| Intermap Technologies Announces Data Licensing Sales to NIMA valued at US $1.2 million
Intermap Technologies, announced that National Imagery and Mapping Agency (NIMA) has purchased additional GLOBAL Terrain licenses for STAR-3i data recently collected in South America. This purchase was made through Intermap's GLOBAL Terrain distributor EarthWatch Incorporated of Longmont, Colorado. The license uplifts valued at US $1.2 million before EarthWatch distributor costs, will allow NIMA to extend the distribution of the data from a 'single organization' to additional tiers of users. The licenses apply to STAR-3i IFSAR radar imagery and topographic elevation data.
"Data licensing is a cost effective way for both the private and public sectors to acquire the data they need to efficiently serve their applications and user communities" said Ron Birk, Vice President GLOBAL Terrain. "License extensions provide an effective means of allowing for greater distribution of data purchased."
Intermap Technologies is building a global database of digital elevation models (DEMs). Intermap digital maps are used in a wide range of applications including planning and engineering projects, in navigation systems, and to enrich satellite images. Working for private industry and governments worldwide, Intermap's STAR-3i IFSAR radar system maps large areas accurately and quickly, and can acquire data in overcast conditions. Intermap generates maps, DEMs and orthorectified images in highly automated production facilities. Map products are available at the Company's GLOBAL Terrain (www.globalterrain.com) Internet site.
For more information, visit Intermap's website at www.intermaptechnologies.com . Or, contact: Garth Lawrence, at (303) 708-0955, Ext. 211
3D EDGE uses ECW Compression for Defense visualization
Autometric, a pioneer in the field of visual computing are using Earth Resource Mapping's patented ECW compression technology to develop new advances in defense product.
3D EDGE, manufactured by Autometric, has become the latest product to adopt ECW compression as a key component (http://www.autometric.com/AUTO/PRODUCTS/EDGE/). ECW enables a user to compress terabytes of information and makes storage and transmission easier than ever before.
"Earth Resource Mapping is elated to have Autometric Boeing license our technology for use in their development efforts. This is a key step to providing faster image based technology maximized through the use of our patented ECW Compression" said Rob Mason, Vice President, Earth Resource Mapping.
Dr. Andrew Fox, Director of GIS Programs at Autometric states that, " One of the ways we distinguish our high-end, EDGE visualization products from others is through excellent performance. The ECW image compression technology allows us to continue to push the envelope of performance."
Since its founding in 1957 as a part of Paramount Pictures, Autometric has built a reputation as a pioneer in the field of visual computing-providing products and support services for visualization, modeling and simulation systems; 3D graphics and animation; remote sensor image processing, interpretation, and analysis; digital mapping and spatial data systems; and high-performance systems integration and engineering. EDGE product family and SoftPlotte are trademarks of Autometric, Inc.
For more information, contact: Earth Resource Mapping Americas Region, Lee Such, (858)558-4709
Research Systems, Inc. Announces IDL for Mac OS X
Research Systems, Inc., a leading global developer of data visualization and application development software, announced they plan to release IDL, the Interactive Data Language, for Mac OS X.
"Both companies offer world class solutions and we feel IDL on Mac OS X will enable our customers to solve their problems and achieve their goals faster and easier than before," said Mike Scally, CEO of Research Systems.
"Mac OS X brings the speed, stability and power of Unix to IDL's Macintosh users. In combination with the G4 processor with Velocity Engine and hardware OpenGL support on cutting edge graphic accelerators, IDL on Mac OS X is a best-of-class scientific visualization application."
"Built on an open-source Unix-based foundation and offering features such as OpenGL for spectacular 3D graphics, Mac OS X delivers unprecedented stability and is the most technically advanced personal computer operating system ever," said Clent Richardson, Apple's vice president of Worldwide Developer Relations. "We are thrilled with Research Systems' support of Mac OS X, and IDL on Mac OS X will be a visualization application the scientific community will appreciate."
Research Systems' other products built on IDL will also support Mac OS X including ENVI (Environment for Visualizing Images), RiverTools (hydrology and terrain analysis), and VIP (Visual IDL Programming). This Mac OS X port will be based on IDL and plans include a fully native reimplementation of IDL for Mac OS X using the Cocoa frameworks. It will provide increased performance and stability with plans for support of the Aqua interface, multiprocessing, and extensive Velocity Engine integration. Compatibility for previous IDL versions on all platforms will be retained, allowing .pro code for Windows to run on the Mac with faster speed.
Additional information can be found at www.ResearchSystems.com.
ImageAmerica Receives Orthoimagery Award from Jefferson County, Ohio
ImageAmerica, Inc. announced that it has been chosen to provide new Orthophoto imagery for Jefferson County, Ohio, utilizing its proprietary TerraSource™ DirectOrtho product.
Paul Anderson, Jefferson County GIS Committee Co-Chairman said, "We were concerned about the usefulness of the TerraSource product for an accurate cadastral data conversion base map. This product sounded too good to be true. Following the collection of imagery for a pilot project in our county, we independently tested the positional accuracy of well-defined points. The image accuracy and quality exceeded our expectations, and was delivered in a very compressed time frame."
Tom Maher, Chief Operating Officer of ImageAmerica stated, "Jefferson County is undertaking a program to provide new LIDAR elevation data for the County. Our DirectOrtho product will combine this data with new six-inch resolution digital imagery, which we recently collected, to provide a highly accurate, cost effective new orthophoto map of the County."
ImageAmerica provides near real-time proprietary digital imagery, and imagery products under the TerraSource™ brand name, for government and municipal customers.
For more information, contact Tom Maher at ImageAmerica ([email protected]), (800) 275-0133 or visit the Company's web site at www.terrasource.com
DMTI Spatial and Bell ActiMedia Team Up To Deliver High Quality Spatial Imagery
DMTI Spatial, a leading North American spatial solutions provider, and Bell ActiMedia, a subsidiary of Bell Canada, announced the signing of an agreement whereby DMTI Spatial will provide Bell ActiMedia with the highest quality Canadian mapping data and GIS solutions available today to support Bell in delivering leading-edge solutions to the telecom, utility, government and business sectors.
Under the agreement, DMTI Spatial will provide Bell with the following products and service solutions:
• CanMap® Streetfiles V4.1 - The company's flagship product provides customers worldwide with positional accuracy, detail, nationwide coverage and presentation-quality cartographics.
• Nationwide features of CanMap Streetfiles V4.1 include street names for communities as small as 1,000 people, street addressing for communities as small as 4,500 people, plus much more.
• GeoPinpoint ™ - DMTI Spatial has developed Canada's only intelligent geocoding software package. GeoPinpoint can be used outside of the GIS environment to standardize address records within a client's data warehouse.
• Canadian Atlas Map Bundle (CAMB) - This innovative data set from DMTI Spatial is designed for macro-level geocoding, analysis, and display. Included in this database are over 330,000 place names and features, administrative regions (counties and municipalities), and grid indices for selected National Topographic maps.
• Cities, Towns, and Villages - This data set is an extensive database of 30,000 points representing major, middle, and minor size cities, landmass and political boundaries for the country. Census Demographic Boundary Files - These data sets are designed by DMTI Spatial to nest with the precision-based CanMap portfolio of street map data products.
• Enhanced Postal Code File - This is an innovative point file representation of Canadian postal codes from coast to coast with a geographic link to Statistics Canada's standard 1996 Census Demographic Boundaries.
For further information please contact: Max Hardinge, DMTI Spatial Inc., Direct: 905-948-2005, Toll Free: 1-877-477-3684 x2005, E-mail: [email protected]
Stereo Eyes Wired Brings steered Viewing Experience to Ordinary Desktop Computers
StereoGraphics Corporation announced that it is now shipping the Stereo Eyes Wired Stereoscopic Visualization System. Stereo Eyes Wired enables cost-effective stereoscopic viewing of non-stereo OpenGL software applications on almost any graphics card on Windows 98/Me platform and on selected graphics cards for Windows NT/2000.
"Prior to the Stereo Eyes family of visualization products stereoscopic viewing was out of reach for many scientific and engineering professionals due to the prerequisite high-end graphics card and stereo-enabled software application," said Ian Matthew, director of marketing, StereoGraphics Corporation. "The Stereo Eyes Wired system includes everything you need for steered visualization on Windows 98/Me platform at a very low price. It is ideal for desktop PC users who want to improve their visualization systems and especially for multiple workstation setups, such as classrooms and laboratories where wireless systems could experience emitter cross talk."
StereoGraphics' steered visualization technology allows CAD, GIS/Mapping, Chemistry and Medical professionals to review complex 3D computer graphics more realistically. Realistic visualization with true depth perception reduces time spent on graphical data interpretation and improves data understanding, both essential in mechanical and architectural design, GIS and medical diagnosis. Pricing and Availability
StereoGraphics' Stereo Eyes Wired System is available immediately for a manufacturer's suggested retail price of $199US.
For additional product, sales or reseller information on Stereo Eyes Wired and other products from StereoGraphics, call 800-783-2660 (outside the United States, 415-459-4500), visit the StereoGraphics Web site at www.stereographics.com or send an email to [email protected].
GITA Issues Call for Papers for Annual Conference 25
The Geospatial Information & Technology Association (GITA) has issued a Call for Papers for its Annual Conference 25, scheduled for March 17-20, in Tampa, Florida.
The conference is expected to draw 4,000 IT professionals who will come to learn and exchange ideas on the power and benefits of AM/FM/GIS and related geospatial information technologies that are reshaping the way infrastructure-based organizations do business.
The conference committee seeks professionals from the user and vendor communities to present ideas that will assist others in making solid business decisions with an emphasis on customers, competition, efficiency, and profit. The 11 conference track topics include: System Integration-Bringing the Enterprise Together; Networks Operations Management-Back on Track; Work Management-Getting the Job Done; System Architecture-Designing the Enterprise; Data Development and Evolution-Providing Data to the Masses; New Technology-Charting the Future; E-Biz-Leveraging the Web; The Human Factor-People Make the Difference; Applications-Tools of the Trade; Mobile-Taking IT to the Street; and User Presentations-The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly.
Paper abstracts should be 200 words in length and include the intended audience rank (novice, intermediate, advanced, or all audiences) and three learning objectives summarizing what participants will gain from the presentation. Abstracts may be submitted via GITA's online submission form at www.gita.org/events/02_25_sendabstract.html, or e-mailed as an attachment to [email protected]. The abstract submission deadline is June 1, 2001.
Complete information on the call for papers process, including a sample format, may be obtained from the GITA Web site, located at www.gita.org. Other questions may be directed to Henry Rosales, GITA's director of education, at 303-337-0513.
OGC Releases Request for Technology for a Web Services Initiative
OGC, Inc. (the Open GIS Consortium) announced the release of a Request for Technology (RFT) for a major OGC Web Services Initiative. The RFT is available at http://ip.opengis.org/ows/index.html. Responses to this RFT, along with financial commitments from sponsor organizations will help determine the focus areas that are undertaken as part of this initiative scheduled to commence in September 2001. OGC Web Services are envisioned as an evolutionary, standards- based framework that will enable seamless integration of a variety of online geoprocessing and location services.
OGC Web Services will allow distributed geoprocessing systems to communicate with each other using technologies such as XML and HTTP. OGC Web Services will provide a vendor-neutral interoperable framework for web-based discovery, access, integration, analysis, exploitation and visualization of multiple online geodata sources, sensor-derived information, and geoprocessing and location capabilities.
The OGC Web Services Initiative is part of OGC's Interoperability Program, a global, collaborative, hands-on engineering and testing program designed to deliver prototype interoperable technologies and proven candidate specifications into OGC's Specification Development Program. In OGC's Interoperability Initiatives, international teams of technology providers work together to solve specific geoprocessing interoperability problems posed by Initiative sponsors.
The content of the OGC Web Services Initiative has grown out of previous OGC Testbeds and Pilot Projects. It represents an appreciation of the need to consolidate what OGC and its members have learned in the previous Interoperability Initiatives, with emphasis on moving toward a more coherent model of heterogeneous services and clients interoperating in a distributed setting. The OGC Web Services Initiative RFT provides details on several proposed focus areas:
-- Web Mapping Testbed Phase 3 - will consolidate the progress made in previous testbeds with work accomplished in the OGC Web Services Initiative and refine Basic and General Services Models. This activity will also investigate future web services for visualization, feature and coverage data access, and other services.
-- 3D / 4D - will extend OGC's Geographic Markup Language (GML), Simple Feature Access, and Web Feature Server specifications, with the goal of bringing time, topology, and more complex geometric representation capabilities into these OGC data access and manipulation services.
-- Web Based Exploitation - will focus on an open e-commerce architecture that dynamically connects earth imagery and other geospatial information providers, maintainers, and users in collaborating communities, providing users with interoperable Web-based exploitation capabilities.
-- Sensor Web - will produce open specifications for information gathering from distributed, heterogeneous, dynamic information sensors, and Web resources through common gateways and interfaces ("Ask it, task it, see it"). Sensor Web will result in common interfaces (and an XML-based Sensor Markup Language) for managing sensor information and metadata independent of application. One goal is transparent integration of data from earth imaging platforms and ground collection systems (e.g. water quality monitoring, space-based imaging, GPS correction stations, etc.).
-- Geoanalysis and Decision Support - will develop interoperable service chaining (common expression and execution) and service metadata extensions for complex spatial models (e.g., science models). Goals include extending the OGC Basic Services Model and exercising key concepts in ISO 19119.
-- Information Communities - will create a new technical standards approach to overcoming the problem of semantic differences in geospatial data and associated metadata. It will focus on supporting "Information Communities" using OGC Web Services, fielding data models across communities, and building tools for application schema creation, mapping, and migration.
Interested participants must reply to this RFT by May 14, 2001. Please contact Mr. Jeff Harrison, OGC Interoperability Program Manager, by telephone at (703) 628-8655, or by e-mail at [email protected] if you are interested in being a sponsor of this initiative, or for more information about participation in the OGC Web Services Initiative.
Caliper Delivers Maptitude for the Web
Caliper Corporation has released Maptitude for the Web™. The new mapping software product makes it easy to design, publish, and manage interactive Geographical Information Systems (GIS) applications and location-based services for the World Wide Web.
A single integrated product, Maptitude for the Web combines the features of a geographic information system and of a web application server. Maptitude for the Web has all of the visual tools, wizards, and geographic data that are needed to create compelling and attractive maps, plus special capabilities for designing and running interactive map applications.
Maptitude for the Web includes an extensible set of web application templates called Mapplications®. Mapplications are Active Server Page scripts that run on the web server to produce either HTML or XML output with embedded map images. Each Mapplication is tailored to a specific task, such as displaying a thematic map or finding the nearest map features to a specific location.
Maptitude for the Web breaks the price barrier for web-based mapping. A development license is $995 and a publication license is only $2995.
For more information, contact: Peter H. Van Demark, Giovanni Flammia Tel: (617) 527-4700, Fax: (617) 527-5113, E-mail: [email protected] Internet: www.caliper.com
Intermap Technologies Hires Harry W. Utter as Director, Business Development
Intermap Technologies announced that Harry W. Utter has joined Intermap as Director, Business Development. Among other tasks, Utter will have the responsibility to grow a new value-added business at Intermap as well as develop new business areas with present Intermap customers.
Utter has a distinguished 20-year career with the U.S. Air Force where he worked on national space programs. Most recently He was President and General Manager for Logicon Geodynamics Services, a division of Logicon, Inc. were he managed the development of a range of IT services and products in the area of satellite and airborne remote sensing including NIMA Omnibus activities.
For more information, contact: Garth R. Lawrence, Intermap Technologies, 9785 S. Maroon Circle, Englewood, Colorado, 80112-5928, Fax303 708-0952, Phone 303 708-0955, [email protected], or at IntermapÕs web sites at: www.intermaptechnologies.com or www.globalterrain.com
Laser-Scan and Earth Resource Mapping enter strategic alliance
Earth Resource Mapping and Laser-Scan announced that a Memorandum of Understanding has been signed, which will allow both organizations to provide sophisticated software integration to meet the needs of the converging futures of the GIS and Remote Sensing industries.
Laser-Scan and the new strategic alliance allows the incorporation of the abilities of ECW (Enhanced Compressed Wavelet) compression into Laser-Scan's GOTHIC family of products.
The agreement allows both organizations to develop a range of services that combine technologies and experience, providing the GIS and Remote Sensing market places with a comprehensive set of imaging solutions.
For more information. contact Laser-Scan, in the UK: Lisa May, tel: +44 (0)1223 420414, email: [email protected] ; in the US: Patricia Mims, tel: +1 703 709 9306, email: [email protected]
IDELIXÕs Pliable Display Technology Enables A Better View on HP Platforms
IDELIX™ Software Inc. announced the completion of an agreement with Hewlett-Packard Company to join HP's Computing Solution Provider Program to further the development of IDELIX's Pliable Display Technology™ on HP's platforms.
IDELIX's revolutionary Pliable Display Technology (PDT) addresses "screen real estate" problems associated with presenting large amounts of information on a limited size display allowing for enhanced viewing of digital content on desktop computers, PDA, tablet, handheld and wireless devices.
"PDT solves the inefficiencies and information-loss experienced with existing zoom and pan technologies", says Dr. David Baar, CEO of IDELIX. PDT is a hardware platform- and software application-independent technology that is easily integrated."
Markets for PDT include: Digital Imaging, Geographic Information Systems & Remote Sensing, Medical Imaging, Electronic Media, Location-Based Services, and Handheld and Wireless Devices. Each of these areas is estimated to be a multi-billion dollar market, with accelerating growth.
"We are excited about implementing PDT on HP's handheld PC product line, Jornada™. PDT will enhance the convenience and communication capabilities of these portable solutions in areas such as location services, digital photography and wireless data communications", says Stuart Bourhill, President & COO of IDELIX.
The HP Computing Solution Provider Program Plus (CSPP+) helps Partners more easily develop, demonstrate, and deploy products and services for the HPsystems marketplace -- for the enterprise and the Internet. "HP's Computing Solution Provider Program is designed to help software developers increase their productivity, broaden market reach and increase revenue potential," said Michael Desira, HP Partnership Programs. "IDELIX's Pliable Display Technology offers a unique interface and visualization capability with a number of exciting applications within the handheld and desktop computing space. HP is looking forward to working with IDELIX to bring the product to market."
For more information, contact: Stuart Bourhill, IDELIX Software Inc., President and COO, Tel. (604) 656-6308, [email protected] or visit http://www.idelix.com/handheld_wireless.shtml
Xcel Energy North Selects ArcGIS Software for Its New GIS Platform
Xcel Energy Inc., a prominent U.S. electricity and natural gas company, has selected ArcGIS as its new geographic information system (GIS) platform for its northern operations (Xcel Energy North). Xcel Energy North will migrate from its existing ARC/INFO 7.2 platform to an enterprise GIS solution ArcInfo 8.1, encompassing ArcSDE for Oracle, and Miner and Miner (M&M) ArcFM.
Migration activities began in Q4 of 2000 and migration and staff training will be complete by Q2 2001. Departments such as engineering, operations, customer service, construction, and others will use GIS data and applications maintained by the Xcel North GIS department.
Xcel Energy North selected ArcGIS after an evaluation and needs assessment. Selection was based on a number of critical areas including digital mapping production; open, scalable technology; user experience; and object component architecture. The decision on Xcel Energy's corporate wide (North and South) GIS solutions has not yet been finalized. A decision is expected within the next several months.
Xcel Energy provides a complete portfolio of energy-related products and services to 3 million electricity customers and 1.5 million natural gas customers in 12 states including Arizona, Colorado, Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, New Mexico, North Dakota, Oklahoma, South Dakota, Texas, and Wyoming. Xcel Energy Inc. was formed in August 2000 by the merger of Minneapolis-based Northern States Power Co. and Denver-based New Century Energies.
Headquartered in Minneapolis, Xcel Energy's operations consist of more than 16,000 miles of transmission lines, 73,000 miles of electric distribution lines, and 29,000 miles of gas pipeline. Its electric generating facilities have a generating capacity of more than 15,000 megawatts.
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