Top Stories
Forest Technology Group expands services with a web-based application for better management of forest resources
Forest Technology Group, a wholly owned subsidiary of Westvaco Corporation has unveiled its new Web-based geographic information system with specialized decision-support tools. The proprietary online service, WebFRIS(TM), expands the company's extensive GIS services beyond its custom-designed PC-based systems. This new application is available to clients as an acreage-based subscription fee service and can be easily accessed through Forest Technology Group's Web site. Forest Technology Group's WebFRIS puts the power of information directly in the hands of more natural resource managers in the most cost-effective manner. With only a standard Web browser, resource managers can access their forest data and perform complex, useful analyses easily and efficiently, getting the information they need when they need it. Combining maps, aerial imagery, and forest data, WebFRIS enables managers to visualize and report on the present condition of resources and the landscape effects of future management plans, as well as maintain records on past performance. In addition to WebFRIS, two companion applications are available at Forest Technology Group's site: WebCruiser(TM), an online timber cruise application, and WebCalculators(TM), a convenient tool for unit conversions, timber growth and yield calculations, and financial analyses.
Visit:
http://www.ftgrp.com/
ImageLinks Launches RasterWare Appliances
ImageLinks has introduced RasterWare Appliances, a line of hardware/software systems that store, process and deliver customized geospatial imagery and related information directly to the end user's desktop. Each of the three RasterWare™ Appliances product series combines storage of raster-based geographic information with advanced processing functions and algorithms in a customizable package. ImageLinks RasterWare™ Appliances allow the end user to define a geographic area and extract the appropriate data sets from a variety of aerial, satellite and other raster imagery stored in the system. ImageLinks RasterWare™ technology processes the data to any format, map projection or other desired output parameter and then delivers the finished product directly into a desktop application for viewing, analysis, modeling or simulation. With ImageLinks RasterWare™ Appliances, geospatial applications become projection independent. Organizations store their raw raster data only once and users can later derive as many custom imagery products as needed in whatever projection, datum, size and format required by their specific application.
Visit:
http://www.imagelinks.com/
Molpus Timberlands Management selects NovaLIS to manage its clients' timberlands assets
Molpus Timberlands Management, LLC has selected NovaLIS Technologies' Land Records Framework, GATE, and Parcel Editor solutions. Under the deal, NovaLIS will deliver a custom system enabling the company to better manage its clients' timberlands, and share information among departments. The project will begin early February 2002, and is scheduled for completion
within three to six months. MTM will use the NovaLIS solution in all areas of its business: marketing and harvesting, land management, strategic planning, legal, and accounting. MTM is currently using ESRI' ArcGIS (ArcInfo and ArcView) software. Built on ESRI technology, NovaLIS' Land Records Framework will integrate seamlessly with this system. The framework will integrate the GIS database with MTM's legal department, and will provide invaluable information to its harvesting foresters, land management foresters, and the accounting group.
Visit:
http://www.molpus.com/ &
http://www.novalistech.com/
Planet GPS chooses Maporama for its Fleet Management Application
Planet GPS, premier operator in localisation services, chooses Maporama, the European leader in online cartography and geocentric information, for providing automatic vehicle localisation on Maporama¹s maps. Using Maporama¹s street level maps, Planet GPS creates the first application of fleet management and security with automatic real-time vehicle spotting on maps. The whole solution has been implemented as an ASP service. Planet GPS's products allow for optimising the management of a fleet of vehicles thanks to data gathered through real-time localisation. Addressing the problem of vehicle security, theft opportunity are greatly reduced through vehicle immobilisation and localisation services. Through integrated geocentric functionalities of Maporama, Planet GPS's customers localise each of their vehicles on detailed street level maps of all European countries. The application of Planet GPS has been developed using Maporama Application Programming Interface Library (MAPIL), a product that provides Planet GPS's programmers with online access to all geocentric functions of Maporama¹s servers. Thanks to MAPIL, Planet GPS benefits from total flexibility in integrating geocentric functionalities into Planet GPS's application and localisation servers. In addition, cartographic and itinerary generation engines are hosted on Maporama¹s servers; Planet GPS thus profits immediately from Maporama¹s regularly updated geographic coverage.
Visit:
www.maporama.com
Maporama announces business publisher version 1.0
Maporama, a leading provider of location-centric applications, has announced the Maporama Business Publisher version 1. This innovative online tool provides companies with a simple and efficient means of publishing their distribution networks' local data. Thanks to the technology of Maporama, Business Publisher publishes local information on Internet, Intranet, as well as Extranet networks. Each Virtual Business Page is built upon a shared template, offering individual stores the freedom to communicate their specific information such as, for example, opening hours, available services, ongoing promotions, loyalty programmes etc. Every partner also benefits from a street map of its address as well as from an itinerary module for guiding Internet users to the point of sales, generating more in-store traffic and, subsequently, revenues. Centralised management for total image control. The shared template is defined and maintained by a central administrator, thereby assuring a perfect cohesion of a brand's image across all "Virtual Business Pages". The mother company defines, in a centralised manner, the look and feel of all Virtual Business Pages. The layout, colours, logos, and common information of all Virtual Business Pages are thus completely controlled by the mother company. Maporama Business Publisher is available immediately.
Visit:
www.maporama.com
Webraska & Parrot to launch telematic solution
Webraska, a provider of LBS & Telematics applications and enabling platforms, and Parrot, one of the worldwide leaders in automotive telecommunications technologies are collaborating to launch a solution combining Webraska's distributed navigation technology for mobile terminals and PDAs such as Pocket PCs, and Parrot's hands-free system compatible with Bluetooth™ wireless technology. The combined offer will enable automotive manufacturers, equipment vendors, telematics service providers and telecoms operators to launch a complete, integrated mobile communication and distributed navigation solution for drivers. This solution has been designed to ensure maximum comfort, ease-of-use and safety, in the in-car environment. The user will be able to access turn-by-turn directions, optimised to take into account real-time traffic conditions, as well as to access a broad portfolio of location-based information services from his PDA (e.g. Compaq iPaQ, HP Jornada, Casio E200). Services are accessible from multiple mobile environments and modes of transport. The combined offer will also enable professionals and consumers to access location-based services and real-time distributed navigation throughout Europe and North America. The Bluetooth™ enabled system enables customers to access services using their existing mobile phone subscription, yet without a wire link between the PDA and the handset.
Visit:
http://www.webraska.com/ &
http://www.say-parrot.com/
PlanGraphics announces rollout of a spatially enabled engineering records management system
PlanGraphics, Inc., a provider of professional spatial information technology services, announces the initial roll-out of the Plan Library Archival Numbering System (PLANS), a spatially enabled engineering records document management system, for the Rhode Island Department of Transportation (RIDOT). PlanGraphics has met all delivery milestones for the project, and has successfully installed and trained 9 clients in 3 remote locations. PlanGraphics and its partner, tsaADVET, have installed RIDOT data along with a combination of Oracle and Falcon software on servers and client workstations and have provided formal training on the system.
Visit:
www.plangraphics.com
Land Info International welcomes new additions to sales team
LAND INFO International, a provider of worldwide geospatial & digital mapping services, has announced two new additions to its management team. The company named James E. Schiefer, Executive VP of Sales & Marketing, and Terrence Ryan as Senior Account Manager. Schiefer brings over 30 years business development experience to LAND INFO. Most recently, Schiefer held senior management posts at IHS Energy Group, MJ Systems, and Interpretive Imaging. His background includes a wealth of data solutions and business development for the oil & gas marketplace. Additionally, Schiefer has successfully managed emerging strategic business units and developmental strategies for a variety of IT companies. Ryan joins LAND INFO with over eight years industry experience. Ryan was the regional sales manager with Hitachi Software Global Technology. Prior to Hitachi, Ryan held account management positions with Avatech Solutions, Inc. and Eagle Point Software. Ryan has broad experience cultivating key accounts within the civil engineering, surveying, and mechanical engineering markets.
Visit:
www.LANDINFO.com
Leica Geosystems exceeds environmental performance goals
Leica Geosystems has released its 1998-2000 Environmental Report, testifying that the reduction of solvent, water, and energy consumption were far greater than anticipated, even though both production and sales had been increased. The Report monitors Leica Geosystems' environmental performance over the last three years, summarising the environmental data of the factories and major selling units throughout the world, and also includes social aspects. The Environmental Report gathers data from Leica Geosystems AG (Switzerland), including the three factories, Polymeca AG, Wiltronic AG and Swissoptic AG, LH Systems, Leica Instruments Pte Ltd (Singapore), Leica Geosystems Inc (Torrance, USA) and the 20 sales subsidiaries located worldwide. It does not yet include statements on the companies acquired by Leica Geosystems in 2001 (Laser Alignment, Cyra Technologies, and ERDAS). With these acquisitions the Group, with its instruments, software and systems, is the Geomatics solutions provider with the largest range of technologies for the capture, visualisation and modelling of spatial data worldwide.
Visit:
http://www.leica-geosystems.com/environment
Asia News
SatNav talking to MUL for telematics solutions
Hyderabad: Satyam Navigation, the GIS wing of Satyam Computer Services, is talking with Maruti Udyog and Mahindra & Mahindra for deploying vehicle navigation and intelligent transport systems in their vehicles.
“Our experience in developing solutions and executing international projects will help deploy telematics solutions in India. We intend to use the existing GSM network to deploy the solutions in the Indian environment.
We are talking to Maruti and Mahindra & Mahindra for conducting field trials,” a SatNav project leader said. According to the company officials, a wide range of applications in the telematic sector are being planned through the integration of globally available technologies such as GPS, GSM and web-based information systems.
The services include security monitoring, fleet management, off-board navigation and road assistance, the provision of communication and information services as well as web-enabled office applications for mobile use. SatNav’s GIS-based applications integrate maps and databases for use to offer applications like automated vehicle tracking, networks management, the officials said.
Source:
Economic Times
Korean Ministry Eyes Establishment of E-GOVERNMENT This Year
Jan 14 Asia Pulse - The Ministry of Information and Communication plans to complete the establishment of the electronic government within the year, the ministry said Monday.
The ministry said it is pushing ahead with 11 core tasks for the project along with related government agencies, referring to a new year's press conference held earlier in the day, in which President Kim Dae-jung called for the establishment of an e-government.
It is also focusing its efforts on linking state-of-the-art technologies to traditional industries so as to produce high value-added products.
The ministry also plans to strengthen its ongoing programs to educate the public on the Internet and information technology that could be put to use in everyday life.
The ministry said it also will improve measures to single out promising IT startups to allow them to receive funding and other forms of support.
Source:
http://www.asia-links.com/
Caliper Corporation has released Version 4.5 of Maptitude Geographic Information System for Windows. This major upgrade of the award-winning desktop GIS delivers new program capabilities, data, and documentation in an affordable, easy-to-use product. With this latest release, Caliper enhances its position as the value leader in desktop GIS. Maptitude is known for its ease of learning, ease of use, quick performance, clear documentation, and excellent value. Shipped as a single package for $495, Maptitude 4.5 provides many capabilities that are not supported by desktop mapping products costing three times the price of Maptitude. Out of the box, Maptitude creates detailed and useful maps. Because Maptitude comes with nationwide streets and many other geographic files, you can easily create a map of a state, a county, a city, and even an address anywhere in the United States. The map layers are designed to be both clear and attractive, using the advanced cartographic capabilities of Maptitude. You can use the default design, or make any changes you wish to the map design. The data associated with the states, counties, Census tracts and other nationwide files include a demographic profile from the 2000 Census. With the Map Librarian, you can quickly begin exploring these data on race, age, sex, and other tabulations from the questions asked of everyone during the 2000 Census. You can also use the color, dot-density, scaled-symbol, or chart theme MapWizardT to effortlessly visualize the 2000 Census data, or begin looking at your own data.