SuperGeo Technologies, the leading global provider of complete GIS solutions, is pleased to announce that several sets of ‘SuperGeo Mobile GIS Expert’, a mobile GIS solution integrating professional Mobile GIS Software, SuperPad, with the rugged PDA, PS 535F, are marketed to Malaysia again. This procurement is contributed by Axis Commerce, SuperGeo’s exclusive reseller in Malaysia.
 
'SuperGeo Mobile GIS Expert’ provides a complete GIS solution for field workers by means of the water proof, anti-dust, and anti-impact PDA, along with full-functional SuperPad. This product has been promoted greatly in many countries, especially in Asia where users have strong demand for mobile GIS solutions.
 
Observing the market need, Axis Commerce procures numerous sets of ‘SuperGeo Mobile GIS Expert’ and is confident in promoting more SuperGIS series software in Malaysian market. ‘SuperGeo’s complete Mobile GIS solutions help us gain more GIS users in Malaysia and we look forward to the enhanced SuperGIS 3 Series Software which will be a nice choice for all the users regardless of functions or price!’ says Axis Commerce, SuperGeo’s exclusive reseller in Malaysia.
 
For more information about ‘SuperGeo Mobile GIS Expert’, please visit: http://www.supergeotek.com/products_others_GISExpert.aspx   

Contact Information:

SuperGeo Technologies
http://www.supergeotek.com/
Sarah Liu
886-2-25467700
sarahliu@supergeoteik.com

Sokkia announces four new enhancements to the NET05 and the NET1 Automated 3D Stations.

The NET05 features 0.5” angle accuracy and sub-millimeter EDM for maximum precision, while the NET1, a 1” model, incorporates longer range EDM and a new laser option designed for precise measurement in tunnel and general construction applications.

“These enhancements will further broaden the applications of our NET series,” said Kunitoshi Ogawa, senior manager of Measuring Instruments Planning Group.

Extended Reflectorless Measurement Range

Reflectorless distance measurement range of the NET05 is extended to 100m (320ft.) under outdoor conditions, without compromising the original accuracy of 1mm + 1ppm throughout the measuring range. The range of the previous model was 40m (130ft.).

Ogawa said, “NET05’s extended reflectorless measurement capability provides the most accurate, effortless and the fastest solutions for large volume measurements where reflectors cannot be placed.”

The NET05 measures to standard prisms up to 3,500m (11,480ft.) range with 0.8mm + 1ppm precision, and to reflective sheets up to 200m (650ft.) with sub-millimeter accuracy of 0.5mm + 1ppm.

Increased Distance Resolutions

Distance measurement resolutions of the NET05 are increased to 0.01mm, 0.0001ft. or 1/64 inches. Display resolution of the previous model was 0.1mm.

“Users in the industrial measurement field can take ultra-fine measurement, leveraging the most precise EDM we have ever designed on mass production basis,” Ogawa said.

Expanded Low Temperature Range

Both the NET05 and NET1 now operate at as low as –20°C (–4°F), while the previous models operated down to –10°C (14°F). The highest operating temperature +50°C (122°F) is unchanged.

Long-range laser option

The LSP1 laser beam emitter can be built into the telescope of the NET1 model. The bright laser beam can be utilized for automatic profile projection on tunnel faces as well as various setting out tasks in underground constructions. Narrow parallel beam reaches up to 700m (2,300ft.). Beam diameter is as small as 30mm at 200m distance (1.18in. at 650ft.).

Ogawa said, “The addition of the LSP1 option to the NET1, featuring robust dust- and water-protection rate IP64 and 300m reflectorless range, will provide versatile solutions for diverse tunnel measurements such as directional control, excavation profile contouring and deformation monitoring.”

The applications of the NET05 and NET1 include:

- Precise surveying
- Measurement of precise baselines
- Automatic deformation and/or displacement monitoring
- Setting out tasks in engineering and construction
- Tunnels and underground constructions
- Industrial 3D measurement

The NET05 and NET1 are now available.
Contact 800.4.SOKKIA for more information.

Contact Information:

Sokkia
http://www.sokkia.com

Leaders in the energy and utility industries are coming together at a Spatial Roundtable to discuss the smart grid. Hosted by ESRI, the online discussion
features timely topics as they relate to geographic information system (GIS) technology. ESRI's director of utility solutions, Bill Meehan, kicks off the smart grid conversation by posing important logistical questions and sharing practical answers.

"As funding and technology move the world closer to a more reliable, modernized electric network—a smart grid—utilities face significant challenges," Meehan said. "The Spatial Roundtable gives utilities and energy companies a place to talk about those challenges and the solutions made possible by GIS modeling, mapping, and data management."

Spatial Roundtable is designed for GIS industry thought leaders to share their points of view about concerns, trends, challenges, and technologies. Participants in the online Spatial Roundtable discussion include the main contributor, who initiates the discussion, and invited topic-expert guests. Site visitors may also add comments. Topics remain open for discussion for six weeks. Archived topics are accessible for 24 months.

Contact Information:

ESRI
http://www.spatialroundtable.com

What: The Sustainable Sites Initiative will release the nation’s first rating system for the design, construction and maintenance of sustainable landscapes, with or without buildings. A partnership of the American Society of Landscape Architects (ASLA), the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center and the U.S. Botanic Garden, the
Initiative’s rating system represents four years of work by dozens of the country’s leading sustainability experts, scientists and design professionals, as well as public input from hundreds of individuals and dozens of organizations. This essential missing link in green design will foster a transformation in land development and management practices.

Why: Existing rating systems offered little guidance beyond a building’s skin and focused on reducing a building’s environmental impact. Unlike buildings, sustainable landscapes can even give back by cleaning the air and water, reversing climate change, restoring habitat and biodiversity – with the potential to provide
significant social and economic benefits.

Who: Holly Shimizu, Executive Director of the United States Botanic Garden

Nancy Somerville, Executive Vice President and CEO of ASLA,

Susan Rieff, Executive Director of the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center at The University of Texas at Austin

When: Thursday, November 5 at 10:00 AM

Where: United State Botanic Garden Conservatory – West Gallery

About the Sustainable Sites Initiative:

The Sustainable Sites Initiative is an interdisciplinary partnership led by the American Society of Landscape Architects, the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center at The University of Texas at Austin and the United States Botanic Garden to transform land development and management practices with the nation’s first voluntary rating system for sustainable landscapes, with our without buildings.
For more information, visit www.sustainablesites.org.

Contact Information:

Sustainable Sites Initiative
http://www.sustainablesites.org

Local governments are taking advantage of two existing resources to save on budgets and reduce field service resources; GIS and BlackBerry smartphones. IT and GIS departments are starting to combine these two platforms for a wide variety of field uses.

South San Francisco California is focusing on GIS access for public works employees who reference both utility maps and database records, and do not have laptops in the field.

Simcoe County Ontario has initial plans for the following groups; Government executives to access easy-to-use GIS on their existing BlackBerry smartphones. Forestry field workers that map trees and other assets. Tracking live location of first responders during emergency events.

Richland County South Carolina is looking to test the use of BlackBerry smartphones to show AVL vehicles locations on in-house GIS maps. And opening County GIS map data to the public on the BlackBerry is also being reviewed for future use.

Richmond British Columbia has approximately 100 BlackBerry smartphones used by government employees. The IT and GIS departments are looking to help increase productivity for utility workers who access GIS system maps in the field.

These and many other government agencies are using Freeance Mobile Basic, an in-house application that pushes live ESRI GIS map services on BlackBerry smartphones. Freeance Mobile Basic is priced so that agencies can model and pilot live GIS on BlackBerry applications with in-house staff control and operational field users.

Contact Information:

Freeance
http://www.Freeance.com/mobile

By Tom Greaves, CEO

The 2009 Leica Geosystems HDS Worldwide User Conference held last week in
San Ramon, Calif., had a lot of excellent presentations. One of the show-stoppers was Forensic Specialist Sarah Watson's riveting talk about how the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department uses laser scanning to survey and investigate crime scenes and accidents. Part of a four-person, two-scanner team that is on call 24/7, Watson and her colleague, Deputy Sheriff Steve Tillman, have scanned everything from murder scenes to high-profile accidents in the vast county. In a good year, the 4,100-square-mile area with nearly 10 million people reports about 400 homicides. In a bad year, that figure can more than double.

In 2006, the FBI reported 1,012 murders in LA County. Watson was also part of the team that scanned the 2008 Chatsworth Metrolink train collision that killed 25 and injured 135 more last September in LA. The team also deploys scanning whenever there are multiple murders (three or more), and in instances where an officer has perished by gunfire in the line of duty.

Scanning is Good Police Business
It just makes for good police business to collect as much information as possible in
these situations; fortunately, scanning is part of the LASD's risk management plan. One of the challenges of analyzing crime or accident scenes, Watson says, is that what constitutes important evidence may not be obvious until long after the scene has been cleaned up. Scanning provides a means of locating objects in a scene, complete with dimensional information. We may know it was Colonel Mustard in the library with the lead pipe. But where, exactly, was that lead pipe?

Scanning provides a tool for collecting details about evidence whose importance may not be appreciated until much later in an investigation and provides a record that is archived for all time. It also assists the self-insured county that finds itself fending off civil lawsuits in nearly every instance where there is an officer-involved shooting and where settlements can reach upwards of $100 million.
 
Watson reports that scanning is winning over district attorneys and detectives
alike, although, she admits, there are some holdouts. While interviewing eyewitnesses is necessary, time consuming and best accomplished as soon as possible following a crime, many detectives are gladly using laser scanning to filter out certain eyewitness accounts by showing that line-of-sight obstructions are physically impossible.

As an example, Watson described how the testimony for the defense in an LA County child murder trial was discredited when scanning was used to show the view of the "eyewitness" as being physically obstructed.

Shooting Targets is Different for Police Officers

The LA County scanning team got started in the fall of 2007 with the purchase of two Leica ScanStation 2 scanners. Funding came from both technology grants and forfeiture accounts. Watson explained that the ride was rough in the beginning and that the team had to learn to "speak scanning." Law enforcement personnel have something quite different in mind when they hear "shooting targets" than do scanner technicians. Watson lauded the efforts of Leica's Tony Grissim and team
in developing training materials specifically for law enforcement--materials that have been used to train other law enforcement departments around the world. Watson also said that more evidence of the deep commitment of her senior management to the scanning program was that each of the four scanning team members keeps in practice by scanning at least once per week, which is a heavy
training commitment for a 22-member crime scene team.

The LASD deploys lighting balloons, a Nodal Ninja panoramic tripod head to capture 360-degree photographs and generators to support jobs that can last 18-20 hours. Often, both of the department scanners are deployed at the same scene to speed up data collection. Leica TruView viewing and measuring software is used to present evidence in the courtroom.

Watson reports that juries and judges alike grow to appreciate the ability to navigate the scene without having to sift through dozens of still images. The TruView files are archived in perpetuity. Accredited by the American Society of Crime Laboratory Directors since 1989, the LASD's Scientific Services Bureau gets its scanners calibrated every year and conducts validation studies for all its equipment.

Following Watson's presentation, Leica's Public Safety and Forensic Account Manager, Tony Grissim, drew my attention to the murder trial of Antonio Jerome Greenlee in Decatur County Superior Court in Georgia where laser scanning data and associated TruView images were admitted as evidence in court by District Attorney Joe Mulholland of the South Georgia Judicial Circuit. Grissim says that the judge and jurors appreciated the effectiveness of the TruView presentation and that the defense had no objection to its use.

The citizens of LA County ought to be very proud of the LASD scanning team. They've blazed a new trail in the use of 3D imaging for their important work and brought some fresh thinking not only to their own departments but to the rest of the scanning community.

Hats off to them!







<<< Back -->

Trimble introduced today the Trimble(R) CX 3D laser scanner with Trimble's
proprietary WAVEPULSE(TM) technology. WAVEPULSE combines the high short-range accuracy of phase-shift technology with the low-noise sensitivity and high-distance characteristics of time-of-flight technology. The result is high-precision measurements over the full operating range that provides the clean 3D data needed for industrial plant scanning applications--allowing the user to realize increased productivity and reduced operating costs. And by requiring fewer setups and enabling faster processing time in an industrial plant environment,
the Trimble CX solution can contribute to improved worker safety.


Built for Efficiency in the Plant

The Trimble CX solution is built for efficient data capture in the plant. With reliable scanning at 50,000 points per second and an 80 meter range with a 360 degree x 300 degree field of view, the solution provides widespread and efficient data capture from a single setup. A rugged design, IP54 rating and protective housing for the rotating laser allow the scanner to deliver continuous and reliable results even in difficult industrial environments. An integrated camera collects
additional image information that can improve the visualization, post-processing and communication of the captured data.

The Trimble CX is supported by Trimble Access(TM) software for Spatial Imaging, which runs on the Trimble Tablet rugged PC. Powerful and built for industrial conditions, the Trimble Tablet combines a large, daylight readable display, IP67 environmental rating and long battery life that can easily withstand the demands of plant environments. With intuitive and streamlined Trimble Access Software,
capturing data with the Trimble CX requires a very short learning curve. Data can be seamlessly transferred to Trimble's 3D scanning office software packages: Trimble RealWorks(TM) and Trimble LASERGen(TM) software.

Certified Application for Tank Measurements

The Trimble CX solution also includes 3D Extractor software specifically developed for storage tank calibration. The software can significantly reduce the time taken to calibrate storage tanks while also providing a richer data set that can be used for monitoring tank deformations. The Trimble CX is certified by the Physikalisch-Technischen Bundesanstalt (the German National Metrology Institute, PTB).

An Integral Solution for Plant Lifecycle Management

Managing a plant's lifecycle requires a clear understanding of the location and condition of the plant's assets. The Trimble CX 3D laser scanning solution can be used for a variety of industrial plant positioning applications:

• Capturing existing condition data for accurate project planning for basic and detailed design;
• Ensuring dimensions of fabricated parts prior to transportation and installation;
• Verifying as-built construction for quality assurance and additional detailed design;
• Visualizing real world conditions for training and simulation;
• Monitoring plant assets and potential movement or deformation during use;
• Planning retrofit construction projects based upon accurate data and;
• Calibrating storage tanks by determining filling tables and sump volumes.

The Trimble CX is expected to be available in the fourth quarter of 2009.

Contact Information:

Trimble
http://www.trimble.com/plant

DigitalGlobe, a leading global provider of commercial high-resolution
world-imagery products and services for defense and intelligence, civil government, and commercial customers, today announced it has signed an agreement with Microsoft Corp. to launch the Clear30 program, an initiative to distribute high-resolution, 30-cm aerial imagery of contiguous landscapes, initially in the U.S. and Western Europe. These orthophoto mosaics will be available through Bing Maps and through DigitalGlobe channels.

The Clear30 initiative is a new agreement that expands the current relationship between Microsoft and DigitalGlobe and reflects a commitment to increase accessibility and use of high-resolution digital imagery. To collect the first ever multicontinental aerial imagery from 30 cm, the companies will use the  UltraCamG, a large format digital aerial camera manufactured by Vexcel Imaging
GmbH, a wholly owned subsidiary of Microsoft, which is based on Vexcel's
UltraCam large format camera systems, the top selling large format aerial
sensors internationally.

"We're excited about the launch of the Clear30 program and our continued
relationship with DigitalGlobe," said Steve Stanzel, general manager of Bing Maps at Microsoft Corp. "By providing DigitalGlobe exclusive access to our advanced UltraCamG imagery, we can provide our mutual customers easy access and integration of high-resolution digital aerial orthophotos for vast landscapes around the world."

"We are very pleased to be expanding our relationship with Microsoft and look forward to introducing the UltraCamG imagery into our world imagery solutions," said Jill Smith, chairman and chief executive officer of DigitalGlobe. "The addition of large quantities of very high-resolution digital aerial imagery, collected quickly and published on a consistent update schedule, will further enhance our ability to distribute a comprehensive digitized globe to our customers."

The companies did not provide financial details concerning the agreement.

Imagery from the UltraCamG will further expand DigitalGlobe's industry leading
ImageLibrary and will complement the satellite imagery products available from the DigitalGlobe high-resolution satellite constellation, including the recently launched  WorldView-2 satellite.

Current collection areas for the UltraCamG program include the contiguous
United States and Western Europe.

To learn more about advanced DigitalGlobe's constellation of sub-meter satellites, please visit www.digitalglobe.com.

Contact Information:

DigitalGlobe
http://www.digitalglobe.com

Colortrac Limited, the leading large format scanner innovator, has produced eleven practical, hands-on videos which cover the fundamental aspects of day-to-day large format scanning and copying. These videos can be quickly and easily viewed on Colortrac's web site: www.colortrac.com

Colortrac refer to these new videos as "mini movies". They provide a dynamic means for potential buyers and resellers to quickly and easily discover the unique features and distinctive time-saving scanning and copying advantages of Colortrac SmartLF large format scanners, as well as Colortrac's powerful ScanWorks and CopySmart software solutions.

For many years now, AEC, CAD, GIS and reprographics audiences have used the internet as their first step in finding product information before making a purchase. Today, on-line video presentations of products are increasingly being viewed by potential buyers as part of the selection process. As long ago as 2007, a survey of 5,300 businesses and IT professionals conducted by KnowledgeStorm, the technology researcher, and Universal McCann, one of the world’s largest media services firms, showed that 63% of this sample access online videos at least once a week.

On-line videos provide manufacturers like Colortrac with an effective means for displaying the features and benefits of their products in practical, hands-on way. Often the selling process involves educating customers, something which not all resellers are skilled enough to do. This is especially true when selling large format scanning and scanning solutions software which is specialized and in some cases requires in-depth product knowledge. Colortrac's video demonstration of its SmartLF scanners and software offer realistic "sales education" in a works environment to both resellers and buyers alike.

Colortrac's "mini movies" are the result of collaboration between two of its employees, both long-serving large format scanning industry experts. Declan Tyler, Colortrac's Product & Application Specialist, is the producer of the videos while Peter Sandberg, Colortrac's Business Development Manager, EMEA (Europe, Middle East and Africa), is the presenter with the voice of long-standing scanning experience.

"With the internet being the first choice of most buyers today for gathering information before a purchase, videos are now a hugely important part of the selection process," said Tyler. "Our Colortrac videos provide an honest and powerful way to educate and or deliver our message to those who are comfortable with multimedia experiences and who seek direct, objective information on-line. Our videos are an un-staged and truthful representation of the performance and results you can reasonably expect to get from a Colortrac SmartLF wide format scanner and its software. What you see us demo, is what you get”

Colortrac's most popular video is "Scan Once", followed by "Document Handling" and the "CopySmart Demos". The average run time of the videos is under three minutes.

The full list of videos include the following: Read More

Contact Information:

Colortrac
http://www.colortrac.com/

Trimble today announced revenue of $269.7 million for its third quarter ended
Oct. 2, 2009, down approximately 18 percent from revenue of $328.1 million in the third quarter of 2008.

Operating income for the third quarter of 2009 was $20.2 million, down approximately 63 percent from the third quarter of 2008. Operating margin in the third quarter of 2009 was 7.5 percent, as compared to an operating margin of 16.5 percent in the third quarter of 2008.

Amortization of intangibles was $13.6 million in the third quarter of 2009, as compared to $11.1 million in the third quarter of 2008. The impact of stock-based compensation expense was $4.5 million, as compared to $3.8 million in the third quarter of 2008. There was also $1.1 million in restructuring expense, no acquisition-related inventory step-up charge, and $0.6 million in non-recurring acquisition costs in the third quarter of 2009. This compares to $0.5 million in
restructuring expense, $0.4 million in acquisition-related inventory step-up, and no non-recurring acquisition costs in the third quarter of 2008. Excluding these items, non-GAAP operating income of $40.0 million was down 43 percent, as compared to the third quarter of 2008. Non-GAAP operating margin was 14.8 percent in the third quarter of 2009, as compared to 21.3 percent in the third quarter of 2008.

Third quarter 2009 net income was $15.6 million, down 60 percent, as compared to the third quarter of 2008. Diluted earnings per share for the third quarter of 2009 was $0.13, as compared to diluted earnings per share of $0.31 in the third quarter of 2008.

Adjusting for the items noted above, non-GAAP net income of $30.2 million for the third quarter of 2009 was down 40 percent, as compared to the third quarter of 2008. Non-GAAP earnings per share for the third quarter of 2009 was $0.25, as compared to non-GAAP earnings per share of $0.40 in the third quarter of 2008.

Cash flow from operations for the first nine months of 2009 was $139.1 million, as compared to $141.9 million in the first nine months of 2008.

"During the third quarter we saw early signs of recovery in some elements of the Engineering and Construction segment in the U.S. Additionally, we had a number of large contractual wins in the Mobile Solutions segment, where the pipeline generally remains strong," said Steven W. Berglund, Trimble's president and chief executive officer.

"We did see a year to year fall in Field Solutions revenue, reflecting the change in market sentiment within the agriculture market," Berglund continued. "Although economic conditions remain volatile and uncertain, we now believe we have the capability to provide double digit revenue growth in 2010 with significantly higher earnings growth."  Read more

Contact Information:

Trimble
http://www.trimble.com

Intermap Technologies, a leading worldwide 3D digital mapping company, and Eternix, a software company providing high-performance visualization solutions, announced today the compatibility between Intermap’s NEXTMap DEM data and Eternix’s Blaze View visualization solution, enabling real-time presentation of any 2D imagery in 3D.

Raster images, vector data, and video can be accurately placed on top of Intermap’s 3D terrain models and presented in Eternix Blaze View on-the-fly without the need for pre-processing. Combining the capabilities of the industry’s new standard for geospatial base maps from Intermap and Eternix’s sophisticated software brings geospatial users a step closer to the long-awaited world of real-time 3D visualization.

“Blaze View’s pioneering capabilities immediately enable users to create 3D visualization assets using the best geospatial base map in Western Europe and the U.S.,” stated Adam Denman, Intermap Technologies vice president & general manager, Europe. “This level of interoperability takes 3D visualization to the next level. Intermap digital elevation models solve a host of business needs worldwide. The ability to easily create visualization assets using highly accurate DEMS to demonstrate solutions to their customers is yet another example of how companies are leveraging the tremendous value of our NEXTMap database.”

“NEXTMap digital elevation models provide the quality required to make accurate 3D applications a widespread reality in the geospatial visualization domain” said Raviv Brueller, chief executive officer at Eternix. “The use of an accurate basemap enables our software to generate a realistic visualization rendering on-the-fly.”

The companies will unveil their compatibility demonstration in the upcoming GEOINT 2009 symposium in San-Antonio, TX, October 18 to 21. For a fly-through sample of NEXTMap digital elevation data recorded in Blaze View, follow visit: http://www.eternix.co.il/downloads/eternix.terrain.overlay.wmv

Contact Information:

Intermap
http://www.Intermap.com

Bowman Consulting is pleased to announce that it has acquired Massey Design & Associates, PC, based in Virginia Beach, as part of its strategy to better serve the Tidewater region of Virginia.  Massey Design was established in 2003, and provides civil engineering services to public and private sector clients with a specialization in streetscape planning and design.  Massey Design & Associates (MDA) was instrumental in the development of major projects in and around the Virginia Beach area including streetscapes, college and university projects, commercial developments, and recreational facilities.

Clayton Massey, PE, founder of MDA, is a leading expert in streetscape planning and design, urban renewal, and has a wide range of related professional experience.  His articles have appeared in Urban Design, Civil Engineering Magazine, and other local, regional, and national publications.  He has presented several papers on streetscape planning and design at National APWA, regional ITE, regional City Managers Conferences, and at the Virginia Downtown Development Association among others.  Mr. Massey has served on a national ITE committee for developing policy on triple left turns, and currently serves on the Virginia Beach Resort Area Design and Review Committee.  He is a member of the National Society of Professional Engineers, the Institute of Transportation Engineers, the American Public Works Association, and the American Society of Highway Engineers (ASHE).  He and the MDA staff will work out of the new Bowman office in Virginia Beach at 1561 Bradford Road.

Contact Information:

Bowman Consulting
http://www.bowmanconsulting.com

3D Laser Mapping has appointed GEOCOM to act as Chilean representative for it’s hi-tech laser scanning systems. With over 20 years experience in providing advanced solutions for field surveying, GEOCOM was the obvious partner for the region. Chile is a vital area for mining and economic development and 3D Laser Mapping sees the region is a key market for its laser monitoring systems. The
partnership with GEOCOM will build on 3D Laser Mapping’s position as an
international specialist in the global development and deployment of laser scanning monitoring systems.

Mr. Carlos Escudero, co-founder of Santiago based GEOCOM commented, “The addition of 3D Laser Mapping’s monitoring solutions to our product portfolio reinforces our position as the leading supplier of technology for surveying, geotechnical measurements and geodesy in Chile.” He continued, “Solutions such as SiteMonitor will enhance the day to day efficiency and safety of mining operations across the region together with potential applications in the geological and environmental sectors.”

“This agreement will provide the perfect foundation from which to further expand the take up of laser monitoring solutions, such as SiteMonitor, which are already in use in diamond, gold, platinum and iron mines around the world as well as being deployed to monitor environmental risk such as volcanic activity and avalanche falls,” added Dr Graham Hunter Managing Director of 3D Laser Mapping.

SiteMonitor is a safety monitoring system that automatically detects tiny movements in slopes and walls in open pit mines and other environments. Using advanced laser scanning technology, the modular SiteMonitor 3 system offers extensive user-defined alarm options with remote monitoring over the Internet and automated warning e-mails. SiteMonitor 3 can be used with virtually any terrestrial laser scanner giving flexibility in the range, rate and accuracy of scan
measurements. It has been designed as a completely flexible laser scanning system that includes configurable software modules to meet individual user’s requirements, plus hardware accessories and a comprehensive service package including commissioning, training and remote support, making it a complete turn key solution.

3D Laser Mapping and GEOCOM will both be exhibiting at the forthcoming Slope Stability conference, which takes place from the 09 – 11 November 2009 at the Universidad de los Andes, Santiago, Chile. For further information visit: www.slopestability.cl

Reader enquiries to Dr Graham Hunter, 3D Laser Mapping Ltd, 
tel: +44 (0) 870 442 9400, www.3dlasermapping.com

Contact Information:

3D Laser Mapping
http://www.3dlasermapping.com

MAPPS Executive Director John Palatiello met October 29 at the White House with President Barack Obama.  The meeting, which included executives of small business associations and individual entrepreneurs, focused on the Administration's health care reform proposal and its impact on small business.
 
"It was an honor to be invited to the White House and have an audience with the President," Palatiello said.
 
Palatiello, a longtime and active member of the Small Business Council of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, has participated in similar meetings with previous Presidents.  The meeting was called by the White House to assuage frayed relations with the Chamber.
 
"Many small business owners and executives have questions about government mandates, higher taxes and penalties for small business, how the health care proposal would be paid for, and the precedent a "public option" or government competition in health insurance, will set for other industries and professions," Palatiello said. "It was gratifying to hear the President address these issues."
 
"A great many MAPPS members are deeply concerned about unfair government competition with private business.  Already this year, we have seen the federal government get into the banking business, the auto-making business, the car dealer business, the student loan business, and insourcing Defense contracting activities currently performed by private firms. Now the government is going to compete with private insurance companies. Small business owners are asking, 'am I next'?" Palatiello said. "MAPPS is continuing to work with Congress and the Administration to point out the fact that a capable and qualified private geospatial community is alive and doing as well as can be expected in the current recession. We also continue to point out that the health care reform bills in the House and Senate currently lack a provision implementing a coordinated, strategic approach to GIS for health care applications," Palatiello said.
  

Contact Information:

MAPPS
http://www.MAPPS.org.

PCI Geomatics, a world leading developer of geo-imaging software and systems, today announced the availability of Geomatica 10.3, the latest version of its image-centric desktop software, which now includes imaging tools for GIS.

 

Geomatica is PCI Geomatics’ complete set of software for remote sensing, digital photogrammetry, raster spatial analysis, mosaicking and automated production workflows.  Version 10.3 includes support for ESRI ArcGIS Server Image Extension, as well as multi-sensor support through OrthoEngine for ArcGIS users.  These users can now rely upon PCI’s OrthoEngine technology to accurately and efficiently correct raw satellite imagery, opening new doors for the integration of remotely sensed imagery into GIS workflows.

 

“With over 27 years of experience in building image processing software, PCI has established itself as the imagery experts,” said Peter Hazlett, Product Manager for Geomatica at PCI Geomatics.  “With the release of Geomatica 10.3, PCI presents to GIS users, capabilities and functionality not previously available.”

 

Other enhancements to Geomatica 10.3 include improved manual mosaicking, which has been completely redesigned, as well as the addition of algorithms to create full AirPhoto orthorectification workflows within the Visual Modeler environment.

 

For more information on Geomatica 10.3, pleas visit http://www.pcigeomatics.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=5&Itemid=4

Contact Information:

PCI Geomatics
http://www.pcigeomatics.com

Aerotec, LLC is pleased to introduce its second-generation airborne LIDAR-based mapping product for identifying and locating vegetation in the vicinity of electric power transmission rights-of-way that presents a significant risk to the operation of the transmission lines’ conductors.  A featured component of the vegetation management product is a handheld unit that provides the utility forester with the capability to measure, locate, analyze, and report the vegetation violation on-the-spot, with a two-second response time, using a single-shot of the handheld unit’s laser rangefinder. 

 

Using AeroTec’s 3-D models of the rights-of-way, the utility forester is able to use and re-use the right-of-way models with the handheld unit to re-inspect, conduct on-site analysis, map, and report on vegetation violations well into the future.

 

“With this product, we have realized our goal of adding long-term future value to the initial airborne LIDAR data capture, modeling, analysis, and mapping of electric power transmission vegetation violations inventory results,” stated Jim Dow of AeroTec.

 

Aerotec’s handheld unit is based on the TOPCON GRS-1 unit integrated with the Laser Technology TruPulse 360 laser rangefinder.  Aerotec’s proprietary software for this application produces GIS-compatible (shape-file) results to provide the end-user with complete vegetation violation inventory maps both inside and outside the transmission right-of-way based on an initial airborne LIDAR data capture and processing operation. 

Contact Information:

Aero Tec
http://www.aerotecusa.com

from Directions Magazine

This past week Google prompted a flurry of discussion by announcing some changes to its data and functionality in Google Maps. There's new data and new feedback tools and some anxiety in the geospatial world. Our editors separate fact from fiction and offer our take on the implications of these changes.
Click here to access Podcast

Contact Information:

Google Maps
http://www.googlemaps.com

WilsonMiller is pleased to announce that John P. Maloney, P.S.M., was promoted to Regional Business Unit Manager for Surveying – Lower Southwest Florida.   A professional land surveyor, he is a Senior Associate at WilsonMiller and will now manage the surveying and mapping efforts of WilsonMiller’s lower Southwest Florida Regional offices.
 
Mr. Maloney has 28 years of professional surveying and mapping experience (all with WilsonMiller), and holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Land Surveying. John is an accomplished and respected professional with a proven record in client service.
 
His project experience includes utilities, roads, schools, and residential and commercial developments. Mr. Maloney manages surveys as they relate to development, including boundary surveys, subdivision plats and condominium plats.
 
John is also active within the community, including being recently named President of the Foundation for the Developmentally Disabled (FFDD).  In addition to his work on behalf of FFDD, Maloney is a member of the Naples Nites Lions Club and served as Chairman of the Golf Tournament Committee to benefit the Florida Lions Camp for children and adults with disabilities.

Contact Information:

WilsonMiller
http://www.wilsonmiller.com

Bizworks Corp. Inc. (www.bizworks.co.jp), SuperGeo’s reseller in Japan, demonstrated SuperGIS series products at CIPA, Japan. Cooperating with ISPRS (International Society for Photogrammetry and Remote Sensing), CIPA is one of the oldest international committees to improve all methods for surveying of cultural monuments.
 
Have been working with SuperGeo for a long time, Bizworks has had a great performance in marketing SuperGIS software. In March 2009, Bizworks especially came to Taiwan for product training and technical interflow, which has contributed to the promotion of SuperGIS in Japan.
 
During CIPA 2009, Bizworks showcased SuperGIS series software, particularly SuperPad, SuperGeo’s professional mobile GIS software. “The user-friendly interface and competitive price have triggered the interests of many visitors who then inquired the product and purchasing information.” indicates Bizworks. “The exhibition was very successful and has brought many business opportunities to us.”
 
For more details about CIPA, please visit http://www.rgis.lt.ritsumei.ac.jp/cipa2009/01_Invitation/Invitation.html   
 

Contact Information:

SuperGeo Technologies
http://www.supergeotek.com/
Sarah Liu
886-2-25467700
sarahliu@supergeotek.com

NGIS Australia will bring the first official Ignite Spatial event to the heart of Perth's CBD early next month. 

The Perth Ignite Spatial will present the opportunity for anyone with an interest in GIS, spatial sciences or mapping to get up in front of a crowd and say what they like - all within 5 minutes on 20 timed slides. 

The Ignite concept started in Seattle in 2006 and quickly became a world-wide phenomenon. Rather than sitting in conferences all day, Ignite Spatial is about giving short, sharp and entertaining presentations in an informal pub atmosphere. The sessions have been immensely popular in Sydney and Melbourne and this time around, the Ignite team is bringing the event to the west, thanks to NGIS Australia. 

Event organiser, Stephen Lead says that Ignite Spatial - Perth promises to be a fun and entertaining evening where you will be guaranteed to learn something new, without suffering 'death by PowerPoint'. 

"People these days can't really afford the time to take days out of their working week to sit through long speeches at conferences. Ignite is about condensing great ideas and sharing them in a fresh and engaging format," he said. 

"We find people learn more in less time at Ignite events, plus it opens up a great opportunity to network with all sorts of people who are interested in the industry." 

The invitation to attend Perth's Ignite Spatial is open and registration is free. If you are interested in becoming a speaker, head to the Ignite Spatial website. 

The event will be held on: 

Thursday 5th November, 2009 
5.30pm for 6.30pm start 
Belgian Beer Cafe 
347 Murray Street, Perth 

To register, head to www.IgniteSpatial.com

Contact Information:

NGIS Australia
http://www.ignitespatial.com

By Rick Bobbitt , GeoSpatial Experts 

From the weekend camera buff to the sophisticated GIS user, 'geotagging' photos with location coordinates has become a popular application of GPS technology. Geotagging, which adds coordinates to a digital image so that it can be accurately placed on a digital map, has spawned a new market we call photo mapping that has compelled the manufacturers of digital cameras, cell phones and GPS receivers to develop a variety of products designed to make it easier to stamp images with GPS points.

In just the past two years, some of the biggest names in cameras - Ricoh, Nikon and Canon - have released models that either have GPS built into the camera body or are designed for direct inputs from an external GPS device. Never wanting to turn their backs on a potential new app, cell phone developers have gotten in on the photo mapping action by integrating cameras and GPS chips inside the phones for automatic geotagging of pictures. And GPS equipment developers like Trimble are approaching the market from the opposite direction by adding cameras  to their newest receivers. GPS digital cameras are popping up everywhere. 

At GeoSpatial Experts, we introduced GPS-Photo Link in 2001 as the first software developed specifically for mapping photos. At the time, our software was geared almost exclusively toward professionals who needed to document their photos in a GIS. Over the past few years, however, the photo mapping market has expanded dramatically as camera, GPS and Web-based mapping technologies have evolved and become increasingly intertwined. 

Today, we see three distinct groups of end users comprising the market for photo mapping technology: GIS professionals, non-GIS business professionals and recreational photographers. The application needs of these groups are so different that we ultimately created two versions of GPS-Photo Link to serve the GIS and non-GIS professionals.

The purpose of this article is to differentiate these three user groups, and match their needs with the latest GPS digital camera offerings. Ideally, this information will help readers select the photo mapping hardware that best fits their budget and meets the needs of their applications.  Read More

Deloitte released the 2009 Technology Fast 500, an annual ranking of the fastest growing technology, media, telecommunications, life sciences and clean technology companies in North America based on five-year fiscal revenue growth. ReachLocal, a global provider of localized Internet advertising solutions, achieved the coveted top spot on the list with 2008 fiscal year revenue of $146.69 million and a five-year fiscal growth rate of 146,050 percent. The company is privately held and based in Woodland Hills, California.

“Deloitte’s Technology Fast 500 identifies some of the most promising technology companies in North America today,” said Phil Asmundson, vice chairman and U.S. Technology, Media & Telecommunications leader, Deloitte LLP. “I am proud to congratulate ReachLocal and all the ranked companies for their remarkable achievements.”

“Being ranked first on the Technology Fast 500 list is an amazing honor and we thank Deloitte for this prestigious recognition,” said Zorik Gordon, co-founder and chief executive officer of ReachLocal. “Our success is a result of the tireless dedication and effort of our hundreds of employees worldwide. This would have never been possible without them.”

Contact Information:

GeoEye
http://www.geoeye.com

Leveraging over 140 years in business, The Sanborn Map Company has added a new dimension to their vast library of digital data by assembling nearly 100 cities of three dimensional building models for both international and domestic locations. 

The product, "Sanborn 3D Cities" focused Sanborn’s fleet of aircraft and sensors as well as its satellites partners on Central Business Districts (CBD) of nearly one hundred cities, including; Manhattan, Chicago, Seattle, Vancouver, Rio de Janeiro. The collection and technical resources enabled Sanborn’s photogrammetric engineers to collect and produce highly accurate and precise 3D geometries; creating buildings, terrain models, and orthophoto products. 

In total, Sanborn has over 500,000 buildings in its archive today with plans to expand, update, and collect new cities on a continual basis. The product offers enhanced building attribute information for 40 of the cities that are currently available in Sanborn’s flagship product, CitySets. Sanborn offers 3D Cities for discovery and use by consumers and professionals searchable through the web. The product is consumed by a wide variety of users such as architectural and engineering firms, local government, in personal navigation devices as well as for several risk analysis applications. Sanborn has supported film animations TV shows, as well as current gaming systems with the 3D Cities product. 

Visit Sanborn.com and find out how Sanborn 3D Cities can help your organization, agency, or business today by realizing the third dimension. 
http://sanborn.com/2009_REVISE/products/3d_citiesREV.asp 

Contact Information:

Sanborn
http://www.sanborn.com

Topcon Positioning Systems has appointed GeoShack North America, Inc. as their newest US dealer for the entire Sokkia line of construction and survey instruments.
 
GeoShack has been in the construction and survey industry since 1995 and is excited about the addition of the Sokkia line of products.  GeoShack President, Scott Beathard, stated “With twelve locations in the United States, adding Sokkia products will enhance our ability to provide the right product for our customers needs at all levels of their job.  Sokkia will be an important aspect of our total business solutions.”

Sokkia Corporation is a world-leading manufacturer of precision measuring systems.  Sokkia’s diverse product line provides complete measurement solutions for surveying, mapping and GIS, industrial measurement and construction applications.  Sokkia provides turn-key solutions for surveyors including Total Stations, Data Collectors, Digital Levels, and Lasers plus a full complement of field accessories and supplies.
 
Tom Brennan, General Construction Sales Manager, states “Our customers are sure to benefit by our offering of top quality Sokkia products combined with GeoShack’s knowledgeable sales specialists and certified technicians.”  David Owen, Survey Sales Manager, concurs “The Sokkia relationship, blended with Topcon products, strengthens our ability to provide our customers with more choices to make sure they have the right tools for the job.  We’re looking forward to many years as a Sokkia dealer.”
 
Dan O’Reilly, Sales Manager for GeoShack Ohio, is excited about the new possibilities that the Sokkia products opens up for his team.  He said, “Having the full line of Sokkia products enhances everything we stand for at GeoShack - quality products, superior support and value added services.  GeoShack truly is a One Stop Shop for contractors and surveyors.”

Contact Information:

GeoShack
http://www.geoshack.com

SuperGeo, the leading global provider of complete GIS solutions, recently released ‘GIS Learning CD’ worldwide. Within 2 months, the unique teaching and learning tool has interested numerous GIS teachers and learners all over the world.
  
For instance, in Taiwan, many famous institutes, inclusive of Academia Sinica and several noted Universities, have procured GIS Learning CD for teaching and promoting GIS concepts. During TGIS Conference, the largest event as well as communication platform for GIS and Urban Geoinformation in Taiwan, this product also attracted a large number of visitors and potential buyers.
 
In the US and Canada, where GIS was first developed and GIS related tutorial materials are fairly mature, the CD has demonstrated bright sales record. Many users have purchased this CD and shown highly positive feedback.
 
Within SuperGeo’s global reseller network, the reseller in Bahrain, Aeromap Technology System, has marketed the CD not only inside the local market but also in other countries in Middle East. In India, the exclusive reseller in Karnataka State, Spaceinfo Technologies, has found several significant channels, such as big book stores and schools, in the local territory. Spaceinfo is planning to market the CD in a large base.
 
‘We are very pleased to announce the great sales performance of GIS Learning CD’, says Willy Wang, the author of GIS Learning CD as well as the Director of GIS Training and Support Center at SuperGeo. ‘We hope that the CD could help more users learn GIS knowledge easily.’ In the near future, SuperGeo will release the advanced version of GIS Learning CD to show the rich applications of GIS and how to employ GIS to assist in decision making and problem solving. GPS Learning CD and RS Learning CD are also under scheming.   

Contact Information:

SuperGeo Technologies
http://www.supergeotek.com/#
Sarah Liu
886-2-25467700
sarahliu@supergeotek.com

Five of Merrick & Company’s (www.merrick.com) offices were recently awarded the Alfred P. Sloan Award for Business Excellence in Workplace Flexibility.  The offices, which were each recognized on their own merit, are located in Aurora, Colorado; Atlanta/Duluth, Georgia; Albuquerque, New Mexico; Oak Ridge, Tennessee; and Los Alamos, New Mexico.  The awards were given to individual offices of companies which exemplify a great workplace environment.  Each company office is evaluated on its own merit and receives its own individual award.
 
The Alfred P. Sloan Awards for Business Excellence in Workplace Flexibility are part of When Work Works, a national project on workplace effectiveness and workplace flexibility from the Families and Work Institute in partnership with The Institute for a Competitive Workforce, an affiliate of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, and the Twiga Foundation.
 
Applications for the awards are evaluated in a two-step process that measures an employer’s workplace flexibility programs, policies, and culture against national data from the Families and Work Institute’s National Study of Employers  National Study of Employers.  The applications are then validated with employee input.  The employers that rank in the top 20% of employers when compared to these national norms are selected as finalists.  The selection of the final winners is based on a score that combines employer and employee responses.

Contact Information:

Merrick
http://www.merrick.com

Topcon Positioning Systems (TPS) introduces two new products in its office software ‘Master’ series – Topcon SiteMaster and Topcon SiteMaster Lite. 

Topcon SiteMaster is an integrated design, surface modeling and construction survey solution. 

Mark Contino, vice president of product marketing, said, “SiteMaster provides unparalleled ease-of-use and seamless integration for Topcon field equipment and 3D-MC (machine control) systems. Whether it’s the initial boundary and topo survey, or a complicated multi-surface construction site, a simple road design or a multilane divided highway design, Topcon SiteMaster provides the user everything needed to complete the project and prepare the surface model for use with 3D-MC systems.

“From project start-to-finish, control of critical data flow from data collection, survey data analysis, engineering design, surface modeling, design stakeout, to as-built survey…it can all be accomplished easily and accurately with SiteMaster.” The new software can also accommodate plot design plans, as-built survey and revision plans. 

Contino said, “Topcon SiteMaster provides the total construction package for surveying and construction professionals and is a perfect complement to Topcon’s 3D-MC systems.”

SiteMaster features include:
-- Import/export 3D-MC project files;
-- Surface (DTM) creation/editing;
-- Road design (template and/or strings);
-- Manual road data entry/editor;
-- Site design;
-- 2D to 3D conversion tools;
-- Volumes;
-- Survey and COGO utilities;
-- Extensive import/export options;
-- Supports AutoCAD DWG/DXF files;
-- Supports MicroStation design files;
-- Synchronization with Pocket 3D and Topcon’s TopSURV; and
-- Single file projects.

SiteMaster Lite 
Topcon’s new SiteMaster Lite is designed for users who do not require the complete functionality of Topcon SiteMaster, but need the ability to import and export, and verify and modify 3D-MC project files. Contino said, “An easy-to-use import and export utility is provided for 3D-MC files taking the guess work out of what files are needed for a project.”

SiteMaster Lite features include:
-- Data compatibility;
-- Single file projects;
-- Pocket 3D & TopSURV interoperability;
-- Surface (DTM) creation/editing;
-- Drafting tools (lines, points and arcs);
-- Horizontal alignments;
-- Vertical alignments;
-- Manual road data entry;
-- Supports 3D-MC project files;
-- Supports 3D-MC design files; and 
-- USB ‘plug-and-go’ concept.

Contact Information:

Topcon
http://www.topconpositioning.com
news@topcon.com

Scientists working on understanding the integration of space and time will gather in California February 22–23, 2010, to attend the Space-Time Modeling and Analysis Workshop. The workshop will be part of the first Redlands GIS Week—a gathering of thought leaders from academia, government, and industry to advance the science and application of geospatial technologies. The remainder of Redlands GIS Week 2010 will be dedicated to informal networking activities, demonstrations, and technical tours.

The Space-Time Modeling and Analysis Workshop will feature keynote presentations, lightning talks, and small group discussions, as well as opportunities for informal brainstorming with leading geospatial thinkers and implementers.  Researchers are invited to submit 500-word abstracts describing the work that they would present as either a keynote or lightning (focused 10-minute) talk. Preference will be given to abstracts describing concrete results to concrete problems, and software demonstrations are encouraged.
Redlands GIS Week will be held at ESRI's headquarters as well as nearby sites in Redlands, California. The event is cosponsored by the University of Southern California, ESRI, the Association of American Geographers (AAG), and the University of Redlands. After the workshop, a publication will share the event's results with a larger audience.

For more information and to view the Call for Participation, visit www.redlandsgisweek.org.

Contact Information:

ESRI
http://www.redlandsgisweek.org

Hemisphere GPS announced today that it was awarded a position on the 2009 Cleantech 10 list by Corporate Knights Inc.

The award, compiled by Corporate Knights Inc. and Cleantech Indices LLC, recognizes companies that minimize the impact human activity has on the environment. Hemisphere GPS does this by developing technologies that improve operational performance while lowering energy consumption and reducing the impact of chemical applications. 

“Our GPS based agricultural products enable farmers to dramatically reduce the amount of fuel, chemical, fertilizer and seed wasted during regular applications,” says Dr. Mohamed Abousalem, Vice President of Marketing and Business Development at Hemisphere GPS. “Through precision navigation, automated steering and application control technologies, we eliminate operator error that causes large overlaps during spraying, planting and harvesting.”

The 2009 Cleantech 10 awards are chosen based on a comprehensive screening process of the 122 Cleantech companies currently traded on the Toronto Stock Exchange. A full list of the annual award recipients is published in the November issue of Corporate Knights Magazine which accompanies The Globe and Mail, Canada 's most circulated national newspaper.

Contact Information:

Hemisphere GPS
http://www.hemispheregps.com

DeLorme, the innovation leader in geospatial technology, today announced an agreement with value-added reseller MapMart for worldwide sales of the DeLorme World Base Map and DeLorme North America Data Sets via the MapMart.com commerce portal.

The DeLorme World and North America products are unique in their level of consistency, seamless up-to-date detail, and horizontal and positional accuracy. They will be available from MapMart.com beginning November 18, 2009.

“We are delighted to have a company with the reputation and experience of MapMart representing these two key data sets for us,” said Jim Skillings, DeLorme Vice President, Business Division. “With its worldwide reach and knowledgeable staff, we’re very confident that MapMart will help us achieve the kind of global market penetration these products merit.”

DeLorme World Base Map data provides a seamless 1:250,000 view of the earth, combining accurate object placement and projection with a unique topographic visualization, complete with a digital elevation model for the entire earth. This data set offers a consistent level of detail and reliable horizontal accuracy of +/- 50 meters for all features worldwide.

The DeLorme North America Data Sets provide a routable US highway, street, back road, and trail network. Detail also includes land cover, drainage and open water, plus places of interest. It is compiled from a variety of sources and includes a digital elevation model to provide topographic detail and contours. The data has a positional accuracy of +/- 5 meters CE in areas where the majority of the US population resides. Street-level detail is also available for Canada and main roads for Mexico.

“DeLorme’s comprehensive global data set is very up-to-date and extensive.” said Rebecca Murray, Product Manager for MapMart. “We look forward to delivering these stellar new options to our MapMart clients around the world.”

Contact Information:

DeLorme
http://www.delorme.com

AAMHatch is pleased to announce the popular Multi-Site product is now available for 50cm GeoEye-1 satellite imagery. Multi-Site, already available for 80cm IKONOS imagery, allows clients interested inmultiple captures over small areas to acquire the higher resolution and more accurate GeoEye-1 satellite imagery.

Contact Information:

AAMHatch
http://www.aamhatch.com

Critigen, a global technology consultancy for critical infrastructure, today announced its entry into the market as a privately held company. Recently divested from CH2M HILL’s 62-year, $6.4 billion engineering business, the independent company emerges with deep domain expertise combined with the entrepreneurial ability to proactively apply technology based approaches, new insights and visionary thinking that modernizes every sector of the growing critical infrastructure market.

 

According to CEO Jeff Akers, “Critigen is the catalyst to apply a new vision – one that will forever

impact how we build and manage critical infrastructure. Critigen’s clients are also at the forefront of

acute challenges including climate change, sustainable environmental and energy transformation,

asset protection and management, and carbon reduction. Approaching these modern challenges

within thought or technology silos will fail our cities and our citizenry,” said Akers. “Critigen brings

behaviorally-relevant, holistic approaches that will comprehensively address our 21st century

challenges.”

 

Critigen serves both public and private-sector clients, including government, state, local, large

engineering firms and financial institutions with technology-based approaches to support the

delivery of essential services. Critigen’s broad client roster touches every sector of critical

infrastructure – energy, water, facilities, government, financial, commercial, transportation and

emergency response – with nearly 700 global employees allowing clients to visualize, collaborate,

secure and manage their information.

 

Visualize: Critigen is the world’s largest privately-held geospatial consulting business. The

company’s visualization capabilities provide critical multidimensional business insight and

accelerate decision-making by integrating location intelligence, business processes and analytical

systems.

 

Collaborate: Critigen is the market leader in collaboration methods to improve data use,

interrelationships and business processes by enhancing data management, community interactions and business system integration.

 

Secure: Critigen has deep experience and the highest levels of governmental clearance for cyber,

physical and facilities security as well as crisis management and SCADA operations control. The

company mitigates risk for the most impenetrable agencies in the world by integrating complex IT

command and control/security and preparedness needs.

 

Manage: Critigen’s award-winning extensive IT sustainment practice is central to its technology

capabilities. Clients avoid costly IT capital investments, reduce operating costs and improve IT risk

management by leveraging Critigen’s best-in-class IT resources, tools, processes, procedures and

infrastructure.

 

Critigen’s marquee clients include the U.S. Department of Defense, U.S. Army and U.S. Air Force

as well as Genworth Financial, the Wyoming Dept. of Environmental Quality and the world’s first

carbon-neutral city, Masdar, located in the UAE. In addition, one of Critigen’s largest clients is

CH2M HILL with which it holds a three-year preferred provider agreement.

 

The company is now owned by Golden Gate Capital, a private equity investment specializing in the

IT industry with approximately $8 billion of capital under management. “Critigen is working in some

of the fastest-growing market segments, applying information management with deep value,” said

Jake Mizrahi, Managing Director of Golden Gate Capital. “We’re excited about the company’s

philosophy and business model and look forward to growing the business with the Critigen

management team. We believe this is a powerful example of how private equity investment can

propel future-focused companies that will solve pressing global issues.”

 

About Critigen

Critigen is a global technology consultancy serving as the leader in information management for

critical infrastructure. Divested from CH2M HILL’s 62-year, $6.4 billion engineering business, the

company leverages deep domain expertise to develop technology-based approaches for some of

the most prestigious and progressive clients in the world.

Solely focused on the convergence of technology application and mission-critical data, Critigen

provides clients a way to visualize, collaborate, secure and manage information - becoming the

catalyst for modernizing critical infrastructure. Learn more about how Critigen aligns 21st century

demands with 21st century answers at www.critigen.com.

Contact Information:

Critigen
http://www.critigen.com

Mr. Roger Ilgen, President of GEI WideFormat, a Visual Edge Technology Company, announced today the introduction of the new GEI 5636 engineering copier to the GEI WideFormat product line. “We are very pleased to provide our customers with such an exciting new product. The GEI 5636 has innovative features, such as color scanning, paired with ultra-fast output speeds.” said Mr. Ilgen.

 

The GEI 5636 enhances workflow productivity with output speeds of 10 D-size prints-per-minute. Features such as an easy-access clamshell design, front copy exit tray that holds 99 D-size drawings, and a color LCD touch-panel interface make this engineering copier truly unique. Changing paper and toner is trouble-free with easy-to-use front loading drawers that house 4 rolls of 500’ media and consumables are easily conserved with the ability to preview thumbnails prior to printing.

 

The most exciting feature of the GEI 5636 is the embedded color scanner. Now, changes and additions or “redlines” are captured and circulated effortlessly. Also, the external 5636 print controller will interface with an ink jet printer for a complete color copy system. Phil Trembly, National Sales Manager for GEI WideFormat said, “The GEI 5636 provides the perfect solution for high-volume environments where productivity is key.”

 

For more information about the GEI 5636 and other engineering copiers visit www.geiwideformat.com or call 888-722-6434.

Contact Information:

GEI WideForma
http://www.geiwideformat.com

LizardTech, adivision of Celartem Inc. and a provider of software solutions for managing and distributing geospatial content,announced the release of the MrSIDPlug-in for ArcGIS 3D Analyst at the GEOINT2009 Symposium in San Antonio, Texas, hosted by the United States GeospatialIntelligence Foundation (USGIF) October 19-21, 2009. 

Untilnow, LizardTech's customers, who widely use ArcGIS 3D Analyst, were not able toload point cloud datasets that were compressed to MrSID Generation 4 using LiDAR Compressor intoESRI's 3D Analyst product. However,with the release of this free plug-in, 3D Analyst users can load point clouddatasets compressed to MrSID Generation 4 to create surfaces for use inline-of-sight and terrain modeling, visualization, and spatial analysis.

“LizardTech’sgoal is to give customers tools for using their point cloud data compressedwith LiDAR Compressor in the applications they use every day,” said JonSkiffington, LizardTech director of marketing. “Many of our customers useArcGIS, but were not able to use it with MrSID files created in LiDARCompressor. Now our customers can easily load point cloud datasets compressed to MrSIDGeneration 4 into ESRI’s 3D Analyst product.”

The free MrSID Plug-in for ArcGIS 3DAnalyst is available for download here: http://www.lizardtech.com/MrSID.html Additional information can be obtainedby contacting one of LizardTech’s sales representatives at 206.652.5211.

Contact Information:

LizardTech
http://www.lizardtech.com

URISA and the University of South Florida's National Center for Transit Research at the Center for Urban Transportation Research (CUTR) are pleased to support this one of a kind conference which offers GIS in Transit professionals the opportunity to learn from industry experts, attend professional development training, learn about research updates and new technologies, and network with your peers.

 

GIS in Transit: The Route to Success in Transit GIS Conference 
November 16-18, 2009 
St. Petersburg, Florida

 

Featured Session: Google Transit - GTFS Data Standards with Open Innovation  
The Google Transit Web Based Trip planner has excited many within the transit community.  Equally exciting is the open source data format which drives the Google Transit application.  This open source format encourages innovative uses of transit data to communicate with transit passengers in many ways.  This session will address the open data format and illustrate innovative approaches to using this data to better communicate with the transit customer.  It will feature Joe Hughes from Google Transit and three software innovators using the Google Transit data format to create alternative web and mobile trip planning applications. 

 

• Developer 1: In Search of Simpler Schedules, Jehiah Czebotar, theNextTrain, New York, NY
• Developer 2: OneBusAway: An Open-Source Transit Traveler Information System, Brian Ferris, University of Washington, Seattle, WA
• Developer 3: Five Points: An Open-Source Framework for Transit System Simulation, David D. Emory, Atlanta, GA

 

Featured Session: Better Transit Maps
If your customers can't understand your transit maps, they won't use them. This presentation discusses guidelines and recommendations for producing effective and consistent printed transit information materials like system maps, route maps, and schedules.

 

• Designing Printed Transit Information Materials – A Guidebook for Transit Service Providers
  Alasdair Cain, CUTR/USF, Tampa, FL
• Development of Innovative Bus Schedule Format That Reduces Printing Costs
  Judith M. Lavelle, MPH, Lavelle Consulting Group, Greeley, CO  
• The Psychology of Passenger Information and Wayfinding
  Rick Wood, CHK America, Inc, Santa Barbara, CA     

 

Featured Preconference Workshops:

• Asset Management: Planning, Strategy, and Implementation
• Transportation Spatial Database Design
• Overview of Free and Open Source GIS

 

Featured Keynote Address:  
Unlocking the Benefits of GIS in Tough Times: Moving GIS from the “Sidelines” to the Heart of the Enterprise
Paula (Polly) Okunieff, Senior Technical Staff, Consensus Systems Technologies Corporation, Shenorock, NY
For many transit agencies, GIS and GIS staff must do more with fewer resources and meet greater expectations of customers and senior managers.  In the past, the role of GIS in transit agencies has focused primarily on making pretty maps and simple planning studies.  With the tools that are available today, it can be used as an integration engine for core transit data, serving a critical role in ensuring quality transit information and operating efficiencies.  The need is manifested in the specialized tools that scheduling and ITS applications – like Computer Aided Dispatch and Automated Passenger Counting Systems -- use to implement transit service.  Many of these tools still manage data in stove-pipes, missing the integration opportunities to support a multitude of other transit business processes.  Ms. Okunieff will discuss strategies and initiatives to expand the role and value of your agency's GIS investments.

 

Featured Closing Session:  
What Open Source, Open Data, and Open APIs Mean for Tomorrow's Transit Agencies
Chris Holmes & Nick Grossman, OpenGeo, New York, NY
Agencies across the US are embracing an open approach to transit data and technology.  The Open Planning Project will share its experiences working with TriMet to develop open platform solutions.  Find out what this means for agency operations, how it enables greater inter-agency collaboration, and most importantly, how it can save money and foster ongoing innovation. 

 

Review complete conference details, exhibit and sponsorship information and register online: http://www.urisa.org/gis_transit

Contact Information:

GIS in Transit
http://www.urisa.org/gis_transit

CARIS is accepting submissions for papers for its annual International User Group Conference, “CARIS 2010: Stronger Together – People, Products, Infrastructure”. The five-day event will be held from March 22-25, 2009 in Miami, Florida, United States.

The CARIS 2010 program will focus on core issues that relate to the innovation and integration of geospatial technologies in the areas of chart production, hydrographic survey, ports and waterways and web mapping.

Through the following paper themes, the event will expand awareness and implementation of best practices and effective solutions for data management and production performance and will solidify the role of all stakeholders in the broader marine geospatial community:

-Bathymetric Revolutions,
-Production Environments: Desktop versus Enterprise,
-Ping-to-Chart,
-Workflow Optimization,
-Specialized Chart Products,
-Merging Land and Sea.

Abstracts can be submitted online at http://www.caris.com/caris2010. The deadline for submission is November 23, 2009. For more information on the CARIS 2010 event, visit http://www.caris.com/caris2010.

About CARIS
Established in 1979, CARIS is a leading developer of geospatial software. The CARIS Ping-to-Chart product line delivers an integrated software solution for the entire workflow of hydrographic information from the echosounder “ping” through to the production and distribution of the “chart”. CARIS products are continually selected by hydrographic offices, military agencies, survey contractors, ports and harbours, municipalities, land administrators and academia among others. In addition to its Canadian headquarters, CARIS has offices in The Netherlands, United States, Australia and United Kingdom. There are also more than 40 resellers bringing sales and support of CARIS brand software to more than 85 countries.

Contact Information:

CARIS
http://www.caris.com/caris2010.
Sheri Flanagan
(506) 458-8533
sheri.flanagan@caris.com

Contact Information:

The Institute of Navigation
http://www.ion.org

PCI Geomatics, a world leading developer of geo-imaging software and systems, is pleased to announce the appointment of Michael Hollis to the position of President and CEO of PCI Geomatics Corporation (USA).

 

“I am pleased to welcome Mike to this role and look forward to leveraging his expertise, energy and industry knowledge to take our business to the next level,” said Dr. Robert Moses, President and CEO of the Canadian-based parent company PCI Geomatics Enterprises Inc.

 

“I am excited about continuing to pursue my interests in remote sensing and information technology applications in this new capacity with PCI Geomatics,” said Michael Hollis.  “PCI brings technical excellence and innovation to the geo-information market, and its new emphasis on automated image processing solutions will help our customers increase productivity and reduce operating costs.”

 

Mr. Hollis brings over 30 years of experience in the aerospace and information technology industries.  Prior to joining PCI Geomatics, he served as a Naval Aviator and acquisition professional, and as President of four small high technology U.S. defense companies.

 

Mr. Hollis holds a B.S. Naval Science degree from the U.S. Naval Academy, a M.S. in Management and a M.S. in Aeronautical Engineering from the U.S. Naval Postgraduate School, and is a graduate of the U.S. Naval Test Pilot School. He has served on the Board of Directors of multiple companies and is currently a member of the Board of Aero-Mechanical Industries, Inc.

Contact Information:

PCI Geomatic
http://www.pcigeomatics.com

Carlson Software’s new line-up of its just-released land development software solutions for 2010 is the result of lots of user ideas and input. Coaching on improvements included comments like “just add a 64-bit version this round and I'll be set” all the way to several long-standing requests including multiple backsight orientation for Carlson Survey 2010, triangulation surfaces for reserves in Carlson Mining 2010, and quick graphic reports for Carlson Takeoff 2010.

Contact Information:

Carlson Software
http://www.carlsonsw.com

Authors that are interested in submitting abstracts on the technology and all applications of LiDAR should visit the ILMF Call for Papers on line at http://www.lidarmap.org/papers  by October 22nd, 2009.

Registration is also open at http://www.lidarmap.org/register/

Authors wishing to submit a paper for the conference are requested to submit an abstract of no more than 250 words on the following topics:

• Data Acquisition – LiDAR and associated equipments 
• Systems Integration – LiDAR sensors and complementary technologies and peripherals
• Data Fusion & Processing Technologies – feature extraction,enhancement, visualization, viewing and imaging techniques and software 
• Recent Projects – reporting on innovative or improved techniques and applications; challenges, successes and problems encountered; including military LIDAR mapping projects 
• Developments in GIS, Data Modeling and Management 
• Trends in Market and Technology Development - including ground based LiDAR and Mobile Mapping 
• Industry Issues - Federal/State initiatives and operational challenges;best practices; recruitment and training issues.

Contact Information:

LiDAR10
http://www.lidarmap.org/papers

Contact Information:

RapidEye
press@rapideye.de

Valtus Imagery Services, a division of North West Geomatics Ltd. announced October 14 that its imagery library in Western Canada has been updated.  

The database has recently been enhanced with 30cm color aerial imagery supplied by DigitalGlobeT for Vancouver, British Columbia as well as Calgary and Edmonton, Alberta.  The other areas that have been updated are within the northeast portion of Alberta, around Fort McMurray as well as an area in the North West, around Grande Prairie.  This data was provided by Tarin Resource Services and is a 0.5meter black and white product offering.  Both of these datasets were acquired during 2008.

The Valtus Imagery Services online database currently holds over 9 million square kilometers of high resolution imagery across Canada and the United States.  All Valtus Data is available through both VIEWS| Spatial Data Access Subscription and the Spatial Data Store. The Views service provides instant, secure access to an extensive library of imagery that can be seamlessly integrated into mapping applications and geographic information systems. The Spatial Data Store is a convenient online solution for users who require immediate access to downloadable, geospatial data. Valtus also stores, manages and seamlessly integrates customer owned data with our public database through the Vault| Spatial Data Hosting Service.

For further product or coverage information, please visit the Valtus website at www.valtus.com

Contact Information:

Valtus
http://www.valtus.com

EngineerSupply, a leading supplier of engineering and construction equipment, is proud to announce they have become a factory-authorized, national distributor of Topcon tools and equipment. Topcon is a leading manufacturer of machine control products, precision construction lasers and optical land surveying equipment and many more products used around the world.

The new partnership will enable EngineerSupply to provide an efficient solution to its customers' needs. EngineerSupply ships all Topcon products directly to customers in brand new, factory fresh condition. All Topcon products come with the manufacturers warranty. Topcon products are used by professionals in the industries like building construction, site construction, grading and excavation, as well as land surveying.

EngineerSupply is very excited about this new partnership with Topcon. When you think of top quality, you can think of Topcon Equipment, says EngineerSupply founder, Rob Powell. Topcon Surveying and Construction Products support the world of civil engineering, optical surveying, construction, agriculture, utilities and law enforcement. According to the Who We Are section of Topcons website they develop, design and manufacture integrated positioning and automation technologies to meet the constantly changing demands facing industries worldwide.

In addition to Topcon, EngineerSupply is an authorized dealer for the leading brands in the industry, including, CST/Berger, Schonstedt, Safco, Mayline, Keson, Leica, Seco, Sokkia and many more.

EngineerSupply is constantly expanding its product line and assists many professionals in areas such as engineering, construction, design, surveying, estimating, law enforcement and more. The trained customer service team is available to help with any customer questions and concerns. Its conception was based on its teams' years of experience working in the engineering and surveying industry both using the products and seeing a need to a single resource for engineers, surveyors, and construction professionals. EngineerSupply represents the most reputable brands in the industry for engineering supplies, land surveying equipment, blueprint storage, measuring wheels, measuring tapes, and construction equipment. EngineerSupply is a privately held company and was started in 1999.


For additional information, contact:
EngineerSupply on the web at www.engineersupply.com 

Contact Information:

EngineerSupply
http://www.engineersupply.com
Rob Powell
800-591-8907
rob@engineersupply.com

There's good news for people who want to learn how to use geographic information system (GIS) software close to home. ESRI now offers access to more than 40 beginning, intermediate, and advanced instructor-led GIS courses through a variety of training alternatives and venues including:

• Video-recorded training at all ESRI learning centers in the United States
• Video teleconferencing training at the ESRI learning centers
• Virtual Classroom online training delivered to students' own workplaces or home computers

Instructor-Led Video-Assisted Classroom Training (www.esri.com/videotraining) provides convenient access to a wide variety of courses taught by qualified ESRI instructors via video. Students can watch video-recorded lectures and demonstrations and complete hands-on software exercises at their own pace. They can review course materials on their own and repeat the lectures or the exercises as time permits. An ESRI instructor with expertise in the subject matter is in the classroom at all times to answer questions, explain concepts, and provide guidance.

Instructor-Led Remote Classroom Training (www.esri.com/remotetraining) uses two-way, interactive video-teleconferencing technology. This lets students attend instructor-led training classes remotely from a local ESRI learning center, select ESRI satellite locations, or any location within their own organizations that has compatible video-teleconferencing equipment.

The classes are broadcast from an ESRI location in the United States to one or two remote locations. Students in the remote locations can see and hear the instructor lecture as well as speak with other students, ask questions, and share GIS knowledge. The instructor can see students' computer screens and provide remote assistance with class exercises.

Instructor-Led Virtual Classroom Training (www.esri.com/virtualclassroom) offers online training delivered in real time via the Internet and telephone conferencing technology. Students take the training from their desktop or laptop computer, either at work or at home.

"Our customers can be assured they are receiving the highest-quality GIS education from expert instructors in the field," said Ralph Luchs, ESRI training delivery manager. "Our ultimate goal is to make sure our customers can receive the instructor-led training they need, when and where they need it, in order to be successful with ESRI software."

In the coming months, ESRI will offer 28 Instructor-Led Video-Assisted Classroom Training courses including introductory classes such as Introduction to ArcGIS Server and Introduction to the Multiuser Geodatabase. More advanced courses are scheduled too, such as ArcGIS Server: Web Administration Using the Microsoft .NET Framework and Building Web Maps Using the ArcGIS API for JavaScript.

ESRI will also offer 13 Instructor-Led Remote Classroom Training courses such as Introduction to ESRI Business Analyst Desktop,Introduction to ArcGIS Server Image Extension, Building Geodatabases, and Working with ArcGIS Spatial Analyst.

ESRI learning centers are located in more than 50 cities, including Danvers, Massachusetts; New York, New York; Chesterbrook, Pennsylvania; Vienna, Virginia; Alpharetta, Georgia; West Palm Beach, Florida; Leawood, Kansas; St. Paul, Minnesota; and Sacramento, California. Visit www.esri.com/trainingmaps to see a map of all the learning centers, including directions on how to get there.

Contact Information:

ESRI
http://www.esri.com

GeoShack announces Topcon Positioning System's (TPS) new GRS-1, the world's first fully integrated dual-constellation, network-enabled RTK rover system. It is an all-in-one handheld GNSS receiver and field controller with high-speed processor, increased memory, built-in camera, compass and bar code reading function. 
 
David Owen, Vice President said, “Integrated into the new GRS-1 system are SD memory card slot, optional internal GSM or CDMA modem, and wireless connectivity via Wi-Fi and Bluetooth technology.
 
The GRS-1 (Geodetic Rover System) was designed with two primary system design goals: Smaller size and weight, and lower-than-expected cost. According to Owen, “The GRS-1 "packs all the power of a full GPS + GLONASS dual-frequency receiver, cellular modem and Windows PC into a very small, very powerful package."
 
Designed primarily as a GPS network rover receiver, the GRS-1 "provides a small, lightweight rover and a price to fit any budget," he said.  "The new receiver has DGPS capability with internal L1 antenna for GIS and navigation, add the PGA-1 external antenna and connect to your local GNSS network via the internal modem, and instantly move to dual frequency, dual constellation GNSS centimeter RTK accuracy.   The GRS-1 can also be used as a static post processed receiver system."
 
The GRS-1 uses the Windows Mobile 6.1 operating system to run TopSURV, Topcon's popular surveying software.  TopSURV 7.2 adds new features and functions that are unique to the GRS-1. The receiver and field controller also has a 3.7 inch, touch screen display and its rugged construction is rated to stand a one meter drop.
 
Owen said, "With the GRS-1 network rover, no additional modem or equipment is needed . . . it's all built in. The user can access a RTK network for sub meter to sub foot mapping. By attaching an easy-to-connect external antenna, centimeter accuracy is instantly achieved."

Contact Information:

Geoshack
http://www.geoshack.com

ESRI invites users to tell their GIS story by sharing their experiences with GIS and presenting during a moderated session at the 2010 ESRI International User Conference (ESRI UC). The deadline for abstract submissions has been extended to November 6, 2009.

The ESRI UC is the world’s largest GIS event, providing an ideal forum for the global ESRI user community to communicate its innovative projects. Presenters can choose from more than 40 tracks covering different industries, technologies, and science and modeling.

“Playing an active role in the conference adds value to your experience,” says ESRI president Jack Dangermond. “It’s an opportunity to share what we’re all looking for—how to do things better.”

Presentation resources available at the conference include presentation room equipment and Internet access as well as the on-site Speaker Coaching Lab. Terry Richard, a GIS analyst for the City of Burnaby in Canada, said, “As a first-time presenter, I was impressed with ESRI and its multimedia staff. Their assistance enabled my group to experience a successful presentation.”

The 2010 ESRI UC will be held July 12–16 at the San Diego Convention Center in San Diego, California. Submission guidelines for ESRI software users and business partners are available online. Abstracts can be submitted at www.esri.com/ucpapers.

Contact Information:

ESRI
http://www.esri.com

Contact Information:

RapidEye
http://www.rapideye.de

Photo Science is pleased to announce the promotion of Gary R. Florence, to the position of Vice President at Photo Science. “Gary brings more than 25 years of experience and has managed our St. Petersburg, Florida office since its acquisition in December of 2003”, states President G. Michael Ritchie. “We are excited about Gary’s appointment to this position. He brings with him a diversified background with specialization in remote sensing, GIS and water resources management.” 

Mr. Florence will continue to focus on the growth of Photo Science’s St. Petersburg, Florida office, which has become the firm’s center for remote sensing and GIS support and application development. Gary has been actively involved in numerous professional geospatial organizations, including the American Society of Photogrammetry and Remote Sensing (ASPRS) where he is currently serving as Vice President. He has given presentations at numerous national and regional conferences. Gary holds a Masters Degree in Remote Sensing/Vegetation Survey from the International Institute for Aerial Space Survey and Earth Sciences. Further, he is a licensed Professional Surveyor and Mapper in the State of Florida, a certified Land Surveyor Photogrammetrist in the State of Virginia, a Registered Professional Photogrammetrist in the State of Oregon, a licensed Photogrammetric Surveyor in the State of South Carolina and is an ASPRS Certified Photogrammetrist. 

Contact Information:

Photo Science
http://www.photoscience.com

Planning and execution in five dimensions –the Stuttgart-based technology company RIB presents a new generation of software designed to combine three-dimensional geometry data with required
resources such as construction materials, machinery or manpower and with time and process components within one single software system. This innovative technology, which RIB calls Construction Process Integration (CPI), is specifically devised for processes in construction projects, the optimisation of which has become critically important in view of the tense economic climate in the construction industry.

The benchmark for the development of this new technology is the automotive industry, where the implementation of the digital factory has brought cost savings of up to 30%. With CPI, RIB aims to transfer these technologies, which revolutionised car manufacture, to construction. The software company forecasts comparable savings for the entire industry.

Unlike Building Information Modelling, the new RIB software is supposed to integrate the complete process chain of construction projects from start to finish, from planning through execution to cost control of all types of AEC, civil engineering or industrial project. Moreover, the solution is
independent of the various specific applications used in the project, according to the software vendor.

The software is graphically oriented, enabling the user to track geometrical, resource and scheduling data on screen at any point in the project process; either purely alphanumerically or with an interactive 3D model. However, the system is not designed for the production of the building design, but for the virtual execution planning and control of projects and the simulation of manufacturing and maintenance processes.

“This new software generation for process and cost management picks up on current trends in the industry,” comments Dr. Hans-Peter Sanio, Chairman of the Executive Board of RIB Software AG. The 5D Initiative, an initiative of the European construction industry for the development of new IT solutions for the planning, execution and utilisation of buildings and infrastructure projects, confirms the orientation of the construction market to virtual methods of working. Leading European construction enterprises – STRABAG / Züblin, the Royal BAM Group, Ballast Nedam and the Consolidated Contractors Company (CCC) – have joined the 5D Initiative and, with other construction companies, consistently support its implementation in the construction industry.

Contact Information:

RIB Software
http://www.rib-software.com

Duringtough economic times, the workload doesn’t necessarily decrease. Faced with theneed to do more, with fewer resources, mine planners must work smarter andfaster. New tools and streamlined menu options in Maptek Vulcan 8 mean youcan do more with more! 

'Improvementsto display options, file size output, auto-population of fields, floatingpanels, menu wizards and customisable settings all help to make Vulcan 8 moreusable,’ said Eric Gonzalez, Maptek's Product Manager for Vulcan. 'We'verevisited areas such as drillhole compositing, block model estimation andcoalescing, and grade control, to name a few.'

Engineerscan save time on the ground with the new open cut drill & blast tools inVulcan 8. On-screen preview of drill & blast patterns eliminates potentiallayout problems before a blast is even set. The new double stitching optionallows extra holes to be inserted midway between previously created blast holesusing the same or completely different hole design parameters. Excessive toeburdens can be handled by adding holes around the blast perimeter. 

Ina dynamic mine environment, surfaces are always changing, and the effectsripple through the planning process. Vulcan 8 allows the depth of blast holesto be recalculated as a group to reflect the new surface, saving time andreducing errors. Holes can still be edited individually, with alternatives formaintaining the 2D collar location, or 3D vector of angled holes. New editingoptions allow selection of holes by echelon, reversal of row direction,renaming of blasts, and customisation of the popular datatip display. 

Safetyis crucial underground. Vulcan 8 directly addresses safety and regulatoryissues. Engineers will appreciate the drillhole warning which calculates howfar a drillhole is from blast areas. The display highlights holes which are tooclose, allowing re-design of drifts if necessary. Similarly, the proximityalert allows engineers to easily check designs for existing voids.

Costbenefit analysis options mean better decisions about mining projects can bemade based on the estimated revenue. The new underground stope analyser inVulcan 8 allows engineers to optimise mine plans based on different cut-offlimits, with a time-saving global gradient tool to ensure adjustments in onearea are automatically updated in overall designs.

'Newtools help users identify and control contaminants, assign dollar values tomining blocks, apply a discount for benches to calculate NPV, and limit theamount mined by bench or face restriction. Simple changes like setting a timelag between the start and finish of consecutive faces go direct to the heart ofsite safety’, said Gonzalez.

'Coalgeologists dream of intuitive modelling - Vulcan 8's new integratedstratigraphic modelling technique moves from database to geological model in 5logical steps', he added. 

Thefinal step showcases our unique block modelling technique, HARP (HorizonAdaptive Rectangular Prism). HARP's non-rectangular block models easily handlereverse faults and very thin horizons, and can be reserved against complex 3Dsolid shapes such as pit cutbacks and mining blocks. A single file contains allthe structural, quality, faulting and associated data; thousands of variablesper block are permitted. Geological resolution and stratigraphic fidelity arepreserved. Vulcan’s extensive geostatistical tools can also be applied to HARPmodels. 

Smarterpanels and enhanced data security are welcome additions. Every file typeassociated with stratigraphic modelling can now be created and accessed fromone user-defined directory. The interconnected workflow means that changescan be made to data at any stage in the stratigraphic modelling process; it canthen be re-run without needing to start back at the beginning. 

Theoverall impact of Vulcan 8 is ease of use and improved connectivity. Accuracyand quality standards have been maintained while increasing efficiency andproductivity. Try Vulcan 8 today to see how you CAN do more!

Contact Information:

Maptek
http://www.maptek.com

DigitalGlobe (NYSE: DGI), a leading global provider of commercial high-resolution world-imagery products and services for defense and intelligence, civil government, and commercial customers, today announced the successful launch and deployment of WorldView-2, the company’s latest high-resolution, remote-sensing satellite. The satellite launched on a Boeing Delta II 7920 rocket from Vandenberg Air Force Base in California.

The DigitalGlobe ground station received a downlink signal confirming that the satellite successfully separated from its launch vehicle and automatically initialized its onboard processors.  WorldView-2 is currently undergoing a calibration and check-out period. DigitalGlobe expects imagery products and services from WorldView-2 to be commercially available in approximately 90 days.

“The successful launch of WorldView-2 is an important milestone for the industry and for DigitalGlobe,” said Jill Smith, chairman and chief executive officer of DigitalGlobe. “Once commissioned, WorldView-2 will effectively double DigitalGlobe’s collection capacity, enabling us to provide at least annually updated coverage of the world as well as intra-day revisit for more rapid and reliable collection for our customers.   Additionally, WorldView-2’s eight spectral bands will significantly enhance our ability to meet our customers’ needs for feature identification, change, detection, and other high-value services.”

As the most recent of the next-generation WorldView-class satellites, WorldView-2 features advanced agility and accuracy, industry-leading capacity, and eight-band multispectral imagery. WorldView-2 will collect multispectral imagery at 1.8 meter resolution and panchromatic imagery at .46 meters*.  The additional band capability supports improved levels of feature identification and extraction and more accurately reflects the world’s natural color.

The satellite was built by Ball Aerospace (NYSE: BLL) and the imaging sensor was provided by ITT Corporation’s (NYSE: ITT) Space Systems Division. 

To learn more about advanced DigitalGlobe’s constellation of sub-meter satellites, please visit www.digitalglobe.com.  

Contact Information:

DigitalGlobe
http://www.digitalglobe.com

Contact Information:

RapidEye
http://www.rapideye.de

Steven Stinson, a founding partner and president of Meridian Surveying and Mapping Inc. in Tallahassee, is the new president of the Florida Surveying and Mapping Society (FSMS).

The FSMS is a professional membership society representing the surveying and mapping profession. The statewide organization has more than 1,700 member firms and professional members with active chapters in every region of the state. 

Stinson will serve a one-year term along with newly installed Vice President Jeremiah Slaymaker, survey manager of Baskerville-Donovan Inc. in Tallahassee.

The FSMS 2009-2010 board also includes President-Elect Daniel D. Ferrans, founding partner of Polaris Associates Inc. in Tampa; Secretary David Hyatt, president of Marco Surveying and Mapping in Marco Island; Treasurer Ken Glass, director of surveying and mapping at Keith and Schnars, P.A., in Lakeland; and Immediate Past President Pablo Ferrari, Vice President of Geomatics Corp. in St. Augustine.

FSMS is a statewide professional membership society representing the Surveying & Mapping Profession, including: Photogrammetry, Imagery, Remote Sensing, Base Mapping, GIS/LIS, Cartography, Geodesy, Geomatics, GPS, Geographic Information and Geospatial Data. FSMS operates 21 chapters, with administrative offices in Tallahassee.  For more information, go to www.fsms.org or contact FSMS Executive Director Marilyn C. Evers, 800-237-4384 or director@fsms.org.

Contact Information:

FSMS
http://www.fsms.org

Woolpert announces that the firm has tapped Aaron Lawrence, GISP, to manage the firm's new remote sensing group. As a recognized leader in traditional photogrammetric technology and services for more than 40 years, Woolpert is expanding its use of technology and resources to also offer advanced remote sensing services.

Lawrence joined Woolpert in 2003 and has developed several procedures and processes for automatic feature extraction using a variety of spaceborne and airborne sensor products. His experience includes analyzing various types of sensor data including hyper and multi-spectral imagery and LiDAR and he is also skilled in GIS and data management. Lawrence will be building this new group to focus on leveraging layered, remote sensing data from a wide variety of sources to provide new forms of information to the firm’s clients.

“We are expanding our resources to meet clients’ needs as they begin to realize the multitude of data that can be analyzed from a traditional dataset,” said Jeff Lovin, CP, Woolpert vice president and director of photogrammetry and remote sensing. "Leveraging our various sensors to extract additional data, Woolpert can partner with our clients to respond to growing concerns and issues related to climate change, scarcity of water resources and the nation's carbon footprint."

Contact Information:

Woolpert
http://www.woolpert.com

Contact Information:

Geoshack
http://www.geoshack.com

Contact Information:

GeoCue
http://www.geocue.com

For the second time in 2009, Topcon Tierra, a world leader in remote asset management telematics solutions, has been honored with a major construction industry award. The latest award received was the highly regarded Constructech Magazine’s Silver Vision Award. Earlier this year, Topcon Tierra also won the M2M (Machine to Machine) Value Chain Award for the construction category.

“Topcon’s Tierra telematics solution uses advanced GPS technology and a simple back-office, web-based communications system to reduce costs and increase productivity … essential elements in today’s competitive construction environment,” according to Mark S. Bittner, senior vice president and general manager for Topcon’s Telematics Business Unit. 

“We are pleased to have won this prestigious award and to be recognized among an impressive list of competitors,” Bittner said. “We would like to acknowledge T.J. Lambrecht Construction for their role as a collaborative partner in helping to enhance our solution. Their hands-on experience was invaluable to us in developing functionality and features that contractors can use to improve operations.”

The Constructech Vision Awards honor companies that have realized the advantages of applying innovative technologies to their everyday businesses as well as the technology enablers that have helped them achieve their goal.

Companies involved in residential, commercial, and heavy construction, professionals in all trades, architectural and engineering firms, corporate owners, facility management companies, government agencies, and land developers are eligible for a Constructech Vision Award.

“In today’s market, construction companies must face new challenges head on, and bring customers the most affordable, quality product they can. This goal can be achieved with the use of the right technology solutions,” said Mike Carrozzo, chief editor, Constructech magazine. “The companies named as Vision Award winners recognize this necessity, and have become more successful as a result of implementing technology.”

Contact Information:

Topcon
http://www.topconpositioning.com

Contact Information:

RapidEye
http://www.rapideye.de

SuperGeo Technologies, a leading global provider of complete GIS Software, announces that SuperGIS Image Server 1.0 Beta version is released.
   
SuperGIS Image Server is the set of huge image server software that assists users in managing, processing, and publishing huge quantities of image data and provides multiple on-the-fly image processing capabilities.
 
SuperGIS Image Server contains 12 built-in on-the-fly processing functions. When the image data on the server receive the requests from the client, the abundant resources and powerful operation ability of the server can calculate the results rapidly, transmit the results back to the client, and display the results on the client. Therefore, SuperGIS Image Server not only helps organizations solve the problems in repeating purchase of images, but also significantly save the image processing time. Also, the value of the images can be maximized to achieve the goal of repeatedly utilizing the image data on the server.
 
As for image transmitting, SuperGIS Image Server contains image ‘compression’ and ‘streaming’ techniques. Therefore, the problems in managing and publishing huge quantities of data in the traditional GIS way can be solved, and the transmitting efficiency can be improved as well.
 
With regard to the applications for the clients, SuperGIS Image Server can utilize SuperGIS Desktop, SuperGIS Viewer, and SuperGIS 3D Globe as the applications of the clients. Consequently, the burden of processing images on the client side can be decreased, and the processing results can thus be displayed promptly.
 
SuperGIS Image Server is expected to be officially launched in November 2009.

Contact Information:

SuperGeo
http://www.supergeotek.com/
Sarah Liu
886-2-25467700
sarahliu@supergeotek.com

SuperGeo Technologies, a leading global provider of complete GIS Software, was exhibiting at INTERGEO 2009 to showcase its latest SuperGIS 3 Series Software, inclusive of the newly launched mobile SDK, SuperGIS Mobile Engine, and several suites of upcoming software.
 
This year, more than 16,000 visitors were attracted to INTERGEO, the largest exhibition for geoinformation, geodesy, and land management. Since SuperGeo is releasing the whole new 3rd-generation products and expanding its global reseller network, this is a significant event to meet all the potential partners and clients.
 
For example, map data companies from Czech Republic, Germany, and Australia are looking for alternative GIS software. Also, the famous PDA producer is seeking for collaboration opportunity in Russian market. In addition, geo-spatial related companies from Brazil, Bosnia, Finland, etc. came to see the GIS solutions as well as cooperation opportunities with SuperGeo.
 
‘INTERGEO is very important for us because we have received much positive feedback and gathered useful information from the visitors and related companies. The business opportunities are increasing. We will do our best to provide better GIS solutions for our clients all over the world’, says Super Wang, CEO of SuperGeo. With more flexible product selection and good C/P ratio, the emerging GIS software provider is planning to server more markets with the newly developed GIS solutions.

Contact Information:

SuperGeo Technologies
http://www.supergeotek.com/
Sarah Liu
886-2-25467700
sarahliu@supergeotek.com

earthmine announces the immediate availability of two additions to its software suite; the earthmine SDK for iPhone  for integrating street level 3D data into iPhone applications, and  earthmine Server which enables organizations to host and manage the earthmine platform on their own servers. With these new products, earthmine now delivers a complete solution for working with street-level 3D and image data with flexibility and mobility unmatched in the industry.

“These two additions to our software suite mark a significant expansion of earthmine’s offering and customer base,” said Anthony Fassero, earthmine’s co-Chief Executive Officer. “The earthmine SDK for iPhone brings immersive and accurate street level data to the world’s fastest growing mobile platform, and the earthmine Server puts the entire earthmine platform within the customer managed computing environment. Now, earthmine supports any application, large or small, public or private.”

earthmine SDK for iPhone Puts earthmine’s 3D Data in Your Hand
The new earthmine SDK for iPhone brings earthmine’s rich street-level 3D experience to the large user base of iPhone and iPod Touch users. The earthmine SDK for iPhone provides developers with core functionality to retrieve and display earthmine’s panoramic imagery and provides an extensive set of tools to create immersive applications and unique experiences on the iPhone.
Users of the earthmine SDK for iPhone can access the entire earthmine data set from their mobile device, putting immersive street level imagery right in their pocket, enabling customers to use their iPhone or iPod Touch to map features, take measurements, and display relevant geo-contextual content from assets in a geospatial database to billboards displaying movie trailers and advertising.
The earthmine SDK for iPhone joins the earthmine SDK for Flash as part of the toolkit for client application development. The earthmine SDK for Flash allows for the rapid development of Adobe Flash, Flex and AIR applications, delivering earthmine data to both browser-based and desktop applications. The component exposes a wide variety of overlays including tags, billboards and polylines, allowing developers to integrate diverse data sets with earthmine’s immersive 3D environment. The earthmine API is also available to users of earthmine’s platform and provides full flexibility in deploying client applications across different platforms and environments.

earthmine Server Provides Expanded Hosting Options
With its new earthmine Server the company greatly expands the earthmine audience by now offering two hosting options for its visually impressive and spatially accurate street level 3D data. For organizations that require full control over their hosting solution, including intranet only access and customized network security, earthmine Server allows customers to run the entire earthmine platform within an enterprise’s own computing infrastructure. When an application demands massive scalability, the earthmine Server can scale horizontally simply by adding more servers in a load balanced configuration, offering a simple solution to both small enterprises delivering solutions across their local intranet, and to large consumer facing applications.

earthmine continues to offer the earthmine Cloud Service, as a fully managed and scalable option. The earthmine Cloud Service gives enterprises the opportunity to focus on building applications without the overhead of managing servers, storing large data sets and maintaining up-time. “We firmly believe the earthmine Server and earthmine Cloud Service together meet the needs of earthmine’s wide variety of customers,” said Anthony Fassero. “From local government and intelligence agencies to local search portals, earthmine delivers a full suite of products and solutions for both public and private facing applications.”

Pricing and Availability
The earthmine SDK for iPhone and earthmine Server are available immediately as part of the earthmine solution. Customers have the choice of utilizing data within earthmine’s data library or scheduling data collection through the earthmine Project Partner Program to meet specific data needs. Platform users have the choice of further customizing their package by choosing an appropriate hosting option and client application SDKs to build a fully customized solution. Pricing is dependent on customization options.

About earthmine
earthmine inc. is a street level, 3D mapping company that provides complete software, data, and services to those who gather, analyze and communicate location-based information from a street-level perspective. The company indexes reality,  with a robust geospatial data mine of global, urban environments accessed from the human perspective. The earthmine suite of solutions enable better informed and more effective geospatial decision making by delivering a highly accurate and realistic user experience that can be easily viewed, annotated, analyzed, measured and shared. The company, headquartered in Berkeley, California, was founded in 2006 and is privately-held. For more information, visit  www.earthmine.com or follow earthmine on Twitter at  http://twitter.com/earthmine

Contact Information:

earthmine
http://www.earthmine.com

Contact Information:

Spatial Information Solutions
http://www.spatialis.com/

Trimble and Autodesk, Inc.announced that they have collaborated to develop a fully automated data exchange tool enabling information from an AutoCAD Civil 3D model to be directly imported into the Trimble Business Center-HCE (Heavy Construction Edition) data management software.

The new, free*, Web-downloadable software extension, called the AutoCAD Civil 3D Importer for Trimble Business Center-HCE, provides the ability to import DWG files that contain AutoCAD Civil 3D native design objects into the Trimble Business Center-HCE software. The AutoCAD Civil 3D model information is then used by the Trimble Business Center-HCE to prepare, manage and distribute data for use with Trimble's range of site positioning and grade control products for earthmoving, grading and finishing operations. Using the extension, contractors can realize a number of benefits, including:

• Reduced data preparation time and costs: Minimizing the need to recreate design information helps reduce data preparation time and supports the faster delivery of updated design information to the field as a result of design changes, which is especially beneficial on highways projects where design revisions occur frequently.
• Rich, first-hand information to the field: The ability to retain the intelligence of the Civil 3D source model incorporating corridor model sections, alignments, station equations, profiles, feature lines, finished grade and subgrade surface information and advanced point objects provides more detailed information and higher precision; the construction-ready 3D models can be more quickly leveraged by Trimble machine control and site positioning systems.
• Full DWG compatibility: Improved DWG file format support (including Real DWG) allows for extraction of both native CAD data and Civil 3D model data (which would previously have been lost) delivering enhanced compatibility with the Autodesk DWG file standards.
• More simplified workflow: Now instead of using intermediary and often less comprehensive file formats such as LandXML or basic CAD files for exchange of information between the engineer and contractor, the engineer can simply save the project and deliver the native design file without needing to think about saving the file out to an alternative format, which is immediately detached from the source design.

"Our new utility is a bridge that makes rich Civil 3D model information available to contractors who are going to grade the site," said Jim Lynch, vice president of marketing, Autodesk Architecture, Engineering and Construction Solutions. "With this new software extension, which transfers the Civil 3D model data into the Trimble Business Center data management software, we are bringing the benefits of a model-centric approach all the way to the job site. Before grading starts, contractors want to verify that the model they are sending into the field is appropriate for construction. That's where this new utility contributes; helping to reduce errors, save time and increase accuracy."

"Streamlining and optimizing the flow of data and information between the engineering design and the construction communities is a key motivation we share with Autodesk," said Roz Buick, general manager, Heavy and Highway Division, Trimble. "Our new collaboration creates a powerful data exchange extension that allows the information contained in Civil 3D models to flow more easily and efficiently out to the machine control and site positioning systems. Now contractors can take Civil 3D information and create models designed to optimize the use of Trimble site positioning and machine control solutions."

AutoCAD Civil 3D software, the building information modeling (BIM) solution for civil engineering, helps project teams create, predict and deliver transportation, land development and environmental projects more efficiently. AutoCAD Civil 3D helps civil engineers explore more what-if scenarios and optimize project performance with visualization and analysis tools such as geospatial and stormwater analysis, quantity takeoff and interactive 3D simulations.

Trimble Business Center-HCE software supports construction data preparation and intelligently manages the provision of data to and from construction field crews. The software puts emphasis on efficient data management for multiple field crews and machines operating on a site over the lifetime of the project. Using Trimble Business Center-HCE, contractors can import, review and analyze digital design information or field generated data and easily assign, manage and track that information through the lifetime of a construction project.

To download the free* AutoCAD Civil 3D Importer for Trimble Business Center-HCE import software extension visit: www.autodesk.com/civil3d-trimble or www.trimble.com/tbc-hce. For more information on the Trimble Business Center-HCE data management software visit: http://www.trimble.com/tbc-hce.shtml.  For more information on Autodesk Civil 3D visit: www.autodesk.com/civil3d.

Contact Information:

Trimble, Autodesk
http://www.trimble.com

Contact Information:

GKS Scanning Services
http://www.gks.com
Mary Storms, Marketing Manager
952-884-9648
info@gks.com

Leica Geosystems announces the release of a complete new series of GNSS/GIS products within the Leica Viva family targeting the data collection market. The revolutionary Leica Zeno GIS offers professionals and newcomers around the globe the most multi-functional and easiest GNSS/GIS solution with superior performance. Leica Zeno GIS provides a one-click automated workflow between the field and office. 

With the new Leica Zeno GIS series, it has never been so easy to manage and maintain assets, inspect infrastructure, respond to emergencies, ensure public safety, explore natural resources and conduct as-built and incident mapping with ease. Leica Geosystems’ outstanding survey technology is now brought to the GIS market. 

Rugged GNSS/GIS handhelds with productive field software The Leica Zeno 10 provides a color graphic display in portrait format and a numeric keypad. Alternatively users have the choice to purchase the larger Leica Zeno 15 with a full QWERTY keyboard and a display in landscape format. Both GNSS/GIS devices support:

- First fully rugged GNSS/GIS handheld working in the most demanding environments 
- Dual-constellation (GPS/GLONASS) tracking 
- Zeno Field software based on an OEM version of the popular ESRI ArcPad™ 8 software enhanced with GNSS functionality 
- An integrated digital camera linking photos to feature locations. 
Dual-constellation tracking guarantees higher productivity with more satellites available – in particular in urban canyons and where tree canopy blocks the number of visible GPS satellites. 

The new Leica Zeno Field software is an OEM version of ESRI ArcPad 8 and provides - in addition - a full range of functions to easily control the integrated GNSS receiver and to manage the data collection process such as GNSS raw data logging, easy handling of GNSS real-time configurations, feature accuracy management, and an automated workflow between the field and office. 

EasyIn - Simplest dataflow between the field and office With Leica Zeno, Leica Geosystems introduces EasyIn, the simplest dataflow between the field and office. EasyIn simultaneously checks in features and GNSS raw data, automatically post-processes GNSS observations and updates feature vertices to the most accurate location in one easy, automated step. 

Together with Zeno Office users can easily manage feature quality over time and benefit from automated import and export functions to a wide range of different formats such as ArcGIS™ geodatabase, shapefile, dxf, dgn, and dwg. Zeno Office is also available as an extension to ArcGIS Desktop. 
Finally an easy mobile GIS solution enters the market. 

Leica Geosystems – when it has to be right With close to 200 years of pioneering solutions to measure the world, Leica Geosystems products and services are trusted by professionals worldwide to help them capture, analyze, and present spatial information. Leica Geosystems is best known for its broad array of products that capture accurately, model quickly, analyze easily, and visualize and present spatial information. 

Those who use Leica Geosystems products every day trust them for their dependability, the value they deliver, and the superior customer support. Based in Heerbrugg, Switzerland, Leica Geosystems is a global company with tens of thousands of customers supported by more than 3,500 employees in 28 countries and hundreds of partners located in more than 120 countries around the world. Leica Geosystems is part of the Hexagon Group, Sweden. 

Contact Information:

Leica Geosystems
http://www.leica-geosystems.com

Contact Information:

Leica Geosystems
http://www.leica-geosystems.us

Riegl unveiled its new mobile lidar scanning system the VMX-250 to over 16,000 attendees at Intergeo 2009. The new system’s ability to collect accurate and precise data at highway speeds provides unparalleled safety and significantly reduced project times.
 
The VMX-250 mobile scanning system consists of two VQ-250 scanners on a mounted platform accompanied by a GPS-INS, and up to 8 digital cameras or video equipment. Accommodating multiple cameras ensures a 360 degree field of view. Most standard station wagons or off-road vehicles can be optimized for easy installation and the scanners are powered directly from the car’s battery. Data acquisition is operator controlled using a standard laptop. The system was designed with the user in mind– set up is fast, easy and safe!
 
At 600,000 measurements per second, the VMX-250 mobile scanning system allows surveyors to capture highly accurate and high resolution dynamic 3D data at highway speeds. The ability to travel at high speeds significantly increases safety for all applications, including mapping of highways, railroads and waterways as well as extended urban area, construction sites and open pit mines. The speed also contributes to a significant reduction in project time. Traditionally mobile scanning of a 10-mile road was dangerous and took up to ten weeks, from data acquisition to post processing. The new VMX-250 is capable of completing a 10-mile project in a matter of hours.
 
The cutting edge echo digitization technology, used in the VMX-250 mobile lidar scanning system, penetrates foliage, fences and other obstacles. The system’s online waveform technology allows for more than 10 measurements per laser shot. The combination of these technologies results in laser precision of 1cm or better and accuracy 3cm or better.
 
The combination of scanning and inertial navigation hardware can be applied to transportation infrastructure and city modeling projects. 3D data collection has been used for navigation systems, network planning and security. Riegl’s RiAcquire, RiProcess and RiWorld software provide seamless processing of data from acquisition to system calibration, geo-referencing and pre-processing.  
 
Today Riegl is recognized as the performance leader in the markets we serve. Riegl Systems, including the new VMX-250, are well known for their ruggedness and reliability under demanding environmental conditions. All of Riegl’s lasers use a class one eye-safe invisible beam and will not distract motorists during the day or night.
 
For more information about the VMX-250 mobile scanning system visit www.rieglusa.com or contact us:

Contact Information:

Riegl USA
http://www.rieglusa.com
Jim van Rens
info@rieglusa.com

Contact Information:

RapidEye
http://www.rapideye.de
sales@rapideye.de

St. Charles, IL – Located in the central part of Arizona, Pinal County contains approximately 5,374 square miles. Located just south of the Phoenix metropolitan area, Pinal County has undergone rapid growth, and its population has grown by nearly 80 percent since 2000. The County Assessor’s staff recognized the need to make a move to a streamlined solution that integrated ESRI technology with their land records management systems, and offered an enhanced editing geodatabase solution.  Previously, the staff had been editing in a CAD environment.  To accomplish their objective, Pinal County selected The Sidwell Company to provide the County with a parcel management and maintenance solution. Sidwell’s solution includes an editing application with a tagged data model, to efficiently maintain coincident line work found in the land records environment.  A unified interdepartmental land records workflow will also be developed, in order to eliminate duplicate data entry, provide automated messaging and tracking of land record changes within and between departments, and to provide a common access point for all relevant land records information. 

Specifically, this project phase is designed to leverage the capability of Sidwell’s Parcel Builder software to manage seven specific integration points wherein land records information needs to move from one application or repository to another.  In addition to the commercial-off-the-shelf parcel solution, Sidwell will provide customization of that software where necessary to meet the specific needs of Pinal County. 

County personnel will be trained on Parcel Builder, which extends the functionality of ESRI’s ArcGIS software platform by introducing over 40 tools to improve GIS-based land records workflows.  In addition to Parcel Builder, the AddressManager software will be employed to allow the county to maintain road centerline attributes, create address points and automatically assign addresses, and generate addressing reports for other uses.

 

When the system is complete, Pinal County will benefit from the efficient system to maintain the high volume of parcel edits, integration with other land records applications, and an addressing solution to stay current with new development.

Contact Information:

The Sidwell Company
http://www.sidwellco.com
Karen Fouts, Marketing Manager
630-549-1065
kfouts@sidwellco.com

Whether you’re new to Traverse PC or a long time user, you want the same thing - Easy. That’s what 2010 is all about - Easy. Sure, you’ll find some great new features like surfaces you can tag and un-tag in a drawing just like traverses, but what you’ll really like about 2010 is our new Smart Survey System. A way to work with surveys that beats our old Survey System because it’s easier, more powerful and lots of fun.

New Docking Views - Docking Views are a perfect fit for TPC Desktop. Dock your data so it’s right where you want. Or create groups of tabbed views that share the same space, leaving more room for you to do work on your desktop.

Tasks Manager - The Tasks Manager is a great example of how our new Smart Survey System works. It’s like Command Central with your most recent surveys, information about a survey you open, links to the learning guides and on-line help.

Obvious Navigation - Traverse PC Desktop 2010 makes navigation obvious with shortcut text. Along with the new tabs and tab groups it provides what we call Obvious Navigation.

TPC Desktop 2010 is Windows XP, Windows Vista and Windows 7 ready.

Contact Information:

Traverse PC
http://www.traverse-pc.com

Carlson Software invites law enforcement personnel and accident reconstruction specialists to learn more about Carlson’s all new Crime Scene Investigations (CSI) products, CSI Mobile 2010 and CSI Office 2010. Together, they can be used to measure a crime or accident scene in the field, then to accurately analyze and map the incident in the office.

Carlson first introduced the company’s investigative software CSI Office in 1999 working with Nikon. It has been used by law enforcement agencies around the country, including the FBI. With the introduction of CSI Mobile, accident and crime scenes can now be investigated and reconstructed accurately in the field.
Modeled similarly to Carlson’s SurvCE data collection product, CSI Mobile has easy-to-use features designed specifically for law enforcement, including a complete library of vehicle dimensions and an accident and crime scene library for urban features like manholes, poles, and fire hydrants as well as trees, road signs, and more.

“CSI Mobile can be picked up quickly by any law enforcement organization or consultant,” says Bruce Carlson, president of Carlson Software. “It creates graphics that are very complete based on a minimum of field measurements. This means that both field time and office drafting time are reduced to a minimum.”
In addition to its vehicle database being updated to include vehicles up to and through 2009, CSI Office 2010 is now built on IntelliCAD 6.6. It offers a 3D flyover option, to enable users to view accident and crime scenes in 3D and from many angles. There’s also the ability to draw geo-referenced aerial images. Another upgrade is the ability to directly export to PDF reports.

When recreating an accident scene with CSI Mobile, undamaged cars can be drawn with only two field shots, based on the actual dimensions of the car. Plus, illustrations of damaged cars can be created based on field shots of the damaged area only. One of CSI Mobile’s most popular aspects is its simplified menu structure, which means that there are only two “menu worlds” – one screen of survey and file commands and one screen of graphic commands and options.

Terminology in CSI Mobile was created by law enforcement personnel – the Cincinnati Police Department of Cincinnati, Ohio, U.S.A., helped with the development of this product. Both software products will draw thickened lines for features such as skid marks, lane separation lines, and stop sign stopping bars painted on roads. Accident reports can be easily generated.

CSI Mobile gives its users choice – it supports all major brands of data collectors. It will also be available soon in several languages, such as Spanish, Portuguese and French, in addition to English.

Contact Information:

Carlson Software
http://www.carlsonsw.com
606-564-5028

More and more, people who work with maps and other geographic data want to share and collaborate online. To help them do this, ESRI launched ArcGIS Online, a Web-based repository where users can find and share geographic content. 

This month, ESRI will host a live training seminar to demonstrate how to get started using this new resource. Sharing Your Maps Using ArcGIS Online will air at www.esri.com/lts on Thursday, October 8, 2009, at 9:00 a.m., 11:00 a.m., and 3:00 p.m. (Pacific daylight time). The online seminar is free to anyone who wants to learn how to use the application. No geographic information system (GIS) or programming skills are required. 

ArcGIS Online, hosted by ESRI, provides users with high-quality geographic content such as map services, GIS tasks, and Web mapping APIs, along with a collaborative environment for sharing their work. 

ArcGIS Online lets users find or share maps, map services, map layers, layer packages, and GIS tools. They also can create and share Web maps online through the built-in map viewer application. Groups are forming on the site with specialties in areas such as conservation, petroleum, archaeology, and energy. Members of these groups are sharing geographic content related to those fields. 

Viewers of the live training seminar will learn how to use ArcGIS Online to find, create, manage, and share maps, map layers, and Web mapping applications. They also will learn how to create Web maps and add map layers. The presenter will demonstrate how to create a group, upload resources to share with the group, and download resources for use in ESRI’s ArcGIS Desktop software and ArcGIS Explorer. 

A broadband Internet connection and an ESRI Global Account are needed to watch the seminar. Creating a global account is easy and free: visitwww.esri.com/lts, click Login, and register your name and address. A few weeks after the live presentation, the seminar will be archived and available for viewing on the ESRI Training Web site. 

For more information about this free live training seminar as well as upcoming classes, visit www.esri.com/training. 

Contact Information:

ESRI
http://www.esri.com/training

Hemisphere GPS and Handheld Group jointly announced their strategic partnership today from the InterGeo Conference in Karlsruhe, Germany. Through this partnership, Hemisphere GPS offers a custom version of its advanced GPS receiver technology to the GIS data collection market as the Handheld-branded Kenaz DGPS receiver. The new Kenaz DGPS receiver offers superior accuracy for handheld mapping and is specifically designed to work with the popular TDS Nomad.    
 
“Handheld is committed to bringing only the best products to the market,” said Jerker Hellström, CEO of the Handheld Group. “We are pleased to work with Hemisphere GPS, a leader in precision GPS, to offer our customers an exceptionally rugged and robust DGPS solution in the Kenaz.”    
 
The Kenaz is small and compact, yet rugged, standing up in even the most demanding environments. It boasts a maintenance-free smart antenna and Compact Flash adapter that maintains the IP67 rating for the total handheld solution. Powered by Hemisphere GPS Crescent receiver technology, it offers superior positioning accuracy required for precise positioning applications. It supports SBAS differential corrections and Hemisphere GPS exclusive e-Dif extended differential option. Also, if a differential signal is lost, Hemisphere GPS COAST technology maintains accuracy for up to 40 minutes. The Kenaz is designed for low power consumption to conserve the TDS Nomad’s battery power, and an optional external antenna is available for additional accuracy.   
 
“We are pleased that our Crescent GPS technology will be part of Handheld’s success in the marketplace,” says Phil Gabriel , Hemisphere GPS VP and General Manager for Precision Products. “Our partnership with Handheld will bring a superior product to the market through a strong distribution network and will be mutually beneficial to both companies.  We look forward to continuing a strong relationship for years to come.”   

Contact Information:

Hemisphere GPS
http://www.hemispheregps.com

Trimble introduced new systems and software to broaden its portfolio of Connected Site survey solutions:

• New Trimble R4, Trimble R5 and Trimble R6 GPS Receivers
• A new Trimble S3 Robotic Total Station
• A new version of Trimble Business Center Software
• New specialized Monitoring module for the Trimble Access Software Suite
   

These positioning solutions provide even greater flexibility and versatility to address a user’s comprehensive surveying needs through scalable solutions and proven, reliable Trimble technology for all critical phases of surveying. 
 
The announcement was made today at INTERGEO 2009, the world’s largest conference on geodesy, geoinformatics and land management.
 
“Surveying firms require flexible and integrated solutions to support their business growth, which is why Trimble’s Connected Site solutions are becoming the industry standard in Integrated Surveying technology and techniques,” said Chris Gibson, vice president for Trimble’s Surveying Division. “One of our key objectives is to deliver scalable solutions that enable surveyors to optimize their investments to compete in today’s market and add capabilities as their business needs grow and change. Each of our new or enhanced survey products is an important component of Trimble’s Connected Site offering.”
 
New GNSS Receivers 
The new Trimble R6 GPS System includes use of the modernized GPS L2C signals (as well as L1 and L2) with an option to add GLONASS for faster, more consistent initialization in a variety of environments. The Trimble R6 is an integrated receiver system with GPS antenna, receiver and internal communications in a small, rugged package. It can be configured with a cellular modem for convenient operation with Trimble VRS networks, or with UHF radio for RTK base/rover applications. Compatible with a variety of Trimble controllers and field and office software, the Trimble R6 is flexible, scalable, and ready for a variety of jobs that a surveyor’s growing business may require.
 
The new Trimble R5 GPS System is one receiver with many configurations. The modular system enables customers to choose the GPS antenna and communication options that best serve the needs of the application. Fixed to a tripod, secured on a rover pole, or stowed in a backpack, the Trimble R5 is ideal for any surveying task from control, measurement, design and stakeout, to as-built work. With an optional built-in UHF radio modem, it can receive RTK communications quickly and easily. With GPS L1, L2, and L2C included and a GLONASS option, it can track more satellites in challenging environments.
 
The new Trimble R4 GPS System provides everything needed to perform basic survey projects. The system comes standard with GPS L1 and L2, with the availability to upgrade to GLONASS. With the easy to use Trimble Digital Fieldbook Software, surveyors can use the system in a Trimble VRS network or RTK applications and for static surveying work. With an optional integrated UHF transmitter, it can also be used as a base station. The cable-free Trimble R4 is an accurate and reliable GPS receiver that surveyors can depend on when every point counts. 
  
Trimble S3 Robotic Total Station  
The new Trimble S3 Robotic Total Station System includes everything needed to perform efficient surveying projects: precision positioning performance and powerful data collection in an integrated, ergonomic solution for convenient, all-day use. It is built on proven, reliable, Trimble technology such as Trimble’s Direct Reflex (DR) technology for measurement without a prism to almost any type of surface. Additionally, Trimble S3's servo-drive system is built on Trimble MagDrive technology, for long-term performance with low maintenance requirements.
 
The Trimble S3 Robotic Total Station System features integrated radios, powerful field software and the Trimble TSC2 Controller, long-life battery, dual optical and GPS battery charger, and a 360-degree prism. The Trimble S3 is a robust, cable-free solution backed by world-class training, service and support through Trimble’s extensive distribution network to keep surveyors up and running. The Trimble S3 System provides a great foundation for getting a survey crew into Trimble’s Integrated Surveying.
 
Advances in Integrated Surveying: Trimble Business Center 2.20
Trimble Business Center Software is the complete surveying office suite designed to manage, analyze and process all field survey data, including data from optical instruments (total stations and levels), GPS/GNSS, and spatial stations (imaging and 3D scanning data).
 
The new version provides fully integrated corridor and surface applications for road management. With an enhanced graphic engine and tools to view and manage spatial imaging data, Trimble Business Center version 2.20 provides a new level of productivity and efficiency to the surveying and civil engineering office.
 
New Trimble Access Specialized Application for Monitoring 
Trimble continues to build upon the success of its innovative Trimble Access Software Suite with the introduction of a new Monitoring module. Trimble Access is a streamlined field and office solution for surveyors and geospatial professionals that expedites data collection, processing, analysis, and project information delivery. The software enables improved workflows, the ability to create in-field deliverables, and more efficient collaboration and connectivity between project team members.
 
Designed to streamline typical deformation monitoring field activities, the Monitoring module for Trimble Access provides step-by-step guidance through a monitoring job. The optional Monitoring module flattens the learning curve for those new to monitoring applications and allows surveyors to get their work completed faster. Users can choose to pair this field solution with the powerful Trimble 4D Control Standard office software for advanced tools to analyze movement over time. Like the Roads and Tunnels modules in Trimble Access, the Monitoring module is available as either a perpetual license or as a monthly subscription. These options enable flexibility to add more software capabilities easily as business needs change.
 
Trimble’s Connected Site Solutions 
Trimble’s Connected Site solutions for surveyors create seamless working relationships among Trimble products, technologies and services through support, infrastructure and partnerships. Through the Connected Site, Trimble is focused on providing solutions that address our customer’s full work process. By carefully combining technology innovation with a deep understanding of the users’ workflows, data integration and maintenance across the lifecycle of the project, Trimble helps surveyors reach new levels of productivity for their business.
 
Availability                                                                                            The new Trimble R4, Trimble R5, and Trimble R6 GPS Receivers, Trimble S3 Robotic Total Station and Trimble Business Center version 2.20 are expected to be available in late September 2009. The optional Monitoring module for Trimble Access is expected to be available in November 2009.

Contact Information:

Trimble
http://www.trimble.com
Willa McManmon
408-481-7838
willa_mcmanmon@trimble.com

Contact Information:

The Institute of Navigation
http://www.ion.org
Kenneth P. Esthus
703-366-2723

Chinese space scientists have completed the world's highest-resolution three-dimensional map of the moon. The map, covering the whole surface of the moon, was made based on image data obtained by a charge-coupled device (CCD) stereo camera carried by the Chang'e-1, China's first lunar probe. The map's spatial resolution, measured by the distance of two features within an image that can be clearly defined, is 500 metres.

Liu Xianlin, head of the expert team that made the accreditation, said the map could greatly help study the features, laws and creation of the moon's surface and deepen understanding of lunar geology and its evolution.
 
The Chang'e-1 lunar probe was launched in October 2007.

Contact Information:

China 3D
http://www.chinaview.cn/

Terrasolid Ltdthe world-leading developer of software solutions for handling of airborne and mobile scanned laser point clouds has relased new versions of TerraScan, TerraMatch and TerraPhoto. 

Support for mobile mapping and automatic building vectorization added among other 

TerraScan, TerraMatch, TerraPhoto and TerraModeler form the world leading software solution for handling of the airborne and mobile laser scanned point clouds. You can calibrate, match and classify the point clouds and create true ortho photos in one integrated environment. 

"Mobile mapping is growing rapidly and it sets new demands for the software. We've added the capability to match and calibrate mobile point clouds and also tools to solve the camera misalignments and distortions" says Arttu Soinien, Chief Technology Officer of Terrasolid and continues ”The new features were received with enthusiasm at our North American training event held last week in Huntsville,Alabama”. 

The new automatic building vectorization produces models even from fairly low density point clouds such as 2-3 points/sq.m2 and results in very good building models when density is above 10 points/sq.m2.. It is also now possible to extract colors for laser points from photographs. 

The new features are demonstrated at the Terrasolid booth in Intergeo exhibition at Karlsruhe this week. 

Contact Information:

Terrasolid Ltd
http://www.terrasolid.fi
Mika Salolahti
+358-500-445-179

Contact Information:

RapidEye
http://www.rapideye.de

Merrick & Company has been awarded several new contracts.  Merrick’s Life Sciences Group was awarded a major indefinite delivery/indefinite quantity (IDIQ) contract with the European District Corps of Engineers to provide commissioning services for missile defense facilities in eastern Europe.  Dobbins Air Force Base, Georgia, awarded Merrick’s Civil Engineering Solutions Group a drainage engineering task for airfield drainage repairs and Robins Air Force Base, Georgia, renewed Merrick’s IDIQ for its Merrick’s Military & Government Facilities Group for a third year.  The firm also received additional civil engineering work from Rampart Range Metropolitan District. 
 
Instituto Geográfico AgustÍn Codazzi, Bogota, Colombia, recently purchased existing LiDAR data, owned by Merrick’s GeoSpatial Solutions, for the City of Bogota.  This project will include delivering the laser data along with Merrick’s proprietary software,  MARS, and training.   Aurora Colorado Water has contracted with Merrick to provide bathymetric surveys for the Aurora and Spinney Mountain Reservoirs.  The surveys will be used to update the capacity tables managed by the agency.

Contact Information:

Merrick & Company
http://www.merrick.com