GPS World

Category: GPS

  • CMTINC Releases Affordable Utility Data Collection App for iPad

    CMTINC.COM announces the release of the Utility Data Collection app for the Apple iPad. This powerful GPS/GIS mapping and data collection app was mainly designed for utility asset management and meter reading. However, Photo Pole 1Hit could also be used by other professionals who need to map points, lines and  areas and record pertinent information for the mapped Features, such as for fish & wildlife, natural resources, land management, oil and gas, archaeology, sales route management, and others.

    According to the announcement, the Utility Data Collection app provides a dedicated data entry form for entering meter readings and other observations. The meter readers can opt to have the meter route displayed on a satellite map. They will be able to tell which meters have been read as the corresponding symbols will display in a different color on the map. They will also be able to sort and search the meter records. The import and export functions makes it easy to set up meter routes, upload meter database and export meter readings.

    Between the monthly meter reads, the app can be used by the maintenance crew to map the locations and record the conditions of land plots, utility poles, utility meters and other equipment. The surveyed items can be easily tagged with pre-defined descriptions as well as photos taken on the spot.

    The company reports that the Utility Data Collection app is the answer for small towns and utility cooperatives who are looking to transition to a newer and more effective utility management and meter reading system on a budget.

  • Blue Marble Releases Fully Managed Version of GeoCalc SDK

    Blue Marble Geographics announced the release of a fully managed .NET version of the GeoCalc 6.6 software development kit (SDK). Now .NET developers can get all of the accuracy and power of the GeoCalc toolkit in a fullyGeoCalcVS managed .NET control. Blue Marble’s geospatial data manipulation, visualization and conversion solutions are used worldwide by thousands of GIS analysts at software, oil and gas, mining, civil engineering, surveying, and technology companies, as well as governmental and university organizations.

    According to the announcement, GeoCalc is a fully object-oriented class library for software developers. Available on a number of platforms, not only does it support a massive amount of geodetic objects out of the box but the tool also has a direct connection to the OGP’s EPSG Geodetic Parameter web registry. This allows you to directly update your EPSG definitions whenever you need it and to supplement our already huge database with even more objects for coordinate transformation. Blue Marble’s geodetic toolbox leverages an XML data source, enabling secure and powerful data transformation management through interfaces and logic that allow you to lock down your datasource via password protection. The toolkit includes a variety of tools for improving data quality management from a development level allowing the software developer to work with the survey expert to provide powerful coordinate transformation software. With the release of the fully managed .NET platform, developers now can get all of the accuracy and power of the GeoCalc toolkit in a fully managed .NET control.

    “This fully managed version of GeoCalc has come about from working closely with a number of our developer customers over the past year,” stated Blue Marble President Patrick Cunningham “We’re pleased to make powerful, reliable coordinate transformation available for any software environment and happy to assist our customers at the same time. When we say customer driven development, we mean it.”

    The company reports that the GeoCalc fully managed SDK is built on Microsoft’s 4.0 .NET architecture. This means all of the memory management details are handled entirely by the .NET virtual machine and the CLR (Common Language Runtime). Using this standard Windows framework increases security, performance, and usability for anyone working inside the latest Microsoft development environments. This new version of GeoCalc streamlines the development process as 32 and 64 bit compatibility issues are handled entirely by Visual Studio, and the new code base means only one application needs to be delivered for both environments. The single DLL redistributable framework makes windows deployment much easier in many cases, lowering development costs and speeding up time to market.

  • Topcon Announces Expanded Features, Connectivity Options with Magnet v2.0

    Topcon Positioning Group announces a multitude of new features and enhanced functionality to the entire Magnet suite of connected workflow software. The Magnet suite includes solutions for the field personnel, the office designers and managing supervisors.

    The release of Magnet v2.0, a Topcon enterprise solution for the geomatics industry, provides more than 30 substantial additions or upgrades to the Enterprise, Field and Office packages. Enterprise is a cloud service designed for the supervising manager that connects the Field and Office products and provides a collaborative web-based interface to company data. Cloud-based collaboration and real-time data exchange makes Magnet a productivity enhancing solution for virtually any operation.

    Magnet v2.0 is now available.
    Magnet v2.0 is now available.

    “Magnet is the industry leader in cloud computing and real-time data exchange,” said Jason Hallett, Topcon vice president for software product management. “Now with v2.0, the total product suite has been elevated to a new level. Not only does Magnet allow for real-time collaboration between the project manager, job foreman, job site crews, office personnel, engineers and consultants, it also introduces myriad new features that will increase productivity in every aspect of every job.”

    Key new developments are expanded functionality for BIM and GIS applications.  Magnet v2.0 now has customized packages designed for building layout and high accuracy GIS application.

    A unique new feature is Hybrid Positioning technology, available in the Magnet Field solution package. It provides the option to simultaneously connect to GNSS signals and robotic measurements on a single rover pole. “This is a powerful feature that is easily managed in Magnet,” Hallett said.

    “Topcon continues to bring efficiencies in productivity by providing the ability to maintain simultaneous connections to a robot and a GPS rover when using the Hybrid Positioning module.”

    Other key features available to enhance data workflow and automation include:

    • AutoCAD 360 cloud surfing: Allows user to visualize, edit and share field projects with non-Magnet users.
    • AutoCAD Civil 3D support: Single-click ability to convert 3D line work generated in Magnet to DWG and launch seamlessly in AutoCAD Civil 3D for review or continued design, and vice versa.
    • Real-time sessions: An office user can log in and connect to any active project, select a field crew and view the field activity and data in real timeMagnet Field-enabled rovers to work from a single cellular-enabled RTK base.
    • Asset manager: Ability to show all active field assets (crews and equipment) in Map View with satellite image background.
    • Third-party file format support: Enlarged library of supported file formats of all major positioning equipment providers, and third-party vendors to Magnet.

    “With Magnet a company can manage its positioning data and field information to ensure maximum efficiency in all facets of each project. The exciting new BIM and GIS features makes it the most productive workflow solution for almost every precise positioning and mapping professional,” Hallett said.

    Magnet v2.0 is available for use with Topcon and Sokkia instruments and is available through subscription service so the user has continuous access to the latest features. Magnet Field and Office products can also be purchased for stand-alone use.

  • GIS 2go for Offline Maps to Be Demonstrated at Intergeo

    Disy_GIS2go_3_Tablet_Anzeige-Intergeo

    Disy Informationssysteme GmbH will present GIS 2go at Intergeo 2013, being held this week in Essen, Germany. GIS 2go transfers maps from ArcGIS Desktop to an iPad or Android tablet. With the associated app, users can access their own maps without a network connection while they are on the road.

    Intergeo is the world’s largest conference and trade fair for geodesy, geoinformation and land management. From October 8-10, visitors to stand D1.045 in hall 1 can experience GIS 2go live and meet with experts and developers in person.

    GIS 2go allows maps to be taken along with the user, from Esri’s ArcGIS Desktop to a tablet (iPad or Android). With the GIS 2go Add-in, the data selection, the map export and the re-import are controlled via the cloud in ArcGIS Desktop. On the tablet, the “Cadenza Mobile GIS 2go App” allows access to the maps with all feature data — be it with or without a network connection. Even graphic notes and media created on the go are taken over into ArcGIS Desktop.

    On the tablet, users can move interactively on the map; display feature attributes; add points, lines and areas with the graphic notebook; or track via GPS; augment the map with photos and audio/video clips or simply use text to comment on it. The information recorded remotely will be imported later into ArcGIS Desktop and taken over into the data storage.

  • Esri Announces ArcGIS Marketplace, Apps for GIS

    Esri announces the launch of ArcGIS Marketplace, a new destination that allows ArcGIS Online subscribers to search, discover, and get apps and data from qualified providers for use within their organization. ArcGIS Marketplace provides data from organizations such as DigitalGlobe, RapidEye, AccuWeather, and Esri, as well as apps created by Esri and its distributors and partners, such as Latitude Geographics, Azteca Systems, and con terra that are built specifically to work with ArcGIS Online. All apps and data can easily be shared with ArcGIS Online groups and users within your organization.

    Esri_Marketplace“While there are app marketplaces that serve consumer audiences, only ArcGIS Marketplace is specifically designed to serve the needs of GIS users, making it truly unique,” says Johan Herrlin, senior business strategist at Esri. “ArcGIS Marketplace is another facet of the ArcGIS platform. Now you can easily find apps and data services that integrate with your ArcGIS Online subscription, allowing you to get more value out of the platform.”

    According to the announcement, anyone can browse the listings in ArcGIS Marketplace, but you need to be an ArcGIS Online subscriber to get free trials or make purchases. Because all apps in ArcGIS Marketplace require an ArcGIS Online login, users can access their organization’s maps via the apps. Data services acquired via ArcGIS Marketplace are also fully integrated with ArcGIS Online, so you can add them to your basemap gallery or other apps.

    For apps and data service providers, ArcGIS Marketplace provides a mechanism to generate leads, provide free trials, grant access to listings, and manage subscriptions. If you have a great app or data that you would like to make available to the ArcGIS community, find out what it takes to qualify as an ArcGIS Marketplace Provider.

    ArcGIS Marketplace is now available globally.

    Photo: Esri

     

  • Oregon Tech Offers Online Courses in Geomatics

    Unknown-1The Geomatics Department at the Oregon Institute of Technology announces that beginning September 30, selected Geomatics courses in Surveying and Geographic Information Systems (GIS) will be offered online. These courses are designed for the working professional that desires formal education to advance in their career. All courses are fully accredited and transferable to the Geomatics degree.

    The GIS courses are being taught by John Ritter, and the Surveying courses will be led by Mitch Duryea, PLS. Ritter and Professor Duryea are both faculty at the Oregon Tech campus in Klamath Falls.

    Currently recognized as the regional center for excellence for Geomatics in the Northwest and listed as one of the six best Land Surveying schools, Oregon Tech combines theory, problem-solving, and field work in a computer-intensive curriculum that prepares students for employment and licensure as Professional Land Surveyors.

    Oregon Tech is the only university in the Northwest to offer a four-year degree in Geomatics that is fully-accredited by the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology (ABET). The department offers instruction using state-of-the-art technology, and Oregon Tech Geomatics graduates remain highly sought after by industry. Over 95 percent of students who graduate from Oregon Tech with a Geomatics degree are hired upon or before graduation.

    According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the architecture and engineering occupations group which includes surveyors, cartographers, photogrammetrists, and surveying technicians is one of the top 10 occupational groups projected to have the fastest growth in employment between 2002 and 2012. Salary levels are expected to rise as demand for qualified professionals in these fields grows.

    “We’re excited to expand our program online,” said Geomatics professor and Professional Land Surveyor, Mitch Duryea. “This offers us even more ability to reach students who are unable to attend our Klamath Falls or Wilsonville campus. At this time, we have 3-4 courses available online each term and have plans to add additional courses in the future.”

    For more information about Geomatics online, contact Mitch Duryea, PLS.

  • ArcPad 10 Workshop at Oregon State University Campus

    GeoMobile Innovations announced they are conducting an ArcPad 10 workshop on the Oregon State University campus September 12-13, 2013. Taught by ArcPad  “guru” Craig Greenwald, the workshop will provide an extensive overview and hands on training opportunity for new and current ArcPad users or GIS administrators who manage and support field crews using ArcPad.

    GeoMobile_ArcPad10_Training1

    “We will review the new features in the newly-released ArcPad 10.2  such as integration with ArcGIS Online as well as cover the entire soup-to-nuts ArcPad workflow,” said Greenwald, a 7-year veteran of the ArcPad team. “We will also discuss integrating high-accuracy GIS data collection in ArcPad, an increasingly popular trend.”

    The workshop will be conducted in Corvallis, Oregon on the beautiful Oregon State University campus. Corvallis is nestled in the heart of Oregon’s Willamette Valley, within 60-90 minutes of the Portland Metropolitan area, mountains, and the spectacular Oregon coast.

    Those interested are encouraged to inquire/register quickly.  Class size is limited.

    For more details, please visit:

    ArcPad 10 Training at Oregon State University – Sept. 12-13, 2013

    About GeoMobile Innovations

    GeoMobile Innovations Inc., located in Corvallis, Oregon USA, specializes in ESRI Mobile GIS platforms and has years of experience in field to office data workflow projects, with a forte in high quality Mobile GIS application development. An ESRI Business Partner (reseller, developer, and consultant),  GeoMobile’s mission is to work as a partner with clients, empowering them to improve return on investment by implementing quality Mobile GIS and field data collection solutions.

  • Esri Releases ArcPad 10.2

    Esri has released ArcPad 10.2. ArcPad is mobile mapping and field data collection software designed for GIS professionals. The new version of ArcPad improves synchronization with the ArcGIS platform and speeds data collection in the field with new automation options.

    Esri’s reported its latest release of ArcPad gives users the ability to directly open ArcGIS feature services in ArcPad and synchronize edits with hosted or on-premises GIS. The new capability significantly improves mobile workflows by enabling disconnected editing of published services. In addition, ArcPad gives users the ability to automate edits with a Quick Fields option, which can be customized to autopopulate any field during data collection.

    According to the announcement, for users who rely on desktop workflows that revolve around file sharing and distribution, ArcPad 10.2 includes new ArcGIS Online integration. With this option, users can store their ArcPad projects and QuickProject templates as an ArcPad package in their ArcGIS Online accounts for sharing with members of their group. ArcGIS Online subscribers can also browse ArcGIS Online from inside ArcPad with the ability to select and download a project or template, creating an easy, collaborative workflow.

  • Trimble Adds DigitalGlobe Satellite Imagery to Mobile Apps and Printed Maps

    Trimble announced it has entered into an agreement with DigitalGlobe Inc. to license its satellite imagery for offline use in Trimble Outdoors mobile apps, allowing outdoor enthusiasts to view and store imagery on their smartphones and tablets. In addition, DigitalGlobe imagery will be available for high-resolution, large-format custom prints at MyTopo.com, a Trimble company.

    “Our customers use Trimble apps in remote areas where network data coverage doesn’t exist. Armed with smartphones loaded with memory, they�re increasingly asking for map content to be stored locally on the handset for off-the-grid use. We’re excited to enable our customers to cache DigitalGlobe’s high-resolution imagery on their smartphones to address these needs,” said Mark Harrington, vice president of Trimble. “In addition, providing our MyTopo customers with the ability to create large format print maps with DigitalGlobe’s high-resolution imagery allows them to have the convenience of a traditional paper map that matches their handset experience in the field. By partnering with DigitalGlobe, Trimble can significantly enhance the quality of satellite photography available in our products.”

    According to the announcement, DigitalGlobe will provide imagery down to a 30-centimeter resolution for the continental U.S. and 50-centimeter resolution globally, effective immediately. The 30-centimeter resolution means one pixel on the image equals 30 centimeters on the ground.

    “By partnering with Trimble we can showcase how our imagery can be used in new and unique ways for location-based services companies,” said Bert Turner, senior vice president of sales at DigitalGlobe. “Outdoor enthusiasts will now have access to DigitalGlobe’s vast imagery library—the largest and most up to date of its kind—in order to harness the power of mapping and location intelligence even in the most remote locations.”

    Mobile Apps with DigitalGlobe Imagery

    According to the announcement, outdoors enthusiasts will be able to use DigitalGlobe’s worldwide imagery in five apps:

    Trimble Outdoors Navigator (iPhone, Android), designed for in-the-field navigation for hikers, backpackers, mountain bikers, and general outdoor use
    Trimble Outdoors MyTopo Maps (iPad, Kindle Fire, Android tablets), designed for outdoor trip planning
    Trimble GPS Hunt (iPhone, Android), smartphone app built for hunters
    Trimble GPS Fish (iPhone, Android), smartphone app built for anglers
    Trimble GPS Maps (iPad), tablet app designed to plan hunting and fishing trips
    To save maps on their mobile device, customers need to select the area and zoom levels of the DigitalGlobe imagery using the Offline Maps tool found in the supported apps. The ability to store offline satellite imagery will require an Elite membership ($29.99 per year) to TrimbleOutdoors.com (trimbleoutdoors.com/elite) or GPSHuntFish.com (www.gpshuntfish.com/elite).

    Printed Maps with DigitalGlobe Imagery

    Customers can order the new Premium Satellite Image prints in five sizes ranging from 18″ x 24″ to 60″ x 96″ on MyTopo.com, which has a simple five-step process to design custom maps. In addition, users can select the map scale down to 1:1K, plus overlay GPS coordinates, navigation grids and exclusive map layers like public land boundaries, hunt units, forest roads, and lake contours. The imagery can be printed on several paper formats, including waterproof and glossy.

    High-resolution prints will be available in the U.S. and Canada to start, and expand to worldwide coverage later in 2013.

  • Esri Releases ArcGIS 10.2

    Esri released the new version of ArcGIS, marking a major milestone in the history of the Esri platform. With ArcGIS 10.2, Esri has taken advantage of the significant changes in IT that magnify the power and accessibility of GIS. The new release improves ease of use, real-time data access, and integration with existing infrastructure. It allows people to more easily deploy web GIS—the key component for implementing GIS as a platform. Web GIS helps users organize their work and simplifies geographic information discovery, access, sharing, and collaboration.

    ArcGIS 10 dot 2 MapTourTemplate_3

    More Online Analysis Tools

    According to the announcement, ArcGIS 10.2 extends the analytic functionality of GIS to everyone via ArcGIS Online. Advanced analysis tools have been added to ArcGIS Online for investigating geographic relationships, patterns, and trends within data. New tools in ArcGIS Online include overlay layers for combining two or more layers into one single layer; enhanced hot-spot analysis; and data enrichment resources to glean information about the people, places, and businesses in a specific area or drive time.

     ArcGIS Online Access

    To ensure that ArcGIS for Desktop users have access to ArcGIS Online capabilities, Esri entitles every customer organization that has ArcGIS for Desktop (Basic, Standard, or Advanced) to receive an ArcGIS Online subscription. The number of named users will be equal to the total number of ArcGIS for Desktop licenses current on maintenance. This will enable users to easily get started with ArcGIS Online. It will also give access to all Esri apps—such as Esri Maps for Office, Collector for ArcGIS, and Operations Dashboard for ArcGIS—as well as numerous app templates hosted in ArcGIS Online. Esri will notify ArcGIS for Desktop customers about the details of this new entitlement in the coming weeks.

    Portal for ArcGIS

    At ArcGIS 10.2, Esri gives people the ability to deploy ArcGIS Online capabilities on-premises for tighter content security and control. Portal for ArcGIS provides a secure front end for ArcGIS for Server, with dozens of easy-to-use apps and full integration with ArcGIS for Desktop. It includes geographic viewers and analysis tools designed for people without any GIS knowledge. Experienced GIS users can connect to Portal for ArcGIS from ArcGIS for Desktop, developer APIs, and other Esri applications. The Portal for ArcGIS extension software is included with ArcGIS for Server Advanced (Enterprise or Workgroup) and is licensed and priced based on the number of named users.

    Real-Time Data Access

    Esri’s new release of ArcGIS introduces a number of new technologies that enable the real-time collection and sharing of data with GIS. It includes ArcGIS GeoEvent Processor for Server, a new ArcGIS for Server extension that gives users the power to access live data streams. People can analyze and send processed results to other users or into other systems. This capability transforms GIS applications into powerful frontline decision tools, refining data quickly for consumption and enabling fast response in any situation.

    Expanded Business Intelligence Support

    With business intelligence (BI) being relied on even more in an increasingly competitive marketplace, the new ArcGIS release expands Esri’s support for major BI systems. ArcGIS 10.2 includes new MicroStrategy BI and Microsoft Dynamics Customer Relationship Management tools, allowing users of those platforms to perform location analytics on their business data and focus their marketing. Core BI tools Esri Community Analyst and Esri Business Analyst Online also get productivity-enhancing face-lifts and major customization capability.

    For more information on the dozens of other improvements in the latest release of ArcGIS, visit esri.com/whatsnew.

     

  • Geospatial Solutions, GPS World Cover Esri Survey Summit and International User Conference

    Geospatial Solutions Editor Eric Gakstatter, who is also a contributing editor to GPS World magazine, will be attending the 2013 Esri Survey Summit and Esri International User Conference, providing continuous new and analysis for the duration of both conferences. The conferences are being held this week in San Diego, California.

    On Tuesday at 1:30 p.m. in Room 24A of the San Diego Convention Center, Gakstatter will deliver a presentation entitled “High-Precision GPS/GNSS on your Smartphone, Handheld and Tablet,” discussing trends and new product innovations for sub-meter and centimeter mapping on smartphone, handheld and tablet devices, including Windows Mobile, Android and iOS (Apple) devices.

    Steve Copley, GPS World and Geospatial Solutions associate publisher and account executive, shared images of the event on his Twitter account. Here are a few of them:

    Photos: Erik Gakstatter

     

  • Geneq to Introduce Major GNSS Products at the 2013 Esri User Conference

    Geneq Inc. announced it will be introducing two major product lines on Wednesday, June 10th at the 2013 Esri International User Conference in San Diego, CA.

    According to the announcement, Geneq invites interested parties to attend the announcement at a lunch event on Wednesday, July 10th, 12:00p-12:50p, in Room 30C at the San Diego Convention Center. Lunch boxes and drinks will be provided and priority will be given to those who RSVP via email to Marcel Belanger [email protected].

    The SXPad product line will be expanded with products that will set a new price/performance standard for sub-meter and centimeter accurate GNSS handheld devices.

    The SXBlue product line will be expanded to include an interface to the Apple Ipad, for both sub-meter and centimeter accuracy.

    Geneq reports that both announcements promise to introduce ground-breaking products that will set new standards for GNSS mapping and surveying receivers.