Tag: mobile devices

PenBay Solutions Debuts InVision 2.0 at Esri Federal GIS Conference
PenBay Solutions, a developer of GIS-based facility management and public safety software, is introducing InVision 2.0 at the 2015 Esri Federal GIS Conference, held Feb. 9-10 in Washington, D.C.

Built on the Esri ArcGIS platform, PenBay Solutions has developed the InVision software suite to cohesively address a full range of facility management needs, from strategic portfolio planning and management, to day-to-day operations, maintenance, and safety and security. InVision helps users solve both tactical and strategic challenges throughout the facility lifecycle driving measurable results in portfolio performance, facility management and risk mitigation, according to the company.

InVision 2.0 focuses on new and expanded capabilities for mobile viewing and editing workflows, analysis and reporting, and data authoring and interoperability.

The new InVision Mobile Viewer is an HTML5/JavaScript viewer that is designed to work with most mobile devices. Users can leverage the InVision Mobile Viewer to securely deliver a variety of facilities data to other InVision users via smart phones and tablets. The viewer allows users to search across the portfolio, moving between the indoors and outdoors, displaying different views of information that may be linked to or related to features of interest on the map. Some common uses of the InVision Mobile Viewer include:
- helping a campus community find points of interest, buildings, spaces, etc. across the portfolio;
- securely viewing space assignments to better understand the allocation of spaces to individuals and departments;
- managing the location of assets and access information linked to those assets in the field; and
- securely sharing emergency plans out in the field.
The InVision Mobile Inspector — also an HTML /JavaScript web application — is designed to help users inventory and inspect assets throughout the facility portfolio. InVision Mobile Inspector allows users to go out in the field and inventory all manner of items, create inspection records associated to those items, capture photos to attach to the items and upload files to attach to the items.

InVision 2.0 also features InVision CADs, Data Interoperability Workbenches, InVision Home and FISDM Support.

“Collectively, InVision 2.0’s new capabilities deliver more value so our customers can better manage their most critical facilities-related business challenges,” said Stu Rich, CTO for PenBay Solutions. “2.0 is also setting the table for another round of incredible new features and solutions that we plan to release later this year.”

The new technology will be featured in the company’s booth, #325, and at the facility management conference track in room 102B at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center on Feb. 10.
February 10, 2015
Lehmann Rolls Out OpsCenter Upgrade, Drops Drone Price
The Lehmann L-A 300 drone is designed for mapping.

Lehmann Aviation has rolled out a new version of its OperationCenter, a flight preparation and mission control software program for automatic orthomosaic flights. Also, the company dropped the price for its L-A 300 fully automatic professional drone designed for mapping, because of an uptick in demand and increased production.

The new version of Lehmann OpsCenter, designed for Windows 8.1 tablets and PCs, now includes:
- New mission control functions (holding, auto return, non-flying zone)
- Terrain awareness during mission preparation, for safer flights in mountain areas
- Integration with Google Earth for flight preparation and replay
- New easier upgrade and update procedures directly through the web
- New options to manage new cameras (GoPro, Canon) for orthomosaics and surveying.
Priced at $2,890, the L-A 300 is a professional drone designed for accurate mapping and digital elevation models (DEMs) that works with the GoPro, Canon S110 and multispectral cameras. It flies automatically for 30 to 45 minutes at a trajectory pre-prepared by the user in the OpsCenter (the range is 18.5 miles).

“In 2014 we significantly increased our production volume thanks to numerous orders from all around the world,” said Benjamin Lehmann, founder and CEO of Lehmann Aviation. “This enabled us to reduce the price for our best-sellers, all L-A-series drones. We also made the decision to follow our strategy of offering really high-tech aerial solutions at fair prices.”
February 9, 2015
LizardTech Releases GeoViewer iOS at Esri Federal GIS Conference

LizardTech, a provider of software solutions for managing and distributing geospatial content, has released an update to its free iOS GeoViewer application for viewing geospatial imagery and vector overlays. The release was announced at the Esri Fed GIS Conference, being held this week at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center in Washington, D.C.

GeoViewer for iOS enables iPad, iPhone, and iPod Touch users to view MrSID and JPEG 2000 imagery on their mobile devices. GeoViewer includes measurement tools, image band selection, and more.

The latest release includes free support for bookmarks and base maps. Users can purchase additional functionality such as displaying web map service (WMS) imagery, area measurement, and address search via a single in-app purchase of $4.99, which includes support for additional projection systems and tracking a user’s current location for measurement purposes.

To download GeoViewer for iOS, visit the LizardTech website or the iTunes Store.

Attendees at the conference can learn more at LizardTech’s booth, number 619.

February 9, 2015
Google Shows Commitment to Project Tango 3D Mapping Device

Google has reaffirmed its commitment to Project Tango, moving it from the Advanced Technology and Projects Group (ATAP) to a new home inside the company itself, reports Digital Trends.

Project Tango, unveiled in 2014, aims to make it possible to create a 3D model of the space around a smartphone. For instance, a user can map an area, such as a home, by walking around with the phone.

ATAP is Google’s mobile-focused project development laboratory, and shifting Tango from there to a new base suggests Google is happy with the way the project is progressing and ready to take it to the next level, Digital Trends reports.

Google has been collaborating with universities, research labs, and industrial partners in nine countries to concentrate the past 10 years of research in robotics and computer vision into a mobile phone.

Project Tango devices contain customized hardware and software designed to track the full 3D motion of the device, while simultaneously creating a map of the environment. These sensors allow the device to make over a quarter million 3D measurements every second, updating its position and orientation in real-time, combining that data into a single 3D model of the space around you.

Early prototypes run Android and include development APIs to provide position, orientation, and depth data to standard Android applications written in Java, C/C++, as well as the Unity Game Engine.

February 5, 2015
Topcon’s Android App Drives LN-100 Layout Navigator

Topcon Positioning Group has released a new app designed to drive the LN-100 Layout Navigator system MAGNET Construct. The no-cost app, available for the Android market, is built to provide “out-of-the-box” productivity with LN-100W hardware.

“The MAGNET Construct app offers intuitive options to drive an LN-100W for fast as-built measurements as well as graphical guidance to your design data.” said Oscar Cantú, senior manager of product marketing.

“When combined with the LN-100W, the app provides an entry-level precise measurement solution for diverse 3D layout applications such as traditional construction, complex landscape layout, architecture, as well as quickly checking existing stakeout locations before proceeding on a project,” said Cantú.

MAGNET Construct offers optional connectivity with MAGNET Enterprise for real-time data exchange from active project sites to and from the office within a user’s private company account.

“The addition of the new MAGNET Construct app exemplifies our focus to keep the LN-100W productive even with bring-your-own-device (BYOD) scenarios. Android tablets and smartphones wirelessly driving precise hardware, along with secure connectivity to your office keeps projects productive and profitable,” said Cantú.

MAGNET Construct is currently available for Android users to download for free on the Google Play store.

February 5, 2015
ArcGIS 10.3, ArcGIS Pro Modernize GIS for Organizations and Enterprises

ArcGIS 10.3 is now available with the release of ArcGIS Pro, Esri announced. ArcGIS 10.3 realizes the vision of web GIS, which empowers customers to use information anywhere and on any device. It includes new apps and enhancements that continue to advance the science of geography and GIS and enable users to more readily share their work throughout their organizations, Esri said.

“ArcGIS 10.3 is a very large release that fully completes the picture of ArcGIS for organizations and enterprises,” said Sud Menon, director of software development and engineering, Esri.

The release of ArcGIS 10.3 transforms the entire ArcGIS platform and is headlined by the introduction of ArcGIS Pro.

ArcGIS Pro

ArcGIS Pro is a new desktop GIS application from Esri. Designed as a multithreaded 64-bit application for Windows, ArcGIS Pro takes advantage of modern technology that allows users to visualize, edit, and analyze data faster than ever before. With ArcGIS Pro, users can create and work with geographic layers in both 2D and 3D and share map information as feature layers, imagery, maps, analysis services, 3D web scenes, and web maps.

“ArcGIS Pro is an integral part of the ArcGIS platform,” said Menon. “It’s our premium application for authoring maps and scenes that can be easily shared through the web GIS model.”

ArcGIS Pro is included at no charge with every license of ArcGIS 10.3 for Desktop. Users can run ArcGIS Pro simultaneously with any version of ArcMap.

SmarterBetterCities, a start-up based in Switzerland, uses ArcGIS Pro to help cities understand the impacts of zoning changes in 3D. “We understand our world in 3D. ArcGIS Pro is a fantastic platform for us to create affordable next generation planning tools for small town and big city planning,” said Antje Kunze, CEO of SmarterBetterCities.

ArcGIS in Your Own Infrastructure

At ArcGIS 10.3, Portal for ArcGIS is now included at no charge with ArcGIS for Server Standard or Advanced licenses. With Portal for ArcGIS, users can bring the full ArcGIS experience into their own infrastructure for secured stand-alone or hybrid deployments in ArcGIS Online. Portal for ArcGIS also gives organizations access to the full suite of ArcGIS apps, including the new Web AppBuilder for ArcGIS, so that they can more easily share maps and analyses across their enterprise.

Better 3D across the Platform

ArcGIS 10.3 features improved support for 3D data across the entire ArcGIS platform. In addition to the 3D capabilities in ArcGIS Pro, Esri has also released a new web scene viewer in ArcGIS Online that lets users create 3D scenes by mashing up existing layers directly within a browser.

Real-Time GIS

ArcGIS 10.3 fully integrates real-time, streaming data into the ArcGIS platform. ArcGIS GeoEvent Extension for Server delivers improved performance and throughput capabilities, as well as faster spatial filtering. ArcGIS GeoEvent Extension for Server also offers better scalability by allowing organizations to create clusters that can handle higher volumes of data. Users can take advantage of new spatial operators and processors in ArcGIS 10.3 to perform more powerful spatial filtering and real-time analytics.

More Opportunities for Developers

From the launch of Web AppBuilder for ArcGIS to the enhanced JavaScript API, ArcGIS 10.3 offers new capabilities for developers across the board. This release also marks the beginning of a wave of releases that will further help developers build mobile applications using ArcGIS Runtime.

For more information on the dozens of other improvements in ArcGIS 10.3, visit esri.com/whatsnew.

February 3, 2015
Final Version of gvSIG 2.1 Offers New Features, Bug Fixes

The gvSIG Association has published the final version of  gvSIG 2.1. This is the first version based on the new architecture oriented to users, and offers many new features, the association said.

Besides the new functionalities and the correction of a great number of errors that were detected through community collaboration, the association wants to highlight the availability of a distribution for Linux 64 bits and portable versions for Windows as well as Linux.

Along with the gvSIG 2.1 release, gvSIG has published a new gvSIG website that includes the old gvSIG Association website as well as the project website. It will also serve as a knowledge portal about gvSIG technology. The new website features gvSIG’s catalog of products, such as gvSIG Roads or gvNIX.

“We want to take advantage of this announcement to thank all the people that have collaborated in making this new version reality, and all the entities that have counted on the gvSIG Association services to solve their needs on geomatics, helping to guarantee the sustainability of the project,” the association said in a statement.

Features in the latest version include:

Legends

      – Expresions

      – Proportional symbols

      – Graduated symbols

      – Dot density

      – Quantities by category

      – Charts (pies and bars)

      – Import/export SLD

Copy/paste geometries

Lateral buffer

Split line

Consecutive numbers function

Duplicated records function

Derived geometries

Chart document

Map sheets (map series)

Connection with OpenStreetMap services

New symbol libraries: Geology, POI Cities, Commerce, Military-APP6, Collective Mapping, Colors, AIGA, Weather

PostGIS 2.x support (raster and vector)

Layout

      – Insert chart

      – New layout with TOC (table of contents) included.

      – New grid functionalities.

Portable views (thematic maps plugin)

Advanced dissolve geoprocess

Labeling

      – Advanced labeling

      – Halo option

      – Always show label option

Raster

      – Set projection to layer

      – Change data type

      – Create multi-file layer

      – Convert to grayscale

      – Integration of tools in the geoprocessing toolbox

      – Principal components tool improved

      – Georeferencing tool improved

      – Tasseled cap

      – Masks by regions of interest

Export to KML

      – Show attributes in ballon option

      – Use labels option

Reprojection

      – Reprojection forcing

      – New EPSG projections support.

Scripting: raster data support

Layer loading

      – Dragging layers from the file browser.

Memory management at the Preferences menu.

Dyschromatopsia / colour blindness

MsExcel format supporting as a table and a layer

CSV support

WFS service:

      – XY axis order selection.

Print performance improved

New design of info tool

Linux 64 bits supporting

Bug fixing

February 3, 2015
Leica Offers DISTO E7500 for Simpler Outdoor Distance Measurement

The Leica DISTO E7500 laser distance meter.

Leica Geosystems has released the Leica DISTO E7500 laser distance meter, a tool for anyone who needs easy, precise measurements outdoors. An advanced digital Pointfinder and 4x zoom enables users to take measurements with high accuracy up to a 500-foot range in all light conditions. This capability is a distinct advantage when working outside in sunny weather; even if the red laser point is no longer visible, the target can easily be seen on the tool’s full-color display, Leica said.

The housing and keypad are sealed against water and dust, and certification to the rigorous IP65 rating allows use in adverse weather conditions. It can also be cleaned under running water.

A Smart Horizontal Mode enables the DISTO E7500 to provide an accurate result even when encountering obstructions such as walls, hedges or people. One measurement to the target is enough for the required horizontal distance to appear on the display, Leica said.

Other capabilities include automatic calculation of volumes or areas, two programmable favorites keys, timer delay, a 30-position memory, an offset function, and 15 options for units of measure.

The Leica DISTO E7500 is certified to ISO Standard 16331-1 for precision and performance in everyday use on the jobsite.

January 14, 2015
LiDAR Mapping Forum Considers Geospatial Trends, UAVs
The International LiDAR Mapping Forum, set for February 23-25 in Denver, is a technical conference and exhibition focused on data acquisition, fusion, processing and point clouds for aerial surveying and mapping used to support transport, urban modeling, coastal zone mapping, utility asset management, and more.

Geospatial Technology Trends. ILMF is considered by many the premier conference for the latest geospatial technological developments, from innovations in photogrammetry to advances in aerial LiDAR systems. Attendees can explore an international exhibition of leading hardware and software suppliers showing their newest releases, and attend sessions where more than 60 experts will present best practices and case studies for cutting-edge technologies such as:
- Geiger-Mode LiDAR
- Focal Plane Array (FPA) LiDAR
- Mobile Mapping Systems (MMS)
- Unmanned Aerial Vehicles
Focus on UAVs. This year, ILMF features a UAV workshop and pavilion, where industry leaders discuss the current regulatory landscape and legal guidelines, UAVs versus aerial LiDAR, training and insurance considerations and more. Additional program content will cover topics like “Does Camera Quality Matter in sUAS Photography?” and “LiDAR Scanning with Supplementary UAV Captured Images for Structural Inspections.”

Other topics covered at the conference include:
- Data fusion
- Extracting from point clouds
- Managing large data sets/point clouds
- Airborne, terrestrial and bathymetric LiDAR
- Coastal zone, defense and flood plain LiDAR
- Corridor and utilities mapping
- Data classification, GIS
Organizers say participants can gain much from networking with and gaining valuable information from other precision-measurement and imaging professionals across disciplinary lines. Attendance at ILMF 2015 is expected to exceed 800, and will include professionals from these organizations who have already registered:
- AECOM
- American Transmission Co
- BAE Systems
- Ball Aerospace
- BNSF Railway
- Bonneville Power Administration
- Devon Energy Corporation
- Dewberry
- NASA
- National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency
- NAVAIR
- U.S. Department of Agriculture
- U.S. Department of Transportation
- U.S. Forest Service
- U.S. Geological Survey
- Woolpert
Registration is open.

Photos: Tracy Cozzens
January 14, 2015
Trimble TerraFlex Offers Real-Time Data Updates for GIS
Trimble has introduced TerraFlex Advanced, an enhanced edition of its TerraFlex field data capture software, which manages asset collection and update activities for everyday geospatial requirements. Organizations across a variety of industries, including environmental management, utilities and government agencies, can deploy a common workflow for field workers to collect or inspect their assets efficiently using TerraFlex Advanced.

TerraFlex Advanced enables GIS professionals to stay productive by keeping their data and devices up-to-date and organized. It allows users to import existing assets or GIS data into their TerraFlex projects and make real-time updates to the data in the field. The information can be shared across the project organization, so all project members — from the field to office — are working with the most up-to-date data available.

In addition, a new version of the TerraFlex Mobile apps supports Trimble RTX technology-based correction services. Trimble RTX (Real Time eXtended) is a high-accuracy GNSS correction technology that delivers repeatable centimeter-level positioning worldwide to compatible GNSS receivers. GIS professionals now have more flexibility to achieve the accuracy required by their highly mobile workflows in real-time, without being tied to a base station or local VRS network.

With TerraFlex Advanced, users can collect, process and manage geospatial data quickly and efficiently across a fleet of mixed consumer and professional data collection mobile devices and platforms. Local governments who require regular data updates on city assets, utility workers performing frequent inspections on infrastructure, and many other mapping and GIS organizations can update new and existing data while in the field much faster.

“In today’s environment, asset conditions are constantly changing and access to real-time information about these assets is crucial to decision-making and sustainability of those assets,” said Alain Samaha, business area director of GIS and Software for Trimble’s Geospatial Division. “TerraFlex Advanced addresses this growing requirement by ensuring GIS field crews are equipped with current information so they can make informed decisions, avoid costly rework, and plan and schedule resources efficiently for the maintenance of assets.”

Part of the Trimble InSphere cloud-based software platform for the management of geospatial applications, data, and services, TerraFlex Advanced extends the robust project, user and form functionality in the original TerraFlex Basic edition, keeping field crews organized and productive on a variety of devices and in a wide range of environments.

In addition to TerraFlex Advanced software, Trimble also announced new enhancement to its InSphere platform applications — Equipment Manager and Data Manager.
- Equipment Manager — A software application that enables geospatial enterprises to unify management of all their equipment, Equipment Manager now lets users manage custom equipment types, including non-Trimble devices, accessories, and any other equipment that needs to be managed together with their Trimble mapping and surveying equipment. Additionally, users can stay on top of required updates and keep their field equipment properly maintained with service scheduling and alerts.
- Data Manager — Data Manager allows users to securely access, search, visualize and share geospatial information. This module now expands support for more data types, including all features from TBC files, image features, and TGO files, enabling users to upload more data into the application to manage, view, search and share with other project stakeholders.
January 8, 2015
New ARCHIBUS Release Streamlined for GIS

ARCHIBUS, Inc., has announced the latest release of its ARCHIBUS software suite. Designed to streamline work processes through enhanced mobile apps, GIS, and building information modeling (BIM), now real estate, facilities, and asset management professionals will find in ARCHIBUS an intuitive business intelligence platform that will help reduce their total cost of ownership by connecting real estate, facilities, and asset management information with their corporate business organization and systems.

New productivity-enhancing capabilities of ARCHIBUS cover a wide range of organizational needs including the introduction of new features for the Mobile Framework Apps, the addition of GIS capabilities for geo-referencing everything from equipment to buildings, and integration of facilities information with BIM data for end-to-end, intelligent building lifecycle management. Capital project lifecycle management is streamlined with the new project management console that correlates and presents all information on a single screen.

In this product release, ARCHIBUS has simplified integration with other EAM and ERP systems via ARCHIBUS connectors that enable data sharing with Microsoft, Oracle, Sage, SAP, UFIDA, and other enterprise or point systems. Industry standard transfer formats, such as OSCRE, COBie, and buildingSmart IFC are also used.

New productivity-enhancing capabilities of ARCHIBUS cover a wide range of organizational needs including the introduction of new features for the Mobile Framework Apps, the addition of GIS capabilities for geo-referencing everything from equipment to buildings, and integration of facilities information with BIM data for end-to-end, intelligent building lifecycle management. Capital project lifecycle management is streamlined with the new project management console that correlates and presents all information on a single screen.

A new generation of workplace services offers self-service requests for repairs, reserving meeting rooms, along with booking support services from practically anywhere in the world. The new product release of ARCHIBUS enables users to achieve their organization’s objectives by providing business intelligence to real estate, facilities, and asset management information for immediate tactical actions and strategic, enterprise-wide decision-making.

“We are excited to bring this new release of ARCHIBUS to the marketplace. It is positioned to deliver to organizations worldwide greater operational efficiency and customer responsiveness through our expanding suite and the capabilities of our product offerings, management consoles, EAM and ERP integration, as well as many other enhancements and innovations,” said ARCHIBUS, Inc. President and CEO Bruce K. Forbes. “’Simplicity through Intelligence’ is a critical element for the success of ubiqitous infrastructure and facilities management solutions.”

January 6, 2015
SXgeoCloud Application Offered to India GIS Professionals

India-based GNSS device maker Stesalit has introduced a SXgeoCloud mobile mapping application. SXgeoCloud provides a full GIS data collection suite with active sync to leading enterprise GIS systems through a mobile and cloud architecture. SXgeoCloud will be available with the Sxtreo series of GPS/GNSS devices from Stesalit and is now available only to customers in India.

SXgeoCloud is compatible with all the SXtreo rugged GNSS field computers and other field GNSS devices. SXgeo is the offline mobile GIS software suite from Stesalit.

The Android-based mobile mapping system of SXgeoCloud supports over 50 OGC compliant formats and background raster Web Mapping Services. It allows users to acquire geospatial data including points, lines and polygons, along with their attributes with the advantage of creating new objects in the field. It supports all editing features and is flexible for users to work on offline and online basis with active sync to the SXgeoClould Server.

The cloud server of SXgeoCloud combines project creation, data-collection management, active sync, and archival. Data sets acquired or new objects created in the field are automatically updated in the cloud GIS server in real time, and can be actively synced with the user’s enterprise GIS in real time. Users can customize the data-capture properties, attributes, and forms to match their own enterprise database requirements. With SXgeoCloud, integration with industry-leading GIS server systems is seamless.

SXgeoCloud ensures consistently high-quality data import and export in a variety of GIS and CAD formats, increasing field work efficiency, productivity and the accuracy of GNSS data.

For more information about the SXgeoCloud, visit www.sxtreo.com, or E-mail to [email protected].

December 15, 2014