PRODUCTS

Avenza Ships MAPublisher 5.0 for FreeHand
Avenza Systems Inc. announces the release of MAPublisher 5.0 for Macromedia FreeHand, mapmaking software to produce quality maps from GIS data. Significant new functionality includes support for FreeHand MX, Apple Mac OS X and import of MicroStation Design (DGN) files. New features in MAPublisher 5.0 for Illustrator include: Macromedia FreeHand 10 & MX compatible; Mac OS X compatible; MicroStation DGN file import; Douglas-Peucker Line Simplification; Plot points in decimal degrees or DMS onto any projected plane.
MAPublisher 5.0 for FreeHand is map production software for creating cartographic-quality maps from GIS data. Avenza also offers MAPublisher for Illustrator—a suite of plug-ins for Adobe Illustrator that adds mapmaking functionality. Full details can be found at www.avenza.com.

4.0 Versions of CompassTrac and CompassFDE CompassCom Inc. has released Version 4.0 of its CompassTrac and CompassFDE Automatic Vehicle Location products. CompassTrac is the mobile positioning and fleet tracking component of the CompassCom AVL system, and CompassFDE is the universal location data server software. CompassTrac displays mobile asset location and status on a digital map screen and can be integrated with any ESRI-formatted map data. Version 4.0 enhancements include improved CAD-integration options, two-way messaging, point-to-point routing, wireless connection management, and CAD mapping support (plotting 911 calls, fires, requests for service, etc.). CompassFDE is location data server software for tracking mobile assets including vehicles, aircraft, watercraft, handheld devices, and almost any other wireless device. Enhanced functionality for CompassFDE includes support for 1XRTT and GPRS networks in addition to support for Nextel GPS-enabled phones and an improved API for third-party developers.

BUSINESS

PCI Geomatics Signs Agreement with
BAE SYSTEMS for Canadian Distribution
PCI Geomatics and BAE SYSTEMS are proud to announce a new agreement that provides PCI Geomatics with exclusive distributor rights for SOCET SET digital photogrammetry software in Canada. PCI Geomatics has also been provided with the exclusive rights to promote related SOCET SET services, including support and training, to Canadian customers. SOCET SET, (SoftCopy Exploitation Tool Set) is BAE SYSTEMS’ photogrammetric software for digital mapping, GIS, and three-dimensional visualization or simulation applications. Built upon the foundation of its Helava heritage, SOCET SET provides the capability to generate very accurate, highly detailed geospatial data to support military requirements, intelligence needs, homeland security, and a wide range of civil applications, such as commercial mapping, urban planning and development, and the development of city, state/province, or federal GIS information.

Celartem Technology to Acquire LizardTech
LizardTech, Inc., a developer of software and services that dramatically increase the value of complex digital content, and a standard bearer in the geospatial imaging arena, recently announced that it has reached a definitive agreement of acquisition with Celartem Technology USA, Inc. LizardTech, Inc. employs 29 people and is being acquired for $11.25 million in cash. Under terms of the agreement, LizardTech will operate as a separate unit within the Celartem Group of companies and will be known as “LizardTech Inc., a Celartem Company.” LizardTech will maintain its existing U.S. operations headquartered in Seattle as well as European efforts based in London. Over time, R&D and sales operations will be merged with existing Celartem efforts in Europe and Japan. Celartem Group officers and board of directors will oversee LizardTech operations, as well as for Extensis, the other existing Celartem Group subsidiary. Carlos Domingo, Celartem Global Office chief operating officer, directs acquisition strategy and will lead post-acquisition efforts. Interim LizardTech CEO Scot Land will remain in place until a new CEO is appointed by Celartem.

BAE Systems and eSpatial Form Partnership
BAE SYSTEMS C4ISR and eSpatial announced a strategic partnership to develop and supply four-dimensional secure imagery solutions based on eSpatial’s proven commercial off-the-shelf (COTS) technologies. eSpatial’s iSMART product suite provides a unique, open standards infrastructure for spatial applications delivered on COTS database technologies. It features highly scalable and efficient server-based processing of geographic, spatial, and image data for fast delivery to a distributed user community. This meets the Network Enabled Capability (NEC) needs of the defense community and removes the limitations imposed by traditional desktop approaches. iSMART offers real-time data update, enhanced visualization and high quality analysis of geospatial and image information over very low bandwidth networks, freeing communications capacity for other tasks.

NEWS

Orbimage’s Orbview-3 Satellite Successfully Reaches Orbit
Orbital Imaging Corporation (ORBIMAGE) of Dulles, Virginia and St. Louis, Missouri announced that their OrbView-3 high-resolution earth imaging satellite was successfully launched into space on June 26 at 3:05 p.m. (EDT) onboard a Pegasus rocket provided by Orbital Sciences Corporation from Vandenberg Air Force Base (VAFB), California. Approximately 10 minutes after the rocket ignition at 2:55 p.m. (EDT), the OrbView-3 satellite separated as planned from the Pegasus rocket into its sun-synchronous, near-polar, circular orbit. Initial communications with the satellite were established from ORBIMAGE’s ground terminal in Point Barrow, Alaska approximately 1 hour and 13 minutes after separation, with initial data indicating that the satellite’s main systems are operating nominally as expected.

Multiple Imagery from EROS A
ImageSat International N.V., announced that its lightweight, high-resolution Earth Resources Observation Satellite, EROS A, has proven its ability to image a target from several angles in the same orbital pass. EROS A’s multiple-imaging capability enables the customer to quickly and accurately obtain the multiple high-resolution imagery data under the same weather, lighting, and physical conditions—from the same orbital path. Using the images from different angles, customers are able to build a digital terrain model (DTM), including the high resolution that is derived from the overhead images. These tools may be used for such applications as mission planning, mapping, fly-through simulations, and infrastructure planning. Weighing only 250 kg. before launch, EROS A performs asynchronous, push-broom scanning, at an angle of up to 60 degrees from nadir. This functionality enables a customer to evaluate a target, even when the satellite pass is not directly overhead. An actual-size model of ImageSat’s next-generation EROS B1 satellite is on display for the first time at the Paris Air Show, in the pavilion of Israel Aircraft Industries Ltd., manufacturers of the EROS family of high-resolution satellites.

Back