Safe Software Adds New Dimensions to Spatial ETL

Safe Software (Canada) has announced new advancements in spatial data access with the release of FME 2008. The release includes the unveiling of FME Server, a scalable solution for data transformation and distribution, as well as a new version of FME Desktop, the recognized standard in spatial ETL (extract, transform and load). Both solutions add new dimensions to spatial data access, giving even more users access to their data when, where and how they need it.

FME Server is an enterprise-ready spatial ETL solution that brings the power of data transformation and distribution to users both inside and outside the organization. Built on a scalable, service-oriented architecture (SOA), FME Server centralises spatial data conversion and distribution tasks to improve organizational efficiency while increasing end-user autonomy.

FME Server does this through:

- Live Data Streaming: FME Server enables organizations to stream spatial data directly into mashups and web applications, increasing the speed of data access.

- Spatial Data Downloading: With FME Server, common data distribution tasks can be made available on the web, enabling users to directly get data whenever they need it and freeing geospatial professionals to focus on meeting other critical needs.

- Scalable Server Processing: FME Server provides high throughput data conversion capabilities enabling enterprises to more efficiently manage large spatial ETL projects and to participate in spatial data infrastructure (SDI) initiatives. As user demand grows, organizations can easily add more FME Engines to increase processing power.

Removing the Barriers to Spatial Data Conversion.

FME Desktop is the only complete spatial ETL toolset to offer support for true 3D geometries and Building Information Modeling (BIM) data, freeing the exchange of data across more applications and platforms than ever before. FME can now integrate true 3D data with other systems such as raster, CAD, and GIS, opening new opportunities for how spatial data can be used.

FME Desktop 2008 also broadens overall integration opportunities with support for over 200 formats. Some highlights include:

- Popular formats such as AutoCAD Map 3D Object Data, GeoConcept Map, Adobe PDF, Industry Foundation Class STEP Files (IFC) and LandXML

- Database formats such as Oracle 11g and Microsoft SQL Server Spatial 2008

- Web formats such as KML 2.2 and GeoJSON.

New web format support enables users to take advantage of the rapidly growing number of web services, providing even more flexibility for data conversion.

General Availability
FME Desktop 2008 - March 14, 2008
FME Server 2008 - April 2008