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Officials launched MapFrederick.city about a month ago. The cloud-based website takes the work off the desks of city workers and lets people look up the information they need on their own. Before, if people wanted zoning data for a project, for example, the city had to assign staff to assemble the information and send it off as a shapefile or feature class, said Matthew Bowman, the city’s technology manager.
Next, users choose the format in which they want the data -- JSON, KMX or image -- and click “Export.” Another browser window opens with the information requested.
The website's data is updated automatically as the staff makes internal updates. For instance, when parcels subdivide and a new community comes in and is platted, the information is updated. “Once those changes are made, they are seen by the service,” Bowman said.
The GIS Department typically gets one to two requests per week for GIS data, he said, and it can take 15 to 30 minutes for staff members to pull a response together, although it could take awhile for them to get to the query. “It’s not a huge difference, but every little thing helps,” Bowman said of the time savings.
Another benefit is that the service cost the city nothing to set up. It came about through a partnership with Frederick Meetup Groups, which include Python Frederick, Frederick Linux User Group, Frederick Startup Community and Frederick WebTech. Read full story at govcloudinsider.com…
first published week of: 07/31/2017
Amazon Web Services Inc. (AWS) announced that DigitalGlobe has gone all-in on AWS and is leveraging AWS machine learning technologies to drive deeper insights and improved responsiveness for applications such as defense and intelligence, public safety, map making and analysis, environmental monitoring, oil and gas exploration, and navigation. DigitalGlobe, a business unit of Maxar Technologies, has migrated its entire 100-petabyte imagery library to AWS, which will give its customers instant access to its vast library of geospatial images, eliminating the need to wait for tapes and disks to be retrieved for content. DigitalGlobe, its sister division Radiant Solutions, and its partner ecosystem also leverage AWS’s frameworks and tools to build machine learning applications that allow their customers to incorporate valuable geospatial information extracted from commercial satellite imagery into their work flows, enabling decisions to be made with confidence.
DigitalGlobe is leveraging AWS’s suite of machine learning capabilities, including the newly released Amazon SageMaker to easily build, train, and deploy machine learning applications. By using Amazon SageMaker’s highly scalable machine learning algorithms, DigitalGlobe can predict what images customers will request next based on their usage patterns and, as a result, intelligently tier its image library, to keep relevant imagery readily accessible in Amazon Simple Storage Service (Amazon S3) and the remainder of its library in AWS’s lower-priced archival service, Amazon Glacier.
In addition to optimizing storage costs, DigitalGlobe’s customers gain faster access to the right images needed to extract actionable intelligence at a global scale. To enable this, DigitalGlobe built its Geospatial Big Data platform, called GBDX, on AWS to provide data curation, analysis, and delivery that helps customers answer their most challenging questions. DigitalGlobe’s new product, GBDX Notebooks, will integrate Amazon SageMaker to make it easier for customers to build and deploy machine learning models that extract data from DigitalGlobe’s vast satellite imagery library for detailed business insights.
Read full story at Amazon…
first published week of: 12/04/2017
Building an accurate geographic information systems requires significant technological assets. GIS is not just the pretty map on the screen -- many would argue that is the easy part. The key to it all, is data collection -- finding, storing and retrieving the data you want to render on your screen
Among the latest technologies to enter the GIS field is the drone or UAV, or unmanned aerial vehicle. Oddly, the drone itself is the least important piece of the tech. The key is the equipment it carries to take images, videos, topology and volume, among others.
That still isn't enough. You need software to render it all useful. What used to require fixed wing aircraft, large and heavy equipment and a significant amount of post processing is now in a light weight drone; a joy stick and you quite affordable laptop.
There are many options for processing the data. But a significant use of that data will most likely wind up in ArcGIS.
That's where Esri's Drone2Map for ArcGIS comes in. If you are curious about Drone2Map, spend a few moments with Esri's FAQ page.
In November of 2017, released Drone2Map for ArcGIS 1.3 with these new features, provided by Esri.
first published week of: 12/04/2017
Embarcadero Technologies (a division of IDERA) and TatukGIS today announced that TatukGIS has released version 11 of its geographic information system (GIS) software development kit -- the TatukGIS Developer Kernel -- for Embarcadero’s Delphi and C++Builder products. The TatukGIS SDK is a professional level, comprehensive GIS SDK licensed as native Delphi source code component.
TatukGIS develops professional grade GIS software development kits (SDKs) used by customers in a range of industries to develop custom GIS applications that store, retrieve, manage, display, and analyze all types of geographic and spatial data for analysis and presentation.
The TatukGIS Developer Kernel for Delphi edition also supports Embarcadero RAD Studio, Visual Component Library (VCL) and FireMonkey (FMX) frameworks, allowing RAD Studio developers to efficiently create professional desktop, client-server and mobile GIS applications.
“GIS development continues to be an important and growing class of software development,” said Jim McKeeth, chief developer advocate and engineer at Embarcadero. “Having a comprehensive GIS component like the TatukGIS Developer Kernel 11 is a fantastic asset for the Delphi and C++Builder developer communities. The added support for mobile platforms empowers developers to bring the latest in GIS technology to the field.”
FMX support means the TatukGIS SDK can be used to develop custom GIS applications for macOS, iOS, and Android, as well as Windows. In addition, the extensive TatukGIS object API provides the full set of GIS related functionality required to develop the highest-level GIS solutions, including support for advanced third party spatial databases such as Oracle Spatial, Microsoft Spatial Server and PostGIS.
Version 11 also introduces extended functionality in the areas of pixel operations and grid analysis, vector-to-grid interpolation algorithms, 3D mapping, vector line style editing tools, SVG symbols library, support for high resolution 4K monitors and readiness for multiple operating systems and additional development platforms.
“Adding RAD Studio support to the TatukGIS Developer Kernel creates a powerful tool for GIS developers,” said Herman Moyers, president of TatukGIS. “TatukGIS is a perfect fit for Delphi or C++Builder developers with requirements in the field of GIS technology.”
Other benefits of TatukGIS Developer Kernel Delphi edition include:
first published week of: 08/07/2017
Inspire Fellow Users with Your GIS Best Practices
Based on your feedback, Esri is working hard to improve the value of the user presentation program for User Conference attendees. That begins with your GIS story. We are interested in inspiring stories and best practices that fellow attendees can take back and implement into their organizations—improving the GIS community.
Your contribution to the world’s largest GIS conference will allow us to provide a powerful agenda, containing the most dynamic GIS success stories, serving as the spark that stimulates newfound geospatial thinking.
To reach our goal, we’ve made changes to this year’s selection process. The submission form contains new questions, for you to provide more detailed information on your abstract, and for us to gain a deeper understanding of your GIS success story.
Your submission will also go through additional reviews by some of Esri’s top technical and industry staff to determine which presentations will be chosen.
Fewer submissions will be selected, but the outcome will be the most engaging user sessions at the conference yet. We are looking forward to seeing your best GIS project and hope you will join us at the 2018 Esri User Conference.
The deadline for presentation submissions is November 17, 2017.
Your presentation should answer the following questions:
Submit Your Abstract Here…
first published week of: 10/30/2017
Esri, the global leader in spatial analytics, announced today that Smart Dubai, the government agency leading Dubai's smart city transformation, has signed an enterprise agreement (EA) providing ArcGIS technology to 44 entities across the government. The EA will be used by Smart Dubai for its smart city platform, called Dubai Pulse, to integrate and map data for better decision-making.
The shift toward smart technologies in recording and processing data is the foundation for success in the era of big data. Dubai Pulse will use Esri's geographic information system (GIS) technology—clubbed with data accumulated by the Dubai Data Establishment—to offer smart and secure services and tools including dashboards, mobile apps, and analytics capabilities. The platform compiles all government data in one place, where the right information can be provided to the right people whenever they should need it. Dubai Pulse will empower the government of Dubai to identify issues such as traffic accident hot spots, increase citizen engagement in planning projects through the sharing of realistic 3D models, and assist with sustainability initiatives including solar energy generation. The adoption of the Dubai Pulse platform will carry the city forward as a world leader in digital transformation.
"Dubai Pulse acts as a digital aggregator for all of Dubai's data, allowing leaders and stakeholders in all sectors across Dubai to easily access impactful information and data to assist in everyday business planning and overall city management," said Her Excellency Dr. Aisha Bin Bishr, director general of the Smart Dubai Office. "The platform is open for the public and private sector to contribute to and build, helping enhance the city's ability to analyze data, expedite decision-making, and innovate accordingly."
first published week of: 08/14/2017