8/12/2019 geoinformatics 2010 vol02
1/60
Ashtech Mobile Augmented Reality
Cadastres and Climate Change Geomarketing
M a g a z i n e f o r S u r v e y i n g , M a p p i n g & G I S P r o f e s s i o n a l sMarch 2010
Volume 13
2
8/12/2019 geoinformatics 2010 vol02
2/60
Putting NovAtels GNSSreceiver in our siveslleeiee
gave us a huge advantage.
Success has a secret ingredient.
Our precise positioning technology helps some of the worlds leading companies stay in the lead. To join
them, visit novatel.com or call you know who. Integrate success into your .
Fdfsdf sjdfsdfjkd DESIGN LEAD, LOCKHEED AEROSPACE
8/12/2019 geoinformatics 2010 vol02
3/60
While You Were Out
When not sitting in front of my desktop pc, I try not to be occupied too much with gadgets
other than my mobile Phone or iPod. Although Im interested in gadgets, Im not the type of
person who wants to have this weeks new revolutionary and life-changing device that can
do even more than the one that came out the week before last. More interesting for me, is
how a device is used and by whom (and for how long). Im amazed by the sort of informa-
tion people share on the internet. It may not surprise you that there is a search machine
that tells you which people are not at home the moment you perform a search. The site is
called Please Rob Me. The idea behind the site is quite simple: it combines public Twitter
accounts that also use Foursquare, a location based web service for leisure purposes. Once
you check in online, in a bar for instance, and publish this information on your public Twitteraccount, it follows youre not at home at the moment. Combine this in a search engine and
you have the perfect burglar tool (I think it should be mentioned here that it was not the
intention of the makers to make a burglar tool, but to show people what can be done
with information they share with thousands of other people).
That is not all. Municipalities are also discovering the power of individuals with mobile
devices. The recent initiative called NYC BigApps deserves succession: it is a software appli-
cation challenge in keeping with New York Citys drive to become more transparent, accessi-
ble and accountable. One of the winning applications is called Taxi Hack, which allows you
to review and share your live comment on NYC taxis. Users are encouraged to review the
ride and everything that comes with it, in combination with the medallion number or driv-
ers license number. Id like to point out that not only bad reviews are submitted, but also a
great deal of compliments on good drivers as well. But what surprised me most about this
particular application was that taxi drivers themselves use it to comment on clients whomay have done something wrong.
In this issue of GeoInformatics, you will find more on this app challenge: Florian Fischer
takes a look at whats happening right now in the world of augmented reality and whats to
come. And the news keeps on coming: just as I finish this editorial, I read on a travel blog
that Google Goggles (an application on mobile phones that makes use of the Android oper-
ating system) can be used for translating purposes. According to the blogger, who is a fer-
vent traveler, this is ideal for translating menus in foreign restaurants. What mobile devices
cannot do for you is order the meal. But they do make life much easier for you in the end.
Enjoy your reading!
Eric van Rees
March 20103
GeoInformatics provides coverage, analysis andcommentary with respect to the international surveying,mapping and GIS industry.
PublisherRuud [email protected]
Editor-in-chiefEric van Rees
EditorsFrank [email protected] [email protected] van [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected]
Contributing WritersLeah WoodRemco TakkenJoc TriglavSimon CottinghamPaul van der MolenRebecca MuhlenkortJasper Dekkers
columnistMenno-Jan Kraak
Account ManagerWilfred [email protected]
SubscriptionsGeoInformatics is available against a yearly
subscription rate (8 issues) of 89,00.To subscribe, fill in and return the electronic replycard on our website or contactJanneke Bijleveld [email protected]
Advertising/ReprintsAll enquiries should be submitted toRuud Groothuis [email protected]
World Wide WebGeoInformatics can be found at:www.geoinformatics.com
Graphic DesignSander van der [email protected]
ISSN 13870858
Copyright 2010. GeoInformatics: no material maybe reproduced without written permission.
GeoInformatics is published byCMedia Productions BVPostal address:P.O. Box 2318300 AEEmmeloordThe NetherlandsTel.: +31 (0) 527 619 000Fax: +31 (0) 527 620 989E-mail: [email protected]
Corporate
Member
Sustaining
Member
Florian FischerLuigi ColomboBarbara MaranaDavid J. ColemanYola Georgliadou
Job van Haaften
mailto:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]://www.geoinformatics.com/http://www.geoinformatics.com/mailto:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]://www.geoinformatics.com/mailto:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]8/12/2019 geoinformatics 2010 vol02
4/60
1Spatial and High Quality Geospatial Data1Spatial is an innovator in the field of knowledge engineering. This term
covers geospatial data integration, harmonization and quality control.
With this, the company is putting high quality geospatial data at the
centre of its universe. GeoInformatics asked 1Spatials Business
Development Director Steven Ramage about its current activities in the
geospatial business and how new technologies and concepts influence
the way people think about geospatial data.
C o n t e n t
March 2010
ArticlesFusing with Other Intelligent Data
The Power of Full Motion Video 6
Ever-growing Global Risks
Political Risk Map 2010 10
Taking Spatial ETL Technology to New Heights
FME 2010 18
For Avon Fire & Rescue Service
Making Firefighting Safer with GIS 20
Trimble Mobile Mapping Technology
Belgian Road Sign Inventory Project 30
Multi-purpose Land Administration Systems
Cadastres and Climate Change 34
The Buzzword ExplainedGeomarketing 40
New Experiences, Remarks and Prospects
Building Reconstruction and Texturing 44
Mobile Augmented Reality at a Glance
The Digital Sixth Sense 48
Why and What Do Individuals Contribute?
Volunteered Geographic Information 50
Educating Remote Sensing TechniquesEduspace 54
InterviewsProfessional Grade GNSS Technology
The Rebirth of Ashtech 14
Definiens eCognition Server Software
Object-based Image Analysis 22
Innovating Knowledge Engineering
1Spatial and High Quality Geospatial Data 26
ColumnAbout Maps: Theory and Practice
By Menno-Jan Kraak 53
Page 26
Object-based Image AnalysisDefiniens is a company active in image analysis. Not restricted to the
geospatial market only, the company offers solutions for all kinds of
imagery used in life sciences and the medical world.
GeoInformatics interviewed Ralph D. Humberg, Vice President of
Definiens Earth Sciences division. Mr. Humberg joined Definiens in 2002
and is responsible for Definiens' global Earth Sciences business. Hetalks about eCognition, Definiens image analysis software used for
Earth Sciences. The latest release of the software is eCognition version
8, issued in November last year, along with a new internet portal.
4
Page 22
8/12/2019 geoinformatics 2010 vol02
5/60
Latest News? Visitwww.geoinformatics.com5
March 2010
On the Cover:
Details of a point textured model of the exteriors (the main faades)
of St Maria Maggiore (Italy). See article on page 44.
The Digital Sixth SenseIn these early days of 2010 Augmented Reality resounds throughout the
land. Smartphones eventually seem capable enough to provide a super-
imposed view of virtual and real worlds through the cameras view. This
vision awakes expectations of the big business. In the future show-own-
ers might stick virtual coupons on their shop-windows to be picked-up by
AR-flaneurs and thus attract new customers. This article will give a short
overview about current mobile Augmented Reality applications and the
expected development in the coming years.
FME 2010With the release of FME 2010 in January, Safe Software is emphasizing its
stated commitment to improve spatial data access for organizations across
the globe. In fact, the technology has been enhanced in ways that make
spatial data more accessible and potentially more useful than ever
before.
Page 18
Calendar 58
Advertisers Index 58
Page 48
Page 44
http://www.geoinformatics.com/http://www.geoinformatics.com/http://www.geoinformatics.com/8/12/2019 geoinformatics 2010 vol02
6/60
Fusing with Other Intelligent Data
The Power of Full Motion Video
Intergraphs Defense and Intelligence Industry Manager Leah Wood discusses the Motion Video Exploitation solution, which
was shown at the US GeoINT conference in 2009 and the EU DGI 2010 conference in London. This new solution fuses multiple
motion video data streams with other intelligence data in one high-powered analytical environment. Also, the use of visually
displayed telemetry information allows Intergraphs technology to blend motion video into existing architectures and geo-fuse
with a vast amount of intelligence data that resides in other systems.
by Leah Wood
As todays military and intelligence organi-zations support foreign military operations andborder security efforts, it is increasingly impor-
tant that they expand their data collection and
analytical capabilities beyond traditional
systems and methods. To this end, there is
increased interest in incorporating video data
sources, such as those from unmanned aerial
vehicles (UAVs) and other unmanned aircraft
systems (UASs) into existing analytical envi-
ronments.
Intergraph has met the challenges of military
and intelligence agencies with proven solu-
tions since 1969, and continues its role as a
worldwide geospatial solutions provider with
innovative technology and products. They
have increased focus on expanding their richset of geospatial exploitation solutions with
applications that provide improved analysis of
motion video, integration with other forms of
intelligence and geospatial information, and
robust management and dissemination of
imagery and video data collections. These new
applications exploit the power of georefer-
enced video sources to create profound
improvements in analytical and decision-mak-
ing ability, and can be directly applied to the
emerging disciplines of wide-area persistent
surveillance and motion imagery intelligence.
In keeping with its commitment to the military
and intelligence community, Intergraph
launched its Motion Video Exploitation solu-
tion, which was shown at the US GeoINT con-ference in 2009 and the EU DGI 2010 confer-
ence in London. This new solution fuses mul-
tiple motion video data streams with other
intelligence data in one high-powered analyti-
cal environment, where analysts can place clip
marks and annotations, and generate reports
and static GeoTiff images for broad dissemi-
nation. The company also relies on MISB com-
pliant KLV (key, length and value) data to pro-
vide the customer with accurate telemetry
information which can be visualized as a num-
ber of different geospatial features: aircraft
trackline, camera angle, video path trackline,
video path polygon, etc. The use of visually
displayed tele-metry information allows
Intergraphs technology to blend motion video
6
Art ic le
March 2010
UAV (Unmanned aerial vehicle)
8/12/2019 geoinformatics 2010 vol02
7/60
into existing architectures and geo-fuse with a
vast amount of intelligence data that resides
in other systems.
Not Just for the Military AnymoreGlobal Positioning Satellites and the Internet
are two important examples of technologies
initially developed for military applications, but
that then transcended to the civilian space.These two technology sets have dramatically
transformed government, business, and per-
sonal lives. UAV technology is also expected
to have a substantial impact in non-military
sectors and will experience rapid growth in the
coming years. According to a May 2008 report
by the U.S. Government Accountability Office,
the number of UASs being built for civilian uses
is expected to increase from 40 to 160 by 2017.
This includes widespread applications for law
enforcement, firefighting, and numerous envi-
ronmental and scientific purposes. The U.S.Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is current-
ly working to establish airspace safety regula-
tions that would allow the systems to achieve
wider-spread usage. Police in the UK are plan-
ning to use UAVs for policing of major events,
including the 2010 Olympic Games.
High-level WorkflowA typical high-level workflow consists of four
key areas that must function in harmony to
properly support the end-to-end requirements
of the mission:
Automated and manual capture of geospatial
information, including imagery, video, and
other sensor data
Management of enterprise geospatial content,
including traditional vector data sets (layers,
features), imagery, video, and terrain models
Integration and analysis of multiple overlap-
ping sets of geospatial and non-geospatial
information
Visualization and dissemination through a
variety of interfaces
It is important to note that Intergraph embracesopen standards for data storage as well as for
open dissemination of geospatial information,
such as through Open Geospatial Consortium
(OGC) Web services.
The Power of Geospatial FusionVideo-based data sources provide the most
recent view of the battlefield and can augment
other forms of geospatial intelligence to pro-
vide a richer, more detailed view of the area of
interest. To effectively use video as a source of
intelligence, however, the analyst needs to
seamlessly fuse the video with these other
types of intelligence, such as map features and
annotations. This is highly beneficial, as these
other sources can help orient the analysts
Forensic Video Analysis and Real-time Quality EnhancementIn some cases, even with proper content man-
agement tools and powerful data integration
and visualization tools, poor-quality video can
hamper the analytical process. In some cases,
the original captured video is of poor quality
or is unusable due to flight path, altitude, tilt-ing and buffeting of aircraft, and other factors.
Therefore, it is important to provide technology
that can work in a modular fashion to perform
real-time enhancements and corrections on the
video, such as removing atmospheric distortion,
correcting for shadows that affect brightness
and contrast, and stabilizing jittery video.
Intergraph provides state-of-the-art patented
technology for performing these types of
enhancements, increasing the usefulness of
UAV video in a real-time and forensic capacity.Furthermore, Intergraph has a strong history of
deployment of its forensic video technology in
the public safety and law enforcement sectors
through its Video Analyst product, which has
traditionally been used to enhance and analyze
video from closed circuit video systems and
dashboard cameras in police and other emer-
gency vehicles. Intergraph enhanced this post-
collection-based technology to function in real-
time mode to bring these capabilities to
operational environments.
Generation of Georeferenced Imageryfrom VideoA key step towards achieving the fusion of a
video data source with other forms of intelli-
gence is generating a georeferenced image as
the result of stitching together or mosaicking
hundreds or thousands of individual video
frames. Intergraphs software automatically gen-
erates this georeferenced image, which can then
be seamlessly integrated with other forms of
static data, such as aerial photos, satellite
imagery, or geospatial layers and features. This
process can dramatically improve the clarity andaccuracy of the video, enabling accurate analy-
sis on the video. This video mosaic capability
provides a mechanism to glean additional
details from the entire collection sequence that
could not be obtained from individual frames.
point-of-view and improve understanding of
video content by eliminating the tunnel vision
effect caused by viewing the video in a dedi-
cated video window. Intergraph developed a
solution that supports this direct fusion and
provides a rich decision-support environment.
Geospatial Content Management
Another important factor in using video for ana-lytical purposes is the ability to easily query
vast archives of video for specific clips that
meet an analysts search criteria, and to rapidly
deliver the results to the analysts exploitation
environment. Intergraph provides technology to
automate the management of large amounts of
satellite imagery, motion video, aerial photos,
elevation data, and other digital files that are
essential to the geospatial intelligence exploita-
tion workflow. Intergraphs TerraShare, a com-
mercial off-the-shelf (COTS) product for enter-
prise image and elevation management, canprovide multiple users with transparent access
to large amounts of common imagery. This can
greatly reduce the time from collection to
exploitation, while improving efficiency, collab-
oration, and quality.
Automated Geospatial Content IngestAlthough image management systems such as
TerraShare provide a robust solution for the
storage and distribution of data, many organi-
zations still need methods and technologies
that ease the administrative burden of finding,
preparing, and uploading the data into these
archives. These processes can consume a sig-
nificant amount of the operators and analysts
time. As larger volumes of high-resolution data
are being collected, and as the turnaround time
for results is being compressed, it is essential
that the image ingest part of the overall work-
flow be automated to the greatest extent pos-
sible. Todays fast-paced, dynamic environment
also demands around-the-clock monitoring and
processing of new data. It is clear the only way
to ease this burden and realize the full value
of these expensive and complex collectionassets is to implement a mechanism for
automating the ingest, organization, and pre-
processing of new imagery as it becomes avail-
able. Intergraphs TerraShare Automatic Data
Ingest technology provides these capabilities.
Latest News? Visitwww.geoinformatics.com
Art i c le
7March 2010
With the continued evolution in technology, such as
service-oriented architectures, advanced geospatial applications,
mobile technology, and speed and method of transmission,
now is the time to provide powerful and intuitive geospatial
intelligence solutions that can help military and intelligence
agencies be more effective and cost-efficient.
http://www.geoinformatics.com/http://www.geoinformatics.com/http://www.geoinformatics.com/8/12/2019 geoinformatics 2010 vol02
8/60
In cases where satellite imagery or aerial pho-
tos are not recent enough, this process provides
a more current representation of an area, which
can then be compared to previous images to
form a foundation for change detection from
video sources. This also reduces the workload
for analysts, since they can view the finished
product more quickly and completely than by
viewing the video in sequence. Since the result-
ing image is made up of multiple frames that
overlap to some degree, the mosaic can provide
a clearer representation of the area of coverage,
which is essential for exploitation.
3D Visualization and Motion VideoTo achieve successful results, it is important
to work diligently towards simplifying the user
experience. To achieve this, Intergraph has
partnered with Skyline Software to incorporate
its 3D visualization and fly-through technolo-gy into its motion video solution. They chose
this partnership specifically due to Skylines
ability to seamlessly incorporate georefer-
enced, real-time video into the 3D environ-
ment, along with satellite imagery draped over
terrain models, 3D models, and the dynamic
location of moving vehicles on the ground and
in the air. This reduces the overall number of
applications required to visualize and analyze
the wide variety of static and dynamic data
sources.
The integrated suite of products provides a
rich and intuitive experience, and at the same
time, is built on an architecture that provides
support for direct connections to OGC Web ser-
vices, Oracle spatial databases, and image
libraries. These connections persist during fly-
throughs of the scenes, providing the most
up-to-date representation possible.
ConclusionAs defense and intelligence organizations work
to expand the use of motion video sources for
more widespread purposes, it is important to
appreciate that many civilian organizations are
also incorporating video data sources into their
existing processes and systems. Many civilian
organizations, as well as national and regional
governments, are establishing offices and pro-
grams to address unmanned aerial systems. As
these systems become more reliable and eco-
nomical, and as policies are implemented, a
vast new array of new and innovative applica-
tions will emerge.
To make the most effective use of aerial video
collection in a civilian and military context, it
will be extremely important for these organiza-
tions to implement the types of technologies
that provide reliable enterprise data manage-
ment, fusion with other forms of geospatial
information, cleanup of distorted or jittery
video, and superior analytical abilities.
The combination of these components is the
key to providing the right information at the
right time to solve his problem, achieving
improved analytical quality, performance, and
superior decision-making. Intergraph works with
its partners and customers to provide these
types of essential capabilities.
Military and intelligence agencies are faced with
the need to adapt to wider-reaching demands
and quicker response times than they have in
the past. Furthermore, they are assimilating and
analyzing more available data than ever before,
such as high-resolution imagery, real-time video,
and GPS-tracked objects. Never before has
there been a greater focus worldwide on secu-
rity and emergency preparedness. Todays mili-
tary and intelligence agencies must also meet
the expectations of people and organizations
who are dealing with natural disasters, an
unsettled economy, and devastating global
events.
Therefore, they need to quickly and effectively
collect and analyze relevant information that
helps make sense of current situations and
reduce conflict around the world. With the con-
tinued evolution in technology, such as service-oriented architectures, advanced geospatial
applications, mobile technology, and speed and
method of transmission, now is the time to pro-
vide powerful and intuitive geospatial intelli-
gence solutions that can help military and intel-
ligence agencies be more effective and
cost-efficient.
Leah Wood, Defense and Intelligence Industry
Manager at Intergraph.
8
Art ic le
March 2010
Screenshot of the Motion Video Application (MVA)
8/12/2019 geoinformatics 2010 vol02
9/60
2010 Spectra Precision. All rights reserved. All other trademarks are property of their respective owners.
Simply Powerful
www.spectraprecision.com/FOCUS30
FEATURING WORLD CLASS SPECTRA PRECISION SURVEY PRO SOFTWARE
30 ROBOTIC
StepDrive motion technology LockNGo tracking technology Spectra Precision Survey Pro field software
GeoLock GPS assist technology
2, 3 and 5 Windows CE Touchscreen 2.4 GHz interference-free radio
Spectra Precision Ranger 500X data collector
Contact your Spectra Precision dealer today.www.spectraprecision.com/dealers
FIR
STCHOICEO
FSURVEYO
RS
+
http://www.spectraprecision.com/FOCUS30http://www.spectraprecision.com/dealershttp://www.spectraprecision.com/dealershttp://www.spectraprecision.com/FOCUS308/12/2019 geoinformatics 2010 vol02
10/60
Ever-growing Global Risks
Political Risk Map 2010Political and financial instability remain a feature of the business landscape as a result of the recession, according to
Aon Risk Services, the global risk management and insurance brokerage business of Aon Corporation.
The company recently launched its 17th annual Political Risk Map.
By Remco Takken
Aon ranked the political risk of 209 coun-tries and territories, measuring risk of curren-
cy inconvertibility and transfer; strikes, riots
and civil commotion; war; terrorism; sovereign
non-payment; political interference; supply
chain interruption; legal and regulatory risk.
The risk in each country was ranked Low,
Medium-Low, Medium, Medium-High, High or
Very High. A country with an elevated risk
is defined as any country with a risk ranked
Medium-Low, Medium, Medium-High, High or
Very High.
The results of the analysis are detailed on the
2010 Political Risk Map produced by Aon Risk
Services in partnership with Oxford Analytica,
an international consulting firm. Oxford
Analytica draws its analysis from a global net-
work of more than a thousand experts, includ-
ing senior faculty members at Oxford
University and at major research institutions
worldwide, to make independent judgments
about geopolitical risk.
More Red and Orange ZonesWhile the subsequent risk maps are not meant
to provide comparisons over time, Professor
Erwin Muller, CEO of Aon-owned COT, asserts
that this years map does indeed show more
red and orange zones than those of previous
years: Through the years, you can see the sit-
10
Art ic le
March 2010
Political Risk Map 2010
Key to Symbols
8/12/2019 geoinformatics 2010 vol02
11/60
uation decline. Marc van Nuland, Board
Member of Aon Risk Services, states, The red
zone exemplifies a situation where it is very
hard or even impossible to insure trade risks.
When asked for the cartographic conse-
quences, Muller suggested that the introduc-
tion of yet another theme map by Aon is
always a possibility. Indeed, this has hap-
pened before, with Aons Terrorist Threat Mapemerging out of the Political Risk Map.
This separate map for terrorism threats was
produced in 2006, 2007 and 2009, while gen-
eral economic threats were recently eliminat-
ed from both maps. The one symbol on the
Political Risk Map still associated with terror-
ism looks like an exploding bomb. It is
labelled Strike, Riot, Civil Commotion,
Terrorism. Every year, a separate theme is lift-
ed out of the maps legend. Last year, a
Commodity Crunch Exposure Matrix was pre-
sented, while 2008s Supply Chain DisruptionRisks theme is now permanently featured on
the Political Risk Map.
Food & Water InsecurityThe 2010 map introduces new indices look-
ing at food, agricultural commodities and
water supplies. Van Nuland: This is where
we see most applications for insurances,
which means that most of the trade, and
most investments take place there. There are
two new icons on the 2010 map: Food and
Water Insecurity. They have been applied to
the thirty most high risk countries - that is
those countries potentially facing the most
severe food and water insecurity in the medi-
um to long term. These are all developing
countries, mostly in Africa, which is in keep-
ing with the conventional wisdom that the
impacts of climate change will rebound hard-
est on the countries least responsible for
global warming.
Also, Israel now boasts a symbol for Water
Insecurity. Its ongoing water issues are
extremely well known, but the situation is
supposedly not severe enough to appear inthe Top 20.
Van Nuland picks out the country of
Mauretania to make his point about the Top
10 vulnerable countries when it comes to food
and water risks. There has been a consider-
able amount of food help, and the country is
already buying a lot of food from abroad.
Furthermore, this country is vulnerable to the
warming of the earth.
Not Meant to be AlarmistThe Food and Water Insecurity Indices are not
meant to be alarmist, though, according to Roger
Schwartz, senior vice-president of Aon Trade
Credit. They are forward-looking assessments
designed to be an early warning. While the
Global Agricultural CommoditySupplyThe Agricultural Commodity Supply Risk Index
offers a supply-side view, identifying the inter-
nationally-traded agricultural commodities at
greatest risk of a supply shock, and thus a
sudden global price spike.
Many of the worlds most productive agricul-
tural regions are expected to see a decline in
productivity if temperatures rise.
Cocoa tops the 2010 Agricultural Commodity
Supply Risk Index by some margin, as more
than 75 percent of global production is con-
centrated in four countries at significant risk
of supply disruption, said Wilkin. These
threats to cocoa supplies include political
increasing supply-side pressures of global warm-
ing are more of a long-term issue, there are more
immediate concerns.
We are already seeing instances of countries
that cant produce enough of certain foods
and in these financially difficult times cannot
afford to import these food supplies. This
places localized pressures on a countrys
social balance and can lead to the sort of
geopolitical events we saw in 2007 and 2008.
With the prospect of real economic recovery
over the next year or so, we are likely to see
increased demand for food and water global-
ly. With the current supply-side issues being
experienced in some areas, this will only add
to the existing pressures.
Latest News? Visitwww.geoinformatics.com11
March 2010
Art i c le
http://www.geoinformatics.com/http://www.geoinformatics.com/http://www.geoinformatics.com/8/12/2019 geoinformatics 2010 vol02
12/60
PoliticalMapindetail
instability, natural disasters, and water sup-
ply insecurity.
For the first time in twenty years, India has
had to import rice for its own population now
the countrys rice production has declined by
16 percent. That explains why India is men-
tioned (with other rice-producing countries)
in the Top 3.
Movements on the 2010 MapEight countries or territories have been
upgraded to a lower risk level - Albania,
Myanmar/Burma, Colombia, South Africa, Sri
Lanka, East Timor, Vanuatu, Vietnam and the
Hong Kong Special Administrative Region of
the People's Republic of China.
Hong Kong saw its political stability rise in
recent times. Colombia has proved to be a
safer country than before, with better supply
chain quality. Sri Lanka has (at least for now)
won the war against the rebellious Tamil
Tigers. Albania has made successful steps intheir fight against crime and corruption,
acquiring better cards to play for EU member-
ship at the same time. Vietnam is an upcom-
ing country for its cheap labor, and it has a
good regulatory system which tries to attract
investors from abroad. Myanmar has profited
from high prices for natural gas, which in
effect paid off its national debt.
Eighteen countries have seen conditions wors-
en, leading to a downgrade: Algeria, Argen-
tina, El Salvador, Equatorial Guinea, Ghana,
Honduras, Kazakhstan, Latvia, Madagascar,
Mauritania, Philippines, Puerto Rico,
Seychelles, Sudan, United Arab Emirates,
Ukraine, Venezuela and Yemen.
Van Nuland: Beginning last year, the first
signs of the financial crisis could be seen,
beginning in Latvia. It turned into an econom-
ic crisis and an increase in non-payment by
countries and private companies. The credit
risk is apparent, and it should now be seen
as a combination of political and economic
risk.
Very High Risk CountriesSudan, Venezuela and Yemen have been
added to the Very High category. Muller
asserts, They are joining Afghanistan, Congo
DRC, Iran, Iraq, North Korea, Somalia and
Zimbabwe.
Yemen has been added to the Very High cat-
egory because recently it became painfully
apparent that its government system is about
to collapse. Theres a risk of civil war while at
the same time Al-Qaeda-like terrorist groups
have emerged.
In a fair number of instances, the High andVery High risk countries have been allocated
seven or more symbols on the map. New on
the list is Eritrea, while others have seen an
increase in significant risks. Muller points out
that this is not only the case with countries
which have to deal with a lot of threats.
Ghana, for instance, currently has only three
symbols to its name, but they are all new for
this year. This is in line with the general trend
that Africa is a continent of growing risks.
Good News for Insurance CompaniesMuller sees a trend where there are more High
Risk countries, and more countries residing in
the Medium-High category. Indeed, looking at
the new map, one has to deal with consider-
ably more risk than in previous years. Van
Nuland: Companies should continue to do
their business with flair, but they should also
ask themselves whether higher risks should
be covered in these insecure times. Of
course, this is good news for the insurance
companies Aon works for. This intermingling
within the mapmakers organization, however,
shows a possible weak spot in the scientifi-cally sound presentation of the data.
Van Nuland: With this map, we want to
establish a growing awareness of higher risks
during the financial crisis. Smaller enterprises
in particular should ask themselves: can we
afford the risk of something going wrong?
The combination of higher risk and financial
instability is worrying Van Nuland the most:
We see it in real life: an increasing number
of claims.
Remco Takken is editor of GeoInformatics.
For more information, have a look at
www.aon.com/2010politicalmap
12
Art ic le
March 2010
Food and Water Insecurity
http://www.aon.com/2010politicalmaphttp://www.aon.com/2010politicalmap8/12/2019 geoinformatics 2010 vol02
13/60Seri
oustoo
lsforse
riousm
apping.
UltraCa
mtechn
ologycreatest
hemost
advanc
ed
aerialm
apping
products
forsomeoft
heworld
s
mostso
phistica
tedproj
ects,as
wellass
mall,single
-
craftop
erations
.EachUl
traCam
iscompa
tiblewith
theUltr
aMap
thatallo
wsyout
ofocus
onentire
project
srather
thanjust
singleim
agesor
stereop
airs.
Ifyouar
elookin
gforac
ost-effe
ctiveopt
ion
toupgradeor
expand
yourcu
rrentha
rdware,
visitmicroso
ft.com
/ultraca
m/gif.
Mapthe
samefo
otprint
satlow
er
altitudesw
ithanew
wide-a
nglele
ns.
Ultra
CamXpW
ideAng
leLarges
timage
footpri
ntinth
e
UltraCa
mXp
Larges
tfootp
rintfro
many
mediu
m-form
atmapp
ing
camera,
idealfo
rsmalle
rcraft.
UltraCa
mLp
Thed
atayo
udeliv
eriso
nlyas
goodasthe
techno
logyb
ehind
it.
advancedU
ltraCam
technol
ogy.
8/12/2019 geoinformatics 2010 vol02
14/60
Professional Grade GNSS Technology
In January, Magellan Professional announced that its brand
name has been changed to Ashtech. Joc Triglav asked Franois
Erceau, Ashtech Vice-President and General Manager, to explain
why this happened and what are the companys plans for the
new year in terms of products and market strategies.
By Joc Triglav
14
Interview
Question: You decided to hit the GNSSmarket target with the old newly rebornbrand name and a totally new logo.Please explain the reasons for thesechanges and their main goals.
Franois Erceau Magellan Professional was the brandwe used within Magellan, our former corporation and
a well known GPS company with a big presence in
the consumer market. With the sale of the Magellan
Consumer division to the MiTAC Corporation in early
2009, rights to and ownership of the brand name
changed. Magellan Professional would only be
able to continue using the Magellan name until,
end of 2011. We thought, Why wait? We felt it
was better to immediately clarify and strengthen
our commitment to the professional business by
moving more quickly to re-identify ourselves with
our own brand in the professional market. The
equity we had in the Ashtech brand was so incred-
ible that it would have been a waste not to lever-
age it. The renaming benefits us because of
Ashtechs early and deeply rooted presence in thehigh-precision GPS and later GPS/GLONASS
application markets such as surveying, GIS and OEM
boards. We see it as the rebirth of Ashtech. The
Ashtech brand has long stood for technology, preci-
sion and innovation. This is exactly what we offer our
customers and what we want to convey with our new logo.
It sports a trendy new look that upgrades the renowned
Ashtech brand bringing it firmly into the 21st century.
Q: Please, define the main global target high-performance applications markets and commer-cial positioning for Ashtechs products.
FE High-performance applications exist today across a broadarray of markets in land, air and sea applications. We under-
stand high-performance to encompass automation, RTK posi-
Franois Erceau
The Rebirth
of Ashtech
8/12/2019 geoinformatics 2010 vol02
15/60
tioning and centimetre-level accuracy. It also means fast and robust signal
processing. Harsh environments also demand specific high-technology fea-
tures, such as strong multi-path mitigation, multi-constellation tracking,
and redundancy of the solution. Heading and relative positioning are also
outputs expected from these high-end applications.
As a leading GNSS manufacturer, we deliver high-performance positioning
solutions to OEMs, integrators, value-added resellers, distributors and
end-users. Obviously, from a pure GNSS technology perspective, perfor-mance has always been linked to the accuracy, the reliability of the data,
and the speed of the processing solution. However, the performance can-
not be defined solely in terms of a products GNSS performance. Design,
connectivity, ease-of use, inter-operability, are integral components of the
definition of high-performance. Thats our belief and our commercial posi-
tioning for each of the solution we offer to the market.
Q: How is Ashtech segmenting its GPS and GNSS productline, especially regarding quality and performance, to coverthe needs of these application markets? Which are yourflagship products in individual application market segments?
FE Professional grade GNSS technology is the core of every Ashtech solu-tion and our range segmentation is based on the customer expectations,
which is expressed in our motto Right feature, Right time, Right price.
Our portfolio starts with entry-level budget solutions mostly based on sin-
gle frequency technology up to fully featured multi-frequency multi con-
stellation offerings. Whatever the level of investment made by the cus-
tomer in his Ashtech product, quality is never at risk.
We segment our GNSS portfolio, into three categories: Surveying , GIS
and OEM boards. Depending on the application, positioning accuracy
varies from the meter level, down to the centimetre level in real time, with
or without advanced RTK features such as heading, relative positioning,
and the ability to work in harsh environments. Our portfolio of technolo-
gy and solutions complies with those requirements. The accuracy, the
real-time capability, the connectivity features and the number of GNSS sig-
nals are key elements that differentiate the products within our range.
In Surveying our flagship products are the ProMark 500 GNSS RTK systemmostly used on Land as well as our ProFlex series which are very popular
for a variety of marine survey and remote sensing applications but are
also more and more adopted by Machine guidance integrators.
In GIS applications the MobileMapper 6 handheld GPS is showing great
market success thanks to its sub-meter post-processing capability, a unique
offering at that price point.
In OEM boards, the GG12W is very successful in aerospace, while our
newly released GPS/GLONASS board, the MB500, has shown promising
results with various integrators in Navigation, Marine , and others DG14
remains very solid as an outstanding SBAS-enabled L1 board offering RTK
capability.
Q: Ashtech probably plans a number of product launchesand initiatives this year to provide new and compellingofferings to GNSS professionals. Please, outline the mainitems shortly to our readers.
FE The 2010 roadmap is very ambitious for Ashtech. We are planningseveral major upgrades to enhance our latest generation of products,
Latest News? Visitwww.geoinformatics.com15
March 2010
Interview
http://www.geoinformatics.com/http://www.geoinformatics.com/http://www.geoinformatics.com/8/12/2019 geoinformatics 2010 vol02
16/60
as well as the introduction of several completely
new products. The upgrades will impact our GNSS
board offerings as well as our GIS and Surveying
product lines. This January, we released ProMark
500 V4, the newest version of our renowned RTK
GNSS system. We are also launching two entirely
new rugged RTK sensors, the ProFlex Lite and
ProFlex Lite Duo. Last but not least, we have just
released in February the newest generation of ourmobile mapping software, MobileMapper Field,
which is available on our best-seller MobileMapper
6 handheld GPS for GIS and mapping. We intend
to keep this fast pace of new technology and prod-
uct introductions all year long.
Q: The global process of transition fromold-style national coordinate referencesystems to new ITRS-based nationalcoordinate reference systems is in variousphases in a large number of countries. In
your opinion, which are the crucial con-siderations and possible dangers in thisprocess of transition, especially regardingthe use of GNSS technologies and solu-tions?
FE Coordinates provided by GNSS technologies andsolutions are ITRS-based coordinates. They can be
easily expressed in any new ITRS-based national
coordinate reference systems without any loss of
accuracy. The main issue is the transformation of
existing coordinates expressed in "old-style"
national coordinate reference systems, as this
transformation is always specific and approximat-
ed. What will be key during the transition is to pro-
vide as many details as possible on the reference
system in which any coordinates are expressed, including the reference
date of the coordinate system, as ITRS-based systems are time depen-
dent, in order to avoid tremendous loss in accuracy and so preserve
complete trust in GNSS solutions. Considering the accuracy we achieve
today, telling where a point is on a map means telling where this point
was at the time the map was elaborated. No matter that the point may
have moved since that time, together with Earth's crust on the area
since GPS, and now GNSS, use appropriate coordinates transformation.
It has for long been a key area of activity for Ashtech. This being said,
Ashtech has dedicated specific resources to ease this transition for thebenefit of the end-user. Once the transition is completed, all coordi-
nates will be better harmonized whatever the reference systems used.
Q: This year a wealth of new developments in the GNSSsatellite launches and operations is scheduled andannounced, such as the first launch of the GPS IIF satel-lite with new L5 signal, launch of two Galileo IOV satel-lites, first launch of a GLONASS-K satellite with newCDMA signals, as well as additional launches of ChineseCompass satellites and first launches of Japanese QZSSand Indian GAGAN, etc.. How is Ashtech strategically,technologically and operationally adapting to these actualnovelties and changes in the GNSS business?
FE As a leader, Ashtech is on top of GNSS technology development.The growing number and evolving nature of satellites systems is a fan-
tastic opportunity of growth for us. We were the
first with a GLONASS GNSS Board (GG12), and we
are the first, with BLADE technology, to trully blend
L1/L2 GPS and GLONASS and SBAS signals togeth-
er. As many customers are telling us, BLADE deliv-
ers the best PVT computation, as of today .
Moreover BLADE is already tuned to accommodate
all new upcoming signals. Ashtech direction is to
keep customers thrilled with what our GNSS tech-nology delivers as real user benefits, and make sure
it is constantly up to date, according to the evolu-
tions.
Q: Several nations, at least six today, arealready operating or initiating their ownabove mentioned global or regionalsatellite navigation systems. Even moresuch systems are expected to developand operate in the next ten years. Arewe entering the golden era of GNSS?
How will this abundance of satellite PNTservices influence global society? Howwill our daily life and business change?
FE Survey and GIS data creation will continue togrow with more layers of information from geo-
graphical to demographic data. More and more peo-
ple in the field will collect and update data on larg-
er territories. Many additional workers will deploy
GIS mobile technologies in their everyday work life,
in many applications from utilities, homeland secu-
rity to agriculture, natural resources management,
and oil & gas markets. The addition of more satel-
lites expands the operating domain for RTK with
longer ranges and efficient positioning at more
challenging sites where complementary techniques
were needed in the past. Precise positioning will bring more and more
an everyday increase of productivity for many applications, in dredg-
ing, construction, road building, mining, forestry, in any type of asset
management, machine guidance, or fleet tracking. In every of those
fields, Ashtech is a leader and will continue to bring innovation as
expected by the customers.
Q: At the end, I definitely havent asked you everythingyou wanted to say to our readers. So, please, take this
opportunity to address our readers with your closingword.
FE Ashtech rebirth is good news for the Professional GNSS industry.Our roots are in Silicon Valley but we are also taking many benefits
from our belonging to Magellan, especially a great know-how in design
of lightweight handheld units for the Survey and GIS applications. With
all its assets Ashtech is well positioned to innovate in the market.
Ashtech will be part of the move to GNSS modernization in the next 10
years. Beyond this Ashtech will be offering new alternatives to cus-
tomers within an open market where interoperability and standardiza-
tion are becoming the rule. Times when you would capture the cus-
tomer for long with one product or one technology are over. Ashtech is
a venture for the 21st century within a new open market.
Joc Triglav is editor of GeoInformatics.
www.ashtech.com
16
Interview
March 2010
Rover Operator
http://www.ashtech.com/http://www.ashtech.com/8/12/2019 geoinformatics 2010 vol02
17/60
Web Mapping APIsUse Fast, Intuitive Web Maps to Share Your Geographic Knowledge
You can easily access and leverage your GIS with clients built on
Flex | Silverlight | JavaScript
Copyright 2009 ESRI. All rights reserved. ESRI, the ESRI globe logo, ArcGIS, and www.esri.com are trademarks, registered trademarks, or service marks of ESRI in the United States, the European Community,or certain other jurisdictions. Other companies and products mentioned herein may be trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective trademark owners.
With ArcGISWeb Mapping APIs, you can create and deploy GIS applications that are best suited for
your environment. To save time and resources while learning how to use these APIs, ESRI offers live
samples, training seminars, sample applications, and free maps and GIS tasks such as geocoding and
routing. Discover how ArcGIS Web Mapping APIs can deliver mapping and GIS functionality in your
Web applications; visit www.esri.com/mappingapis.
For ESRI locations worldwide, visit www.esri.com/distributors.
Czech Republic
www.arcdata.czDenmarkwww.informi.dk
Estonia, Latvia,and Lithuaniawww.hnit-baltic.lt
Finlandwww.esri-nland.com
France
www.esrifrance.frF.Y.R.O.M.www.gisdata.hr
Germanywww.esri-germany.de
Georgiawww.geographic.ge
Greece and Cypruswww.marathondata.gr
Austria
www.synergis.co.atBelgium and Luxembourgwww.esribelux.com
Bosnia and Herzegovinawww.gisdata.hr
Bulgariawww.esribulgaria.com
Croatiawww.gisdata.hr
Hungary
www.esrihu.huIcelandwww.samsyn.is
Israelwww.systematics.co.il
Italywww.esriitalia.it
Maltawww.geosys.com.mt
Moldova
www.trimetrica.comThe Netherlandswww.esrinl.com
Norwaywww.geodata.no
Polandwww.esripolska.com.pl
Portugalwww.esri-portugal.pt
Romania
www.esriro.roRussiawww.dataplus.ru
Slovak Republicwww.arcgeo.sk
Sloveniawww.gisdata.hr
Spainwww.esri-es.com
Sweden
www.esri-sgroup.seSwitzerlandwww.esri-suisse.ch
Turkeywww.esriturkey.com.tr
Ukrainewww.ecomm.kiev.ua
UK/Irelandwww.esriuk.com
http://www.esri.com/http://www.esri.com/mappingapishttp://www.esri.com/mappingapishttp://www.esri.com/distributorshttp://www.esri.com/distributorshttp://www.arcdata.cz/http://www.informi.dk/http://www.hnit-baltic.lt/http://www.hnit-baltic.lt/http://www.esri-fi/http://www.esrifrance.fr/http://www.gisdata.hr/http://www.esri-germany.de/http://www.geographic.ge/http://www.marathondata.gr/http://www.synergis.co.at/http://www.esribelux.com/http://www.gisdata.hr/http://www.esribulgaria.com/http://www.gisdata.hr/http://www.esrihu.hu/http://www.samsyn.is/http://www.systematics.co.il/http://www.esriitalia.it/http://www.geosys.com.mt/http://www.geosys.com.mt/http://www.trimetrica.com/http://www.esrinl.com/http://www.geodata.no/http://www.geodata.no/http://www.esripolska.com.pl/http://www.esri-portugal.pt/http://www.esriro.ro/http://www.dataplus.ru/http://www.arcgeo.sk/http://www.gisdata.hr/http://www.esri-es.com/http://www.esri-sgroup.se/http://www.esri-suisse.ch/http://www.esriturkey.com.tr/http://www.ecomm.kiev.ua/http://www.esriuk.com/http://www.esri.com/http://www.esriuk.com/http://www.ecomm.kiev.ua/http://www.esriturkey.com.tr/http://www.esri-suisse.ch/http://www.esri-sgroup.se/http://www.esri-es.com/http://www.gisdata.hr/http://www.arcgeo.sk/http://www.dataplus.ru/http://www.esriro.ro/http://www.esri-portugal.pt/http://www.esripolska.com.pl/http://www.geodata.no/http://www.esrinl.com/http://www.trimetrica.com/http://www.geosys.com.mt/http://www.esriitalia.it/http://www.systematics.co.il/http://www.samsyn.is/http://www.esrihu.hu/http://www.gisdata.hr/http://www.esribulgaria.com/http://www.gisdata.hr/http://www.esribelux.com/http://www.synergis.co.at/http://www.marathondata.gr/http://www.geographic.ge/http://www.esri-germany.de/http://www.gisdata.hr/http://www.esrifrance.fr/http://www.esri-fi/http://www.hnit-baltic.lt/http://www.informi.dk/http://www.arcdata.cz/http://www.esri.com/distributorshttp://www.esri.com/mappingapis8/12/2019 geoinformatics 2010 vol02
18/60
Taking Spatial ETL Technology to New Heights
With the release of FME 2010 in January, Safe Software is emphasizing its stated commitment to improve spatialdata access for organizations across the globe. In fact, the technology has been enhanced in ways that make
spatial data more accessible and potentially more useful than ever before. According to Safe, usability
enhancements in FME 2010 bring greater productivity for existing users, speed the learning curve for people
that are new to the product, and enable faster adoption, broader deployment and creative new applications
of FME technology throughout an organization.
By the editors
Greater Data Access and SharingSafe Software has reported that nearly 1,000 of
the improvements introduced in FME 2010 are
a direct result of customer feedback. Users iden-
tified specific changes in FME that could help
them to improve spatial data access and
address their data interoperability challenges.
As with previous releases, FME 2010 continues
to expand its support for various data formats
and coordinate systems to provide what Safe
calls unparalleled data accessibility and facil-
itate greater sharing. This includes not only
adding support for a wide variety of new for-
mats and coordinate systems, but also enhanc-
ing the way the software handles current popu-
lar formats, including 3D.
For instance, based on customer feedback it
became clear to the Safe Software team that GIS
professionals are facing increasing demands to
share their spatial data with non-GIS users and
decision makers. To better facilitate this shar-
ing, many FME users turn to familiar output for-
mats, such as Google Earth (KML) and Adobe
Acrobat (PDF), and FME 2010 is designed to
make the creation and output of these formats
much faster and easier.
According to Safe, FME 2010 now supports
more than 250 different data formats overall,
further empowering GIS professionals to share
information with new user communities. This
includes new support for common statistics for-
mats including IBM PASW (SPSS), R Statistical
Data and SAS (Statistical Analysis System). The
company highlights that this statistical format
support opens up a whole new category of
business applications for use with FME, ideally
allowing improved GIS planning, analysis and
decision making.
18
Art ic le
March 2010
With FME 2010, users can integrate a variety of data types to create a realistic, integrated 3D model.
FME 2010
8/12/2019 geoinformatics 2010 vol02
19/60
As has been highlighted many times in the
pages of GeoInformatics, there is a growing
market interest in 3D data access and model-
ing. To address this need, FME 2010 has been
enhanced to deliver expanded support for these
3D formats, including vastly enhanced 3D
object texture handling. By enabling users to
create realistic multi-dimensional models that
integrate data from a wide variety of data types,FME 2010 should facilitate both better data
visualization and improved communication.
Among the changes: FME 2010 now includes
support for Autodesk Civil 3D and 3ds, COLLA-
DA, Google Sketchup and Presagis OpenFlight.
The new release also introduces support for
1,850 additional coordinate systems, bringing
the complete total to more than 5,300. So
whatever coordinate systems end-users require,
they can quickly get usable data.
Dynamic Workflow, Faster WorkspaceDesignAccording to Safe, FME 2010s new dynamic
workflows will provide users with greater flexi-
bility and convenience, saving time and improv-
ing efficiency under a wide variety of scenarios.
These workflows (called workspaces in FME)
allow GIS professionals to use either the origi-
nal source schema or a separate schema tem-
plate at runtime, creating workspaces that are
entirely schema-independent. Users can thus
design workspaces and perform translations on
any dataset at any time, and can even create a
single workspace to perform quick translations,
and even transformations, on multiple source
datasets whose schema is unpredictable.
Conversely, users can build a template
workspace to quickly repeat the same transla-
tion or transformation task.
In all of these scenarios, building a dynamic
workflow should save design and maintenance
time, while minimizing the number of
workspaces that need to be created. Ulf
Mnsson of SWECO, a Safe Software reseller inSweden thats been testing the new approach
has already found dynamic workflows to be a
huge benefit. SWECO has been using FME 2010
with the City of Gteborg to perform coordinate
system conversions to meet new national
requirements. Our clients can now focus on
the tasks that are interesting, not schema map-
ping, said Mnsson.
Dynamic workflows also improve the efficiency
of SWECOs teams. As consultants, this makes
us more efficient as we can give our clients their
results and feedback immediately. We work on
projects with thousands of datasets, and
dynamic workflows are now saving us tremen-
dous amounts of time. For example, we can
strengthened the security options to match.
These changes should allow both greater flexi-
bility and improved control at an enterprise or
organizational level.
For example, new security capabilities provide
granular data access controls so that GIS pro-
fessionals can ensure that despite broad deploy-
ment, they are sharing spatial data only withauthorized users and preventing unauthorized
access. FME Server 2010s flexible security frame-
work should simplify and somewhat automate
this process by allowing tighter integration with-
in an existing environment, supporting common
directory services such as LDAP-based Microsoft
Active Directory integration, and delivering SSL
encryption for web access.
FME has long been known for its desktop and
server configurations, and for 2010 the compa-
ny has added support for deployment in thecloud. This should provide considerably greater
IT flexibility, for instance by allowing organiza-
tions to take advantage of the clouds resource
support during peak periods of FME use.
FME 2010 also provides for greater interoper-
ability and fewer cross-platform restrictions,
ensuring that organizations can deploy the soft-
ware on their preferred system (Windows, Linux
or Solaris). And FME 2010 offers a technology
preview of Windows 64-bit, for those organiza-
tions interested in added horsepower on the
Microsoft platform.
Safe Software and Spatial ETLThanks to its broad deployment and years of
proven reliability, FME represents the gold stan-
dard in spatial ETL for many in the industry.
Safe Software appears to have taken this
responsibility to heart with FME 2010, provid-
ing nearly unlimited flexibility in data model
transformation and distribution, and delivering
the industrys most extensive format support
for data translation and integration.
In March, Safe Software co-founders Don Murray
and Dale Lutz, along with other Safe team mem-
bers, will kick off 2010: AN FME ODDYSSEY, a
10-city tour across North America geared toward
helping users to solve common data access
challenges. According to the company, atten-
dees will learn all about the latest enhance-
ments in FME 2010, and better still from our
perspective, have the opportunity to discover
how peers are navigating the vast universe of
spatial data challenges. The company will also
participate in FME User meetings in March and
April across Europe, including the UK, Germany
and France.
Internet:www.safe.com
now easily replicate huge datasets, not only
files but even entire spatial databases with a
single workspace, explained Mnsson.
On a related note, new usability enhancements
help users more rapidly design and maintain
these workspaces from the start. Layout
enhancements in the products graphical user
interface, FME Workbench, improve efficiencyby putting a broad spectrum of tools at your
fingertips, including automated transformer
help. With FME 2010s Quick Add Transformers,
a user can type directly in a workspace canvas
to add transformers, eliminating the need to
search, click and drag. With the new Workspace
Search feature, users can quickly find any object
in a workspace from attribute names and trans-
formers, to bookmarks, comments, and more.
Additional improvements to FMEs data trans-
formers both strengthen existing options, andcreate new transformers that should add flexi-
bility and speed to a users workspace design
experience. For example, FME users working
with KML output datasets will benefit from the
latest refinements to the KMLStyler, which has
been simplified to make output settings more
easily understandable.
New KML transformers such as the KMLTour-
Builder and the KMLViewSetter also make it
easy to create a guided end user experience
through an output dataset, and the new
KMLTimeSetter helps users create timeline play-
backs for data which is time sensitive, such as
analysis for a tsunami or tornado event.
In another response to customer feedback, FME
2010 speeds creation of transformation work-
flows by offering a new tester family, filter fam-
ily, styling family, and much more. The rede-
signed transformer dialogs that are grouped
into similar tasks, help users more easily set
parameters. Tapping into fmepedia, an online
encyclopedia of FME technical information and
examples, through FME Workbench, users also
have instant access to useful resources like auser-submitted custom transformer.
And in keeping with Safe Softwares historical
emphasis on steady performance improvements
for greater usability, FME 2010 is faster and
more responsive throughout, with key areas
seeing speed increases of more than 20 per-
cent according to company representatives.
Broader Deployment Options,Powerful SecurityDeployment and security were two key areas of
focus in the new release, according to Safe.
Considerable customer feedback led the com-
pany to add a SaaS-based cloud computing
option for deploying to the existing desktop and
server configurations for FME. Safe has also
Latest News? Visitwww.geoinformatics.com
Art i c le
19March 2010
http://www.safe.com/http://www.safe.com/http://www.geoinformatics.com/http://www.geoinformatics.com/http://www.geoinformatics.com/http://www.safe.com/8/12/2019 geoinformatics 2010 vol02
20/60
For Avon Fire & Rescue Service
Making Firefighting Safer with GIS
Fire and rescue services need to be armed with accurate risk information if
theyre to respond to emergencies effectively. Simon Cottingham, Public Safety
Strategist at ESRI (UK), looks at how the innovative use of geographic
information systems (GIS), is helping one of the UKs Fire & Rescue Services
become better informed and therefore safer when responding to incidents.
By Simon Cottingham
Entering a burning building without knowingwhats on the other side of the door is one ofthe dangers that firefighters face every day.
Traditional systems used to capture risk infor-
mation about a buildings lay-out, usage or con-
struction provide a degree of protection but are
largely paper-based, with limitations in terms
of accuracy, currency and distribution of infor-
mation. In addressing this challenge, one pio-
neering fire service has adopted a GIS solution
from ESRI (UK), which helps record all neces-
sary risk data relating to a building but also
greatly improves how information is accessed
and shared with every fire station in the area.
Avon Fire & Rescue Service (AF&RS) watches
over almost 1,500km2 and a million people in
south west Britain, covering the areas of Bath,
Bristol, North Somerset and South
Gloucestershire. With headquarters in Bristol
city centre, the service has 23 fire stations,
almost 900 firefighters and last year attended
over 13,000 incidents. While firefighting remains
at the forefront of its work, the service is also
focused on protection and prevention.
Gathering Risk InformationAlong with all other UK Fire & Rescue Services,
one of Avons responsibilities is to provide risk
assessments of large or significant buildings
within their area, in accordance with UK legis-
lation. Involving routine inspections, these pro-
vide vital information about a specific building
and potential hazards within its immediate area,
to reduce the risks if a crew ever has to respond
to an incident at that location.
The majority of fire services store this informa-
tion in a paper-based system which makes ittime consuming to update and difficult to share.
Each of Avons 23 fire stations had a folder, for
example, containing written information and
pictures relating to premises in the area and
these were updated by annual inspections.
Steve Cornish, Station Manager and Project
Manager for AF&RS, explains: Manually updat-
ing the information would involve crews
inspecting buildings, subsequently passing the
information to another team member back at
base to input all the data. When responding to
an incident, the folder would be consulted but
if more than one station was involved in a
major incident, they would not have access to
this information until they arrived at the scene.
20
Art ic le
March 2010
Avon Fire and Rescue Service Vehicle
8/12/2019 geoinformatics 2010 vol02
21/60
Avon began looking for a different method of
managing its risk information to make respond-
ing to incidents safer for its crews. After evalu-
ating available solutions, AF&RS felt that ESRI
(UK) could provide the most suitable option.
ESRI (UK) was the only firm that could provide
what we wanted namely a system which could
make us more efficient at gathering information
and improve our ability to share that data quick-ly and easily, commented Cornish.
Pioneering Fire and Rescue ServiceESRI (UK)s DragonMap solution, which uses the
ESRI ArcGIS platform, went live in October 2009
following a short pilot phase. It is believed that
AF&RS is currently the UKs first service to use
GIS in this way.
Now each fire station uses a ruggedised laptop
to conduct risk inspections, inputting all the
necessary data using drag-and-drop icons ontomaps and building plans, stored in an ESRI
ArcGIS server. The information is then upload-
ed to a central database on return to the sta-
tion, removing the need for re-keying or tran-
scribing of notes. When any station
subsequently connects its laptop to the system,
it simultaneously receives all updates available
for the entire Avon area.
We wanted to ensure we could provide the
latest risk information to crews about individu-
al buildings, so they could look at it on the way
to an incident, said Cornish. Our 23 fire sta-
tions now have access to a single view of all
the current risk data across our whole area,
enabling better preparation and decision-mak-
ing, especially when attending an area theyre
not familiar with.
DragonMap provides a simple but accurate
method of capturing risk data on to building
plans and maps any information which might
help a crew respond in the safest possible way.
Originally developed to help the military cap-
ture intelligence in the field, the software wasdesigned for non-GIS specialists, where the
gathering of location-based information had to
be as simple as possible and not require a user
to learn a complex piece of software.
The user interface was created to be clear and
intuitive with a simple drag-and-drop system
(hence the name Drag-on-Map), using pre-deter-
mined icons to represent hazards, objects or
what-ever is required. DragonMap lets the user
place the icons at the correct spot on a map of
a building layout or its surroundings, then eas-
ily add notes, web links and even digital pho-
tos. For a fire and rescue service, this provides
a very simple, quick and accurate way to record
all potential risks at a site in a consistent way.
a major incident at Bristols BOC (British Oxygen
Company) bottling depot. A fire caused by a gas
explosion involving a number of acetylene cylin-
ders saw AF&RS attend the scene for eight days
using multiple stations. We used DragonMap
to locate the best sources of water, using the
hydrant data layer, explained Cornish. A sig-
nificant volume of cooling water was required
and as several stations from the area wereinvolved, all engines needed to find it easily.
Normally crews know where hydrants are but if
youre coming in from the surrounding area,
being able to see them on a map with their
exact location makes it a lot quicker.
Protecting Firefighters and the PublicWith the majority of risk assessment at UK fire
services still underpinned by paper-based sys-
tems, AF&RS is showing how the smart use of
new technology can be applied to help create
a greater, shared, situational understanding andreduce risk in what is already a dangerous pro-
fession. For fire and rescue services the world
over, AF&RS serves as a great example of how
GIS can be implemented in day-to-day opera-
tions to improve safety.
Future plans include expanding the system to
give a more in-depth understanding of the
areas infrastructure, by incorporating more data
layers such as utilities, drainage or open water
supplies. This can be a challenge as such data
is often held in many different file formats.
However, with ESRIs ArcGIS able to read over
70 different spatial data formats, AF&RS should
find itself in a good position when it is ready
to take this step.
DragonMap helps us protect the public and
our firefighters, concluded Cornish.
Improving access to risk data helps increase
both the safety of people in a building, as fire-
fighters can respond more effectively, but also
the safety of fire crews as theyre a lot better
informed.
Simon Cottingham [email protected],
Public Safety Strategist at ESRI (UK)
For more information on DragonMap please visit:
www.esriuk.com/dragonmap
ESRI (UK) would like to thank the team at AF&RS
for their assistance in the production of this article.
More Efficient Data CaptureCrews have taken well to the new method of
data collection, as Cornish highlights: Data
capture has become a lot easier with
DragonMap. The new system gives ownership
of the whole process to fire crews, which theyve
responded well to. After some training, all per-
sonnel feel at home taking the laptops out for
inspections and when attending incidents.
In total, Avon has 37 laptops across 23 stations,
one for each of its front-line response vehicles.
Every laptop has been configured so that only
the designated operators at each respective sta-
tion can update the map information. When
data is uploaded to the central database host-
ed at the headquarters in Bristol, all informa-
tion is double-checked to ensure consistency.
The risk assessment process begins with each
station identifying the buildings they want toinspect. And because they know their station
areas, theyre familiar with which premises
might cause potential problems. Over a 12
month period, a rolling programme will then
see several premises inspected every month,
said Cornish.
On a first inspection, crews use DragonMap to
identify the outline of the premises it needs to
inspect. Once saved onto the system, firefight-
ers start applying the icons. AF&RS use sym-
bols to represent a wide range of information,
including building usage, number or expected
occupants day or night, construction methods,
location of hazardous materials, plus other
details such as access routes or hydrant loca-
tions. Notes might be added, such as storage
of 10,000 litres of diesel fuel or Asbestos roof
tiles etc. All information is added as layers on
the map, which can be switched on or off.
Seeing the Bigger PictureIn addition to icons at the plan level,
DragonMap also enables different layers of data
to be displayed along with maps of differentscales. When responding to an incident, crews
can use the GIS to zoom out and see a build-
ing in the context of its surroundings and locate
the best access route, water hydrants and
neighbouring properties. Having DragonMap
in the cab on the way to an incident gives crews
an overall picture of the situation but also the
finer details. Being able to access risk data
quickly helps reduce potential harm to firefight-
ers and the public but also limit any damage
to property and disruption. The more we know
about what were facing the better, Cornish
continued.
In early January 2010, only a few weeks after
the system went live, DragonMap was used in
Latest News? Visitwww.geoinformatics.com
Art i c le
21March 2010
mailto:[email protected]:[email protected]://www.esriuk.com/dragonmaphttp://www.geoinformatics.com/http://www.geoinformatics.com/http://www.geoinformatics.com/http://www.esriuk.com/dragonmapmailto:[email protected]8/12/2019 geoinformatics 2010 vol02
22/60
Definiens eCognition Server Software
Object-based Image AnalysisDefiniens is a company active in image analysis. Not restricted to the geospatial market only, the company offers solutions
for all kinds of imagery used in life sciences and the medical world. GeoInformatics interviewed Ralph D. Humberg, VicePresident of Definiens Earth Sciences division. Mr. Humberg joined Definiens in 2002 and is responsible for Definiens'
global Earth Sciences business. He talks about eCognition, Definiens image analysis software used for Earth Sciences.
The latest release of the software is eCognition version 8, issued in November last year, along with a new internet portal.
By Eric van Rees
Question: With version 8 you re-re-named your softwareback to eCognition. What was the reason for that back-to-the-roots naming?
Ralph Humberg Definiens introduced object-based image analysis tothe geo-sciences industry in 2001 with the release of our eCognition
desktop software, see text box 1. We utilized the eCognition brand
name for the first four versions of our desktop software. As imaging
data sets grew in complexity and size, Definiens pioneered client-serv-
er capabilities beginning with eCognition version 5. With a broadened
suite of products associated with our client-server offerings, we intro-
duced additional brand names. Our server has always been known as
eCognition and the brand name possesses a great deal of cachet in
the industry. We believe the majority of the geo-sciences community is
now moving toward client-server processing and with the introduction
of eCognition version 8, we now refer to the complete product suite
under the eCognition brand.
Q: Many people are convinced of the power of thesoftware, but they find it very complicated to use or tounderstand the principles behind it. Have you done anytechnical developments to make the world of OBIA(object-based image analysis, see text box 2) moreunderstandable for the non-experts?
RH As the leading provider of OBIA for the geo-sciences, we have a largeuser community, with an installed base of 3000 licensees in more than 80
countries. These users encompass a myriad of disciplines, from remote
sensing to geology, hydrology, forestry and urban planning - all of which
require image analysis technology. Traditionally, geo-spatial image analysis
software has been structured around remote sensing domain expertise.
Simplifying that expertise so that it is accessible by increasingly wider
audiences of non-experts across diverse industries is something we take
very seriously.
In the last few years we have noticed a distinction between our advanced
22
Interview
March 2010
eCognition 8 comes with full 3D image analysis capabilities. Within the eCognition Labs section of our community,
this functionality, which is still in its infancy for LiDAR analysis, is provided to our scientific user base.
8/12/2019 geoinformatics 2010 vol02
23/60
and our more casual users, and this has informed our product develop-
ment. In eCognition 8, a new QuickMap start-up mode enables our
casual users to readily complete a number of common image analysis
tasks. A simplified graphical interface, comprising click-and-classify type
tools, allows users to perform image analysis using important segmenta-
tion algorithms and classification standards. This built-in workflow was
developed using findings from training sessions with customers and
remote sensing students and is designed to be intuitive.
Exploring some of the more complex functionality requires an investment
of time, but our advanced users know this investment is justified, as
eCognition enables them to extract features and detect changes like no
other software.
We have also invested heavily in the development of an online communi-
ty to facilitate knowledge sharing and building. A broad range of pre-devel-
oped rule-sets and applications are available online, along with self-learn-
ing materials.
Q: With version 8 you have introduced many new featuresto eCognition. Can you outline these and briefly explain
the most important ones?
RH eCognition 8 represents the first of a new generation of image analy-sis technologies that takes OBIA into entirely new dimensions. Our rapid
advancement stems in part from Definiens' significant investment in med-
ical imaging research and development. By leveraging technology devel-
oped for 3D MRI and CT image analysis, we have been able to tackle new
and exciting applications in the area of geo-data analysis.
For example, eCognition 8 can load and rasterize native LiDAR (.las) files,
fuse them with stacks of other data, such as high resolution images, and
conduct object-based image analysis in three dimensions. Future versions
of eCognition will significantly expand 3D functionality.
The new QuickMap mode is another important feature because it not
only provides a simple interface for new users, but is also the first of what
we believe will be many standardized applications designed for eCognition.
Performance was another important aspect to this release. The maps and
regions function allows users to save processing time by analyzing differ-
ent geographical features via tailored segmentation approaches. While
other software packages employ the same analysis approach to an entire
image, eCognition segments objects of interest, such as forests or rivers,
using feature-specific approaches within the same image, processing the
remainder of a scene in lower resolution. The result is a more accurate
analysis of data with less processing time.
Finally, a strong focus on production workflows has resulted in a number
of new features designed for building powerful semi-automatic processing
and editing environments including image object generalization which
produces GIS-ready output.
Q: With the introduction of version 8 of now again eCognition you also launched a new internet user portal.Is this portal meant for support purposes only or is theresomething more behind it?
RH While product support is certainly an important element, oureCognition community web portal provides users with a host of opportu-
nities; we designed the portal as a center for knowledge sharing and usercollaboration.
In the last few years we have noticed that local eCognition communities
were sprouting up in many countries, organizing their own conferences or
engaging in informal collaboration. We decided to provide our user com-
munity with a centralized online location to enable more streamlined inter-
action and collaboration, launching the eCognition online community in
July 2009. The response has been very encouraging and in just six months
our online community has grown to almost 1900 members.
The eCognition community is equipped with infrastructure for rule-set and
application exchange. So, for example, a forestry professional in Australia
can easily upload a rule-set for a project that can be downloaded and
used by a colleague in the United Kingdom. The community also provides
collaborative learning and teaching space, with user demonstrations, blogs,
message boards and video and image file sharing capabilities.
Latest News? Visitwww.geoinformatics.com
Interview
23March 2010
The Principles of Object-based Image AnalysisIn conventional automated image analysis, objects of interest are
identified using a series of pixel-based filters. These filters, such as
intensity thresholds and gradients, compare pixels to their neighbors.
The goal is to transform the original image so that the areas of inter-
est can be extracted by simple threshold measures.
In developing Definiens Cognition Network Technology, our company
founder Gerd Binnig and his team made a radical departure from thispixel-based approach.
Definiens Cognition Network Technology is object-based: It does not
simply identify the objects of interest but all of the intermediate
objects together with their interrelationships (context). In effect, a model
is built which is represented by Definiens unique Cognition Network.
This stores all of the objects, sub-objects and their semantic relation-
ships in a clear hierarchy.
The difference in approach is profound. It is the contextual information
contained in the Cognition Network that enables the automat