's exact specifications.

The company announced formation of a Pipeline Construction Group. This group combines the talents from our photogrammetric mapping and pipeline GIS teams to support the mapping and data integration efforts associated with new pipeline construction. Using pipeline-specific tools such as PipeView Field, PipeView, SheetGen, and ProjectBinder Plus, the Pipeline Construction Group will streamline processes from field data collection and drawing creation/maintenance through construction and as-built drawings to GIS.

Contact: Don Cleveland • VP Business Development • M.J. Harden Associates, Inc. • 1019 Admiral Boulevard • Kansas City, Missouri 64106 • Phone:816-889-1113 • Fax: 816-471-1599 • E-mail: dcleve@mjharden.com

Metamend (http://www.metamend.com/ completed development of its newest innovation in the field of search engine optimization. (SEO) The company has succeeded in creating ground breaking, address extraction technology which can read a web site, extract geographical data, then determine if the web site has a relevant physical presence as well as an online one. The technology is said to have a 99% accuracy rating on a city basis, when that information is present within the web site. Once verified, the address can then be correlated with existing Geographic Information Systems data to produce a set of Latitude and Longitude Coordinates. Step two in the process will be the ability to code or “Tag” the actual source code of the individual web site with accurate GIS information.

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NADRA Pakistan's National Database and Registration Authority (NADRA) will soon start work on Geographic Information System (GIS) and Land Information System (LIS) projects, according to Paknews.com. The web site reported “The work on these projects is likely to start by next year. The projects are aimed at providing information about geography and land to the people”, a NADRA source said.

National GeographicÕs award winning MapMachine Internet application was completely redesigned using 100 percent ArcWeb Services. Averaging more than a million page views a week, the MapMachine is one of the most popular tools online, and its redesign opens the doors to a treasure trove of geographic information. National Geographic partnered with ESRI to revamp the application, which boasts improved usability and ease of maintenance as well as new tools and content.

Natural Graphics’ (http://www.naturalgfx.com/sequoia3d.htm) Natural Scene Designer, version 3.0, is available. The program creates shaded relief maps, oblique views, animations, and VR panoramas of terrain using digital elevation models (DEMs). This new version adds more control for creating shaded relief maps, and higher resolution output. Newsweek and other publications have used it recently to make shaded relief maps of Afghanistan. Version 3.0 adds the ability to import and automatically align DRGs with their corresponding digital elevation models. For an example, please see http://www.naturalgfx.com/sequoia3d.htm The program automatically removes the map collars. You can easily combine adjacent map quads.

Nebraska Public Power District (NPPD) ’ (http://www.nppd.com/) SchlumbergerSema, announced it has signed systems integration and data management services contracts with Nebraska Public Power District (NPPD) of Columbus, Nebraska. The contracts, valued at $1.6 million and $1.3 million, respectively, call for supporting the implementation of a suite of software applications, including a geographic information system, graphical work design and outage management. The integrated solution will be used by NPPD for distribution asset management, engineering design and analysis, and management for both major and minor power outages.

“This project will assist NPPD to optimize our business processes and improve &organizational efficiency,” said Alan Michalewicz, NPPD operations manager. “Our primary goal with this project is to enhance customer satisfaction and to better leverage our existing information assets and improve overall distribution system reliability.”

The North Carolina Chapter of Geospatial Information & Technology Association (GITA) invites you to attend the 2001 CAROLINA GITA CONFERENCE & EXPO to be held on October 24 - 26, 2001 at the Pine Needles Lodge & Golf Club in Southern Pines, North Carolina. Whether you're a gas/electric/water/wastewater utility, telecommunications company, federal, state or local government, university or college department chair or student, commercial business or establishment, GIS hardware/software supplier or full service provider, the Carolina Chapter embraces all industries that incorporate GIS in their business operations.

Navigation Technologies Europe   (http://www.navtech.com.)  joined as the first Team GeoMedia Registered Solutions Center (RSC). The two companies announced a partnership earlier this year making Navigation Technologies a preferred European data supplier. As a Team GeoMedia RSC partner, Navigation Technologies will optimize its NAVTECH® mapping data for the GeoMedia® environment and ensure that it integrates seamlessly with GeoMedia-based solutions. These efforts will be backed by the Team GeoMedia program infrastructure, including Intergraph’s superior software and technical support. The Team GeoMedia RSC program specifically targets data providers, system integrators, and consulting companies who are not resellers. It enables RSC program partners to build long-term relationships with Intergraph.

The New York State Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) working with the NY DOT and the New York State Office for Technology signed a $5.3 million, three-year contract with ESRI on July 19. ESRI will team with Geographic Data Technology, Inc. (GDT); Applied GIS; Bowne Management Systems; Oracle Corporation; and Dell Computer Corporation to provide software, application and data development, hardware, and training for the implementation of a geographic accident location information system. New York has more than 10 million licensed drivers and more than 12 million registered vehicles.

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Oregon Educational Technology Consortium (OETC) signed an agreement with ESRI that will allow the OETC to promote, sell, duplicate, and disseminate ESRI software to K thru 12 school members. Members of the OETC will also have access to ESRI’s ArcView versions 3 and 8 for Windows and ArcView 3.0a for Macintosh. The OETC is an incorporated, not-for-profit organization dedicated to maximizing the value of educational technology to its members by working with software and hardware vendors to procure the most effective and appropriate technological resources at the lowest possible price. OETC membership comprises more than 500 educational institutions, school districts, and other educational nonprofit organizations.

The Open GIS Consortium, Inc. (OGC) (http://opengis.org/) told The Harlow Report - GIS that Intergraph Mapping and GIS Solutions (http://www.ingr.com/gis) upgraded its OGC membership to the Strategic level - the Consortium's highest level of membership. Intergraph will engage in strategic planning as a member of both the OGC Planning Committee and as a member of the newly formed OGC Strategic Advisory Committee.

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Past Time, Past Place: GIS for History is the latest book released by folks behind the presses at ESRI. According to ESRI's Karen Hurlbut, the new book “brings the spatial and visual revelations of geographic information system (GIS) technology to the study of history. Chapters cover a range of topics, from the Greek and Roman eras to the Salem witch trials to the Dust Bowl of the early 20th century, written by a number of leading scholars in the United States and Great Britain.” If you head on over to Amazon.com you can pick it up for about $20.00 (US).

Planning Support Systems from ESRI Press, demonstrates how GIS technology is being used, and may be used, in the future by planners, architects, engineers, developers, real-estate agents, government and regulatory officials, and concerned citizens. According to ESRI, “Everyone from urban planners and commercial developers to transportation system engineers is benefiting from the extraordinarily detailed visualizations, animated and manipulable three-dimensional models, and vast databases and supermaps of geographic information systems.… Planning Support Systems demonstrates current methods and possibilities of GIS in land use professions from 15 different perspectives” Should you need even more late night reading, you might what to check out Getting to Know ArcGIS Desktop.It is an introduction to the three GIS products that comprise ArcGIS: ArcView, ArcEditor, and ArcInfo. If you are trying to understand ArcGIS, this is a good reference for you to have.

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RTSE USA, Inc. , delivered the GeoConnect Geodata Management to the City of Anchorage, Alaska to manage complex geographic information.

The new system allows the City of Anchorage to archive, distribute, and manage all of its geographic data, from orthoimagery (maps, charts, and diagrams) to planning data, with online links to related City documents. Because the GeoConnect system helps City staff create and manage geographic metadata that meets Federal and international standards, the City ’s GIS has been registered in the Federal Geographic Data Committee ’s Clearinghouse network

Charles Barnwell, GIS Manager for the City of Anchorage, said that efficient processes built into the GeoConnect system will enable the City to get its geographic data on line quickly. For a clear understanding of the Anchorage project click your way to http://gisweb.ci.anchorage.ak.us/internet/htmls/datadic1.htm


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SautinSoft released HTMLtoRTF Converter is a handy software utility that takes a web-page (HTML or ASP file) and instantly converts it to .rtf file that can be used in any word processor. The resulting document looks exactly like the original HTML file (web page). The tables are unchanged and located in their appropriate places, the alignment is exactly the same, font face, color and size are not altered, and bold, italic and underlined text stays what it should be. A free demo version is available at http://htmltortf.com/ for evaluation.

http://www.slb.com/ SchlumbergerSema, a business unit of Schlumberger Limited, was chosen by Electrabel to integrate a work force management system developed by Cognicase-M3i, which will provide the company with greater control over its networks. Brussels-based Electrabel S.A., within the Suez Group, is the leading energy producer, distributor and supplier in Belgium, with power plants in eight European countries serving about 4.5 million customers daily. The contract was awarded as part of Small Works, a strategic work force management implementation initiative of Electrabel's Netmanagement division. “The SchlumbergerSema solution has proven scheduling and dispatching features targeting multi-utility operations,” explained Remy Hatert, program manager, Electrabel Netmanagement. “It is part of our overall strategy to harmonize the network operation systems and field work across our business units. This solution means we can offer enhanced customer service, while reducing operational costs and improving efficiency.”

SchlumbergerSema (http://www.myenergyinfo.com ) launched its MyEnergyInfo® Web portal. It gives utilities and energy providers an easy and secure method to offer their customers Web–based access to a variety of new realÐtime energy management services. The charter service of the MyEnergyInfo portal is Energy Viewer. This application provides residential and commercial customers with onÐline, realÐtime energy consumption and cost information, along with the tools needed to better manage and control energy usage. Consumption data can be plotted versus temperature information, demand data can be graphed along with consumption, and data can be downloaded into spreadsheets or other applications.

SchlumbergerSema (http://www.slb.com) SchlumbergerSema, a business unit of Schlumberger Limited, signed a multi-million dollar systems integration and technology deployment agreement with Connecticut-based Yankee Gas Services Company (http://www.yankeegas.com/) to enhance the utility’s overall business process efficiency and to improve customer service. Yankee Gas is the natural gas subsidiary of the Northeast Utilities system (NYSE: NU), one of New England’s largest energy suppliers with $6.9 billion in annual revenues, $10 billion in assets, and some two million electricity and natural gas customers. SchlumbergerSema will deploy the first component of its Digital Utility Model Office™, which is the technology framework used by the firm to transform utilities into digital enterprises. It combines services, methodologies and technologies for front and back office applications with best-in-class solutions for energy delivery.

Shell International Exploration and Production (SIEP) selected ESRI software as the standard suite of Intranet and desktop GIS products. SIEP Õ s enterprise GIS solution comprises ESRIÕs full suite of software, including the ArcGIS family of desktop software (ArcView, ArcInfo, ArcEditor), ArcIMS, and ArcSDE, closely integrated with a spatially enabled object-relational database management system. The global agreement between ESRI and SIEP allows Shell Operating Units and Affiliates to deploy ESRI software throughout the business. Global support will be provided by dedicated Shell and Affiliates staff and a network of regionalized ESRI distributor technical support centers to cover the multiple time zones of ShellÕs global business.

Space Imaging and Intergraph Mapping and GIS Solutions signed an agreement where Intergraph Mapping and GIS Solutions has become a global master reseller for Space Imaging. This agreement allows Intergraph customers to buy Space Imaging products directly from Intergraph Mapping and GIS Solutions. Also, it enables Intergraph resellers to sell Space Imaging's imagery products. " Intergraph is known around the world for its powerful GIS software, " said Brian Soliday, executive vice president of Global Products and Services of Space Imaging.

           "We welcome the opportunity to work closely with Intergraph in servicing their worldwide user base across multiple markets, including; national security, local government, transportation, utilities, and location-based services. Intergraph’s valuable GIS resources, talented sales force and strong market presence make this relationship a key win for Space Imaging."

Contact: Gary Napier • Space Imaging • Email: gnapier@spaceimaging.com • Phone: 303-254-2106

SoftMap Technologies and Global Geomatics formed a strategic partnership aimed at advancing the state-of-the-art in visualization of electronic maps and other geospatial data. The relationship between the companies is focused on making GIS technology useable for mass market consumption and will result in joint development of certain GIS technologies, the licensing of the companiesâ technologies, and the introduction of several new products.

Global Geomatics will bring to the liaison its OGDI technology. OGDI (Open Geospatial Datastore Interface) technology is designed for accessing, distributing and interacting with complex, heterogeneous, spatially referenced data. This allows GIS data in almost any form to be accessed or distributed over the Web or other network without data conversion or translation. SoftMap will combine the OGDI technology with its GIS visualization and user interface technology. The result will be incorporated in SoftMap Technologies SoftMap Pro and SoftMap WebServer products to provide a new generation of PC and server-based tools for IT and ASP organizations that need to manage, large, complex, stores of map, geospatial, or photogrammetric data.

Contact: Global Geomatics Inc. • Email:info@globalg • Phone (450) 668 4949 • Fax (450) 668 2822 • Web: Global Geomatics
SoftMap Technologies Inc. #149; Email: Jean.tremblay@softmaptechnologies.com • Phone (418) 523-2444 • Fax (418) 523-4888 • Web: SoftMap Technologies

Sun Microsystems (http:///www.sun.com) and ESRI announced that Sun has been selected as the official hardware provider for the Geography Network Geography Network, a one-stop Internet marketplace for searching, accessing, and utilizing geographic data and services. As the official hardware provider, Sun offers ESRI a complete portal solution based on the Sun ™ ONE platform for delivering services on demand. The solution includes Sun Enterprise™ 250, 450, 220R, 420R, and 6500 servers and Ultra 10 and 60 workstations operating on the Solaris™ 8 operating environment, Sun StorEdge ™ arrays and the iPlanet™ Web server, as well as key Java ™ technologies. Helping to maintain some of the highest levels of availability, Sun also offers Sun™ Remote and SunSpectrum Platinum services for 24/7 assistance, and instructor-led training from Sun Educational Services.


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Tadpole-Cartesiaannounced that it had won a further contract for its Conic GIS software. The contract, from British utility Bournemouth and West Hampshire Water plc, is subject to successful completion of a pilot and is valued at around $400,000. Scheduled for roll-out across the utility in Q1, 2002, TadpoleÕs system will support the utilityÕs drive to increase the number of tasks undertaken daily by its mobile workforces, enhance customer response and service, and reduce operational costs. “Conic software is a best-of-breed solution for improved collaborative workflow between mobile workforces and a utilityÕs operational hub,Ósays Rita Carter, project manager at Bournemouth and West Hampshire Water. ÒItÕs a unique solution for asset inspectors and repair and maintenance teams to work faster, smarter and more effectively, and a business driver for Bournemouth and West Hampshire Water to meet its strategic goals.”

Telecom Fiji Ltd. signed a contract with Intergraph to upgrade its existing Intergraph FRAMME-based AM/FM/GIS application to the company's next-generation G/Comms as the enabling geofacilities management core of its Enterprise Network Resource Management system. Telecom Fiji is Fiji's largest telephony access provider and serves an expanding population of more than 100,000 Public Switched Telephone Network customers to date.

Telemorphic, Inc. Telemorphic, Inc., announced MapImager™, an extension to ESRI’s ArcGIS software. MapImager adds geographic imaging and visualization capabilities to the ArcGIS desktop. MapImager includes simple intuitive tools that provide ArcGIS users the ability to quickly compare scanned maps, aerial photos, satellite imagery, and vector GIS data layers to interactively identify changes or differences in real time. Specific functions include one -button toggle and slider bar controls for fast and efficient interactive swipe overlay, blend and merge data fusion, morphing, and band substitution operations. The resulting custom image products can then be saved or added into the current ArcMap document.

3M Selects   Intergraph's GeoMedia WebMap as the Internet Component for Its Transportation Asset Management System (TAMS). TAMS is a comprehensive transportation safety asset management system that inventories and manages the maintenance and replacement of traffic signs, pavement markings and other transportation infrastructure components throughout their life cycles.

“Our TAMS system meets changing safety needs by providing technology management services that help agencies better track and upgrade their transportation safety assets, ” said James Eggert, business development manager for the 3M TAMS project.

Contact: Intergraph • Phone: 1-800-791-3357 (within the U.S.) •
1-256-730-7191 (outside the U.S.) • Web: www.intergraph.com/imgs

Trimble(http://www.trible.com) formed a strategic alliance with ESRI. The two will work on mobile GIS solutions. The alliance brings together Trimble’s expertise in field-rugged handheld GPS technology and ESRI’s software to expand the power of an enterprise GIS to organizations’ mobile workers.


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U.K. Environment Agency United Kingdom’s Environment Agency signed a three year contract extension for the supply of corporate geographic information system (GIS) technology and services with ESRI (UK) Ltd. Under the agreement, the agency plans to roll out spatial information as a corporate standard to up to 10,000 staff through the implementation of many mapping products within ESRI’s software suite.

upFront.eZine Publishing, Ltd. launchedTailoring AutoCAD, the e-book for new and experienced AutoCAD users. The 160-page e–book contains step–by–step tutorials for learning how to customize the popular CAD (computer-aided design) software. Tailoring AutoCAD is published exclusively in Adobe Acrobat format. The e–book covers these tutorial subjects:

  • Changing the AutoCAD user interface.
  • Creating aliases and keyboard shortcuts.
  • Modifying the toolbar and writing macros.
  • Customizing menus and writing menu macros.
  • Creating custom linetypes and hatch patterns.
  • Working with .shp files for shapes/fonts.
  • Writing scripts and AutoLISP programs.

Price is $19.95 with electronic delivery; $24.95 on CD, shipping included. (All prices in US funds.)

U–HAUL® selects MAPQUEST. Finding the nearest U–Haul location just got easier for do–it–yourself movers thanks to a new agreement jointly announced today between Mapquest and U–Haul International, Inc.

URISA will hold a its 3rd Annual Public Participation GIS Conference at the University of Wisconsin July 18-20, 2004

USDA and ESRI signed a purchase agreement for a department-wide site license for ESRI software. The Blanket Purchase Agreement (BPA) will enable USDA to embark on an ambitious and far reaching program and strengthen program delivery by extending the functionality of ESRI GIS throughout the entire organization, according to ESRI. The BPA sets in motion a five-year effort that will expand the use of GIS technology throughout the USDA by providing a complete enterprise suite of ESRIÕs GIS software to all USDA agencies. The $32 million agreement includes the roll in of legacy software currently within the U.S. Forest Service and other USDA agencies. GIS software applications and extensions from ESRI include ArcInfo, ArcEditor, ArcView, and ArcIMS, which features an array of Internet aware solutions, browsers, and mobile devices.

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Virginia Department of Transportation is using Leica's GS50 GPS/GIS data collection system to build and maintain a geographic information system (GIS) for its Intelligent Transportation System (ITS) assets throughout the Commonwealth. According to Tom Phillips, GIS manager for VDOT, the GS50 is being used to map the growing infrastructure of ITS assets, including variable message signs, CCTV cameras, ramp control signals, traffic detection sensors, interstate lighting, low-powered radio transmitters, electrical service panels and other support equipment. The GIS database will help VDOT personnel monitor, maintain and properly service these assets.




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