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Blog: Chris Harlow on ITSearch The Harlow Report Archives
I am an atmospheric scientist with three degrees in meteorology. However my tenured home at the University of Georgia is the Department of Geography. Like many of you reading this, I had a rather narrow understanding of geography when I left NASA to join the faculty at the university. Over the years, I have certainly heard people describe geography as maps, capitals, rivers, and so forth. While these things are definitely a part of the discipline, there is far more complexity and rigor than memorization of facts or your recollections of the elementary Geography Bee.
Geography is unique in bridging the social sciences and the natural sciences. There are two main branches of geography: human geography and physical geography. Human geography is concerned with the spatial aspects of human existence. Physical geographers study patterns of climates, landforms, vegetation, soils, and water. Geographers use many tools and techniques in their work, and geographic technologies are increasingly important for understanding our complex world. They include Geographic Information Systems (GIS), Remote Sensing, Global Positioning Systems (GPS), and online mapping such as Google Earth. American Association of Geographers (AAG) website
Read full story at Forbes…
first published week of: 03/30/2020
Geofencing — also called location-based marketing — is a type of mobile ad targeting that involves a two-step process as follows:
Geofencing goes beyond standard geographic targeting by homing in on very specific locations down to streets — or even buildings like malls or restaurants — and serving ads to consumers who enter those “fenced in” areas.
The ads themselves only show when someone crosses the virtual fence. They manifest in a variety of ways, including alerts on smartphones or internet-enabled devices, ads on digital billboards, and app notifications.
Read full story at TNW…
first published week of: 03/09/2020
Woolpert was recently approved for two separate distinctions in the Google Cloud Partner Program: Retail Expertise and Automotive Expertise. According to Google, partners are awarded Expertise status “for demonstrated customer success.”
Woolpert supports the mapping, location services and data storage needs of its nearly 500 Google customers, while providing personalized geospatial and technical support. The firm also invests in developing location-based solutions specific to customer needs.
“We have a significant number of customers in both the retail and the automotive, transportation and logistics industries—these two are by far our most robust verticals,” Woolpert Director of Cloud Sales Rick Bennett said. “We work diligently to ensure we have a successful track record with all of our customers, and we’re honored the Google Cloud Partner Program has certified our expertise in these industries.”
Woolpert was awarded the Google Cloud Partner of the Year Award for Location-based Services this spring and the Google Cloud Partner Award for Customer Success in the Google Maps Platform in 2018. Woolpert has been a Google Cloud Partner since 2017 and a Google Maps Partner since 2014. In August, the firm launched GeoAwareness, a quick-start solution designed to improve online ordering and curbside pickup, which supports both the retail and logistics industries.
“We are very appreciative to be part of the Google ecosystem, to support the rollout of their solutions and help expand their offerings,” Bennett said. “We want to continue to combine the wealth of Google knowledge with our half-century of geospatial expertise to provide elevated customer service and to create next-level solutions to meet or exceed all client needs.”
first published week of: 11/23/2020
The geospatial program director and senior associate has worked with the state GIS council since 2001.
Woolpert Geospatial Program Director Sam Moffat assumed the role of president of the Tennessee Geographic Information Council (TNGIC) today at the group’s online business meeting. The meeting was held in place of the annual TNGIC Conference, which was canceled this year.
Moffat, a Certified GIS Professional and senior associate at Woolpert, said he joined TNGIC in 2001 after moving to Tennessee to help manage and deliver a statewide mapping project. Moffat specializes in large-scale federal, state and local government mapping projects, working with aerial imagery and airborne lidar data collection.
TNGIC is a nonprofit organization with close to 400 members that was created in 1993. The group provides GIS training and networking, hosts educational conferences, and connects geospatial professionals and students working with GIS.
“TNGIC was created to spread the gospel of GIS across Tennessee to equip members throughout the state with the latest in geospatial technologies,” Moffat said. “It bridges GIS professionals who work in state and local governments, federal agencies, engineering firms, nonprofits and commercial industries. The organization promotes collaboration and education, networking and data dissemination.”
Read full story at Woolpert…
first published week of: 05/18/2020
Consultants will be out around Peoria mapping the city’s stormwater infrastructure in the coming days and weeks.
The consultants will be working with Peoria Public Works crews in the areas around Interstate 74 South to West Farmington Road and West Parkside Drive from North Sterling Avenue East to North University Street.
Having technologically sound maps will improve our planning efforts as a Department, which translates to cost savings for our resident Stormwater Engineer Andrea Klopfenstein
The digital map will involve Geographic Information Systems (GIS) technology which will provide Peoria with more opportunities for planning and analyzing data.
Stormwater Engineer Andrea Klopfenstein said the new system will ultimately save money for Peoria residents.
“Having technologically sound maps will improve our planning efforts as a Department, which translates to cost savings for our residents,” Klopfenstein said.
Read full story at CIProud…
first published week of: 05/11/2020
With a clever mobile app and a can-do attitude, Swiss surveyors have created a 3D model of a river valley in the Alps to improve risk prediction of landslides
The 7 p.m. storm forecast was not only accurate, it was ominous. Torrential rains pounded the ski town of Val Ferret on the final day of August last year, triggering huge landslides roaring down the rocky slopes. Two bridges were washed away and several roads were closed. There were no casualties, but the storm’s aftermath left 80 people isolated in an otherwise picturesque valley at the foot of the Swiss Alps.
As the head of the hydraulic department for Moret & Associés, a road engineering company in Switzerland, Léonard Evéquoz knew he and his team would be called to check on the road damage. Evéquoz is a hydraulic engineer and his expertise on water and natural hazards such as flash floods and debris flow would once again prove useful.
“Debris flows occur almost every year in this valley, especially during torrential summer rains,” says Evéquoz. The roads lead to La Fouly, a popular winter ski resort 1,600 meters (5,250 feet) high, near the Swiss border with Italy.
Read full story at xyHt…
first published week of: 11/02/2020