Geosoft 2012 Software Release Now Available

Geosoft has announced the availability of its 2012 Software Release, including updates to Oasis montaj, Target, Target for ArcGIS and GM-SYS Modelling software, and the new release of Geosoft VOXI Earth Modelling, a geophysical inversion software service that generates 3D voxel models from airborne or ground gravity and magnetic data. The 2012 release includes major 2D and 3D workflow enhancements and new capabilities that deliver greater efficiency and flexibility for resource explorers and earth scientists exploring the earth’s subsurface.

"Each year Geosoft has continued to make improvements in developing our software technology to support explorers challenged to visualize and analyze more complex structures, deeper under cover, within integrated interpretations," says Louis Racic, Geosoft Product Director. "The 2D to 3D workflow is an important one to get right, and a particular challenge for geoscientists working across GIS and exploration software platforms. Bridging the gap between 2D and 3D is a key improvement area within our 2012 Software Release.”

Release highlights

New capabilities and workflow improvements in the Geosoft 2012 Software Release help save time and provide greater flexibility when visualizing multidisciplinary geoscience data in 2D and 3D.

Improved 2D to 3D workflows in Target for ArcGIS: The 2D to 3D workflow enhancements, include new display capabilities, and new section import and export options. Layers, such as interpretation layers from sections or plans can now be easily displayed in their correct geospatial orientation within your 3D view. 2D section interpretations can be exported to a 3D georeferenced file, such as shapefiles or DXF files, to be shared with other 3D applications. 3D vector files, such as open pit outlines, and wire frames can now be easily imported to multiple section and plan maps.

3D Viewer improvements: Geosoft 3D gridding methods have been expanded to include IDW and direct gridding; these new methods better support the 3D gridding of a broad range of data types. Angled clipping of objects in 3D views provides the ability to clip parallel or perpendicular to dataset orientation or geological strike. Geoscientists can set a clipping plane that aligns with any direction chosen.

Expanded GM-SYS 3D density model support: Voxels can be used to define the 3D density variation within GM-SYS 3D model layers. This provides more direct integration with 3D seismic data as the generated density cubes may be used directly in the GM-SYS model.

BING Maps imagery: Geoscientists can now add satellite imagery to their basemaps by connecting to the Bing Maps online data source. This is a useful, additional data layer which provides geographic context to maps.

VOXI Earth Modelling

Geosoft VOXI Earth Modelling is a new geophysical inversion software service that generates 3D voxel models from airborne, ground gravity and magnetic data. VOXI Earth Modelling is accessible within Geosoft Oasis montaj and uses the power of cloud computing to rapidly invert large exploration datasets. More information on VOXI Earth Modelling is available at www.geosoft.com/voxi.

Release availability

Online installation of the Geosoft 2012 Software Release is available within Geosoft software and from the Downloads page within the Geosoft online support centre - www.geosoft.com/support. Information on how to request an update DVD is available in the Geosoft Support Knowledge Base.

Visit www.geosoft.com/whats-newfor detailed information on what’s included in the 2012 Software Release. For general Geosoft software enquiries and local representation, please contact explore@geosoft.com.

Since 1986, Geosoft has helped earth explorers make discoveries through data. Geosoft technology is industry-standard for 3D mapping and modelling of the Earth's subsurface, and for managing large geoscience data. With offices across five continents, and a network of international business partners, Geosoft serves thousands of clients within resource exploration industries, government and the earth sciences, including the most successful mineral and oil explorers in the world. Geosoft has been ranked as a Top 150 Technology Company, and one of the Ten Best Workplaces in Canada. For more information, visit www.geosoft.com.

ASPRS Announces 2012 Award Winners

The Photogrammetric Award (Fairchild) was awarded to Dean W. Merchant, PhD, PE. at the 2012 Annual ASPRS Conference in Sacramento in March. This award, the essence of which is practicability, is designed to stimulate the development of the art of aerial photogrammetry in the United States. The selection committee makes its choice based on an outstanding invention or design involving any type of equipment that applies to the art of aerial photogrammetry; any outstanding method developed for the general use of aerial photographs and/or imagery; outstanding research for study along aerial photogrammetric lines and outstanding effort for the general advancement of the art of photogrammetry. Lockheed Martin donates funding for the award, which consists of a silver presentation plaque.

One of the pioneers in incorporating GPS with photogrammetric cameras, Merchant was awarded the Photogrammetric (Fairchild) Award for his activity in the in-situ calibration of GPS-assisted photogrammetric systems as well as other excellent and far reaching achievements. Merchant has been Professor Emeritus at The Ohio State University since 1988.

Additional awards made during the ASPRS 78th Annual Conference and administered by the ASPRS Foundation were:

Robert N. Colwell Memorial Fellowship
Winner: Meghan Graham MacLean, PhD candidate in Natural Resources and Earth Systems Science-Remote Sensing/GIS at the University of New Hampshire

Boeing Award for Best Paper in Image Analysis and Interpretation
Winners: Joe Fortier, John Rogan, Curtis E. Woodcock, and Daniel Miller Runfola for “Utilizing Temporally Invariant Calibration Sites to Classify Multiple Dates and Types of Satellite Imagery,” PE&RS, 77 (2), 181–189.

John I. Davidson President’s Award for Practical Papers
First Place Winners: Kass Green, Mark Tukman, and Mark Finkbeiner, for “Comparison of DMC, UltraCam, and ADS40 Imagery for Benthic Habitat and Propeller Scar Mapping.” PE&RS, 77 (6), 589-599.

ERDAS Award for Best Scientific Paper in Remote Sensing
First Place Winners: Jungho Im, Zhenyu Lu, and John R. Jensen for “A Genetic Algorithm Approach to Moving Threshold Optimization for Binary Change Detection,” PE&RS, 77 (2), 167–180.

ESRI Award for Best Scientific Paper in GIS
First Place Winners: Fayek A. Farag, Christopher M.U. Neale, Roger K. Kjelgren, and Joanna Endter-Wada for "Quantifying Urban Landscape Water Conservation Potential Using High Resolution Remote Sensing and GIS," PE&RS, 77 (11), 1113-1122.

Talbert Abrams Award
Grand Award Winners: Christopher E. Parrish, Inseong Jeong, Robert D. Nowak, and R. Brent Smith for "Empirical Comparison of Full-Waveform Lidar Algorithms: Range Extraction and Discrimination Performance," PE&RS, 77 (8), 825-838.

William A. Fischer Memorial Scholarship
Winner: Baojun Zheng, PhD student in the Department of Geography at the Virginia Tech University

Robert E. Altenhofen Memorial Scholarship
Winner: Ivan D. Detchev, doctoral candidate at the University of Calgary, Canada, Department of Geomatics Engineering

Ta Liang Memorial Award
Winner: Matthew Fagan, a PhD student in Environmental Biology at Columbia University, New York

Abraham Anson Memorial Scholarship
Winner: Bradley Scott Henning, South Dakota State University (SDSU), Brookings, South Dakota

John O. Behrens Institute for Land Information Memorial Scholarship
Winner: Tiffany Tatum, California State University, Fresno

Kenneth J. Osborn Memorial Scholarship
Winner: Andreas Torsvik, pursuing a Bachelor of Science degree in Geomatics Engineering from the California State University at Fresno

GeoEye Award
Winner: Katie Ann Corcoran, PhD student in Biological Anthropology at the University of Tennessee in Knoxville

Z/I Imaging Award
Winner: Jacky Chow, pursuing his PhD in Geomatics Engineering at the University of Calgary, Canada

International Educational Literature Award (IELA)
Winner: Mzuzu University, Department of Land Management, Mzuzu, Malawi

Francis H. Moffitt Memorial Scholarship
Winner: Ana Paula Baungarten Kersting, a PhD student in the Department of Geomatics Engineering at the University of Calgary, Canada

Paul R. Wolf Memorial Scholarship
Winner: Allan Ng, a PhD candidate in Civil Engineering-Geotechnical Engineering at the University of California-Los Angeles

BAE Systems Award
Winner: Nima Pahlevan, PhD Candidate, Rochester Institute of Technology for “Integrating Landsat-7 Imagery with Physics-based Models for Quantitative Mapping of Coastal Waters near River Discharges”

Ford Barlett Membership Award
Recipients: Steven P. Lennartz

Outstanding Workshop Instructor Award
Winner: Qassim Abdullah

Conference Management Awards
Recipients: Conference Co-Directors, Alan Mikuni and George Hepner and Conference Technical Program Co-Directors Maggi Kelly and Ryan Jensen

Presidential Citations
Recipients: Lewis Graham, Bobbi Lenczowski, Ekaterina Fitos, Devin Bourland, Thomas Holm, Brian Murphy, Kim Tilley, Carolyn Merry, Matthew Austin, Russell Congalton, Jeanie Congalton, Rae Kelley, Dave Kreighbaum, Jerry Lenczowski, Naresh Pai, James Plasker, Heather Staverman

Complete information on all of the above awards can be found at http://digitaleditions.walsworthprintgroup.com/publication/?i=103484&p=9.

Founded in 1934, ASPRS is an international professional organization of 6,000 geospatial data professionals. ASPRS is devoted to advancing knowledge and improving understanding of the mapping sciences to promote responsible application of photogrammetry, remote sensing, geographic information systems and supporting technologies.

Founded in 1979, The ASPRS Foundation, Inc. is an independent 501 (c) 3 organization established to provide grants, scholarships, loans and other forms of aid to individuals or organizations pursuing knowledge of imaging and geospatial information science and technology, and their applications across the scientific, governmental, and commercial sectors. The Foundation is the primary funding source for all non-sponsored awards and scholarships recognized by the American Society for Photogrammetry and Remote Sensing.

Esri Experts Earn TM Forum Certification

Redlands, California - April 17, 2012 - Randy Frantz, Esri’s telecommunications and location-based services industry manager, and Mark Reddick, technical marketing analyst on Esri’s telecom solutions team, recently received certification in TM Forum’s Business Process Framework and Information Framework.

"Esri is embracing the standards adopted by the TM Forum in an effort to help meet the telecommunications industry’s need for spatial analytics and visualization," said Frantz. "Esri recognizes that the integration of GIS into existing business processes using industry-accepted standards reduces the cost and risk of deploying spatial technology."

As Esri incorporates TM Forum standards and terminology, it will become easier for telecommunications companies to integrate ArcGIS into existing platforms and business processes that adhere to the standards.

TM Forum standards allow vendors and suppliers to build platforms that meet telecommunications industry standards and enable service providers to deploy solutions that can be integrated into business processes with reduced implementation cost and risk. TM Forum estimates that 90 percent of the world’s largest telecommunications service providers have adopted TM Forum’s Frameworx suite of standards.

TGS Signs Agreement to Provide Access to Canadian Well Data via Geo Webworks

Calgary, Alberta - 19 April 2012 - TGS has entered into an agreement with Geo Webworks of Calgary to provide access to TGS’ online library of digital well log data across Western Canada. TGS currently has data available for 450,000 Canadian wells.

“We feel that our database is a natural addition to the content of Geo Webworks, especially since the challenging resource plays in Canada demand the improved accuracy provided by our LAS Plus and Directional Survey Plus data types,” commented John Adamick, Senior Vice President of Geological Products and Services at TGS.

Geo Webworks contains multiple GIS layers and includes a Frac Knowledge database, Well Spacing Module and an Acquisition and Divestment solution. TGS’ global well data library includes 6.6 million well logs from 32 countries that are available online via LOG-LINE Plus!®

TGS-NOPEC Geophysical Company (TGS) provides multi-client geoscience data and services to oil and gas Exploration and Production companies around the globe. TGS’ geophysical and geological data products include multi-client seismic libraries, permanent reservoir monitoring, magnetic and gravity data, the industry’s largest global database of digital well logs and regional interpretive products. TGS also provides high-end depth imaging services to help resolve complex seismic imaging problems

SuperGIS Desktop Aids American University of Sharjah in Civil Engineering Programs

SuperGeo Technologies, the leading global provider of complete GIS software and solutions, announced that American University of Sharjah, UAE adopted SuperGIS Desktop Lab Kit and GIS Learning CD. The procurement is recommended by Evolving GeoSystems, SuperGeo’s distributor in UAE, to enhance the academic service quality and create a positive learning environment for the users.

Established in 1997 and located in Sharjah, UAE, American University of Sharjah is established with an American model of higher education and ground in the Arabic culture. The university provides various degrees programs through the collages of Architecture, Art and Design, Arts and Sciences, Engineering, and the School of Business and Management.

In order to develop individuals as leaders in their respective fields, the Civil Engineering Department of American University of Sharjah adopted SuperGIS Desktop 3 Lab Kit and GIS Learning CD as the multi-purpose GIS tools for educators and students to integrate a variety of geospatial data and consequently apply these spatial analyses to related applications such as public safety, pipeline management, environment analysis, construction planning, and so on.

To constantly heighten the brand awareness in the Gulf Region, SuperGeo exhibited at Middle East Geospatial Forum in early April. The company worked in collaborationwith Evolving GeoSystems to present the idealGIS solutionsto the local visitors who are looking for appropriate solving ways to their businesses.

For more information about Evolving GeoSystems Technologies, please visit http://www.evolving-geosystems.com/

For more information about SuperGIS Desktop 3, please visit http://www.supergeotek.com/productpage_SG3.aspx

About SuperGeo

SuperGeo Technologies Inc. is a leading global provider of GIS software and solutions. Since the establishment, SuperGeo has dedicated to providing state-of-the-art geospatial technologies and comprehensive services for customers around the world. It is our vision to help users utilize geospatial technologies to create a better world.

SuperGeo software and applications have been spread over the world to be the backbone of the world’s mapping and spatial analysis. SuperGeo is the professional GIS vendor, providing GIS-related users with complete GIS solutions for desktop, mobile, server, and Internet platforms.

More information about SuperGeo is available at www.supergeotek.com

Intergraph Geospatial Roadshow Brings Dynamic GIS to Australia

Huntsville, AL - April 17, 2012 - Intergraph announces a roadshow across Australia, engaging customers locally from April 16 to May 1, 2012. Each event features a series of presentations from Intergraph personnel, partners and key customers showcasing the comprehensive portfolio and featuring implementations and workflows that highlight the Dynamic GIS story.

Current and prospective users will be able to experience the vision of the Dynamic GIS and how it integrates sensors, software and solutions into a streamlined workflow that addresses all aspects of the geospatial information life cycle. Products featured include GeoMedia, ERDAS IMAGINE and GeoMedia Smart Client.

"Our geospatial portfolio includes the industry's richest set of products, supporting key vertical market workflows," said Kaushik Chakraborty, Asia Pacific Vice President – Geospatial, Intergraph. "This roadshow brings together our community across Australia. We believe the Dynamic GIS concept will transform our industry, providing truly connected geospatial capabilities to solve real business and government challenges."

Below are the dates and locations for the roadshow:

April 17: The Rydges Capital Hill Canberra in Canberra, Australia
April 18: The Rydges World Square in Sydney, Australia
April 19: The Hilton Brisbane in Brisbane, Australia
April 23: The Parmelia Hilton Perth in Perth, Australia
The roadshow is the latest in a series of customer-focused efforts throughout Asia-Pacific. Recently, Intergraph was also a gold sponsor at the Malaysia Geospatial Forum in Melaka, Malaysia, showcasing demonstrations of GeoMedia Smart Client and Motion Video Analyst. In addition, Intergraph held its 2012 India Users' Conference on February 6 at Epicentre, Gurgaon, India.

To register for one of the roadshow events listed above, please visit our website.

About Intergraph

Intergraph is the leading global provider of engineering and geospatial software that enables customers to visualize complex data. Businesses and governments in more than 60 countries rely on Intergraph’s industry-specific software to organize vast amounts of data to make processes and infrastructure better, safer and smarter. The company’s software and services empower customers to build and operate more efficient plants and ships, create intelligent maps, and protect critical infrastructure and millions of people around the world.

Intergraph operates through two divisions: Process, Power & Marine (PP&M) and Security, Government & Infrastructure (SG&I). Intergraph PP&M provides enterprise engineering software for the design, construction, operation and data management of plants, ships and offshore facilities. Intergraph SG&I provides geospatially powered solutions including ERDAS technologies to the public safety and security, defense and intelligence, government, transportation, photogrammetry, and utilities and communications industries. Intergraph Government Solutions (IGS) is an independent subsidiary for SG&I’s U.S. federal and classified business.

Intergraph is a wholly owned subsidiary of Hexagon AB, (Nordic exchange: HEXA B). For more information, visit www.intergraph.com and www.hexagon.com.

Millions Saved by UK Councils Sharing Services Using Geographic Data

London - 18 April 2012 - The award winning partnership between Adur District Council and Worthing Borough Council in Sussex, England, is proving to be a nationally significant model for collaboration. It has achieved millions of pounds worth of savings by working together to create a single officer structure and deliver services to both communities by amalgamating services employed across the two councils including; Planning, Environmental Health, Electoral Registration, Waste Services, Land Charges, Concessionary Fares, Allotments and Park, Non Domestic Rates, Council Tax and Customer Relationship Management (CRM).

Of key importance was the creation of a single Corporate Information Team with responsibility for the Local Land and Property Gazetteers (LLPG), Geographical Information System (GIS), Street Naming and Numbering (SNN) and the Public Sector Mapping Agreement (PSMA).

Gill Van-Eetvelt, Corporate Information Manager, Adur District and Worthing Borough Councils, said: “By working in partnership Adur and Worthing Councils have successfully managed to achieve unprecedented levels of integration. As a result we have realised significant financial savings and instigated more efficient ways of working. Underpinning this success is an integrated address database that has been developed and maintained to the highest standards providing location intelligence across the partnership.”

The partnership has initiated the development of systems and processes to integrate the data across both organisations. As a result most service areas are now actively using the same address data resulting in a more joined-up and efficient service delivery plan.

The Adur and Worthing partnership has successfully managed to achieve large scale integration making significant financial savings and instigating more efficient ways of working whilst still producing excellent quality LLPG data for both local authorities, used throughout the partnership and the wider public sector.

The Adur Worthing Partnership has been recognised with a ‘2011 National Gazetteers Integration Exemplar Best Practice Award’ at the ‘Everything Happens Somewhere conference’. The award, sponsored by SOCITM (the membership association for ICT professionals working in Local Authorities), recognised the linking of the LLPG to council services or local partnerships.

The 2011 Exemplar Awards were presented by GeoPlace and aim to share, reward and celebrate best practice, which brings service improvements and efficiencies through the effective management of address and street information.

National Address Gazetteer Database

The National Address Gazetteer database is managed by GeoPlace. It brings together data from local authorities’ Local Land and Property Gazetteers (LLPGs) Ordnance Survey, Valuation Office Agency and Royal Mail. AddressBase™ products are produced from the National Address Gazetteer Database and made available by Ordnance Survey. To find out how the National Address Gazetteer Database can make substantial savings for your organisation, please visit www.geoplace.co.uk

GeoPlace

GeoPlace is a public sector limited liability partnership between the Local Government Association and Ordnance Survey. GeoPlace’s role is to create and maintain the National Address Gazetteer Database and the National Street Gazetteer for England and Wales, the definitive sources of publicly-owned spatial address and street data. Through agreement with Scotland’s Improvement Service Company, the plan is to extend coverage to Scotland.

Local Government Association

The Local Government Association is here to support, promote and improve local government. The LGA is an organisation that is run by its members and covers every part of England and Wales and includes county and district councils, metropolitan and unitary councils, London boroughs, Welsh unitary councils, fire, police, national park and passenger transport authorities.

Ordnance Survey

Ordnance Survey is Great Britain’s national mapping agency, providing the most accurate and up-to-date geographic data, relied on by government, business and individuals. Ordnance Survey utilises the National Address Gazetteer Database to create the AddressBase range of products which are available for use in both the public and commercial sectors.

Peoria County Parcel Data Now an iOS App

Redlands, California  - April 17, 2012 - Real estate professionals, residents, and other consumers can now download a free iTunes application, Parcel Value GIS, to check the assessed value of properties in Peoria County, Illinois. The app was created using the Parcel Value for iPhone template from Esri.

Micah Williamson, GIS manager for Peoria County, said it took less than two days to get a testable beta app up and running on its servers. Since the app went live, there have been more than 435 downloads and plenty of positive feedback.

"People appreciate the convenience of being able to walk the neighborhood and learn about the area—to immediately see home values and nearby sales, instead of researching that back in the office," said Williamson. "We chose to build this app with Esri technology because of the ArcGIS for Local Government template, which comes preloaded with data and made development so easy."

The preloaded demo data from Esri includes centerlines, parking lots, vegetation, terrain, aerial photos, parcel data, and home values.

The app allows users to search by address or parcel identification number (PIN) or, using the iPhone's GPS technology, search by current location. Users can turn on or off layers that show home sales for 2010 and 2011, including information about assessed value and home details such as style, square footage, and number of bedrooms.

Since 1969, Esri has been giving customers around the world the power to think and plan geographically. The market leader in GIS technology, Esri software is used in more than 300,000 organizations worldwide including each of the 200 largest cities in the United States, most national governments, more than two-thirds of Fortune 500 companies, and more than 7,000 colleges and universities. Esri applications, running on more than one million desktops and thousands of web and enterprise servers, provide the backbone for the world's mapping and spatial analysis. Esri is the only vendor that provides complete technical solutions for desktop, mobile, server, and Internet platforms. Visit us at esri.com/news

Countries of Congo Basin Using Geospatial Technologies

The partnership established in 2010 between the AFD and Astrium aims, in the long term, to freely distribute SPOT satellite images to governments, public institutions and NGOs that work for the sustainable management of forests in Central Africa.

This programmefor the provision of SPOT satellite images, which is financed by the AFD for a total sum of 8.5 million Euros, is now entering its second phase. It is piloted by Frenchinstitutions specialising in the field of spatial observation united as aconsortium led by IGN France International (IGN FI) and made up of the National Centre for Spatial Studies (CNES), the National Institute of Geographic and Forest Information (IGN) and the Institute of Research for Development (IRD).

Spatial observation has long been used by professionals in the forestry field as a decision-support tool for the planning and management of forests, inventory work and forest cartography. SPOT satellite imagery combines a large coverage capacity with resolutions spanning from 20 to 2.5 metres, allowing for accurate monitoring of forest coverage. The archiveimages (from 1990 to 2011)serve as reference data in order to assess the commitments related to REDD+. The acquisition of new images allows for the updating ofinformation over time in order to follow the evolution of deforestation and adapt environmental policies.

Vincent Kasulu Seya Makonga, Director of Sustainable Development and representative of the Democratic Republic of Congo for the framework convention of the United Nations on Climate Change (UNFCCC) welcomes the deployment of this project in his country: “The SPOT data is an essential information source and its provision provides real added value, especially for the Measurement, Reporting & Verification (MRV) system that we are implementing in the context ofREDD+ (Reduction of Emissions from Deforestation and the Degradation of forests), as well as for the development of our National Forest Inventory.”

The processing of the satellite images will allow the beneficiaries to be able to more easily analyse these data and to better use them in order to shape their strategic choices. The second phase will also contribute to the preparation of reference scenarios in terms of deforestation and the degradation of forests that are helpful for establishing national climate plans in the context of goals for the reduction of the emission of greenhouse gases.

Indeed, the forests of the Congo Basin represent 22% of forestry coverage worldwide and form a carbon reservoir of more than 56 gigatonnes. Their sustainable development is essential in preventing climate change.

Thanks to this initiative, the countries of the Congo Basin are reinforcing their commitment to the prevention of climate change.

About the French Agency of Development

The French Agency of Development (AFD) is a public institution that has been working for seventy years to fight poverty and favour development in Southern and overseas countries. It implements policies defined by the French government. With offices in over 50 countries and 9 overseas departments and territories, the AFD finances and supports projects that improve populations’ living conditions, boost economic growth and protect the planet: education, maternal health, support for farmers and small companies, water supply, preservation of tropical rain forests, prevention of global warming… In 2010, the AFD devoted more than 6.8 billion Euros to the financing of actions in developing countries and in favour of the overseas territories. They will contribute to the education of 13 million children, the improvement of the drinking water supply for 33 million people and the granting of micro-loans for a little over 700,000 people. Energy efficiency projects over the same period will save nearly 5 million tons of CO² per year.

IGN France International was created in 1986 and is the international subsidiary of the French IGN (National Institute of Geographic and Forest Information). Over the years, the company has shown itself to be an indispensable player in both of its sectors of intervention: geographic information (acquisition, processing, modelling) and geographic information systems (implementation and integration). It works on all types of projects in the following fields: Cadastre and land administration, urban planning, energy, environment, risk management, water, security/precision work, agriculture.

Sparx Systems Releases Profile for Esri® ArcGIS in Enterprise Architect

Sparx Systems, a leading vendor of visual modeling tools, has included the official release of a UML profile for ArcGIS in its launch of Enterprise Architect 9.3. The new Enterprise Architect profile for the ArcGIS 10 suite of tools by Esri Inc. enhances the way that architects and analysts work with geospatial databases.

The Sparx Systems' UML profile for ArcGIS is a new technology built on UML to design, build and share geodatabase schemas. Enterprise Architect provides a comprehensive toolset to build the ArcGIS models along with commonly used ArcGIS Workspace model templates. Models can be forward engineered to create the Workspace XML which is typically imported into ArcCatalog(TM). Legacy geodatabase schemas can be reverse engineered into Enterprise Architect to understand and document existing systems.

"This development reflects Sparx Systems' commitment to facilitating interoperability within the geospatial domain and is a practical extension of the strong relationship that the company enjoys with the global geospatial standards community through ISO/TC 211, OGC and CEN/TC 287," said Sparx Systems Business Development Manager, Ken Harkin.

In addition to the immediate benefits of modeling geospatial databases, this release helps to bridge the information gap between different domains, allowing geospatial components to be linked to requirements, system and business models. By bringing geospatial database design into a UML driven modeling repository, geodatabase designs can be created in a scalable environment based on open standards, linking to models and components in other domains and disciplines.

With the introduction of the Sparx Systems Enterprise Architect ArcGIS profile, geospatial experts are equipped with modeling tools to create and work with geodatabases as well as share and integrate their work with others.

SuperGIS Network Analyst Extension 3.0 Released Officially

SuperGeo Technologies, the leading global provider of complete GIS software and solutions, officially launched the latest SuperGIS Network Analyst 3.0. Utilizing SuperNetObjects 3.0 as the development core, SuperGIS Network Analyst 3.0 adds hierarchy settings and greatly improves its performance in operation and analysis.

SuperGIS Network Analyst 3.0 effectively helps users in all fields to perform different network analyses, such as transportation planning, shortest path for scenic spots, pipeline configuration planning, convenience store location, logistics, etc. Users can easily find the superior route planning or best site location according to the network analysis results.

Supporting the hierarchy setting, time window setting, and direction window, SuperGIS Network Analyst 3.0 allows users to accomplish their route planning more efficiently and find the satisfying results. In aspect of network analysis types, location-allocation analysis is added to SuperGIS Network Analyst 3.0, which enables you to allocate the facility to each stop with the minimum cost.

For manipulation, SuperGIS Network Analyst 3.0 requires SuperGIS Desktop 3.1, the whole new desktop GIS software developed by SuperGeo. The key features of newly-released Network Analyst 3.0 are available on www.supergeotek.com; please refer to the document, ‘What's New in SuperGIS Network Analyst 3.0’ for more details.

SuperGeo Technologies Inc. is a leading global provider of GIS software and solutions. Since the establishment, SuperGeo has been dedicated to providing state-of-the-art geospatial technologies and comprehensive services for customers around the world. It is our vision to help users utilize geospatial technologies to create a better world.

SuperGeo software and applications have been spread over the world to be the backbone of the world’s mapping and spatial analysis. SuperGeo is the professional GIS vendor, providing GIS-related users with complete GIS solutions for desktop, mobile, server, and Internet platforms.

Bluesky Streams 3D Aerial Maps Over Web

Leicestershire, UK - 17 April 2012 -  Aerial mapping company Bluesky has launched a new service streaming 3D aerial photos via the Internet. The Stereo Web Map (SWM) allows high resolution aerial images to be viewed in 3D and enables users to take height measurements from the images and digitise 3D mapping, all online. Applications of the SWM are expected to include insurance risk assessment, cartography, urban planning, construction and design, real estate and emergency response planning.

Overlapping stereo photographs from Bluesky’s own national archive of aerial imagery can be streamed directly to a user’s desktop where they can be viewed on a normal screen using anaglyph glasses, available to buy for a few pence, or, for more advanced applications, a 3D screen. The images can also be viewed on mobile devices. The 3D aerial photos can be viewed directly in a web browser or in most WMS compatible software.

Bluesky are also able to create a 3D image stream for other types of data including their own archive of historically important aerial photographs dating back to the early 1900’s, or a client’s own images, and combined with existing mapping and GIS layers.

“The Stereo Web Map takes aerial photography to the next level,” commented James Eddy, Technical Director of Bluesky International. “We are all used to being able to access 2D aerial maps through online services such as Google Earth however when you go to the next dimension a wealth of previously unavailable information becomes apparent. After all, we live in a 3D world, so we should view it that way”

“Stereo photogrammetry has been around for a long time and has been traditionally been reserved for high end applications with expensive equipment and software,” he continued. “Our Stereo Web Map service combined with the prevalence of 3D viewing devices will open up the world of 3D making it accessible to all.”

Bluesky is a UK-based specialist in aerial imaging and remote sensing data collection and processing.  An internationally recognised leader with projects extending around the globe, Bluesky is proud to work with prestigious organisations such as Google, the BBC and Government Agencies.

Bluesky has unrivalled expertise in the creation of seamless, digital aerial photography, 3D landscape/cityscape visualisations and prints and also runs a national mapping centre, providing digital mapping, satellite imagery and aerial photography including ultra-high resolution imagery of cities and towns.

Bluesky is now leading the way developing innovative solutions for environmental applications including the UK’s first nationwide map of solar potential, citywide ‘heat loss’ maps, 3D maps of trees and their proximity to buildings and historical imagery.

URISA Announces LiDAR Webinar Series

Des Plaines, IL - April 16, 2012 - URISA, the Association for GIS Professionals, is offering a three part LiDAR webinar series for all members of the geospatial community.

The first session, LiDAR 101, is scheduled for Wednesday, April 25th at 1 PM ET/ 10 AM PT. Followed by part two, Project Planning, on Wednesday, May 23rd and part three, Data Quality Control, on Wednesday, June 27th.

The purpose of this webinar series is to review concepts involving light detection and ranging (LiDAR), its real-world applications, current visualization, data processing and quality control approaches. The target audience of this webinar is at the beginner to intermediate level, including GIS managers, geospatial analysts, survey professionals, scientists and students.

Series presenter, Mark Stucky, currently serves as the MARS® Technical Support Specialist for the GeoSpatial Solutions division of Merrick & Company, a professional engineering services firm based in Aurora, Colorado (USA). In this position, Mark is responsible for technical support and software maintenance of MARS®, Merrick’s LiDAR visualization and data processing software solution. Mark is extensively involved in MARS® design, testing, and documentation.

URISA Connect is an effective way to develop your professional skills and even work towards GISCI Certification Education Hours. URISA Webinars count towards the EDU-2 section of the application.

New Rugged Trimble Pro Series GNSS Receivers Provide Total Flexibility for GIS and Mobile Mapping

Sunnyvale, CA - April 17, 2012 - Trimble (NASDAQ: TRMB) introduced today the next generation of its Trimble® GPS Pathfinder® family—the Trimble Pro 6H and Pro 6T receivers for GIS and mobile mapping. The Trimble Pro series with advanced features allows mobile workers to configure a solution for a wide range of applications, delivering unparalleled flexibility in professional GIS data collection. The series offers a new streamlined form-factor and dramatic productivity improvements in difficult GNSS environments with Trimble Floodlight™ technology.

The modular Trimble Pro series receiver gives users the flexibility to choose their setup configurations:

Optimized for use with Trimble data collection devices such as the Trimble Juno® or Nomad® G series handhelds, or Yuma® tablet computer, the Trimble Pro series can also be used with other tablets and handhelds with NMEA output
Real-time or postprocessed GIS workflows
The receiver can be deployed in a backpack, on a pole or mounted on a vehicle
Two models are available—the Trimble Pro 6H delivers decimeter accuracy, while the Pro 6T is the submeter model for standard GIS applications
"With the availability of the new Pro series receivers, data collection professionals now have access to the productivity-enhancements of Floodlight technology in both integrated and modular configurations," said Daniel Wallace, general manager of Trimble's GIS Data Collection Division. "While some prefer the convenience of an integrated, all-in-one handheld, others will appreciate the Pro series' flexibility to choose from a range of data collection devices such as a high-resolution tablet or lightweight Trimble Juno."

Improved Performance in Tough GNSS Environments with Trimble Floodlight Technology

For maximum productivity in high-accuracy applications, Trimble Floodlight technology allows users to collect decimeter accuracy data in the toughest GNSS environments. Buildings and trees can cause satellite shadow and limit the environments where high-accuracy GNSS data collection can be performed. Unique to Trimble, Floodlight technology combines a range of innovative techniques to increase the availability of positions and boost accuracy in areas affected by satellite shadow. Using Floodlight technology, the Pro series can keep teams productive without compromising on accuracy. Users can work with fewer disruptions and ensure better data, faster data collection and higher field efficiency.

Built for Intensive Data Collection Campaigns

Trimble Pro series receivers are rugged and built to withstand the rigors of long hours in tough outdoor conditions, yet optimized for high-accuracy GIS data collection workflows. For applications such as utilities inspections and timber stand valuations, Trimble Pro receivers provide long battery life and tough construction for dependable service over the course of rigorous data collection projects.

With its IP65 rating, the receivers offer reliable operation, even after prolonged exposure to water and dust. An integrated antenna reduces the complexity of the system for fast setup and swift data collection campaigns. Field workers can be up and running with minimal training, saving time and money. Combined with a Trimble handheld solution and Trimble TerraSync™ software, the complete system provides dedicated field workflows to simplify data collection and improve integration with the GIS for total workflow improvements.

Availability

The new Trimble Pro 6H and 6T receivers are available now from Trimble's worldwide Mapping & GIS authorized distribution channel. For more information, visit: www.trimble.com/pro.

About Trimble

Trimble applies technology to make field and mobile workers in businesses and government significantly more productive. Solutions are focused on applications requiring position or location--including surveying, construction, agriculture, fleet and asset management, public safety and mapping. In addition to utilizing positioning technologies, such as GPS, lasers and optics, Trimble solutions may include software content specific to the needs of the user. Wireless technologies are utilized to deliver the solution to the user and to ensure a tight coupling of the field and the back office. Founded in 1978, Trimble is headquartered in Sunnyvale, Calif.

MundoGEO#Connect LatinAmerica Fair Free Admission

In addition to lectures, courses and workshops, MundoGEO#Connect LatinAmerica 2012, the largest event of geospatial industry in Latin America, held from May 29 thru 31 at the Frei Caneca Convention Center in Sao Paulo (SP), Brazil, will feature an exhibition of products and services with free admission. The registration must be made in advance (http://mundogeoconnect.com/2012/credenciamento/), so that people can compete for daily prizes to be raffled during the event, and avoid queues at the time to validate access at the door.

Additionally, MundoGEO#Connect LatinAmerica fair awaits with the presence of multinational companies – through local representatives – such as Google Enterprise, products division of global giant corporate; Trimble and Hexagon, groups working in various sectors of the geospatial industry; and DigitalGlobe and GeoEye, providers of satellite images of high resolution. Take a tour of the fair plant and get to know who will exhibit their products and services: http://mundogeoconnect.com/2012/menu-superior/feira/planta-da-feira/.

In the first edition of the event, held in June 2011, the fair had an attendance of over 1,800 participants and 30 exhibitors. Iara Musse Felix, Director of Santiago & Cintra Consulting, said in an interview with MundoGEO, the innovations that the company brought to the event. “The big news [for a wide range of sectors] is what we call ‘Brazil Atual’: for the first time you can take images in a period of 12 months, covering the whole country with a resolution of five meters,” states Iara Musse. See the full interview at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M1mDdGF4Kec.

Also, executives from some of these companies will attend the International Forum on Geospatial Trends, which will get going on the first day of MundoGEO#Connect LatinAmerica 2012, with simultaneous translation in English and Spanish. May 29 looks forward to welcoming hundreds of experts, users and decision makers of the geospatial industry, to hear the opinion and discuss trends in geospatial technologies for the years to come. This is one of the forums that can be found during MundoGEO#Connect LatinAmerica 2012.

TomTom Delivers Broader and Richer Map Coverage for Business Customers

Amsterdam - 17 April 2012 - TomTom today announces the availability of its latest map product update for automotive, government, and enterprise customers. TomTom maps now cover more than 200 countries and territories globally, with navigable coverage for 109 countries or 36 million kilometres of roads.

"TomTom prides itself on being able to deliver a high quality map with industry leading coverage," said Charles Cautley, Managing Director of TomTom Automotive & Licensing. "In addition to superior coverage and high quality, TomTom continues to exceed customer needs for the most comprehensive map content."

Some of the enhancements include:

Continued expansion in India with the addition of over 2,000 km of roads in 47 cities.
In Brazil, 64,000 km of roads with navigable coverage were added.
A Mobile Mapping Van initiative in Mexico resulting in more than 5,000 improvements across 900,000 km.
Focus on the Mega Manila area of the Philippines with the addition of 22,000 km of navigable coverage.
Continued growth in Croatia resulting in navigable coverage for 100% of the population (140,000 km).
The introduction of a MultiNet map for Namibia and Botswana. This includes a significant number of topographic roads enabling off-road navigation.
In addition to extending coverage, TomTom also introduces new advanced features and enhanced content, including:

Points of Interest to improve search capability:
o 43,000 in Brazil.
o 34,000 in Vietnam.

Address Points enabling premium geocoding and navigation:
o 9.6 million in North America.
o 2.5 million in APAC.
o 10,000 in Europe.

Map Display products for advanced visualisation:
o 130 new 3D Landmarks in North America, including 17 stadiums.
o 88 new 3D Landmarks in India.
o 7 new 2D City Maps in APAC and Europe.
About TomTom

TomTom is a global supplier of location and navigation products and services. We provide consumers and enterprise, government and automotive industry customers with digital maps, traffic intelligence, navigation software, PNDs, automotive systems, fleet management services, smartphone apps, fitness devices, POIs and speedcam intelligence.

Headquartered in Amsterdam, TomTom has over 3,500 employees and operates from 50 locations in 35 countries.

TomTom is listed on NYSE Euronext. More information can be found at www.tomtom.com. For the most up-to-date route planner, including live traffic information please visit www.tomtom.com/livetraffic

Design Simulation Technologies Develops New 4D Mechanical Simulation Product

Broomfield, CO - Spatial Corp., a leading provider of 3D development components for design, manufacturing and engineering applications, today announces Design Simulation Technologies (DST) has launched their new product SimWise 4D, a mechanical simulation product providing 3D kinematic and dynamic motion simulation integrated with Finite Element Analysis. DST is pleased to acknowledge this new product has been brought to market with the help of Spatial’s 3D ACIS Modeler and 3D InterOp components.

SimWise 4D is created for mechanical designers and engineers who need to simulate the performance of their designs. While applicable to all mechanical industries, SimWise 4D has a clear focus on products consisting of moving mechanical assemblies. SimWise 4D helps designers and engineers obtain answers to fundamental questions about their designs, such as “Does it Work?” and “Will it Break?” It brings 3D dynamic motion simulation integrated in a single package plus tight connections to CAD systems to the engineer’s desktop in a product that does not require an engineering analyst to operate. The product’s Integrated Mechanical Design Simulation; 3D Dynamic Motion combined with FEA; tight integration with leading CAD systems; physics-based high definition animation; and link to control simulation products provide a complete mechanical simulation environment.

3D modeling capabilities and CAD translation components are required by DST to represent model geometry, evaluate mass properties, and check for interference, with all analyses performed on imported CAD geometry. The flexibility and robustness of 3D ACIS Modeler address the breadth of DST’s modeling needs. 3D InterOp delivers the highest quality data exchange of CAD formats, enabling superior CAD file translation; meeting DST requirements for error-free data. The quality of data import reduces support burden and allows engineers to start analysis sooner rather than work to clean up the model. It is this quality and ability to support DST’s unique requirements that allows SimWise 4D to pass on crucial benefits to the end-user such as reducing the number of physical prototypes, decreasing warranty costs, and improving product quality.

“Spatial’s components allowed us to get our product to market faster with world class modeling and interoperability”, states Alan Wegienka, DST Director. “It would not have been possible to bring this product to market without Spatial’s technology because we would never have been able to develop the modeling and interoperability technology we obtained from Spatial.”

"We are excited about our partnership with the DST team, and helping them deliver SimWise 4D. The technical advancements in the product confirm Spatial’s value – enabling DST to focus on innovative analysis rather than managing data translation issues or developing algorithms for tessellation and collision detection,” commented Ray Bagley, Spatial Director of Product Planning and Management. “Our commitment to DST continues and we are eager to assist them as they engage their customers and continue to extend SimWise 4D.”

DST develops physics-based simulation software. The company’s products are used by engineering professionals to build and test virtual models of their mechanical designs, and by educators and students in the classroom to teach and learn about physics and engineering kinematics, dynamics, and machine design. With DST’s SimWise 4D, Working Model 2D, and Dynamic Designer products, users evaluate their designs’ performance, conducting complete, accurate simulations. They can quickly perform many “what-if” analyses, find and correct design problems, and refine and validate their designs without the need for physical prototypes. DST develops, markets, and supports these software tools for commercial and academic users worldwide. Selected DST products are available from leading CAD suppliers and CAE resellers. For more information visit www.design-simulation.com.

Spatial Corp., a Dassault Systèmes subsidiary, is a leading provider of 3D development software components for technical applications across a broad range of industries. Spatial’s 3D modeling, 3D visualization, and CAD translation software components help application developers deliver market-leading products, maintain focus on core competencies, and reduce time-to-market. For 25 years, Spatial 3D components have been adopted by many of the world's most recognized software developers, manufacturers, research institutes, and universities. Headquartered in Broomfield, Colorado, Spatial has offices in the USA, Germany, Japan, China and the United Kingdom. For more information, please visit www.spatial.com or contact Spatial by email at info_spatial@3ds.com or by phone at 303-544-2900.

SuperWebGIS Applied to Biodiversity Conservation

SuperGeo Technologies, the leading global provider of complete GIS software and solutions, assists Taiwan Endemic Species Research Institute in establishing the value-added application service of biodiversity database to promote biodiversity in Taiwan.

Due to the warm geographic environment, the plentiful species of flora and fauna flourish in Taiwan. However, the growing population has directly influenced the growth of endangered species. Taiwan Endemic Species Research Institute has engaged in ecological restoration and promoting the concept of biodiversity to maintain the sustainable development for species.

Developed with SuperWebGIS, the Taiwan Biodiversity Network (TBN) aims to encourage people to use its application service, popularize the concept of biodiversity widely, and effectively collect information of species in Taiwan. Through accessing TBN, users can freely upload the species photos taken by them. Consequently, users can know the diverse creatures while sharing information online.

In order to preserve biodiversity and emphasize its importance in our daily life, the APP, i35, is designed for mobile users to gather the precious information of Taiwan species and share the survey results on TBN themselves more easily. Supporting both Android 2.3 and iOS 4.0, i35 allows users to obtain biological information and upload species photos anytime and anywhere.

Integrating with GPS and GIS technologies, i35 brings convenience to users when uploading photos with coordinate information. Meanwhile, users can query biological information found and recorded nearby the specific location all the time rather than carrying illustrated handbooks. The biodiversity can thus be surveyed and conserved better with GIS technology with the smart app.

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

For more information about the application story, please visit: http://www.supergeotek.com/Library_2_201204.aspx

About SuperGeo

SuperGeo Technologies Inc. is a leading global provider of GIS software and solutions. Since the establishment, SuperGeo has been dedicated to providing state-of-the-art geospatial technologies and comprehensive services for customers around the world. It is our vision to help users utilize geospatial technologies to create a better world.

SuperGeo software and applications have been spread over the world to be the backbone of the world’s mapping and spatial analysis. SuperGeo is the professional GIS vendor, providing GIS-related users with complete GIS solutions for desktop, mobile, server, and Internet platforms.

TatukGIS DK Used to Develop Electrical Power Network Solutions in Brazil

TatukGIS customer Useall Software in Criciuma, Brazil develops a complete portfolio of software solutions for the electrical power distribution industry. The Useall E2 COD and E2 MIG modules are designed to manage, operate, and maintain an electrical power network, with georeferencing of network assets from the substation plant to each consumer unit. The visual geographical representation provides detailed information about the type of each electrical line (cable type, material, gage…) and pole structure (height, material of construction…), with support for engineering functions such a monitoring and managing electricity load within the network. Useall products are currently used by approximately 60 electricity generation and distribution companies located in all regions of Brazil.

The graphical user interface includes features to simplify network management, including:

Highlighting portions of the network (and customer connections) subject to an electrical outage.
Visualizing the voltage profile while identifying critical points in the network.
Planning and scheduling environment for network maintenance or expansion projects, with consideration of the effect of the project on the network.
Useall solutions rely on external technology that must be of a caliber to fulfill the demands of this kind of system. Oracle database is used for data storage - both the data registration and spatial geometric tables. The TatukGIS Developer Kernel (native Delphi DK-VCL edition) is used to develop the network geographic visualization environment. TatukGIS’s integrated support for the Oracle Spatial data structure is critical element of Useall solutions. TatukGIS support for the Oracle Spatial indexing features is excellent, delivering optimal performance in consideration of the complexity and size of this type of system.

Useall modules have approximately 14 layers, with the topography layer containing many types of data organized as single layer, enabling the user to choose what he wants to see inside this layer, e.g., rivers, roads, bridges, etc. With some implementations, the spatial database table contains more than one million registrations.

Useall system resources include:

User customized visualization (colors, sizes, etc.).
Real-time updating of network information.
Analysis of the power flow conditions throughout the network, with color display of voltage and charging levels.
Network project design, with cost budgeting.
Planning module, with visualization of network conditions over future time horizons.
Projection of network maintenance or expansion projects (scheduled outages), with visualization of the affected region.
Management of emergency services (power failure) and commercial operations (connections, disconnections, etc.).
Integration with asset control systems.
Printing module.

SpotCrime Offers Its Crime Mapping Service to Police Departments Nationwide

SpotCrime, the most comprehensive online source for crime data, announced today that it will make its crime mapping service available to every police department in the U.S. free of charge.

The decision by SpotCrime to map crime data for any police department that requests it “will help to meet the public’s increasing demand for accurate, up-to-date crime data, allowing departments to devote more of their budgets to putting police on the street,” according to SpotCrime Founder and President Colin Drane.

Drane decided to offer crime mapping services to police departments nationwide after learning that some of his competitors were charging police agencies for exclusive mapping services, then reselling that crime data for commercial purposes.

“Knowing how much people need that crime data, we wanted to make our crime mapping services available without locking police departments into restrictive contracts with a single vendor,” explains Drane, whose company has become the nation’s most visited crime mapping website by a 2-to-1 margin.

“SpotCrime has always been a strong proponent of open access to data,” Drane continues “The more people aware of what’s occurring in their communities, the higher the chance that community will be proactive in the fight against crime.”

In offering to map crime data for any police department in the country, SpotCrime hopes to improve community safety by promoting mutual trust between law enforcement and the public, according to Drane. “Ultimately, we believe this will help to lower crime rates and increase the public’s peace of mind,” he asserts.

Through its model, SpotCrime pulls crime incident data from multiple sources, including local county and city police departments and validated news sources, to produce a comprehensive record of local crime information.

SpotCrime currently sends subscribers over four million email alerts monthly. With its media partners and multiple websites, SpotCrime estimates that more than five million people interact with the crime data the company generates each month.

The company has attracted numerous subscribers through its partnerships with major U.S. media companies, including Gannett, Sinclair, Belo Television, and Hearst. In addition, SpotCrime has seen its use skyrocket on DIRECTV, where customers have made SpotCrime’s TV App the fastest growing application offered by the popular video service, surpassing even Facebook.

SpotCrime also has launched an iPhone application which allows users to obtain detailed descriptions of the crimes listed and share crime incidents with others via email.

“SpotCrime is a commercial enterprise. We do not take any public funding and have no interested in locking up the data,” explains Drane. “SpotCrime’s intent is to get all relevant crime information to the public, taking full advantage of the Internet to allow this data to be shared, ultimately driving both greater awareness and new measures that will lead to a reduction in crime.”

DMCii’s Detailed Satellite Imagery Helps Brazil Stamp Out Deforestation as it Happens

Remote sensing solutions provider DMC International Imaging Ltd (DMCii) has signed a contract with Brazil’s National Institute for Space Research (INPE) to deliver near real-time satellite imagery to monitor forest clearing in the Amazon rainforest and target illegal logging as it happens.

INPE is leading the world in the use of satellite imagery to monitor deforestation, providing information central to Brazil’s war on deforestation that has cut deforestation rates by 78% since 2004. The space agency’s groundbreaking DETER service uses regular satellite images to detect forest clearance as it happens – rather than surveying the damage afterwards – guiding Brazil’s enforcement officers to provide effective forest clearing control. However in recent years, the authorities have discovered that illegal loggers are clearing smaller areas to evade detection by the 250metre-pixel MODIS data that is currently in use.

The new £2.1m contract signed with DMCii will enable INPE to downlink higher resolution 22metre resolution data directly from the UK-DMC2 satellite to its groundstation at Cuiaba, Brazil. With approximately 130 times as many pixels per hectare as the MODIS images currently in use, the data will detect these smaller clearings and provide more detailed maps. The UK-DMC2 satellite will image the entire Amazon basin every two weeks, so that the authorities are alerted as soon as possible after logging is detected. In a unique agreement, the data covering Brazil will be made freely available on open licence through the INPE website so the general public can follow progress against deforestation.

Dr. Gilberto Camara, Director General of INPE said: “With the recent failure of Landsat 5 it became urgent to increase the supply of satellite imagery to operate our forest monitoring system, and DMC data provides a very cost effective tool. The 650km wide swath DMC imagery provides a frequency of coverage and level of detail which enhances the ability of our DETER system to identify deforestation at an early stage. I am particularly pleased that DMCii has agreed to an open licence so that INPE can make the data freely available through its website – an innovation which has enhanced public monitoring of forest management in Brazil."

The contract builds on seven years of cooperation with INPE. Paul Stephens, Director of Sales & Marketing at DMCii commented: "DMCii has a commitment to improved forest governance and management through the provision of timely and reliable information. This is especially important for development of effective REDD+ programmes in tropical forested countries. I am delighted to extend our long standing work with INPE, which is the world leader in the fight against deforestation."

DMC International Imaging Ltd (DMCii) is a UK based supplier of remote sensing data products and services for international Earth Observation (EO) markets. DMCii supplies programmed and archived optical satellite imagery provided by the multi-satellite Disaster Monitoring Constellation (DMC). DMCii’s data is used extensively in a wide variety of commercial and government applications including agriculture, forestry and environmental mapping.

In partnership with the UK Space Agency and the other Disaster Monitoring Constellation member nations (Algeria, China, Nigeria, Turkey and Spain), DMCii works with the International Charter ‘Space and Major Disasters’ to provide free satellite imagery for humanitarian use in the event of major international disasters such as tsunamis, hurricanes, fires and flooding.

DMCii was formed in October 2004 and is a subsidiary of Surrey Satellite Technology Ltd (SSTL), the world leader in small satellite technology. SSTL designed and built the Disaster Monitoring Constellation with the support of the UK Space Agency and in conjunction with the other Disaster Monitoring Constellation Consortium member nations listed above.

DMC International Imaging Ltd is not affiliated in any way with Intergraph Corp., Z/I Imaging Corp., or their registered trade mark DMC.

New iPad, iPhone App Helps Mariners Avoid Endangered Right Whales

Mariners along the U.S. east coast can now download a new iPad and iPhone application that warns them when they enter areas of high risk of collision with critically endangered North Atlantic right whales. The free Whale Alert app provides one source for information about right whale management measures and the latest data about right whale detections, all overlaid on NOAA digital charts.

“Whale Alert represents an innovative collaboration to protect this critically endangered species,” said David Wiley, NOAA’s Stellwagen Bank National Marine Sanctuary research coordinator and project lead. “Whale conservation is greater than any one organization and this project shows how many organizations can unite for a good cause.”

A key feature of Whale Alert is a display linking near real-time acoustic buoys that listen for right whale calls to an iPad or iPhone on a ship’s bridge showing the whale’s presence to captains transiting the shipping lanes in and around Stellwagen Bank National Marine Sanctuary. “The idea that right whales are directly contributing to conservation through their own calls is pretty exciting,” said Christopher Clark, whose team at the Bioacoustics Research Program at the Cornell Lab of Ornithology helped develop the acoustic detection and warning system.

North Atlantic right whales, which live along North America’s east coast from Nova Scotia to Florida, are one of the world’s rarest large animals and a species on the brink of extinction. Recent estimates put the population of North Atlantic right whales at approximately 350 to 550 animals. Collision with ships is a leading cause of right whale death.

“Massport is proud to be part of this effort. We are working with our cruise and shipping vessel partners to educate mariners about the whales, and the importance of this great new tool,” said Michael Leone, port director for the Massachusetts Port Authority. “The maritime community has always sought ways to increase right whale survival. Whale Alert does this by using science and technology to let mariners know where their vessel is in relation to the whales and conservation measures."

The link to the listening network is only part of what Whale Alert does. The app uses GPS, Automatic Identification System, Internet and digital nautical chart technologies to alert mariners to NOAA’s right whale conservation measures that are active in their immediate vicinity. NOAA, through its NOAA Fisheries Service, is the U.S. agency with responsibility for protecting and recovering this endangered species.

"Endangered right whales are particularly vulnerable to being hit and killed by ships, but we can save them," said Patrick Ramage, global whale director for the International Fund for Animal Welfare and one of the collaborators on Whale Alert. "Right whales need dramatic conservation progress to survive. This new iPad app gives these whales a fighting chance."

Whale Alert, a free app, can be downloaded from the App Store.

“The app also moves whale conservation into the 21st century,” said Brad Winney co-founder of EarthNC, the developer of the Whale Alert mobile application. “Whale Alert highlights the powerful role today's web and mobile based technologies can have in the preservation efforts of endangered species worldwide.”

Whale Alert has been developed by a collaboration of government agencies, academic institutions, non-profit conservation groups and private sector industries, led by scientists at NOAA’s Stellwagen Bank National Marine Sanctuary. Collaborating organizations include the sanctuary, Bioacoustics Research Program at Cornell University, Center for Coastal and Ocean Mapping at the University of New Hampshire, EarthNC, Excelerate Energy, EOM Offshore, Gaia GPS, International Fund for Animal Welfare, Massachusetts Port Authority, NOAA Fisheries Service, National Park Service, Cape Cod National Seashore, NYK Lines (North America), United States Coast Guard and the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution.
Whale Alert can be downloaded free of charge from the App store. More information on Whale Alert and the groups responsible for its development can be found at http://stellwagen.noaa.gov/protect/whalealert.html

iSoftStone Acquires Jiangchen

iSoftStone Holdings Limited ("iSoftStone" or the "Company" , NYSE: ISS), a leading China-based IT services provider, today announced that, Beijing Guodian Ruantong Technology Co., Ltd. ("Guodian"), a subsidiary of iSoftStone, has acquired all of the assets, customer base and business of Nanjing Jiangchen Science & Technology Co., Ltd. ("Jiangchen"), a geographic information systems ("GIS") and smart grid software and solutions provider based in Nanjing, China.

The acquisition should broaden iSoftStone's industry coverage by adding power distribution to its existing electric power generation IT services business. Jiangchen helps China's top power distributors by applying its proprietary software products in GIS, smart grid systems, and energy saving services. Jiangchen is expected to enhance iSoftStone's energy industry solution portfolio to help major power distributors gain better insights into their business, and enhance customer satisfaction.

Mr. T.W. Liu, iSoftStone's Chairman & Chief Executive Officer, said, "The power industry favors larger IT solution providers with broad, deep, and integrated domain knowledge in both energy generation and distribution. This acquisition will broaden our array of IT capabilities in the energy vertical. We can now help major electric power distributors address their challenges and seize new opportunities."

Founded in 2004, Jiangchen is a software development company specializing in GIS and smart grid solutions to the power distribution industry.

Guodian, a subsidiary of iSoftStone (NYSE:ISS - News), is a leading provider of IT software and solutions in power supply industry.

iSoftStone is a leading China-based IT services provider serving both greater China and global clients. iSoftStone provides an integrated suite of IT services and solutions including consulting & solutions, IT services, and business process outsourcing services. The company focuses on industry verticals that include technology, communications, banking, financial services, insurance, energy, transportation, and public sectors. For more, please visit: www.isoftstone.com.

SuperGeo Achieved Positive Outcomes at Middle East Geospatial Forum 2012

SuperGeo Technologies, the leading global provider of complete GIS software and solutions, received great success in the Middle East Geospatial Forum. During the event, SuperGeo introduced the latest SuperGIS products which can especially satisfy the application demands for mobile mapping, urban planning, facility management, transportation control, etc.

When the region continually confronts large scale urbanisation and rapid population increase in the Gulf Region, how to ensure environmental sustainability becomes a vital issue to the local governors. This year, SuperGeo took this opportunity of showcasing our advanced GIS solutions and developing business contacts with the target businesses in the Gulf Region.

The client feedback commented that SuperGIS is an important and nice alternative solution to existing GIS brands. Featuring complete functionality, smooth workflow in various platforms, strong technical support, and flexible pricing strategies, SuperGIS would be a significant product selection in the geospatial industry.

According to SuperGeo, the next upcoming product plan is to focus on Window 8 OS. Meanwhile, the company has issued mobile solutions for Android and Windows Mobile OS. In Q2 and Q3, SuperGeo is going to release several new products and upgrade the current software line. For more information, please go to www.supergeotek.com

SuperGeo Technologies Inc. is a leading global provider of GIS software and solutions. Since the establishment, SuperGeo has dedicated to providing state-of-the-art geospatial technologies and comprehensive services for customers around the world. It is our vision to help users utilize geospatial technologies to create a better world.

SuperGeo software and applications have been spread over the world to be the backbone of the world’s mapping and spatial analysis. SuperGeo is the professional GIS vendor, providing GIS-related users with complete GIS solutions for desktop, mobile, server, and Internet platforms.

Geographic Information Systems Demonstrate Links Between Health and Location

San Diego, CA - April 10, 2012 - The neighborhoods in which children and adolescents live and spend their time play a role in whether or not they eat a healthy diet, get enough exercise or become obese, concludes a collection of studies in a special theme issue of the American Journal of Preventive Medicine.

Each of the six studies uses the latest concepts and methods in geographic information systems (GIS)-based research to determine how the geographic location affects physical health. A study titled “Spatial Classification of Youth Physical Activity Patterns” shows, for example, that while rural youth get the largest proportion of their physical activity while at school, urban and suburban youth are most active when commuting. Not only does this finding suggest that the walk to school might be just as important to some children’s health as is the physical education they receive as part of the school curriculum, it is also important given that adolescent health behaviors are predictive of behaviors in adults.

Another study by researchers in the United Kingdom concludes that adolescents in rural areas ate fast food more often when fast-food outlets were easily accessible, whereas the opposite was true for adolescents living in urban areas. The researchers, led by Lorna J. Fraser of the University of Leeds, conclude that although the need continues to exist for nutritional education regarding fast food, placing restrictions on the location of fast-food outlets may not decrease consumption of fast food in the same ways in all areas.

Brian E. Saelens and Lawrence D. Frank, along with their colleagues, authored two papers for the theme issue. “Obesogenic Neighborhood Environments, Child and Parent Obesity: The Neighborhood Impact on Kids Study” evaluated child and parent weight status across neighborhoods in Seattle and San Diego and ultimately found evidence that GIS-based definitions of obesogenic neighborhoods that consider both physical activity and the availability of healthy food options were strongly related to childhood obesity.

In a second study, the researchers used GIS-based measures to determine the ‘walkability’ and proximity to healthy food of certain neighborhoods in the San Diego and Seattle regions. The study recommends that such measures be used to study physical activity, nutrition and obesity outcomes.

In a paper titled “Obesogenic Environments in Youth: Concepts and Methods from a Longitudinal National Sample,” Janne Boone-Heinonen and colleagues describe the challenges inherent to longitudinal neighborhood environment research, as well as the insights they gained and the advances and remaining gaps in study design. The researchers note that understanding which neighborhood environment features influence weight gain in various age groups is essential to effectively prevent and reduce childhood obesity.

Two commentaries included in the theme issue examine the ways that computer-based GIS systems—which transform geospatial data into visual representations of the real world—can help prevent childhood obesity. “Thinking About Place, Spatial Behavior, and Spatial Process in Childhood Obesity” by Stephen A. Matthews, outlines the content of the theme, concluding that although GIS is not a panacea, it “offers an important means of better understanding and dealing with some of the most pressing problems of our time, and provides valuable tools for researchers and policymakers alike.”

The second commentary, providing a perspective from the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, notes that while GIS is still in the relatively early stages of application in the field, it might one day enhance understanding of the complex and dynamic connections between people, their health and their physical and social environments.

The American Journal of Preventive Medicine (www.ajpm-online.net) is the official journal of The American College of Preventive Medicine ( www.acpm.org) and the Association for Prevention Teaching and Research (www.aptrmweb.org). It publishes articles in the areas of prevention research, teaching, practice and policy. Original research is published on interventions aimed at the prevention of chronic and acute disease and the promotion of individual and community health. The journal features papers that address the primary and secondary prevention of important clinical, behavioral and public health issues such as injury and violence, infectious disease, women's health, smoking, sedentary behaviors and physical activity, nutrition, diabetes, obesity, and alcohol and drug abuse. Papers also address educational initiatives aimed at improving the ability of health professionals to provide effective clinical prevention and public health services. The journal also publishes official policy statements from the two co-sponsoring organizations, health services research pertinent to prevention and public health, review articles, media reviews, and editorials.

The American Journal of Preventive Medicine, with an Impact Factor of 4.110, is ranked 10th out of 140 Public, Environmental and Occupational Health titles and 18th out of 151 General & Internal Medicine titles according to the 2010 Journal Citation Reports® published by Thomson Reuters.

Elsevier is a world-leading provider of scientific, technical and medical information products and services. The company works in partnership with the global science and health communities to publish more than 2,000 journals, including The Lancet and Cell, and close to 20,000 book titles, including major reference works from Mosby and Saunders. Elsevier’s online solutions include SciVerse ScienceDirect, SciVerse Scopus, Reaxys, MD Consult and Mosby’s Nursing Suite, which enhance the productivity of science and health professionals, and the SciVal suite and MEDai’s Pinpoint Review, which help research and health care institutions deliver better outcomes more cost-effectively.

A global business headquartered in Amsterdam, Elsevier employs 7,000 people worldwide. The company is part of Reed Elsevier Group PLC, a world-leading publisher and information provider, which is jointly owned by Reed Elsevier PLC and Reed Elsevier NV. The ticker symbols are REN (Euronext Amsterdam), REL (London Stock Exchange), RUK and ENL (New York Stock Exchange).

Access and Edit Esri Maps on Kindle Fire

Esri users can now access ArcGIS data and mapping capabilities on Amazon’s popular Android tablet, Kindle Fire. ArcGIS for Android, also available on iOS devices, Windows Phones, and other Android devices, lets users access, edit, and share maps. The free app can be downloaded directly from the Amazon Appstore for Android.??

ArcGIS for Android is a native application that serves as a mobile gateway into the ArcGIS system. It provides an intuitive user experience for querying map layers and data. With it, users can quickly access their own maps and data authored in ArcGIS Online as well as collect and edit geographic data. ArcGIS for Android includes a Favorites feature that accesses popular maps quickly; a tool for measuring area and distance; and the ability to display data in popups that support images, charts, links, and more.??

ArcGIS for Android is built on Esri's ArcGIS Runtime Software Development Kit (SDK). This SDK lets developers create custom spatially enabled applications for Kindle Fire and other Android devices and is designed to use web services available from ArcGIS Online. Apps built using the SDK can be deployed within the enterprise or to the public via the Amazon Appstore for Android and Google Play.?

To download the ArcGIS app, visit the Amazon Appstore for Android or directly from your Kindle Fire.

3D Collaboration to Support Newcastle’s Solar City Project

The new partnership between Ordnance Survey and Newcastle City Council will demonstrate how 3D city models can provide valuable information to enable effective solar power generation.

Both organisations are members of a European project consortium called i-SCOPE (Interoperable Smart City Services through an Open Platform for urban Ecosystems), which will run for three years and will involve 11 cities across Europe.

Newcastle was a logical city to be selected for i-SCOPE, because of its experiences in a number of projects already undertaken, including solar analysis, 3D modelling and thermal heat loss tracking. The city has also made good progress in becoming a ‘hub’ for the low carbon economy, with plans at an advanced stage in preparing the city to become a ‘Green Deal’ provider. High profile European projects such as i-SCOPE offer extra support to the city’s carbon economy work, providing residents and businesses with new innovative choices, helping them deliver, and meet, their own sustainability projects and objectives.

Under the i-SCOPE project, Ordnance Survey will be supporting Newcastle through expert technical support and advice on all mapping-related issues to develop 3D urban models of Newcastle. Across the other 10 European cities the 3D models will be used for noise mapping and personal routing in addition to solar power generation. Ordnance Survey will also play a leading role across the project on 3D data standards, and specifically in extending the CityGML standard.

Peter ter Haar, Ordnance Survey Director of Products, comments: “The i-SCOPE project will provide Ordnance Survey with an opportunity to test and validate the value of 3D city models in a practical way. We anticipate a rich future for 3D data and this is an excellent collaborative vehicle for sharing expertise across a European consortium.

“I am confident that by working in partnership with Newcastle City Council we can demonstrate the true potential that 3D city models can play in creating sustainable urban areas. 3D mapping will enable town and city planning departments, and solar panel installation companies, with a true ‘real world’ view of rooftops and building heights. From this high quality data, users can analyse the pitch and angle of roofs, look at neighbouring building heights and determine where shadows will fall. The 3D city models will ultimately allow effective positioning of solar panels.

“In addition to solar panel analysis, 3D mapping can play an important role in underpinning other critical functions, including flood prevention and town planning. Other potential users could include the emergency services. Imagine the emergency services being able to accurately visualise the scene of an incident before arriving. They would have foreknowledge of points of access, be able to see any obstructions and know the size and shape of any buildings involved. This technology could have a genuine impact on people's lives.”

LuciadRIA: Geospatial Situational Awareness Applications in Browser-Based Environments

Luciad, the market leader in high performance visualization for Situational Awareness applications is pleased to announce LuciadRIA™. LuciadRIA enables easy development of Geospatial Situational Awareness applications in browser-based environments.

Customers and prospects indicated that there is a need to offer state-of-the-art applications in browser-based environments. Luciad has been in close contact with architects and experts from Eurocontrol, FAA, NATO and other leading organizations, to discuss the required capabilities and available technologies. Luciad has developed LuciadRIA, a Rich Internet Application product that responds to these trends and needs.

LuciadRIA enables the development of advanced and easy-to-use cross-browser based applications using the available web-based technologies of today (HTML5, AJAX, etc). This product covers the capabilities as indicated below and as requested by users and experts in the Defense, Security and Aeronautical domain; these include:

High performance visualization of imagery, satellite pictures, vector based data and dynamic content such as tracks
Interactive HMI including editing of content and map annotations
Integration in other Rich Internet Application technologies such as Flex and Silverlight
Support for all commonly used browsers (e.g. Internet Explorer, Firefox, Chrome, Safari) including those for mobile devices (e.g. iOS and Android)
If you would like further information concerning LuciadRIA please contact us at LuciadRIA@luciad.com

Luciad is the supplier of choice for leading Systems Integrators, at both the National and International level, for their Situational Awareness applications in mission-critical C4ISR and ATC/ATM systems. Luciad's International customer base includes AENA, Belgocontrol, Boeing, Cassidian, DFS, EADS, ENAV, EUROCONTROL, FAA, Frequentis, Lockheed Martin, LVNL, NATO, NATS, NavCanada, NLR, Saab, SAIC, Sagem, STNA, Thales and Thales Raytheon Systems.

US Ambassador Betty King Addresses GIS Conference in Geneva

More than 200 attendees from the United Nations, academic fields, nongovernmental organizations, and the private sector participated in the GIS for the United Nations and the International Community Conference held in Geneva, Switzerland, April 3–5, 2012, at the World Meteorological Organization headquarters. The conference opened with a keynote from Ambassador Betty E. King, the United States' permanent representative to the United Nations Offices in Geneva. Ambassador King spoke on the role of technology and information as a transformative tool empowering local actors to address global challenges and development opportunities.

"On behalf of the US government and President Obama, I applaud your use of technology in your work," stated Ambassador King. "The world's current resources are insufficient to address all the major global development and humanitarian crises that we face. Through the use of science and technology, including innovative uses of GIS applications, we can become more effective and efficient in this endeavor and stretch the power of limited resources."

Attendees participated in 10 sessions focused on advancing the use of GIS and spatial analysis for the missions that humanitarian and international agencies commonly undertake. A postconference workshop demonstrated how organizations can collaborate online to create and share hundreds of mission-focused maps using Esri's ArcGIS Online cloud solution.

"I was inspired by the eagerness of the geospatial experts, information workers, and decision makers at this conference," said Jack Dangermond, Esri president. "Their effort in working together promotes data sharing and transparency. It also encourages greater participation at every level in an organization to find solutions to global problems."

The United Nations Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR) Operational Satellite Applications Programme (UNOSAT) and Esri jointly organized the conference. Astrium, Esri Suisse SA, GeoEye, and TomTom sponsored the event.

The conference will be held next year and will include humanitarian and development senior executives, practitioners, researchers, nonprofit consortia, and others. To learn more, visit gisfortheun.com.

UNOSAT is a programme of UNITAR that uses specialized skills to perform satellite imagery analysis, design integrated solutions in GIS and geopositioning, and develop the capacity of agencies and counties via training and technical support. UNOSAT is designed to produce concrete output for identified users and beneficiaries by turning technology into concrete and usable applications for UN agencies, member states, and communities in a variety of areas, with prime focus on humanitarian affairs and relief coordination, damage and impact assessment, human security and human rights, and territorial planning and monitoring.

New Satellite Tracking Device Expands NexTraq’s Hardware Offering

NexTraq™, the value leader of GPS fleet tracking and vehicle management solutions, today announces its new global satellite GPS asset tracking device. This device works solely with satellite technology and is not dependent on any mobile network, enabling NexTraq customers to affordably track anything, anywhere.
“We continue to develop new solutions that are truly useful for our customer base. The new satellite tracking device is a practical solution for tracking assets in areas where finding a strong cell signal can be an issue,” explains Mike Scarbrough, CEO of NexTraq. “While cellular networks continue to expand, we understand that the needs of our customers require tracking assets in every corner of the world and we have to ensure they have the most reliable solution available.”
For assets located in remote locations, such as oil fields, barges and rural areas, satellite tracking is the most advanced technology available. The NexTraq Satellite Tracking device is safe for use in Class I, Division 1 environments with combustible atmospheres, which is useful for companies that work with oil and gas and other industries where this is an issue.
The design of the new satellite tracking device allows for quick and easy installation and field management. By utilizing off-the-shelf batteries, the device was designed to be an affordable solution for NexTraq customers.
“By supplementing NexTraq’s CDMA and GPRS vehicle and asset tracking with satellite asset tracking, our customers can see all of their vehicles and assets in one end-to-end platform. As one of the only companies in the fleet tracking industry to offer satellite tracking, we are pleased to launch this offering in the easy to deploy, cost-effective manner that our customers have come to expect,” concludes Scarbrough.
Established in 2000, NexTraq provides the highest value GPS fleet tracking solution in the telematics industry. The NexTraq platform is a cloud-based application that enables service and distribution businesses to optimize fleet operations while reducing operational costs and maximizing revenue. Based in Atlanta, NexTraq customers achieve ROI in as little as one month. For more information, please visit nextraq

URISA Addressing Workshop in Austin, Texas

Des Plaines, IL - April 9, 2011 - URISA is pleased to present its popular Addressing workshop in Austin, Texas on June 5, 2012.
URISA Certified Workshop: Addresses and IS/GIS Implementation: Key to GIS Success
When: Tuesday, June 5, 2012 - 8:30 AM- 5:00 PM
Where: Freese and Nichols – NW Austin
Cost: URISA Members and/or GISPs - $75 / Nonmembers - $125
Workshop Description: This workshop will help you understand the addressing process, managing address data, and organizational challenges. It will guide you in developing a Master Address Repository that serves the needs of the entire organization.  The workshop will also review the FederalGeographic Data Committee Street Address Data Standard, and help you understand how the standard can help you build quality address data.
Intended Audience: GIS Managers, staff members who assign, maintain or use addresses. This workshop will focus on managing address workflows, address data, and use.
Instructor: Martha McCart Wells, GISP, Spatial Focus, Inc.
This workshop is being presented in conjunction with URISA members in Texas who are organizing a local URISA Texas Chapter. To join their discussion, visit http://www.urisa.org/texas_chapter.
For more information and to register online: http://www.urisa.org/June5_Addressing_Texas

PK Wins InterSystems Breakthrough Application Award

InterSystems Corporation, a global leader in software for connected care, today announced that PK, a software firm based in The Netherlands, has been recognized with the InterSystems Award for Breakthrough Applications. PK, an InterSystems application partner, was recognized for its CU-BOX® mobile application for real-time emergency services response measurement.

CU-BOX® leverages the InterSystems CACHÉ® high-performance database system and InterSystems Ensemble® rapid integration and development platform to provide critical, objective information about the quality of emergency healthcare delivery. The solution includes mobile applications that plot the emergency response timeline by storing key timestamps such as departure time of an emergency vehicle and arrival time at the patient's location and at the hospital. CU-BOX also includes a geographical information system (GIS) and an automated tracking system based on Google Maps and OpenStreetMap. Status information such as the emergency vehicle location and current vehicle status -- vehicle is immediately available or vehicle is arriving at patient location, for example -- are displayed in real-time at the emergency department at the destination hospital.
Reliability, High Performance, Support for Rapid Application Development

"We faced two major technical challenges in developing the CU-BOX solution," said Jack Paas, founder and President of PK. "The first was the requirement to create a mobile data communication network that offered extremely high reliability and security while also providing the speed and power to enable real-time interaction between emergency vehicles and hospital-based emergency departments. Just as important was the need to capture and integrate all of the data needed to prove the quality of the logistics process during an emergency call."

PK developers selected CACHÉ as the database for data flowing between emergency vehicles operated by first responders and emergency department personnel. "CACHÉ offers the high performance and reliability that are essential for real-time information delivery," Paas said. InterSystems Ensemble was used to build the integration processes that support real-time data flow and accurate measurement and reporting of emergency response processes. "The combined capabilities of CACHÉ, Ensemble and other InterSystems technologies made it possible to build a mobile solution for emergency scenarios that is completely unique in a new market niche," Paas said. "In addition, InterSystems technologies support very rapid application development, a capability that is vital to successfully responding to ongoing organizational, legislative and technology changes in the highly fluid healthcare environment. CU-BOX is a true breakthrough in proving and improving the quality of the commitment of healthcare providers in emergency response situations," Paas stated.

From Development to Market Expansion

CU-BOX was initially developed to enable healthcare providers to deliver accurate data about responding to emergency calls to the Dutch Health Care Inspectorate (IGZ), an agency in The Netherlands that promotes public health through enforcement of health services quality, prevention measures and medical products. Product development began with a proof-of-concept in 2Q11 and was finalized by year-end. It is now being used on a pilot basis by several ambulances and will be marketed to emergency departments and police and fire departments throughout the Netherlands.

Plans are to build a local customer base and to connect with the Dutch 911 emergency response network so that the location of emergency vehicles throughout the country will be visible through CU-BOX. "Once we've accomplished those objectives, we'll be looking for partners in emergency healthcare in order to effectively market and distribute CU-BOX in Europe," Paas said.

"The CU-BOX solution clearly illustrates the innovations that are made possible by merging new mobile platforms with InterSystems' database, integration and Web technologies," said Paul Grabscheid, InterSystems Vice President of Strategic Planning. "It's a pleasure to highlight PK's significant achievement in emergency services response measurement with the InterSystems Breakthrough Application Award."

"We are delighted and honored to be recognized with this international award," Paas said.

InterSystems Corporation is a global leader in software for connected care with headquarters in Cambridge, Massachusetts, and offices in 23 countries InterSystems CACHÉ® is the most widely used database system in clinical applications. InterSystems Ensemble® is a platform for rapid integration and the development of connectable applications. InterSystems HealthShare™ is a strategic platform for healthcare informatics, and the creation of an Electronic Health Record on a regional or national scale. InterSystems DeepSee™ is software that makes it possible to embed real-time analytics capabilities in transactional applications.

InterSystems' products are used by thousands of hospitals and labs worldwide, including all 17 hospitals on the Honor Roll of America's Best Hospitals as rated by U.S. News and World Report.

For more information, visit InterSystems.com and www.youtube.com/InterSystemsCorp. And, please join the InterSystems community at www.facebook.com/InterSystems or @InterSystems on Twitter.

Founded in 1994, PK is a technology leader that provides a wide range of consulting services to organizations throughout The Netherlands. Areas of expertise include managed services, integration services, business intelligence, development of apps for smartphones and tabs, to name just a few. With the recent launch of the CU-BOX® mobile application for real-time emergency services response measurement, PK is targeting the fast-growing healthcare technology sector. For more information, please visit http://www.pk.nl/.