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Webraska and AirFlash merge to create worldwide location-based services leader

Webraska, the worldwide provider of wireless navigation services and technologies, and AirFlash, a leading provider of location-based technologies and services for network operators and wireless service providers, today announced they are merging to create a global leader in LBS (Location-based Services) applications and application development solutions. The combined entity has among its clients over twelve carriers on four continents serving in excess of 80 million mobile phone customers. The merged company, named Webraska, provides software solutions to develop location-based applications for telecommunications and automotive customers.

Visit:- www.webraska.com & www.airflash.com

SICAD GSP opens up full GIS functionality via the Internet

SICAD GEOMATICS presents Geo Service Providing (GSP), a brand new platform enabling users to access full GIS functionality for the first time via the Internet. Geo Service Providing is a platform for corporate cross-management processes that allows the available knowledge base to be fully exploited. In addition to operational benefits, SICAD GSP is a gateway to new business models, billing methods and ways of organizing work. SICAD Geo Service Providing takes full advantage of the enormous potential of Application Service Providing (ASP) and the Internet. Together with the SICAD Internet Suite for OGC-compliant information, SICAD GEOMATICS offers a comprehensive range of internet-based geo services. This solution gives corporate users and local authorities the flexibility to use GIS over the Internet and to select appropriate functions for specific tasks. SICAD GSP enables both geodata and alphanumeric data to be edited directly in intranet/internet clients. Users can integrate and update critical geodata from their workstations using standard tools such as the digitizing tablet and the mouse.

Visit:- www.sicad.com

GlobeXplorer Updates Aerial Imagery of Disaster Locations on Its Website

GlobeXplorer, Inc., a technology company that distributes interactive aerial photos via the Internet, announced today that it has updated its website containing aerial images of last week's terrorist disaster locations in Manhattan and Washington, D.C. Specifically, the GlobeXplorer website now contains new images taken after last week's terrorist activity, infrared imagery of the World Trade Center and links to other disaster coverage websites. The aerial images are available at: www.globexplorer.com/disasterimages

Urban Information Systems moves to electronic software delivery

Urban Information Systems, Inc. (UIS) announces that new E-Editions of the TAS(TM) the Total Alignment System (TM) software product line, a comprehensive suite of image and CAD theme manipulation tools for use within ArcView® GIS, are now available to purchase from its website. TAS is a comprehensive suite of image and CAD theme manipulation and management tools for use directly within ArcView GIS. TAS software adds new tools to the standard ArcView GIS interface making it easy integrate images and CAD files in GIS projects. The TAS suite includes TAS Basic(TM), TAS Advanced(TM), TAS Professional(TM), TAS CAD(TM), and TAS XYZ Utilities(TM). TAS is developed under the Civitas Software(TM) brand, UIS' software development unit.

Visit:- www.u-i-s.com

Paradigm announces deal with Consortium to launch PowerLOC Germany

PowerLOC Technologies Inc., a subsidiary of Paradigm Advanced Technologies, Inc. has announced that it has signed an agreement with a group of senior executives experienced in the field of location-based services that have come together to create PowerLOC Germany Limited. The newly incorporated German company has been set up specifically for the distribution of PowerLOC products in Germany, Austria and Switzerland. As a part of the agreement signed with the group, PowerLOC Germany will commit to a minimum purchase of 2000 Vehicle Locating Devices (VLD), and 2000 Destinator units up to the end of December 2001. Five hundred (500) units are expected to be shipped in November. As well, PowerLOC Germany has indicated its intention to purchase a Tracker by year-end.

Visit:- http://www.powerloc.com/

Asia News

Disaster management for Delhi using GIS

The experiences of ‘Black Tuesday’ in United States and the devastating earthquake in Gujarat has forced the Delhi government to identify the major danger areas and to shape a sound disaster management system.

The project proposal for ‘Seismic microzonation and GIS-based solution for disaster mitigation of Delhi region’ prepared by Central Government's Department of Science and Technology, suggests appointment of relief commissioner to coordinate with the Centre and state agencies. All Delhi Government departments will report to him in exigency.

The report has identified several epicentres in and around Delhi. For earthquake of magnitude between 5 to 7, the epicentre has been identified in Hardwar area of Uttaranchal Hills.

For impact of magnitude of 2 and 5 in Delhi, there are large number of epicentres in Rohtak, Jhajjar, Kasan, Sohna and Sonipat. The entire Yamuna plain in Delhi is in fault lineament.

In the range between Tilak Bridge to Rohini, Connaught Place has been identified as the area most prone to devastation resulting of earthquake as sandy silt quantity below the land is most in this region. Incidentally, Delhi falls in high seismic zone IV.

The proposal suggests GIS system for disaster management as it has become a powerful tool in prediction and estimation of natural hazards. The GIS maps can provide information about the risk magnitudes, population detail and assets risk.

Source: Hindustan Times

Korean Govt to Set up Information Technology Test Center

SEOUL - The Ministry of Information and Communication plans to establish a comprehensive information technology test center within the year if possible, the ministry said Tuesday. The decision was made to counter the dependence of small businesses and venture firms on foreign laboratories for product testing due to the absence of local institutes equipped with the latest technology.

The ministry is hoping to secure 3,960 square meters of space in the Seoul area to house the testing center and to issue certificates to boost their marketing and exports.

The ministry is to support the firms in digital broadcasting, ethernet, optical communication and software sectors at first and expand the scope gradually.

The ministry will inject 68 billion won (US$52.08 million) into the project by 2005.

Source: Asia Pulse

Disaster management unit to be set up by the year end: IRCS

The Indian Red Cross Society (IRCS) will be setting up a disaster management and response unit behind the IRCS headquarters by the end of this year, according to Health Minister Dr C P Thakur.

Briefing newspersons on the occasion of the two-day annual general meeting of the society being held from Monday, Dr Thakur who is also the chairman of the society also announced plans to set up a state-of-the-art blood bank in the Nizamuddin area of the city.

The disaster management and response unit will be set up with the help of IBM to whom the plan was proposed earlier. Vice-chariman of the IRCS Murali S Deora said, "we had had discussions with the American Red Cross Society and IBM earlier in Baltimore in America."

"IBM will be sponsoring a part of the unit," he added. The unit will have the prime responsibility of acting as a nodal communication centre during times of disasters and co-ordinating supply of relief material like tents, medicines and trauma care ambulances.

The IRCS plans to have the unit operational by this year and extend it to seven States by 2003. The final details of the programme will be decided within a month.

Source: The Pioneer