GIS News

16^th - 23^rd April 2001

Mehta died of heart attack: Autopsy report

PTI, The cause of Dewang Mehta's death was a heart attack, an autopsy of the NASSCOM chief's body revealed today. Thirty-eight years old Mehta was found dead in a Sydney hotel room on Thursday. It was a case of heart attack, according to forensic doctors' report.

Application of GIS

Tyco Unit to Implement Street Lighting System in Singapore [ 23/04/2001 ]
Tyco Fire & Security Services has announced that its Integrated Systems business unit has won a major transportation infrastructure project in Singapore, to implement a new lighting system The scope of work includes design and installation of new street lighting, modification of lighting systems during road improvement projects, increasing street lighting effectiveness, GPS mapping of the location.

Federal and State Agencies initiate program to highlight Watersheds in Georgia [ 23/04/2001 ]
Various departments of the US Government have initiated a Georgia Watershed Signage program at an unveiling of the Tallapoosa Watershed road sign. The signage program is designed to raise awareness and encourage good stewardship of the state's valuable rivers, streams, wetlands, lakes, and ground water.

April is observed as Earthquake and Tsunami Awareness month [ 21/04/2001 ]
The month of April is observed as earthquake awareness month in the State of California and as tsunami awareness month in the State of Hawaii. Both natural hazards have struck this island with disastrous results.

WesternGeco completes multi-client seismic data acquisition offshore Suriname [ 21/04/2001 ]
WesternGeco has completed data acquisition of the 600-km, ocean-bottom cable phase of its multi-client seismic survey, offshore Suriname. This shallow-water segment completes the survey WesternGeco , which began in January, 2001.

Researchers Solve Indian Earthquake Mystery [ 20/04/2001 ]
"The acceleration from the epicenter of the earthquake some 10 miles deep exceeded that of gravity, causing boulders, tombstones and even people to be tossed into the air," says Roger Bilham at University of Colorado at Boulder

Shuttle Endeavour Successfully Launches STS-100 Mission to Space Station [ 20/04/2001 ]
The Space Shuttle Endeavour successfully launched from Kennedy Space Center, pad 39A at 18:40:42 UTC (11:40:42 a.m. PDT) on April 19. Endeavour's mission is to deliver the Space Station Remote Manipulator System robot arm, which was built by Canada.

Delhi to update 93-yr-old land records- Finally [ 20/04/2001 ]
The Delhi government has released funds for a pilot project, which will include the digital mapping and land settlement of two areas in the city. After 93 years 1,908 records are going to be opened, the miles converted into square kilometers and the boundaries between urban and rural land, redrawn

Remote sensing course to make life easier for babu's [ 20/04/2001 ]
For mantralaya babu's and district collectors to wildlife wardens scouting sanctuaries in Maharashtra, Pune will now drill the tools and the lingo of GIS and remote sensing for years a package that spelt a journey to Dehra Dun's Indian Institute of Remote Sensing or Hyderabad's National Remote Sensing Agency

Cypress System-Using GIS to offer Real-Time Management of Timber Investment Portfolios [ 19/04/2001 ]
Stonebridge Technologies has announced the completion of an engagement with Canal Forest Resources (CFR) to create a Web-based system that gives timberland owners the ability to more effectively manage their timber portfolios. The Cypress manages workflow processes, reporting and Internet delivery which included integration to a third-party GIS mapping tool.

USGS and Forest Service to Offer One-Stop Shopping for Maps [ 19/04/2001 ]
To provide outdoor recreationists and others greater access to maps of the nation's 192 million acres of national forests and grasslands, the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) and the U.S. Forest Service have entered into an agreement to make Forest Service maps available from the USGS.

GSLV second time lucky [ 19/04/2001 ]
India has successfully launched its most advanced rocket on Wednesday, lofting an experimental communications satellite from a coastal spaceport, Sriharikota, in southern Andhra Pradesh State. The successful launch has put India alongside the United States, Russia, Japan, China and the European Union, which all can launch heavy satellites into space.

Indonesia to launch telecom satellite in 2003 [ 18/04/2001 ]
The state-run PT Telekomunikasi Indonesia (PT Telkom) is planning to launch its Telkom-2 telecommunications satellite in 2003 to replace the Palapa B4, according to a report.

FleetBoss's cost effective fleet management solutions [ 18/04/2001 ]
Orlando-based FleetBoss Global Positioning Solutions has announced The Boss Cool Blue series, a fleet management system that actually guarantees improved efficiency, productivity and profitability. It offer business managers the first comprehensive system that provides not only real-time automatic vehicle location (AVL) but also passive data recording and tracking of vehicle usage.

India aims for rocket re-launch [ 16/04/2001 ]
India's relaunch of the aborted geostationary satellite rocket is on schedule with the help of a new strap-on engine. The new launch date has been set tentatively for Wednesday April 18, almost one month after the initial launch was cancelled due to a snag in one of the four strap-on engines, according to news agency UNI.

Products/Services

China's Digital Geological Map and Data Base in Use [ 23/04/2001 ]
The latest digital version of China's National Geological Map and Data Base, developed by the China Geological Bureau, will soon be applied in key government departments, academies and oil exploration and refining companies.

China to Develop New Rocket Satellites for Civil Spaceflight [ 23/04/2001 ]
China is going to develop new-generation rocket satellites for civil spaceflight during the 10th Five-year Plan period at an international seminar on Wednesday according to Guo Baozhu, deputy director of China National Space Administration

LightSurf's Wireless Visual Communications Solutions to support QUALCOMM's BREW [ 23/04/2001 ]
LightSurf Technologies has announced that it will develop software to support QUALCOMM's new Binary Runtime Environment for Wireless(TM) (BREW(TM)) platform. BREW is an applications platform for wireless devices using a variety of air interfaces including, among others, Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA), the leading standard for third-generation, high-speed wireless voice and data communications.

Intergraph Public Safety selected by Westmoreland County to manage emergencies [ 21/04/2001 ]
Intergraph Public Safety (IPS) has been selected by Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania, to provide a multi-agency computer aided dispatch (CAD) system for law enforcement, fire, and emergency medical services (EMS). The contract award is valued at $1.7 million.

New GLOBAL Terrain Product Handbook Available [ 21/04/2001 ]
Intermap Technologies has announced that a new GLOBAL Terrain Product Handbook has been released. The new edition includes product specifications for GLOBAL Terrain digital elevation products, including Orthorectified Radar Images, Digital Surface Models and GLOBAL Terrain's new bare earth Digital Terrain Models.

WCA to Launch 'Women's Wireless Network' at WCA 2001 [ 21/04/2001 ]
The Wireless Communications Association (WCA) has announced that FCC Commissioner Susan Ness will be the featured speaker at a dinner launching the "Women's Wireless Network" for professional advancement within the fixed wireless broadband access industry. The initiative is part of WCA's annual show WCA 2001: Broadband Now! which runs from June 24 to 27 at Boston's World Trade Center and Seaport Hotel.

SatAlarm-ICM system first order to American Red Cross [ 21/04/2001 ]
American Millennium Corporation has announced that the American Red Cross, Disaster Communications division, has placed their first order for SatAlarm-ICM(TM) systems. The systems will be installed in special vehicles that provide critical communication services at disaster sites.

Graticule's latest software for locating of GSM mobile telephones fitted with GPS Receivers [ 20/04/2001 ]
Graticule has unveiled a live demonstration for interrogating and mapping the location of GSM mobile telephones fitted with satellite Global Positioning System (GPS) receivers. The software offers potential for immediate use in several market sectors. It is aimed at managers with a fleet of vehicles or employees working in the field.

Palmtop launches TomTom CityMaps [ 19/04/2001 ]
Palmtop Software has announced CityMaps, the latest title under its TomTom brand and an urban route planner for European cities in two editions, one for the UK and another for continental Europe. CityMaps enables the user to locate roads and maps the optimum route between two points.

SkyCross announces new 800MHz-2.5GHz Antenna for wireless applications [ 18/04/2001 ]
SkyCross has announced a new wide-band antenna capable of handling satellite and terrestrial communications thereby reducing the need for multiple antennas for next-generation mobile wireless applications.

Pixxures' Online Storefront for Digital Map Imagery [ 18/04/2001 ]
Digital mapping products, aerial photography and satellite imagery are now available via Pixxures' new online storefront. Pixxures has developed an e-commerce site, with Unify eWave Commerce, to meet its business objective of making high-resolution aerial photography and satellite imagery, easily available and less expensive for people of all walks of life.

Terrasolid's TerraScan LiDAR Processing Software now available from Airborne 1 [ 18/04/2001 ]
Airborne 1 is now an Authorized Master Distributor for Terrasolid's software products including the popular TerraScan LiDAR Data Processing package. Its versatile manipulation, visualization and classification tools prove useful in topographic surveying, surveying of transmission lines, flood plains, proposed highways, stockpiles, forest areas or urban centers.

MapInfo augments Market Analysis Solutions with Census 2000 Data [ 18/04/2001 ]
MapInfo Corporation has announced its plans for integrating Census 2000 data into its core market analysis solutions. MapInfo� TargetPro� v3.6 will be the first MapInfo solution to utilize the newly released data.

AXS demonstrates the impact of new imaging technology [ 17/04/2001 ]
AXS's first-to-market product, EyeSpy(TM) Image Server, exponentially increases the speed at which high resolution imagery is served and allows users to zoom, pan and click to finite details of an image, with the IconMedialab's help .

GARMIN Introduces its Own Line of Offshore Marine Mapping Data [ 17/04/2001 ]
Garmin has announced new mapping for its latest line of marine GPS products - introducing GARMIN BlueChart marine cartography. This latest offering from GARMIN will provide users with twice the coverage area for half the price.

GARMIN Debuts New WAAS-Capable GPS/Chartplotters [ 17/04/2001 ]
Garmin has unveiling four new products for the marine market - introducing the GPSMAP 182, GPSMAP 232, GPSMAP 188 Sounder and GPSMAP 238 Sounder. These products will replace existing GARMIN chartplotters and chartplotter/sounder combination units.

REALVIZ Introduces New Image Processing Softwares [ 16/04/2001 ]
REALVIZ has announced that they will be introducing a series of innovative new capabilities to their Image Processing Factory software applications: MatchMover, Stitcher and ImageModeler, in an on-going effort to provide powerful effects and CG creation tools to a wider audience.

Web-based Performance Support for Autodesk Users [ 16/04/2001 ]
Mentergy, Inc has announced that its Allen Communication Learning Services Division has been chosen to develop 32 lessons for Autodesk's top-rated CAD programs--AutoCAD 2000 and AutoCAD 2000i. The project not only includes the development of e-Learning lessons but also step-by-step tutorials and hands-on experience to enhance skill in working with AutoCAD.

Merger / Alliances

Transamerica Flood and Basis100 Announce Joint Marketing Agreement [ 23/04/2001 ]
Transamerica Flood Hazard Certification and Basis100 have announced a joint marketing agreement. Both organizations will be integrating Transamerica Flood Internet-based flood hazard determinations with Basis100 Solimar Automated Valuation Models (AVM) into a single package thereby providing preliminary screening tool for lenders, appraisers, and other real estate professionals early in the loan process.

Paradigm and IDC to Co-Market Wireless Location Technology Solution [ 20/04/2001 ]
Paradigm Advanced Technologies has announced that its wholly owned PowerLOC division has entered into an agreement with International Dispatch Center (IDC), under which IDC will purchase and license Paradigm's PowerLOC L-Biz(TM) Tracker server system.

Infotech UK arm buys Mapcentric [ 20/04/2001 ]
Infotech Enterprises Ltd has announced that its UK GROUP Company --Infotech Enterprises Europe -- has acquired the London-based Mapcentric, Europe's leading independent GIS distributor.

ESRI Joins APTA to Help Improve Public Transit Systems [ 20/04/2001 ]
ESRI has joined the American Public Transportation Association (APTA) as a business member. It will promote using GIS technology to improve operations and increase service in their communities as GIS is being increasingly recognized as the best tool for assessing traffic congestion, traffic safety, air quality, and also generating models to help forecast the results of transportation projects.

General Business News

Universal Map Donates Very Large Wall Map to Library of Congress [ 21/04/2001 ]
Universal Map will donate one of the largest published wall maps of the United States to the Library of Congress at the International Map Trade Association Conference in Washington, D.C. on April 20. The map is 25-foot wide by 18-foot high illustrating the fifty states

Trimble Appoints Vice-President of Operations [ 21/04/2001 ]
Trimble has announced that Joseph F. Denniston, Jr., 40, has joined the Company as vice president of operations. In his role, he will be responsible for worldwide manufacturing as well as the distribution and logistics strategy.

Webraska Opens Detroit Operations [ 21/04/2001 ]
Webraska has announced the opening of its Detroit/Novi sales office to serve automotive OEM and first-tier supplier customers throughout North America. Focusing on telematics for the rapidly changing automotive market, Webraska's Detroit office will be providing the company's expertise in Call Centers, its Personal Navigation API(TM) and Wireless Navigation Platform.

Lockheed Martin Establishes New Navigation Systems Business Unit [ 20/04/2001 ]
To build on its world-class capabilities in navigation and to meet customer needs, Lockheed Martin has established a new business unit within its Space Systems Company.

ImageAmerica, receives award for providing new orthoimagery for White County, Indiana [ 20/04/2001 ]
ImageAmerica, has announced that it had received an order for its TerraSource DirectOrtho Startup product, from White County, Indiana. The Company will provide new imagery with one-foot resolution, for the County

Motorola Wins $29 Million Wireless Network Expansion Project In Jordan [ 19/04/2001 ]
Motorola's Global Telecom Solutions Sector has announced that it has been awarded $29 million Global System for Mobile Communication (GSM) digital wireless network expansion by Jordan Mobile Telephone Services. Motorola also will provide a number of network tools and services.

Universal Map Launches GIS Division [ 17/04/2001 ]
Universal Map has launched a GIS Business Development Division whose focus will be leveraging Universal Map's extensive library of high-quality digital geographic data.

OGC Announces Technology Insertion Project [ 17/04/2001 ]
OGC has announced the start of the OGC Civil Works Technology Insertion (CTI) Project which will grow interoperable web mapping technology from research into practical application to support enterprise GIS solutions for Corps Civil Works Divisions and Districts.

Mining Division's GESTIM Honored at Hommage 2001 [ 17/04/2001 ]
At the recent Hommage 2001 awards ceremony held in Quebec City Province of Quebec, the Ministere de Ressources naturelles du Quebec (MNR) - Mining sector was awarded first place in the Ministries category for their innovative Gestion des titles Miniers Title Management (GESTIM) system. The Hommage awards are considered the "Oscars" for the Quebec government IT industry.

VARGIS Selected for New York's State-wide Mapping Project [ 16/04/2001 ]
The New York Office for Technology (OFT) has awarded its Statewide Digital Orthoimagery Program to VARGIS to create 1 and 2 foot pixel resolution digital orthoimagery for the State. Collection of new aerial imagery to support the program will begin this spring in the lower Hudson Valley.

Education/Training

ESRI Virtual Campus Receives Excellence in Education Award [ 17/04/2001 ]
California Geographic Information Association (CGIA) has recognized ESRI Virtual Campus as the recipient of CGIA's 2000 Excellence in Education Award. Each year CGIA recognizes organizations that have made outstanding contributions to the advancement of geographic information systems (GIS) in the State of California.