22 September

New Products

Landgate Trail

Local government agencies in Western Australia are being asked to participate in a three-month beta trial of cadastral web services through Landgate, a new land and property portal being developed by the state's Department of Land Information. A note from MapInfo says it is encouraging its local government clients to join the trial to test the use of web mapping servers (WMS) to distribute data such as land parcel information to local authorities.

The company's latest version of MapInfo Professional (v7.5) - which is now available - reads WMS directly and allows users to access it dynamically as just another layer. Version 7.5 fully supports OpenGIS standards for WMS, enabling users to access remote or local servers over the Internet or intranet. This allows users to share data regardless of format or location.

Enquiries about the WA trial to Anne Robertson on +61-8-9273-7488.

Laser-Scan/Autodesk

Since the announcement in June 2002 that Autodesk would test Laser-Scan's Radius Topology with its products, some form of integration between the two products has been on the cards. Now the companies have released details of the new arrangement.

Essentially, there will be no change to the product offerings of either company, but Autodesk technicians have demonstrated that Radius Topology is completely interoperable with its new range, namely Map 2004, MapGuide 6.0 and Envision 8.0.

Both companies are members of the OpenGIS Consortium and rely on Oracle's 9i spatial technologies.

A press release says: 'Autodesk and Laser-Scan marketing teams are working to identify joint opportunities and to develop a framework for integrated sales and marketing activities.'

Radius Topology is represented in Australia by Sinclair Knight Merz. Enquiries to Lisa Bailey on +44-1223-420-414.

GSI

Graham Samuel, the creator of Geod, a program for converting co-ordinate systems, has now released GSI, a suite of programs that takes survey field data and converts it into AutoCAD format.

The program uses the same codes used in a total station, to give the user the ability to control how artifacts are displayed on the drawing. This includes line-types, layers, colours, symbols and text. It gives the user the ability to build a standard library for describing field data.

GSI works inside AutoCAD, making translation mistakes less likely and removing the need to switch between programs.

Enquiries to Graham Samuel on +61-2-412-057-205.

Navcom/Gart-2000

Allsat GmbH has successfully completed the integration of NavCom's high-performance, high-accuracy RTK receivers with its Gart-2000 software.

US-based NavCom Technology says the addition of the software to its controller options means that it can now offer its RTK clients multiple datum support.

Gart-2000 software is used for the recording, processing and visual representation of positioning and GIS data. It works in Windows 9x/NT/2000/XP environments on a robust field computer or in its Windows CE version on a Pocket PC optimised for mobile data recording. It provides a clear graphical display of the recorded positioning and GIS data. The software currently offers a choice of more than 50 datums and projections and 12 different languages.

Information is at [www.NavComTech.com]; .

Trimble SCS900

Trimble recently introduced the SCS900 Site Controller System. The GPS-based field software solution is designed for use in earthworks, mining, quarrying, utilities, site preparation, fine grading and other construction-related applications.

The software enables contractors to complete site measurement and staking tasks without having to call in surveyors, or keep machines standing while waiting on stakeout.

The Site Controller can be used on a rod or mounted on an all-terrain vehicle. The task-orientated, work-order-driven system complements traditional and 3D machine control operations, while delivering increased site measurement capabilities to the earthwork contractor.

It allows contractors to use 3D surface models from a range of industry-standard engineering design packages.

The system is expected to be available around October through the Trimble distributor network. Enquiries ; ph: +61-7-3216-0044.

Mini Measure Maxx

Trumeter, a British company that has been manufacturing measuring equipment for 65 years, has developed a new measuring wheel.

The Mini Measure Maxx had its hardest test when it was used to record the epic adventure of two recent Antarctic explorers. The lightweight measuring wheel has a large five-digit display, a minimum measuring range of 10 mm and a maximum of 999.99 metres.

Its dual measuring wheel is designed to improve balance and accuracy (+/-1%). Other features include a pointer, a reset lever and a telescopic handle.

The product comes with a lifetime warranty against manufacturing faults. Sales are through White International ; ph: +44-161-724-6311.

Map Series 2004

Autodesk Australia will offer special incentives to encourage its AutoCAD 2000 users to upgrade to Map Series 2004.

Map Series provides advanced mapping, precision image integration, and spatial data analysis tools in a single software package. It is a combination of three Autodesk products: Map 2004, Raster Design 2004 and EnvisionT 8.

It is designed for to allow land use and infrastructure management professionals to collaborate and communicate on mapping projects.

The software is integrated with Oracle Spatial for faster exchange of graphics and attributes. DWG files from multiple maps with different co-ordinate systems can be simultaneously exported into an Oracle Spatial database.

Enquiries ph: +61-2-9844-8000; [www.autodesk.com.au].