Linux Yuma and other Mobile GPS Data Capture News

...the latest news appears to be the Trimble Yuma, a rugged tablet from SDG Systems that now runs Ubuntu Linux.

Targeting military and industrial applications requiring data collection, inspection, and reporting from the field, the Linux-powered Yuma can be used with geospatial software including GRASS GIS and Quantum GIS as well as other standard or custom Linux-based applications. The device is available starting at $3695 on SDG's website.

- PC World

The Trimble Juno series provides a complete, integrated package of positioning, imaging and communications for flexibility. Two versions are available. The Juno 3B has an integrated GPS, a 5 MP autofocus camera and Windows Mobile software. The Juno 3D includes all of the features of the Juno 3B plus 3G wireless technology, which allows users to transfer data faster and stay connected to the office with an integrated mobile phone.

- press release

TomTom has made a landmark move into the insurance market by providing the technology behind a new insurance product, which bases premiums on driving behaviour.

TomTom has teamed up with insurance broker Motaquote for the launch of Fair Pay Insurance – a product that rewards 'good' drivers with lower premiums.

- press release

Pictometry CEO Explains Vision for Insurance Play

Pictometry CEO Richard M. Hurwitz. who took the reigns a little less than a year ago, addresses the company plans in an interview with the local paper including discussion of last month's acquisition of Indiana-based GeoEstimater (press release).

Pictometry is spending a lot of time moving from a visualization tool where we can look at that unique data to a company providing solutions. (With the GeoEstimator acquisition), Pictometry is now delivering answers to a targeted customer base. The insurance industry is prepared to go 100 percent toward remote measurement of roofs. We're in all the Lowe's stores around the country. If you want to repair your roof, you can walk into Lowe's, order a report and there are all the metrics for you to buy all the right materials at the right price.

- (Rochester NY) Democrat and Chronicle

Geospatial Models ... as a Service, GMaaS?

Last week, OpenRisk LLC, announced that they received an award for a new Platform as a Service (Paas) solution for the insurance industry that allows access to risk models to underwriters. These geospatial information-based models estimate “the potential financial damage to a portfolio of properties resulting from disasters such as earthquakes, hurricanes and floods” according to the executive overview provided by the company. To run these complex catastrophe models, OpenRisk will host their solution on a supercomputer and give access to insurance, reinsurance or brokerage firms via a cloud service. “The idea is to enable the insurance industry to share our supercomputers rather than host the models internally, including the costs of IT support, hardware upgrades and high-cost PhD-level staffing, said Jim Aylward, CEO. More information will be available soon at www.OpenRiskLLC.com.