PCI Geomatics Releases Newest Freeware
Geomatica 9 FreeView, the latest no-cost spatial data viewing environment from PCI Geomatics, is now available for download via the company's website (http://www.pcigeomatics.com/product_ind/freeview.html). Modeled on PCI Geomatics' advanced "all-in-one" geospatial solution, this free software allows users to view, layer, and evaluate raster and vector spatial data effortlessly. Geomatica 9 FreeView's multiple format, multiple resolution, and multiple projection environment supports more than 100 spatial data formats, including ASTER, QuickBird, IKONOS, SPOT, EROS, and JPEG 2000 images, plus SHP, DXF, and dozens of other vector formats.

Geomatica 9 FreeView is modeled on PCI Geomatics' Geomatica 9 software solution. Remote sensing, GIS capabilities, map production, hyperspectral tools, and an exclusive new hyperspectral data compression technology top the list of improvements and additions for the new Geomatica 9, released earlier this year. A completely integrated solution, Geomatica 9 provides superior geomatics capabilities and productivity enhancing features within a seamless environment for remote sensing, GIS, photogrammetry, and cartographic processing.

Blue Marble Expands Query Capabilities
Blue Marble Geographics announces a new round of feature/function upgrades to BeyondGeo, a simple and complete Internet map server solution that enables businesses and organizations to easily and cost-effectively publish interactive maps on their website. The focus of development on BeyondGeo has primarily been behind the scenes. Blue Marble developers have updated the ftp engine, improved download speed, improved redundancy and system reaction to network interruptions, and added a loading status bar at the bottom of all maps. A new print button option has been added that allows users to print a particular area of a map with or without the legend. The "Find tool" for querying the map has also been upgraded and improved. Lastly, space has been added in the map legend for the addition of miscellaneous text or information deemed helpful by the BeyondGeo user.  

RSI Integrates ENVI Software with Sensor's RemoteView Software
Research Systems, Inc. (RSI), a wholly owned subsidiary of Eastman Kodak Company, announced today that it has integrated its hyperspectral analysis software, ENVI software, with Sensor Systems' high-performance RemoteView ELT software for application in the defense and intelligence fields.

RemoteView software is widely used by defense and intelligence operational commands for national security imagery analysis. In addition to providing seamless smooth roam over multi-gigabyte images, RemoteView software provides a rich set of multispectral analysis tools including supervised and unsupervised classification, pan sharpening, and band algebra. This integration gives users the capability to seamlessly use ENVI software's advanced hyperspectral processing capabilities within RemoteView software-thereby significantly enhancing and speeding analysis processes involving this data.

PCI Geomatics Receives $5.6 M Investment
PCI Geomatics announces a significant investment in the future of geomatics. Bryon Wilfert, Canadian Member of Parliament and Secretary to the Minister of Finance, on behalf of Allan Rock, Minister of Industry, announced a $5,563,240 investment to support innovative research and development by PCI Geomatics. With this investment, PCI Geomatics will develop GeoCapacity Centres, advanced technology software applications that merge large volumes of satellite imagery and mapping data to create digital maps in near real time. This will give professionals who deal with critical issues such as public security, health and safety, environmental protection, and sustainable resource development, the ability to use geomatics as a decision-making tool of first choice.

This investment, funded through Technology Partnerships Canada, will assist PCI Geomatics in creating three separate GeoCapacity Centres focused on mapping, the environment, and disaster management for homeland security. These centers will provide online geo-information products and services for government and commercial organizations that require accurate and up-to-date geospatial information to support their missions.

Team ERDAS Advances in Soft Copy Search Competition
Team ERDAS, comprised of a select group of leading companies, has been chosen for another technical spiral under the National Imagery and Mapping Agency's (NIMA) Soft Copy Search (SCS) research and development program. Leading Team ERDAS are Leica Geosystems Defense Solutions, ESRI, Earth Satellite Corporation, Optia, and Integic Corporation.

The SCS contract, initially awarded on July 8, 2002, marked the beginning of a multi-phased program to develop technology for NIMA to completely transition imagery exploitation to a digital environment. The Leica Geosystems team has earned additional follow on awards to continue to refine the state-of-the-art tools for rapid insertion into the NIMA exploitation structure. When this technology is fully deployed, it will revolutionize the way NIMA performs its image analysis mission by providing analysts an end-to-end soft copy imagery exploitation environment. The solution presented by Team ERDAS revolves around ERDAS IMAGINE's image exploitation capabilities and incorporates its partners' strengths to meet NIMA's requirements. Leica Geosystems' partners play unique, pivotal roles in the Team ERDAS solution. Integic Corporation provides the business process automation software e.POWER for dynamic data management support. Earth Satellite Corporation brings expertise in image exploitation and the creation of scientifically sound analysis tools, while ESRI contributes its proven commercial GIS software experience and data management technology. The entire solution will operate on Optia's computers.

Applanix Expands Its Airborne Remote Sensing Portfolio
Applanix's parent company, Trimble, has acquired the assets of the Emerge Sensor Group  from ConAgra Foods Inc. The transaction includes the company's IP rights and product designs. Emerge is well known for its development of the DSS (Digital Sensor System), which has been a joint undertaking with Applanix. The Emerge sensor group's key technical staff have been hired, complementing Applanix's strengths in producing Aided Inertial products for the geomatics and remote sensing industry. The staff is based out of the Boston area in the U.S., and report directly to Applanix as the Applanix Integrated Systems Group (AISG). In addition to performing ongoing DSS research and development, AISG will also provide custom integrated systems solutions for Applanix customers, including applications in the Aerospace and Defense markets. The DSS system is designed to generate high-quality georeferenced airborne digital imagery, and is currently in its second generation. Other features include:

• A complete and reliable medium format, airborne digital remote sensing solution, using Aided Inertial technology to produce georeferenced Color or Color Infrared (CIR) imagery

• An ideal tool for GIS analysis and feature identification, 3D photogrammetric mapping, and other airborne remote sensing applications

• An all-inclusive system, which stores, handles, and processes data ready for use in a production environment

• Can be installed and operational within an hour

• Pilot-operated and easily accommodated on single-engine aircraft and helicopter platforms

• Fully integrated and compact; easy to use and readily available when time-critical projects are at stake

ISPRS Establishes ISPRS Foundation
The International Society for Photogrammetry and Remote Sensing (ISPRS) is pleased to announce the creation of The ISPRS Foundation. Programs are planned in the following categories: awards, awareness education, distance learning, exchange programs, fellowships, grants, international workshops, internships, preservation and archiving, research initiatives, scholarships, standards projects, tools and literature, and travel grants. Through these programs, The Foundation will provide tangible support for the objectives of ISPRS, and recognize and reward outstanding achievements. The ISPRS Foundation is now soliciting cash and in-kind donations.  Both unrestricted and restricted gifts are welcome. To obtain a donation form and for additional information about The ISPRS Foundation, visit www.isprs.org/foundation. Grant applications will be posted as awards are established.

DigitalGlobe Acquires eMap International
DigitalGlobe announced it has completed definitive negotiations to acquire eMap International (eMap), a Reddick, Florida- based geospatial consulting practice specializing in geospatial planning, design, and integration. eMap International will become a wholly owned subsidiary of DigitalGlobe with David Nale, founder, certified photogrammetrist, mapping scientist and professional land surveyor, serving as president.

Lizardtech Named as Member of Worldwide Open GIS Consortium
LizardTech, Inc., a developer of digital imaging software and viewing tools, has been named to the Technical Committee of Open GIS Consortium, Inc. (OGC), a  company-government-university coalition engaged in developing common interfaces and protocols for the burgeoning geo-information processing industry. LizardTech's geospatial solutions leverage the widespread industry acceptance of MrSID technology, a revolutionary file format that reduces giant imagery up to 95 percent of its original size, while preserving image clarity. The result: Content is infinitely more accessible (and valuable) to users, regardless of their network speed, desktops, or field devices. MrSID's unique ability to mosaick multiple geo images, its quick image conversion, and lossless encoding ratios also lead to significant time savings. MrSID is endorsed for accuracy by the U.S. Geological Survey and the National Imagery and Mapping Agency, and is compatible with all major GIS software.

Open Data Consortium Project Announces a Model Data Distribution Policy
The Open Data Consortium, a public-private partnership project funded by the USGS and private companies, has developed an historic model data distribution policy for guiding local government dissemination of public-record geodata. This policy model was developed through a series of collaborative dialogues with stakeholders representing diverse interests from city and county governments, state, and Federal agencies, as well as private sector data service providers, universities, and professional associations. A wide variety of alternatives were analyzed and considered before arriving at the recommendations in the model policy.

The policy is intended to serve as a guideline for local governments that need to formulate a data distribution policy, or make their current policy more effective. University of Illinois Professor Zorica Nedovic-Budic characterized the model policy as "comprehensive and balanced." It is a plea for more openness, while dealing with the fact that many governmental data producers want to retain proprietary and financial control over their product (the public's data).

Sixty-seven people worked together, through the Open Data Consortium project, over a six month period, contributing their ideas and opinions in 24 telephone conferences, to forge a consensus on the model policy. An additional 50 people were involved in reviewing and commenting on interim products and final document.

The model policy addresses the major legal and commercial issues concerning public data distribution, such as, copyright, licensing, liability, security restrictions, privacy considerations, metadata maintenance, data recipients and distribution methods, as well as the controversial issue of data sales.

The model policy is available at the ODC website, www.OpenDataConsortium.org, along with documentation of the collaborative work process, additional data studies, data policy documents used by other agencies, and links to useful geodata information.