http://www.gim-international.com/ News from www.gim-international.com. 15 http://www.gim-international.com/news/id3212-Autodesk_Announces_New_Products.html Autodesk (CA, USA) has released two products to help improve network design and management for the utilities industry: Autodesk Utility Design (AUD) 2009 software and Autodesk Topobase 2009 software. These products will help utilities design their networks more efficiently and integrate precision as-built information into their processes. Thu, 24 Jul 2008 10:53:05 +0200 http://www.gim-international.com/news/id3211-Map_Suite__Services_Edition_Beta.html ThinkGeo (KS, USA) has released Map Suite 3.0 Services Edition Beta 1. Services Edition, which replaces Map Suite Engine, has been fully re-engineered. With this edition, developers can create their own Windows services, Web services and console applications that use the power of GIS to deliver spatial data in a high-performance package. Thu, 24 Jul 2008 10:33:51 +0200 http://www.gim-international.com/news/id3210-RapidEye_Contest_to_Name_Satellites.html RapidEye (Germany) has unveiled a contest that allows anyone worldwide an opportunity to name their satellites. The contest will benefit the local charitable organisation Gollwitz Manor House Trust in Brandenburg an der Havel which strives to support understanding and acceptance between people of different nationalities, confronting the issues racism and xenophobia. Wed, 23 Jul 2008 10:17:03 +0200 http://www.gim-international.com/news/id3209-OGC_Call_for_Participation_in_OWS_Testbed.html OGC has requested for participation in the OGC Web Services, Phase 6 (OWS-6) Interoperability Initiative, a testbed to advance OGC's open interoperability framework for geospatial capabilities. The organisations sponsoring OWS-6 seek open standards for their interoperability requirements. Wed, 23 Jul 2008 10:07:20 +0200 http://www.gim-international.com/news/id3208-RealTime_Web_Forecasting.html Snowflake Software has finished a pilot project the UK Met Office. The pilot project was a response to the needs of the UK's highway authorities to respond to continuously changing weather conditions on the roads. Its results will be presented at Geo Web in Vancouver. Tue, 22 Jul 2008 11:12:44 +0200 http://www.gim-international.com/news/id3207-Infotech_Enterprises_and_Dassault_Aviation_Agreement.html Infotech Enterprises Limited (India) and Dassault Aviation have signed an MoU at Dassault Aviation Headquarters in France to collaborate and perform activities related to the Ministry of Defense, Govt of India proposed Medium Multi Role Combat Aircraft (MMRCA) offset program, one of the strategically most important and largest Indian defense programs. Tue, 22 Jul 2008 10:45:52 +0200 http://www.gim-international.com/news/id3206-LizardTech_Express_Server.html LizardTech has released Express Server 6.1 for distribution of geospatial image datasets via the Internet. Express Server 6.1 furthers interoperability with support for third party products including ESRI ArcGIS Server, ArcGIS Image Server, and Google Earth. In addition, Express Server 6.1 now supports NITF imagery and streaming JPEG 2000 (JPIP). Tue, 22 Jul 2008 10:25:42 +0200 http://www.gim-international.com/news/id3205-Software_Maps_Rwandan_Health.html A system of electronic mapping is being used to improve healthcare across Rwanda. The digital maps are designed to compile information from numerous databases and use it to both track and predict outbreaks of disease. This can then be used to help developing countries best utilise their limited resources. Fri, 18 Jul 2008 10:29:04 +0200 http://www.gim-international.com/news/id3203-Intrinsyc_and_NAVTEQ_Sign_Map_Distribution_Deal.html Intrinsyc Software International (BC, Canada) has signed an agreement with NAVTEQ. This agreement bundles NAVTEQ map content with Intrinsyc navigation software. Intrinsyc recently purchased strategic assets of Destinator Technologies. Fri, 18 Jul 2008 10:19:44 +0200 http://www.gim-international.com/news/id3202-PCI_Geomatics_OGC_Principal_Plus_Member.html OGC has announced that PCI Geomatics has upgraded its membership level from Principal to Principal Plus. PCI Geomatics (as PCI Remote Sensing) was one of the eight charter members of OGC at its founding in 1994. Fri, 18 Jul 2008 09:50:24 +0200 http://www.gim-international.com/news/id3201-OGC_Elects_Two_New_Board_Members.html OGC has elected two new directors, Lisa Campbell and Dr. John C. Curlander, to the Board of Directors. Lisa Campbell is vice president in charge of Autodesk's Geospatial Solutions. In her role at Autodesk, she is responsible for the company's vision and strategy for geospatial technologies and solutions serving the utility, telecommunications and government markets. She brings over 20 years of marketing and software industry experience to the Board's deliberations, and she brings fresh insights into the convergence of geospatial and Computer Aided Design (CAD), 3D and facilities management technologies. Fri, 18 Jul 2008 09:40:22 +0200 http://www.gim-international.com/news/id3200-Trimble_VRS_Now_HStar.html Trimble has introduced its VRS Now H-Star service. This service provides instant access to H-Star corrections throughout Germany, Great Britain, and the Madrid region of Spain. A subscription to the Trimble VRS Now H-Star service gives users working in utilities, local government, natural resources, and land management the ability to obtain real-time, decimeter level accurate positions at the job site. Fri, 18 Jul 2008 09:28:52 +0200 http://www.gim-international.com/news/id3199-Leica_GNSS_Spider_V.html Leica Geosystems (Switzerland) has released the GNSS Spider V3.1. New are a Network based DGPS service and a User Location Service, providing secure external on-line access to user location information. Thu, 17 Jul 2008 10:42:23 +0200 http://www.gim-international.com/news/id3198-New_Routescene_GPScamera_Unit.html Routescene has announced a series of enhancements made to the integral GPScamera unit. The improved tilt facility on the GPScamera means that tools are no longer needed to adjust the orientation and pitch of the unit, making its attachment to the roof rack of a vehicle simple and straightforward. Its quick release mechanism allows the unit to be easily removed. Wed, 16 Jul 2008 12:36:20 +0200 http://www.gim-international.com/news/id3197-Astrium_Purchases_Majority_Share_in_Spot_Image.html Astrium (UK) has purchased shares in Spot Image from the French Space Agency (CNES). The company now holds 81% of Spot Image and therefore becomes the majority shareholder. As part of Astrium, Infoterra & Spot Image will work together within the Earth Observation Division of Astrium Services. Wed, 16 Jul 2008 10:22:06 +0200 http://www.gim-international.com/news/id3196-Bluesky_Airborne_Laser_Maps_Quarry_in_D.html Bluesky (UK) has completed a detailed 3D survey of Lee Moor quarry near Plymouth, Devon. Commissioned by WBB Minerals, one of the world\'s largest suppliers of industrial minerals, the survey captured high-resolution aerial photography together with height measurements using a LiDAR distance measurement system. Wed, 16 Jul 2008 09:53:00 +0200 http://www.gim-international.com/news/id3195-ESA_Selects_ERDAS_for_HMAT_Phase.html ESA and Spacebel have selected ERDAS to participate in the next phase of the Heterogeneous Missions Accessibility (HMA) project, called HMA-Testbed (HMA-T) phase 2. Initiated in 2005, HMA is part of ESA's participation in the Global Monitoring for Environment and Security (GMES) European program. The goal of HMA is to standardise the ground segment interfaces of the satellite missions contributing to GMES for easier access to earth observation (EO) data. Wed, 16 Jul 2008 09:32:51 +0200 http://www.gim-international.com/news/id3194-Mutoh_Bulk_Inks_and_Bulk_Ink_System.html Mutoh Europe (Belgium) has released a bulk ink system and a new set of CMYK mild solvent inks called Mild Solvent Plus for its Blizzard series printers.The new Mild Solvent Plus inks are available in 1 liter bottles for use in combination with Mutoh's ink supply system called BIS. The inks are also offered in 440 ml ink cassettes. Wed, 16 Jul 2008 09:14:06 +0200 http://www.gim-international.com/news/id3193-Australian_Topcon_Dealers_form_Position_Partners.html Five independent Australian dealers of Topcon Positioning Systems have joined forces to form a new company, Position Partners. Position Partners is now one of the largest Topcon distributors in the world. Tue, 15 Jul 2008 10:54:31 +0200 http://www.gim-international.com/news/id3192-GIOVEAB_Double_Difference_Observed.html Using 2 off-the-shelf GNSS receivers from Septentrio, researchers at Delft University of Technology (Netherlands), have produced the first Galileo double difference measurements from live satellite signals. Double difference measurements play a key role in RTK applications. This event paves the way for multi constellation RTK receivers. Tue, 15 Jul 2008 10:36:49 +0200 http://www.gim-international.com/news/id3191-GEO_Call_for_Participation_in_GEOSSPilot.html OGC has announced that a Call for Participation (CFP) in Phase 2 of the GEOSS (Global Earth Observation System of Systems) Architecture Implementation Pilot (AIP) has been issued by the GEO (Group on Earth Observations). Tue, 15 Jul 2008 10:12:58 +0200 http://www.gim-international.com/news/id3190-GeoMax_Steps_into_Europe.html GeoMax, a Hexagon company, steps into Europe, presenting a range of affordable instruments for surveying, engineering and construction. GeoMax is an internationally active company developing, manufacturing and distributing surveying instruments. Both occasional and professional users are addressed with GeoMax's portfolio of integrated instruments: Total Stations, GPS, Lasers, Rotators, optical and digital Levels, related software and accessories for the surveying, engineering, construction, cadastre and GIS market. Mon, 14 Jul 2008 16:05:17 +0200 http://www.gim-international.com/news/id3189-Morgan_Reed_Receives_Fugro_Award.html Morgan Reed, Lidar Development Manager with survey company John Chance Land Surveys (Lafayette, LA), has received Fugro's "Herman Zuidberg Award for Innovation." The namesake of this prestigious Fugro award is long-time Fugro innovator and inventor Herman Zuidberg. This Fugro Engineer, who has been working for the company for 40 years, put his work into a simple perspective: ‘Development is making something possible that was previously thought impossible. It is the modification and adaption of technical systems, of human beings. Development is generally not inventing something.' Mon, 14 Jul 2008 10:25:24 +0200 http://www.gim-international.com/news/id3185-AAMHatch_Opens_Kuala_Lumpur_Office.html AAMHatch (Australia) has opened its new Kuala Lumpur office. The office is AAMHatch\'s South East Asian regional headquarters, and will service expanding operations throughout the region. AAMHatch continues its partnership with local Malaysian company, RS & GIS Consultancy Sdn Bhd (RESGIS) in the new offices. Fri, 11 Jul 2008 10:04:19 +0200 http://www.gim-international.com/news/id3184-Nokia_Completes_Acquisition_NAVTEQ.html Nokia has completed its previously announced acquisition of NAVTEQ. The transaction is valued at approximately $8.1 billion. As part of Nokia, NAVTEQ will continue to service its customer base, invest in the further development of its map data and technology platform, and expand coverage of countries. Fri, 11 Jul 2008 09:58:26 +0200 http://www.gim-international.com/news/id3183-Final_Launch_Preparations_GeoEye.html GeoEye (VA, USA) has announced that its GeoEye-1 satellite safely arrived at Vandenberg Air Force Base in California, in preparation for its scheduled launch on Aug. 22, 2008. The 4,300-pound satellite was transported by General Dynamics Advanced Information Systems from its manufacturing facility in Gilbert (AZ) to VAFB. Fri, 11 Jul 2008 09:39:19 +0200 http://www.gim-international.com/news/id3182-Map_Africa.html GIS Development, organiser of Map Africa 2008 has announced its line of Conference Speakers. The conference, co-organised by the Department of Land Affairs, South Africa, is to be held 25th and 26th August 2008 at Cape Town International Convention Centre, Cape Town, South Africa. Fri, 11 Jul 2008 09:19:43 +0200 http://www.gim-international.com/news/id3181-CarbonTools_PRO_University_License.html The Carbon Project (MA, USA) has announced the CarbonTools PRO University Site License, which allows the CarbonTools PRO geospatial interoperability toolkit to be used in computer labs, classrooms and offices across campuses and research institutions. Fri, 11 Jul 2008 09:10:20 +0200 http://www.gim-international.com/news/id3180-Salzburg,_Austria,_First_Pilot_City_of_Autodesk_Digital_Cities_Initiative.html Autodesk (CA, USA) has named the city of Salzburg, Austria, the first pilot city in its new Digital Cities initiative. The Digital City initiative provides a collaborative environment for visualising, analysing and simulating the future impact of urban design and development at a city-wide scale. Thu, 10 Jul 2008 09:46:01 +0200 http://www.gim-international.com/news/id3179-Myanmars_CycloneDamaged_Rice_Production_Regions_Monitored_with_GIS.html Subsequent to Cyclone Nargis, a category 3 tropical storm that struck the low-lying and heavily populated coastline of Myanmar on 2nd May 2008, the Foreign Agriculture Service (FAS) of the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) began producing a series of GIS-based maps of the damaged agricultural areas to accompany its commodity intelligence reports. Published on the FAS Web site, these maps are created using geospatial data and the technology found in ESRI's ArcGIS Desktop software. Thu, 10 Jul 2008 09:16:38 +0200 http://www.gim-international.com/news/id3178-PCI_Geomatics_Beijing.html PCI Geomatics (Canada) is to launch a new international office in Beijing, China. The new company, PCI Geomatics Beijing, will offer PCI Geomatics technology, services and solutions (under special license), for both the private and government sectors and will be led by Mr. Yubin Xin as Country Manager. Thu, 10 Jul 2008 08:58:00 +0200 http://www.gim-international.com/news/id3177-Infoterra_Pixel_Factory.html Infoterra France, a wholly-owned subsidiary of EADS Astrium has released 3.2 of its Pixel Factory photogrammetric system. This new version includes numerous processes to increase the efficiency and productivity of users. The Second Generation Mosaic tool helps to update existing digital orthophotos: the process extracts all parameters required for automatic bundle adjustment and radiometric adaptation from the reference database. Wed, 09 Jul 2008 11:21:37 +0200 http://www.gim-international.com/news/id3176-Aerodata_Buys_Two_Vexcel_UltracamXp.html Aerodata International Surveys (Belgium) and Vexcel Imaging (Austria) have announced a purchase agreement under which Aerodata will become the first customer for 2 of the newly launched 196 megapixel Ultracam-X prime (UCXp) large format digital frame camera. Wed, 09 Jul 2008 10:57:15 +0200 http://www.gim-international.com/news/id3175-Autodesk_and_Bentley_Contract.html Autodesk (NH, USA) and Bentley System (PA, USA) have agreed to expand interoperability between their portfolios of architectural, engineering, and construction (AEC) software. Autodesk and Bentley will exchange software libraries, including Autodesk RealDWG, to improve the ability to read and write the companies\' respective DWG and DGN formats in mixed environments. Wed, 09 Jul 2008 10:32:47 +0200 http://www.gim-international.com/news/id3174-ESRI_Summit.html The 2008 ESRI Survey & Engineering GIS Summit, to be held August 2nd -5th 2008, at the San Diego Convention Center in California, will help surveying, engineering, and geographic information system (GIS) professionals explore how GIS technology is building new opportunities for their businesses. Wed, 09 Jul 2008 10:21:40 +0200 http://www.gim-international.com/news/id3173-Czech_Republic_Accedes_to_ESA_Convention.html Jean-Jacques Dordain, Director General of ESA, and Mirek Topolánek, Prime Minister of the Czech Republic have signed an agreement on the Czech Republic's accession to the ESA Convention on the 8th July in Prague. Wed, 09 Jul 2008 10:07:50 +0200 http://www.gim-international.com/news/id3169-Applanix_LIDAR_Integration_for_DSS__RapidOrtho.html Applanix (GA, USA) has announced that its DSS 439 RapidOrtho airborne mapping solution is now available with full LIDAR integration options for fixed wing and helicopter installations. Integration options include turn-key hardware and software workflow kits. Wed, 09 Jul 2008 00:00:00 +0200 http://www.gim-international.com/news/id3172-Space_Agency_Leaders_Gather_in_Paris.html On 17th of July ESA will host an ISS Heads of Agency meeting at which leaders of the space agencies participating in the International Space Station programme (ESA for Europe, NASA for the US, CSA for Canada, JAXA for Japan, Roscosmos for Russia) will take stock of the ISS status and decide on future activities. Tue, 08 Jul 2008 10:53:50 +0200 http://www.gim-international.com/news/id3171-Intermap_Technologies_and_GVR_Agreement.html Intermap Technologies has announced an agreement with G-VR Limited to produce optimised triangulated irregular network (TIN) models created from Intermap\'s digital terrain elevation data. Tue, 08 Jul 2008 10:16:02 +0200 http://www.gim-international.com/news/id3170-TerraGo_and_Adobe_Announce_Geospatial_Alliance.html TerraGo Technologies has signed an Alliance Agreement with Adobe Systems Incorporated. As part of the agreement, Adobe will provide support for TerraGo's GeoPDF in the new Adobe Acrobat 9 software. In addition, TerraGo will fully support consumption of geo-enabled PDF files from Adobe and other vendors. Tue, 08 Jul 2008 09:50:59 +0200