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Podcast: A Hallway Conversation with Maarten Oldenhof, CEO, Automotive Navigation Data

Adena Schutzberg interviewed Automotive Navigation Data (AND) CEO Maarten Oldenhof about the state of commercial geodata, the licensing challenges and the role the community can play in keeping data up-to-date. This is the third in a series of interviews with geospatial insiders and outsiders.

Product Overview: Matrox TripleHead2Go

Hal Reid is a multi-screen enthusiast, and he pursues his obsession with a look at the Matrox Triplehead2Go. According to Reid, "Once you use a multi-monitor set-up, the applications are endless and it is difficult to go back to one monitor."

Quick Takes on Companies and Ideas at the 2009 Location Intelligence Conference

Here are some tidbits about several companies and key ideas from presentations Editor Adena Schutzberg found at the Location Intelligence Conference held at the beginning of October. Organizations mentioned include Seaglex Software, Trillium Software, Yuri Software, SpatialKey, Infusion Development, eSpatial, Appistry, Zipano Technologies, WeoGeo, AND, PBBI, OpenStreetMap, Waze and Inrix.

Spatial Information in the New Zealand Economy

This report, commissioned by Land Information New Zealand, the New Zealand Department of Conservation, and the Ministry of Economic Development New Zealand, was released in April 2009. It shows that in 2008, the use and re-use of spatial information is estimated to have added $1.2 billion in productivity-related benefits to the New Zealand economy. The executive summary is reprinted here, with a link to the full 153 page report.

Under the Hood of Rand McNally's IntelliRoute TND 500 - Truck Navigation Device

In August, Rand McNally introduced a new portable navigation device specifically for professional truckers. The IntelliRoute TND 500 has more truck-specific road attributes and truck-related points of interest. Information that impacts routing, such as construction areas, is updated every two weeks. Directions Magazine asked Rand McNally to comment on some of the specific functionality of the product.

Podcast: To Tweet or Not to Tweet-Advice for your Business on Social Networks and New Media

Should you be using Twitter for your business? Do you have a duty to respond if someone says something negative about your company on social networks? How often are you maintaining your blog and do you have the resources to support it? What's the right social network and what corporate policy do you have in place today? Editor in Chief Joe Francica explores these questions and offers advice for marketing and communications professionals.

Photographers Have Several Camera Options for Geotagging Pictures with GPS Points

From the weekend camera buff to the sophisticated GIS user, "geotagging" photos with location coordinates has become a popular application of GPS technology. This review, by GeoSpatial Expert's Rick Bobbitt, reviews the geotagging abilities and readiness for cameras for both professional and recreational users.

IDC Squeezes Spatial into the Broader Business Analytics Marketplace

In a recent IDC market research study entitled "Worldwide Business Analytics Software 2009-2013 Forecast and 2008 Vendors Shares," a few geospatial technology companies popped up on the report under the category of "business analytics." While Oracle is the overall market leader of the top 10 companies in the survey, ESRI and Intergraph appeared in the second tier (11 through 35) of this list. For greater detail on where spatial information management and spatial analytics technology truly fit into the mix, and to discuss IDC's work on geospatial market sizing, Editor in Chief Joe Francica spoke with IDC's spatial analyst, David Sonnen.

Podcast: The Gov 2.0 Summit and Geospatial

Last week's Government 2.0 Summit held in Washington DC put GIS front and center as a key tool in a vision of government as a platform for itself and for citizens to use. Why the fuss at this time over GIS, which has been a part of government at all levels for decades? What's new in this vision? What changes can we see in this new embrace of the technology?

Determining Anchor Points for Sex Offenders Using GPS Data

The California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (CDCR) tracks more than 6,000 sex offender parolees using GPS. That's quite a lot of data, data that must be correlated with current crimes and restricted areas to be sure offenders are following the rules of their parole. The department turns to GIS for a solution. ESRI's Modelbuilder and a kernel density tool developed from ecological studies that tracked animals are essential for analysts who track the offender movements. Redlands Police Department Philip Mielke explains.

LBS and Field Service: Current Trends

Sumair Dutta shares the results of The Aberdeen Group's latest LBS-related research. Does increased consumer use of location related technologies reflect the same growth in the enterprise? The research offers some insights.

Podcast: In the News - State Stimulus Sites and User Generated Corrections

This week two news items peaked our interest: Good Jobs First, a Washington research center, released a report giving mediocre grades to state websites that aim to be transparent about the distribution of federal stimulus dollars. One of the criteria considered? Maps. Second, is there a trend in local news related to sat nav? Is there a move away from "two techs capturing data" stories to how users can get involved with collection and update?

Podcast: Why not code the real world?

The attributes of physical objects in the real world are commonly noted on paper maps or in electronic files, but these are frequently of limited use in the field. Why do we not simply encode key information onto the actual objects, themselves? For example, in Akron, Ohio the domes of fire hydrants are color-coded to denote their water pressure. Though we need to put all this information into databases, can we not also put it right exactly where it's needed?

Podcast: Location-based Advertising... It's Not Working... Here's Why

In the much-hyped, Madison Avenue world of mobile location-based advertising, the Holy Grail seems within the grasp of retailers looking for that one-to-one marketing nirvana oft cited in the early nineties. But in its current model, it�s not working the way it should or can. Today's business model uses "push" advertising to mobile devices. But what if the model should be "pull," thus allowing consumers to determine when, where and how they should receive ads? Editor in Chief Joe Francica explores this model and more. ...

GPS System, Challenges in Sustaining & Upgrading: Challenges Yes, Panic No

A recent Government Accounting Office (GAO) report on the future of the GPS constellation stated: "It is uncertain whether the Air Force will be able to acquire new satellites in time to maintain current GPS service without interruption. If not, some military operations and some civilian users could be adversely affected. In recent years, the Air Force has struggled to successfully build GPS satellites within cost and schedule goals." In this editorial, SiRF Technology founder Kanwar Chadha offers a more rationale assessment of the situation.

Advice from Geospatial Startups

A reader had an interesting idea: Why not have startups and early stage companies in the geospatial arena offer some advice to those who may be heading in that direction? Directions Magazine invited responses from a dozen companies; today we share a few responses.

GIS Helps Find Profitable Locations for Schlotzsky's Deli

"Location intelligence is the key to a successful franchise," says Mark Whittle, vice president of real estate, FOCUS Brands, Inc., in Atlanta, Georgia. "It isn't just anecdotal." The company operates more than 2,200 restaurants, bakeries and ice cream shops in the United States and several other countries including Schlotzsky's Deli, Carvel, Cinnabon and Moe's Southwest Grill. Read more about how Schlotzsky's is using location technology to help their real estate department become more "location intelligent."

WaveMarket's Joel Grossman Addresses Privacy and Location-based Advertising

Worried about the privacy of location-based advertising? What are some of the options for those who don't mind the advertisements, but only want what's of interest to them and only want to be identified at an aggregate geographic level? Editor in Chief Joe Francica poses these questions and more to Joel Grossman, vice president of marketing for WaveMarket. The company recently announced a partnership with Millennial Media which is believed to be an important step in protecting the privacy of consumers.

Podcast: Any Game Changers in LBS Yet?

Many announcements related to location-based services came out of the CTIA show last week, including winners of the NAVTEQ LBS Challenge. Were any truly game changing? Our editors look at the current state of LBS and what may be ahead.

Making Digital Maps More Current and Accurate

The European Union is looking at ways to make the data in satellite navigation devices better. It has backed ActMAP, which assumes the data supplier provides updates. FeedMAP, a new endeavor, is designed to work with ActMAP. It automatically detects when travel on the ground does not match that on the device and compiles a report which is picked up by roadside sensors and relayed back to the supplier. It seems to work and the trick now is for the companies behind it, Daimler, BMW, Volvo Trucks and FIAT to figure out how to bring it to market.

Podcast: ArcGIS Online Now Provides Access to Microsoft Virtual Earth-An Interview with Rob Shanks, ArcGIS Online Manager

Editor in Chief Joe Francica speaks with ESRI's Rob Shanks, senior product manager of ArcGIS Online. Rob came to ESRI in July 2007 after many years as president and CEO of GlobeXplorer. Shanks discusses the new agreement with Microsoft that gives ArcGIS users access to Microsoft Virtual as part of ArcGIS Online at the ArcGIS 9.3.1 product release. Shanks provides more details on how ArcGIS Desktop and ArcGIS Server users will be able to connect directly to Virtual Earth and quickly start their GIS projects with ready-to-use content.