Sonia Hobbs of Safe Software and Danny Ramirez of Conterra demonstrate the FME data integration software while at INTERGEO 2015, which was held Sept. 15–17 in Stuttgart, Germany.
FME includes hundreds of powerful transformers to manipulate data structure and content.
Safe Software and Blue Marble Geographics announced that they have teamed up to bring the best of both of their products together in one authoring environment to increase the possibilities of what can be achieved in the use and distribution of spatial data. With the release of the GeoCalc Extension for FME, in addition to FME’s industry-leading format support and flexible transformation capabilities, users can have access to Blue Marble’s highly accurate coordinate transformations directly through FME Workbench.
According to the announcement, the GeoCalc Extension for FME allows those relying on GeoCalc’s coordinate transformations to bring them into FME’s intuitive graphical user interface where they have access to FME’s unparalleled format support and data transformation capabilities.
“GeoCalc and FME are highly complementary products,” says Patrick Cunningham, President of Blue Marble Geographics. “By integrating the two, our users can take advantage of FME’s excellent data transformation authoring environment, while directly accessing the highly accurate coordinate transformations they rely on in GeoCalc.”
For FME users, access to the Blue Marble coordinate engine means more choice in coordinate transformations, and increased vertical height conversion accuracy and flexibility.
“We are very excited about how this integration will increase the possibilities of what users can achieve with FME,” says Dale Lutz, Vice President of Development at Safe Software. “For example, we are seeing an explosion in the use of 3D data, particularly LiDAR, and GeoCalc’s superior geoid selection means more accurate reprojection results.”
With the GeoCalc Extension, FME users with a valid Blue Marble Desktop GeoCalc license can select the GeoCalc datasource for use in coordinate transformations directly from FME Workbench. Through the Blue Marble Desktop administrative tools, they can also guide end users to preferred coordinate systems and transformations by specifying which GeoCalc systems and geodetic objects are available for import into FME.
According to the announcement, the integration also provides access to fine datum shift control, including the option of processing shifts with late binding transformations or direct datum transformations, avoiding the potential loss introduced by using an interim WGS84 datum shift.
The GeoCalc Extension for FME is currently in beta and will soon be available from Blue Marble Geographics.
Safe Software announced the creation of the FME Store, a online portal for access to specialized FME components that increase workflow efficiency and broaden the possibilities of what can be achieved with the software in the use and distribution of spatial data.
Available through the FME Store, either for free or licensed, are Custom Transformers, Workspace Templates, and Custom Formats that can give users a head start with specific data transformation projects.
According to the announcement, the components are supplied by Safe Software, and also by third party partners wanting to share or license their achievements in developing with FME with the user community.
“We look forward to seeing how the components available in the FME Store are used to expedite setting up data transformation workflows, saving users time and ultimately increasing productivity,” says Dale Lutz, Vice-President of Development at Safe Software. “We anticipate some exciting announcements regarding FME innovations from several partners in the weeks ahead.”
The FME Store can be accessed within FME Workbench or through the Safe Software website. Parties interested in showcasing their own components through the FME Store can contact [email protected].
Safe Software announced is kicked off its FME 2012 World Tour on April 4th in Paris, France, and continues on to 30+ cities worldwide. The series of free, one-day events aims to educate and empower users by introducing the advancements in FME 2012, and by providing them with the opportunity to further develop their FME skills through technical sessions and interaction with FME experts and fellow users.
According to the announcement, attendees of FME 2012 World Tour events will discover how the new capabilities of FME 2012, such as real time data delivery, enhance the user experience by providing faster and simpler ways to use and share their spatial data. The events will feature how-to and best practice sessions that will allow participants to build upon their FME skills.
The tour will have an interactive element, giving attendees access to assistance from FME Certified Professionals, as well as a platform to network with FME users from other organizations.
“As a company we are committed to equipping our clients with the skills they need to use FME to overcome data challenges,” says Dale Lutz, Vice-President of Development at Safe Software. “FME 2012 features usability enhancements, speed improvements, and real time data delivery to enable more efficient data transformation and easier sharing of the most up-to-date data.”
Those unable to attend an event in person can sign up to participate in an interactive live stream of the FME User Meeting being held in Vancouver on April 27th, where they can watch the presentations and ask questions directly. The FME 2011 World Tour held a similar live stream event that was well received by participants.
The theme of the tour centers around attendees joining Geography Jones, a data adventurer, on a journey to overcome spatial data interoperability obstacles and unleash the power within their “Temple of Data”.
The tour appears in 17 cities across North America and will touch down in close to 20 locations throughout South America, Europe, Asia Pacific and the Middle East. The events are free and are open to both current FME users and those interested in learning more about FME technology. Those interested in more information on locations, dates and registration, click here.