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Logica to lead the operational integration, verification and validation (OIVV) of the European Space Agency’s Earth observation data systems.

Logica has announced that it is to provide information system technology services for the next three years to the European Space Agency (ESA) for use at its ESRIN establishment in Frascati near Rome. The deal worth 7.5 million Euros will see Logica take on responsibility for operational integration, verification and validation of the ESA’s Earth observation data software. ESA will benefit from greater uptime and reduced administration costs through outsourcing the management of the highly complex testing and upgrade process. Logica will work as the prime contractor supported by Elsag Datamat and Siemens as sub-contractors.

ESA provides Earth observation data to a vast network of scientists and researchers across Europe. The importance of Earth observation data has grown as more and more international and national agencies recognise its many uses. The increased interest in the information has meant that ESA has expanded its capabilities over recent years and now operates over 100 separate systems to acquire, process and disseminate data to users. With such complexity ESA required a supplier that could effectively manage, test and monitor software upgrades and new applications prior to placing into a live environment, thereby ensuring maximum uptime for these mission critical systems.

Stuart Martin, Logica’s Space Business Director, said: “Logica is delighted to be delivering this mission-critical service for ESA to ensure the integrity of the operational systems used for Earth observation. This contract marks a significant step in Logica’s growing relationship with ESA’s Earth observation programme. Our aim is to help ESA outsource its routine IT activities such as system integration and testing, leaving its staff with more time to focus on their core business.”

The Operational Integration, Verification and Validation (OIVV) contract gives Logica responsibility for ensuring that all of the software systems used by ESA and its partner receiving and processing centres are thoroughly tested and validated before they are introduced to the live, operational environment. In a first for ESA the OIVV activity will be delivered as a fully outsourced service, governed by a robust service level agreement.

This contract builds on Logica’s commercial information systems integration and testing experience across many industrial sectors, and specifically in large satellite ground segment integration programmes such as the UK Skynet 5 management segment.

The OIVV contract commenced on the 1st April 2010, and will run until the 31 July 2013, with the option of a further two-year extension.

NOTES TO EDITORS

About the European Space Agency

The European Space Agency (ESA) is Europe’s gateway to space. Its mission is to shape the development of Europe’s space capability and ensure that investment in space continues to deliver benefits to the citizens of Europe and the world.

ESA is an international organisation with 18 Member States. By coordinating the financial and intellectual resources of its members, it can undertake programmes and activities far beyond the scope of any single European country.

ESRIN is ESA’s centre for Earth observation based in Frascati, south of Rome, Italy. It manages the ground segment for ESA and third-party Earth-observation satellites, maintaining the largest archive of environmental data in Europe, coordinating over 20 ground stations and ground-segment facilities throughout Europe and cooperating with another 20 foreign ground-segment operators worldwide. It is home to ESA’s Directorate of Earth Observation Programmes.

More information is available at www.esa.int

About Logica
Logica is a business and technology read service company, employing 39,000 people across 36 countries. The company delivers business consulting, systems integration and outsourcing across all industries and business functions. Logica creates value by successfully integrating people, business and technology to create effective, sustainable business ecosystems. Employees apply insight to create innovative answers to help with business needs.

Press contacts
Rima Awad – Head of PR and Media Relations, Logica – rima.awad@logica.com
07_799 _477 _158

Nadia Nandi – UK PR Manager, Logica –
nadia.nandi@logica.com
07_921 _932 _363

Dieter Isakeit – ESRIN Corporate Communication Office, European Space Agency, Frascati (Rome)
Dieter.Isakeit@esa.int 39 _06 _941 _80 _950

News from May to June 2010


(Jun 16, 2010) KSPT MEOS™ Capture HRDFEP system to exactEarth Ltd, Canada

Kongsberg Spacetec has signed a contract to deliver one MEOS™ Capture HRDFEP (High Rate Demodulator & Front End Processor) to exactEarth Ltd. The system supports V 35 descrambling.

exactEarth is based in Cambridge, Ontario, Canada, and is a subsidiary of COM DEV International Ltd.

MEOS™ Data Capture HRDFEP is a high performance data receiver, acquisition and telemetry processing system for the most demanding professional users, developed to bring all your data safely home, always. This mission statement translates into the key properties of all MEOS Capture products: Performance, Reliability and Flexibility.

MEOS™ Data Capture product information are available here

For more information about the customer: exactEarth Ltd and COM DEV International Ltd

(Jun 09, 2010) News Item KSPT MEOS™ Control to Kongsberg Satellite Services for Svalbard

Kongsberg Spacetec has signed a contract with Kongsberg Satellite Services to deliver a MEOS™ Control system to support operations of a new KSATs antenna system on Svalbard (SG25).

One MEOS™ HRDFEP and three command recorders are also included in the contract.

MEOS™ Control is Kongsberg Spacetec’s product for Ground Station monitoring and control. A Ground Station often consists of a number of specialized units, e.g. demodulators, modulators, antenna control units (ACU), converters, switch matrices, etc. Instead of handling these units as stand alone units, MEOS™ Control integrates them into one overall system, with a common GUI and a common API for remote operations.

The MEOS™ Capture HRDFEP is a high performance data receiver, acquisition and telemetry processing system for the most demanding professional users, developed to bring all your data safely home, always.
This mission statement translates into the key properties of all MEOS Capture products: Performance, Reliability and Flexibility.

For more information about the customer: Kongsberg Satellite Services

(May 23, 2010) News Item KSPT MEOS™ Polar system installed at Oman Meteorological Department

Kongsberg Spacetec has delivered a MEOS™ POLAR receive and processing system to Meteorological Department Directorate General of Civil Aviation and Meteorology Civil Aviation Affairs for reception and processing of NOAA, METOP and EOS satellites.

The MEOS™ Polar ground station system is Kongsberg Spacetec’s multi-mission, flexible and modular turnkey system for acquisition, archiving, processing, analysis and distribution of meteorological data.

For more information about the customer: Oman Meteorological Department

(May 18, 2010) News Item KSPT upgrade of MEOS™ Polar and MEOS™ GEO in Kuwait

Kongsberg Spacetec has upgraded the MEOS™ POLAR and MEOS™ GEO systems in Kuwait for NOAA direct reception and MSG Eumetcast reception.

The MEOS™ Polar ground station and the MEOS™ GEO system is Kongsberg Spacetec’s multi-mission, flexible and modular turnkey system for acquisition, archiving, processing, analysis and distribution of meteorological data.

Infoterra News


(07 July 2010). ESA Interface to TerraSAR-X Ground Segment is Operational: Maximum Efficiency of TerraSAR-X Data Delivery for ESA’s GMES Users Secured

Friedrichshafen, July 7, 2010 – Earth observation data experts from the European Space Agency (ESA) and its user community can now rely upon a very efficient access to TerraSAR-X radar satellite data. Infoterra GmbH, the EADS Astrium subsidiary responsible for the commercial marketing of this satellite, has tailored the TerraSAR-X data deliveries to ESA and its GMES users to the specific requirements of the Agency, minimizing administration effort and complying with ESA-specific procedures.
At the same time, Infoterra’s staff has been specifically trained for handling the GMES Space Component Data Access (GSC-DA) Programme requests, ensuring a maximum level of service quality and fast response times. Further, the necessary modifications to the German Aerospace Centre (DLR)‘s TerraSAR-X ground segment have been implemented in parallel.
The adaptation of delivery standards to ESA requirements was part of the first phase of a contract Infoterra received in 2009: a € 2.4M framework agreement covering the delivery of TerraSAR-X radar satellite data to ESA’s GSC-DA user community.

View website
Read press release in english

(6 July 2010) 6 out of 8 Fire and Rescue Services across Scotland now benefit from Infoterra’s SAFEcommand™ mobile solution.

Solution enhances incident operational safety through effective location and risk data management. Provides real opportunity for cross border data sharing

More…

(1 July 2010) Infoterra establishes Symetri Geo business unit to drive sales of ERDAS, Google Earth and Safe Software applications.

Infoterra Ltd, a wholly owned subsidiary of EADS Astrium, has today launched a new Geographical Software Business Unit – Symetri Geo – focused exclusively on the resale, distribution, and provision of technical and training support for the company’s expanding portfolio of third party geo-software products. Symetri Geo – www.symetri-geo.co.uk

will provide Infoterra customers using ERDAS desktop and enterprise products, the FME desktop and server suite and Google Earth Enterprise with a single point of access for all their geo-software requirements. The business unit will be developing further capabilities to deliver spatial data infrastructure (SDI) solutions that provide INSPIRE compliance. In addition, Symetri Geo will also support customers with a single point of contact to help ensure the success of their geographical data management projects

More…

(21 June 2010). TanDEM-X Launched Successfully: TerraSAR-X twin brought into orbit from Baikonur – Satellite formation will collect data for global DEM

The German radar satellite TanDEM-X was successfully launched from Baikonur, Kazachstan, at 04.14 hrs CET on Monday, June 21, 2010. A first contact with a ground station in Troll was established at 04.45 hrs. TanDEM-X joins its “twin” TerraSAR-X, which has been in operation since mid 2007, in its 514 km orbit. Together, the two satellites will spend three years collecting stereo radar data for a global digital elevation model of the Earth’s entire landmass.

This DEM will feature a relative accuracy of better than 2 meters (10 meter absolute) for a 12 meter grid. TanDEM-X is being implemented in a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) between the German Aerospace Centre (DLR) and Astrium GmbH with, funds from the German Ministry of Industry and Technology (Bundesministerium für Wirtschaft und Technologie).

“This successful launch is an important step forward for our company,” stated Dr. Vark Helfritz, Managing Director of Infoterra GmbH, following the successful launch: “Infoterra will be conducting the commercial marketing of this unique global DEM, which will of course be an attractive enhancement of our companies’ portfolio.”

Infoterra GmbH will be responsible for the commercial marketing of the elevation model, which will involve customising the DEM to the needs of commercial users: Infoterra will process the raw data supplied by the satellite system in accordance with specific customer requirements.

This involves removing any remaining spikes (peaks or outliers caused by noise) and offsets (can occur due to radar shadow particularly in mountainous terrain) in the data, and editing the representation of expanses of water (ensuring a uniform water level and the right gradient of river courses).

View website
Read press release in english

(26 May 2010). Infoterra Launches TerraSAR-X ELEVATION Product Suite

Infoterra GmbH, a wholly-owned subsidiary of EADS Astrium that holds the exclusive commercial exploitation rights for the high-resolution radar satellite TerraSAR-X, has announced the first element of its TerraSAR-X ELEVATION product suite:
Featuring a 10m grid spacing and an absolute height accuracy of up to 5m, the TerraSAR-X ELEVATION DSM (digital surface model) is now operationally available for areas as small as only 500 sqkm, and up to full regional coverage, worldwide. Particularly the unique reliability of the weather-independent radar sensor makes this an ideal complement to the established Spot Infoterra portfolio of elevation data sets such as Reference 3D, based on SPOT HRS optical data.

View website
Read press release in english

On 4 May and together with other companies developing transport improvement solutions and five European governments (Belgium, Denmark, Luxembourg, Malta and Romania) GMV signed a “non-binding agreement” for implementing Europe’s eCall in-car emergency system.

The eCall signing and demonstration ceremony was attended by the European Commission’s Digital Agenda Commissioner, Neelie Kroes.

The idea of fitting vehicles with an automatic emergency-number dialing system is catching on fast in Europe, with 20 European countries now having undertaken to implement the system. Only France, the UK, Bulgaria, Hungary, Ireland, Latvia and Poland have yet to opt in to the project.

eCall is a European Commission initiative designed to bring rapid aid to car drivers involved in a traffic accident anywhere in the European Union. Under this project vehicles are fitted with a device whose sensors (similar to airbag sensors) automatically call 112 in the event of an accident. At the same time a minimum set of incident data is sent to the 112 emergency-center operator; this information includes position (GNSS-GPS coordinates and Galileo in the future), vehicle direction, time of accident, type of vehicle, etc.

The eCall system has already received the endorsement of European mobile telephony operators and carmakers; this backing is a sine qua non of its large-scale implementation.

It is estimated that eCall could save 2500 lives a year in Europe when fitted to all vehicles and also reduce the severity of injuries in 10-15% of car accidents, thanks to the quicker response time of the emergency services.

Since 1994 GMV has been providing Intelligent Transport Systems (ITS) as solutions geared towards improving operational efficiency and increasing service quality. GMV develops bespoke applications to meet the sector’s needs, integrating satellite navigation, mobile communications, passenger-information and control and monitoring centers. It is now number one in Spain in GPS systems for the management of urban passenger and railway transport and is also exporting these systems far afield in Europe and Asia.

Source GMV

GIM recently delivered the Calakmul 4DGIS “Information Management System” for the conservation authorities of the Biosphere Reserve and Archaeological Urban Centre of Calakmul (Mexico). This online system allows Mexican managers of Natural and Cultural Heritage to store, share, visualise and create interaction between their data, in order to coordinate various actions of conservation, management, planning, monitoring and research undertaken in the area.

To achieve a good management one needs excellent documentation. This means: data collection, analysis and evaluation. Then the administrators can add a timeline for effective conservation measures. Until now World Heritage managers didn’t have the adequate tools to perform the tasks in an efficient way. Because with management many departments and people are involved, an online application is the ideal way. It provides everyone the possibility to work from his workplace.

The “Information Management System” is based on an online tool developed on the basis of open source elements and according to open standards. It enables the integration of 2D GIS layers and 3D objects, large and small scales cartography layers and the time dimension. It also includes a set of open source tools to create data, but also innovative methods and data models to manage archaeological and ecological data containing time attributes.

The name “Calakmul” refers to an ecological reserve including an ancient Maya city. The study zone lies in the South East of the Campeche State, in the middle of the Yucatan peninsula. The Calakmul Biosphere Reserve was created in 1989. It covers an area of almost 7.300 square kilometres and constitutes one of the largest protected forests of the tropical zones. This biodiversity hotspot shelters rare species of flora and fauna. It also includes many archaeological sites, Calakmul being the most important one. In this site there are 6.252 buildings to be found, from temples, palaces, homes and a ball court. This pre-Colombian city has been registered on the World Heritage List (cultural part) in 2002.
That is why Calakmul is natural and cultural heritage!

This offers opportunities to develop tools for both natural and cultural heritage.

Multidisciplinary approach

The project was carried out with a series of scientists, each with their own specialty.
• Scientists from the Department of Geography of the Ghent University did research on temporal and spatial representation of archaeological data.
• Scientists from the Centre Européen d’Archéométrie of the University of Liège were responsible for data collection and construction of the archaeological database.
• Scientists from the engineering faculty of the Catholic University of Leuven (VISICS team) further developed the Arc3D web service allowing to create three-dimensional models based on sequences of standard digital photos.
GIM was in charge of the project coordination and was responsible for developing the “Information Management System” Calakmul 4DGIS, the analysis of satellite imagery and production of maps for the nature reserve. Our experts ensured interaction with local users and ‘capacity building’ (education and training).

This Consortium worked in close collaboration with UNESCO (Dr. Mario Hernandez) but also with the Mexican partners INAH (National Institute of Anthropology and History – responsible for Mexican Cultural Heritage management) and CONANP (National Commission of Protected Natural Areas – in charge of the management of the Mexican Natural Heritage). Finally, the Consortium was also supported by the University of Campeche.

Results

Calakmul 4D GIS is built on the GIM WebGIS technology. GIM WebGIS provides an open and standard product for consultancy-GIS in an intranet or Internet environment.

It is a solution for publishing a variety of geographic themes for everyone, expert GIS users and non-specialist GIS users.
Calakmul 4DGIS has a range of functions.

Administrators can:
• Produce maps and export them
• Register, visualize, analyse and plan follow up actions for realized and planned interventions
• Identify and analyze threats.

The application was designed to be able to switch to other World Heritage sites with limited adaptation. Follow up projects carried out by GIM such as Silk Road CHRIS (project on the Asian Silk Road) and Heritech (Croatia project) will also be built on GIM WebGIS

In addition to the development of Calakmul 4DGIS, GIM also processed EO data provided by the Belgian Science Policy Office (BELSPO) and by Spot Image via the Planet Action programme. The objective of this task was twofold. First, to process a time series of satellite imagery in order to analyse the evolution of the Land Use Land Cover over the entire Biosphere Reserve. Secondly, to investigate the potential of remote sensing to document Maya ruins and to detect evidences of the presence of archaeological remains in a tropical forest environment. Formosat-2 and SPOT data were used to elaborate LULC maps and to perform a change detection analysis. Formosat-2 recent data set was also used to test the effectiveness of Object-Based Image Analysis method in extracting relevant information for archaeological research. Despite the complexity of the tropical environment, this work was concluded by promising results.

GIM and World heritage

Flexible technology

As in other application areas, GIM has adopted here a flexible approach based on the use of Open Source software components and Open Standards. This is of particular importance in this context, as what makes the concept of World Heritage exceptional, is its universal application. Interoperability, software licenses, costs are thus critical issues. However, the available generic system has also to be adapted to the local situation. Our flexible approach combined with our unique expertise in this field allows us to achieve a perfect matching with the user requirements and to propose a tailored tool.

Information Management System

This web-based system includes a set of tools to be used by site managers to generate or convert data. Once the quality of the data has been checked, it can be uploaded to the system and the corresponding record can be added and documented (metadata) in the catalogue. The latter will allow to search and query the database but also to share the data. Selected information can then be published (display and export) through a web map viewer. This thin client application enables the different users to interact with different types of data.

It allows for:
• Different scales integration;
• 2D and 3D data integration;
• Temporal dimension integration.
This unique combination offered by GIM focuses on the need of site managers and provides diverse functions as:
• Querying, visualizing, accessing all kind of information from a single entry point;
• Supporting decision making processes and coordination of actions;
• Disseminating information and raising awareness.

Capacity building

To ensure the sustainability of such type of information system, GIM, in collaboration with its partners provides training and support to users of the system. In the World Heritage management context, it is indeed essential to transfer the technology but also to give necessary trainings in order to allow the users to become self-sufficient. Users learn how to use the tools and maintain and update the Information Management System.

The Calakmul Information System has been funded by the Belgian Science Policy Office (BELSPO) in the framework of a collaboration agreement with UNESCO.

About GIM

GIM is an internationally operating EO and GIS services company based in Heverlee near Leuven in Belgium. The company provides consultancy, software application development services and products in the geo-spatial domain. GIM specializes in remote sensing services and GIS applications as well as value adding data services and geo-spatial web applications.

Since start of activities in 1995, GIM has been able to establish a broad international customer base and successfully participated in more than 500 local, national, and European projects.

GIMs customers are to be found in private industry sectors, public organisations and research institutes. GIM is dedicated to provide a wide range of value added services for remotely sensed data and GIS applications in segments such as: defence, disaster management, humanitarian aid, nature resources and environment.

The GIM team has expertise in managing and executing national and international projects. At present, GIM is employing a staff of 30 experts and consultants graduated in earth sciences, engineering and informatics.

GIM uses cutting edge GIS and image processing software and provides consultancy, processing and development capabilities for software components from major G IS and remote sensing software vendors.

Press Contact
GIM: Patricia Desmet
Marketing & Communications Assistant
Patricia.desmet@gim.be
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As part of the Global Monitoring for Environment and Security Services Element, the Global Monitoring for Food Security project of ESA aims to provide Earth Observation based services in order to assist stakeholders, nations and international organizations to better implement their policies towards sustainable development.

GeoVille develops Soil Moisture derived Index products based on radar satellite (ERS, ASAR) data and provides related GIS services to the Early Warning Service of the GMFS Stage III project.

More info at Geoville news

Euroconsult, the international consulting and analyst firm specializing in the satellite sector continues to reinforce its Earth observation business. The company provides market studies and consulting, and organizes events.

Euroconsult is also preparing the 2nd Symposium on Earth Observation Business. The event will take place September 9-10, 2010 in Paris and will bring together over 100 leaders from the Earth observation community including CEOs and top executives from leading businesses and government agencies

This high-profile event is a unique meeting place to discuss market trends and the opportunities and challenges ahead in the growing and changing Earth observation sector. GeoEye and Ball Aerospace are official partners for the event. Speakers include CEO’s and top executives from DigitalGlobe, Astrium Services, European Union Satellite Center, GeoEye, US NGA, Total, MDA GSI, Group on Earth Observation (GEO), Google, C-Core, e-GEOS, RapidEye, UK MoD, KSAT, SPOT-Infoterra, Ball Aerospace, NOAA, and SSTL among others.

For more information or a full program at www.satellite-business.com or contact Julia Carré at carre@euroconsult-ec.com or +33 1 49 23 75 28.

The company recently released a new market study. This second title, Earth Observation: Defense & Security, is a comprehensive analysis of the strategic issues, market drivers and trends, supply and demand for image intelligence (IMINT) for the government customer. It joins the company’s annual market prospects report, Satellite-based Earth Observation, Market Prospects to 201x which is an exhaustive analysis and forecast for the entire sector, including every level of the value chain. The 3rd edition will be available in the Fall. www.euroconsult-ec.com

To support this growing business the company is expanding its staff in both Europe and North America offices, and recently formed a partnership with The Jones Consulting Group in the United States. Dennis Jones, President of The Jones Consulting Group, has held a number of senior executive positions at GeoEye, Space Imaging and The Aerospace Corporation. He has also served in analytical and advisory positions in the U.S. government’s national security community, including the Executive Office of the President and the National Reconnaissance Office.

Source Euroconsult

GAF news


GAF AG wins tender for GIS programming and consultation work
18.05.2010

GAF AG wins tender for GIS programming and consultation work in the context of sectoral IT modernization within the Bavarian State Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry (StMELF)

GAF AG wins lot 2 of the open tender “Programmier- und Beratungsleistungen im Bereich der Agrar- und Forstfoerderung” put out by the Bavarian State Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry (StMELF). The work focuses on the further development of the agricultural geo-information systems (GIS) in the broader context of modernizing applications and technologies adopted to promote Bavarian agriculture and forestry.

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Afghan Ministry of Mines delegation on visit to GAF AG
17.05.2010

A delegation of the Afghan Ministry of Mines with high-ranking officials have been invited by GAF to visit BAUMA trade show and perform a study trip to several mining operations in the vicinity of Munich.

The Afghan delegation was headed by H.E. Wahidullah Shahrani, Minister of Mines, and Prof. Dr. A. Rahman Ashraf, Senior Advisor for Mines and Energy to the President. Their concerted effort is to move the Ministry of Mines (MoM) in Afghanistan from being a producer of minerals and other commodities to a policy-maker, promoter and regulator. Therewith an important step towards the eradication of poverty and bringing peace and prosperity to Afghanistan will be done. This is supported by a technical consultancy provided by GAF AG, being part of the World Bank funded Sustainable Development of Natural Resources Project.

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Source GAF

(June2010) Eurosense Recent News


A new orthophoto of Bratislava on 10 cm resolution

EUROSENSE completed an aerial photography survey of Bratislava in just one day, namely on 11/6/2010. The survey aims to upgrade its existing 10cm Slovak cities orthophoto serie. Each of 7 previous regular aerial surveys of Bratislava, flown for the first time by EUROSENSE in 1993, have taken up always max. 2 days to complete.

Using a digital Vexcel UCXP camera, EUROSENSE was able to survey and collect over 2000 images across Bratislava in one day. The new camera technology enabled the survey aircraft to fly more efficiently yet still collect a 9,4 cm ground resolution imagery.

This is the 2nd time that aerial photography of Bratislava has been collected at this level in such a short space of time.

Aerial thermography survey by Eurosense in Cherbourg, France

The aerial thermography project launched by the Urban Community of Cherbourg (CUC) aims to inform the inhabitants (92.000 inhabitants) of the five municipalities about thermal losses of their houses (roofs).

Basically, two aerial photoflights were executed over the Urban Community of Cherbourg (69km²) during two cold winter nights in order to collect thermal responses of the roofs. After image processing and cartography, the results comes out with maps showing the heating losses based on a colored pixel classification (from dark blue to bright red) on cadastral reference maps. Final objectives are increasing public awareness about energy consumption and presenting to the inhabitants available housing isolation subsidies launched by the French government.

More info at EUROSENSE

(May2010) e-GEOS, a company set up by the Italian Space Agency (ASI) and Telespazio (Finmeccanica/Thales) has become the partner of Google’s Enterprise division to develop and distribute in Italy geospatial solutions based on Google Earth Enterprise technology.

Google Earth Enterprise is the professional version of the famous Google technology that can support the implementation of Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and geo-location systems intended to make geospatial data and images accessible to internal and external users.

The Google Earth Enterprise application is intuitive, quick and simple to use. The application enables users to view, explore and analyse georeferenced information on a fully interactive 3D globe or 2D map that can be shared with other users, thus enabling them to take quick decisions based on this information. Access to georeferenced images therefore allows institutions, organisation and companies to simplify and improve their decision-making processes and take action more promptly.

As exclusive distributor of the COSMO-SkyMed radar satellite constellation, e-GEOS adopted Google Earth Enterprise technology to allow its customers access to COSMO-SkyMed images, including the 5M-resolution mosaic of Italy generated by e-GEOS with the support of the Italian Space Agency.

e-GEOS also uses the Google Earth Enterprise platform to optimise access to its vast library of geographic information resources, which includes high-resolution optical satellite images, aerial photographs and digital maps.

e-GEOS’ range of products for the professional market is completed by RealVista aerial images, which guarantee a high level of precision, detail and uniformity, and are updated on an ongoing basis.

“The partnership with e-GEOS represents an important step for us in providing a clear endorsement of the professional version of Google Earth technology in Italy”, said Sanjay Patel, Enterprise Geo Applications Manager EMEA at Google. “Considering the primary market target of Google Earth Enterprise products (medium-sized and large companies, and the public administration), e-GEOS was the natural choice as partner for the launch of our platform in Italy in view of the company’s wealth of expertise and illustrious track record in this field.”

The CEO of e-GEOS, Marcello Maranesi, said: “I’m extremely pleased with the synergy between Google and e-GEOS in developing geospatial solutions that will enable large companies, the public administration and, indeed, all players that manage operations and infrastructure in the country to equip themselves with a tool that enhances their geographic information resources, making such information intuitive and quick to use.”

Press release