Autodesk, Intergraph, Laser-Scan, MapInfo and Oracle Strengthen Open Spatial Enterprise Approach with Worldwide Customer Implementations

Customers take advantage of interoperability and spatial standards to leverage data sharing for better and more secure business performance

13 October 2004� - The open spatial enterprise concept continues to gain momentum, with data increasingly recognised as an organisation�s most valuable asset and data sharing as a critical requirement for all applications.� Autodesk, Intergraph, Laser-Scan, MapInfo, and Oracle have introduced a real-world interoperable spatial data management platform to leverage and advance the spatial capabilities of an open spatial enterprise that enables customers to use critical location information in an IT environment and with multiple applications.

These five companies, all of whom are members of the Open Geospatial Consortium (OGC), have encouraged customers and vendors to maximise the value of spatial data for making enterprisewide decisions using geospatial technologies and modern application development techniques that are data-centric instead of GIS-centric.� This enables organisations to use existing data investments more effectively, allowing employees and customers to share information securely across department boundaries.� Geospatial data can and should be fully integrated into this process with other information for results that range from superior infrastructure planning to effective decision making.

Autodesk, Intergraph, Laser-Scan, MapInfo, and other geospatial vendors who interoperate with an open and secure enterprise database, Oracle� Spatial, simplify data access and data sharing so that all information is interconnected and centralised. Compliant with OGC standards, an open spatial enterprise provides immediate access to data throughout the project workflow, independent of the data location or original format, helping to meet real-time information demands, lower costs, and achieve greater return on investment.

Worldwide organisations and companies who have integrated existing data and technology investments in geospatial, IT and business systems for better planning and decision making include UK Defence Geographic and Imagery Intelligence Agency; Staffordshire County Council and Thames Water.

An open spatial enterprise approach enables emergency response agencies to easily integrate GIS information with building floorplans typically stored in CAD systems.� Mobile users, such as customer service agents and field surveyors, are empowered in an open spatial enterprise to collect data, access information, and send immediate updates to the enterprise database.

Government agencies can now share existing GIS and CAD data without having to re-translate or re-draw data.� Civil engineers have access to up-to-date changes in maps that may have project implications.

Mapping professionals can be more productive by avoiding redundant data entry by working from an open, central data store with seamless access to design information. An open spatial enterprise brings key point products and database solutions together so that end-users can apply the appropriate technology at the right phase of the business process or infrastructure workflow.

�This is really an idea whose time has come,� says David Sonnen, senior analyst with IDC. �An open spatial enterprise approach enables all users and applications to share spatial data with the security, scalability and manageability of an enterprise database. This is an essential step to maximise business value in spatial information management.�

�With a shared database, Thames Water can now realise its vision of making its maps available to many departments and many workers,� said Simon Timmis, IS Business Partner, RWE Thames Water. �And that easy access to GIS data is just the start. For instance, customers will be served faster and more efficiently. Expensive and unwieldy processes will be eliminated, freeing up funds for other vital projects, such as infrastructure upgrades.�

About Autodesk

Autodesk is the world's leading design software and digital content company, offering customers progressive business solutions through powerful technology products and services. Autodesk helps customers in the building, manufacturing, infrastructure, digital media, and wireless data services fields increase the value of their digital design data and improve efficiencies across their entire project lifecycle management processes. 

www.autodesk.co.uk

About Intergraph Mapping and Geospatial Solutions

Intergraph Mapping and Geospatial Solutions is a leading geospatial solutions provider for the following markets: local, state and federal government; transportation; utilities; communications; location-based services; photogrammetry; remote sensing; cartography; and military and intelligence. 

http://imgs.intergraph.com

About Laser-Scan

Laser-Scan delivers solutions in the Oracle space for managing spatial data quality. This technology is the result of over 35 years experience in the development of database products for National Mapping Agencies. Laser-Scan offers sustainable interoperability solutions based on data quality excellence to exploit location data in enterprise information architectures. 

www.laser-scan.com 

About MapInfo

MapInfo Corporation is a global company that integrates software, data and services to help customers realise greater value from location-based information and drive more insightful decisions. MapInfo solutions are available in 20 languages through a network of strategic partners and distribution channels in 60 countries.

www.mapinfo.com