Wednesday, November 18. 2009

Quote of the Week

"Having begun in 1993 with three employees, Aruna has grown to employ around 35 people and reports annual revenues of about US$1.7 million."

- Growth of Aruna Technology Limited, a medium-sized Phnom Penh company and ESRI's distributor, profiled in the Phnom Penh Post, Cambodia

Tuesday, November 17. 2009

Podcast: The Line Between Geo Amateur and Professional

If anyone can make a map today, what is it that distinguishes the amateur from the professional when it comes to geospatial? Is it training? Perspective? Tools? Our editors weigh in.

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Friday, November 13. 2009

Podcast: A Hallway Conversation with Stefan Knecht, CIO United Maps

Adena Schutzberg interviewed United Maps CIO and co-founder Stefan Knecht about the challenges of collected and conflating data across Europe (and the U.S.), the challenges of mapping public transit and why only a small percentage of cemeteries appear in most commercial datasets. This is the fourth in a series of interviews with geospatial insiders and outsiders. This is the fourth in a series of interviews with geospatial insiders and outsiders.

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Wednesday, November 11. 2009

LINZ Interested in Public/Private Data Options

Land information minister Maurice Williamson and Land Information NZ (LINZ) chief executive Colin MacDonald noted being open to working with private companies to secure data for the citizenry of New Zealand. In one exercise, all the attendees at the ESRI NZ user conference were asked to stand, then to sit if they didn't want to cooperate with LINZ. Reportedly, just one person sat.

Also interesting, private company Critchlow Ltd, Director Steve Critchlow noted his willingness to make some of his IP available.

"If it's on the right terms" Critchlow Ltd would be prepared to transfer some of its intellectual property to government, says Steve Critchlow.

Critchelow himself was there as he chairs the Spatial Industries Business Association of NZ and was as I understand it, invited to speak on a panel. Stuff.co.nz reports: "ESRI and Critchlow Ltd are competitors so no Critchlow staff attended the bulk of the conference."

- Stuff.co.nz

Friday, November 6. 2009

Podcast: A Hallway Conversation with Maarten Oldenhof

Adena Schutzberg interviewed Automotive Navigation Data (AND) CEO Maarten Odelhof 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.

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Wednesday, November 4. 2009

Acquisition/Parntership Roundup

TeleCommunications Systems, a developer of text messaging location-based software, has acquired Solvern Innovations, a Baltimore company specializing in cyber security.

- press release

MapmyIndia, one of India’s map and GPS navigation services providers has signed a deal with Survey of India. MapmyIndia can use and provide value added services to Survey of India maps.

- India Times

Loopt has added "Pulse" a tool to access content (like restaurant reviews from Zagat and Citysearch) as well as a search feature and check in option to its LBS app. Loopt will also be using NAVTEQ LocationPoint Advertising to offer the targeted and relevant offers and promotions.


- TechCrunch