In a World of Imaging: EIGS Unveils a New Image
We can all agree that the geospatial technology industry is dynamic and ever-changing which is why EIGS continually evaluates program goals and faces the challenge head-on of keeping up with the demands and growth of this industry. The inevitable fact is that the geospatial technology revolution will continue at a rapid pace requiring adjustments across the domains of research, education, and government.
One example of the evolution of EIGS is the transition of the program. In 1997 the Mississippi Space Commerce Initiative was formed to encourage the growth of a remote sensing cluster in Mississippi. After successfully achieving that goal, the needs of the cluster had changed and become more apparent. This resulted in the evolution of the program into the Enterprise for Innovative Geospatial Solutions.
These changes have required EIGS to adapt its messaging and outreach for a broader audience, while maintaining a healthy balance of communication with savvy industry insiders as well as business laymen. Thanks to the advent of technology, people and businesses across the globe are now learning that geospatial technology can be used to help them solve problems quicker and more efficiently. To more effectively address this global marketplace, EIGS has spent tireless hours dedicated to refining the function and design of both the website and its electronic newsletter.
Website
Research has shown that people form an opinion of a website within the first three seconds of looking at it. Therefore, after careful evaluation, the redesign of the EIGS website has resulted in a website that is more visually appealing including images demonstrating a variety of disciplines and uses of the technology; the EIGS companies are featured more predominantly; important content is now easier for the reader to find quickly find; and the overall design and feel of the website is more in line with a high technology initiative.
The updated content includes:
- Quick streaming video about EIGS
- Promotional ads about geospatial technology
- In-depth information about the ever-growing applications of geospatial technology for everyday business
- Geospatial events around the state and nation
- Geospatial news including news about EIGS companies
- Archived issues of The Sensor
- An electronic version of The Geospatial Guide
- An Employment Marketplace with job openings as well as resumes of those seeking employment in the industry
- Information on how to become a member of EIGS;
- List of resources including podcasts and blogs related to the geospatial industry.
Newsletter
The newsletter has been redesigned to reflect the updated EIGS website. The style of the newsletter has been changed to provide the reader with a choice of reading limited material or full content of the stories. It also has new interactive features including a monthly poll that allows readers to weigh in with their opinions. Additionally, the redesign of the newsletter will increase traffic to the EIGS website which serves to benefit our member companies.
As technologies continue to develop and evolve, EIGS will make every effort to grow with the times. We hope you enjoy the website and newsletter redesigns and find them useful and informative.
In last month's Sensor, we asked you if the geospatial technology sector stood to benefit or lose from today's economic climate. Here's what you had to say -
While the majority of our readers think the recession may negatively impact the geospatial industry, there are number of industry leaders who remain a bit more optimistic as we featured in EIGS Perspective, February 2009. Of course, it will be difficult to gauge the overall impact of the economic downturn on geospatial technology since it is such a diverse industry, but we here at EIGS continue to seek out unique opportunities for our members even as we face new obstacles posed by the struggling economy.
Did you know five million dollars in grants and cooperative agreements are being awarded this year for earthquake research? "These grants underscore once again the importance to our nation of the earth science work accomplished by the USGS," Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar said. "Earthquakes are one of the most costly natural hazards faced by the nation, posing a risk to 75 million Americans in 39 states."
[Visit the website]
New GIS Manual Published by ASPRS
The Manual of Geographic Information Systems is the latest addition to the rich collection of ASPRS manuals. Until now; however, there has never been a manual devoted to geographic information systems (GIS). This volume is designed to be a comprehensive resource on GIS for students, researchers and practioners who are interested in.
[Visit the website]
The Debate Continues over Guantanamo Bay
A satellite image of Guantanamo
SOURCE: GeoEye/AP
President Barack Obama recently sought to quell a domestic backlash against his efforts to close the internationally condemned U.S. prison at Guantanamo Bay
[Visit the website]
2009 Hurricane Season Predictions
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration has released its predictions about the 2009 hurricane season. The weather may be nice right now, but the hurricane season officially began June 1.
Forecasters predict this year will be a near normal Atlantic hurricane season. They say they expect nine to 14 named hurricanes with one to three of those being major hurricanes of Category 3, 4 or 5 strength.
A conference was also held that emphasized having people able to help themselves and their neighbors.
Gary Locke, the U.S. Secretary of Commerce, says, "Hurricanes will make landfall in the United States. Hurricanes will destroy homes. People need to heed the preparedness message and be ready to act."
[Visit the website]
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." Whittle knows what he's talking about. He's in charge of finding successful business locations for food franchises that FOCUS Brands owns and manages.
[Visit the website]
Major League Baseball awarded geolocation patent
Major League Baseball has won a patent for technology that blocked certain fans from viewing local games online, and it may open the door for the U.S. sports league to profit by licensing it to media companies.
Baseball's advanced media business was awarded a U.S. patent last month for online geolocation technology, a system that uses
[Visit the website]
USGIF Supports Geospatial Documentary with $50,000 Donation
The United States Geospatial Intelligence Foundation announced today its official endorsement and leadership support for the development of Penn State Public Broadcasting's Geospatial Revolution Project, an integrated public media and outreach initiative, about the world of digital mapping and how it's affecting our world.
[Visit the website]
H.R. 2489, The AmericaView Geospatial Imagery Mapping Program Act
H.R. 2489 would authorize a comprehensive national cooperative geospatial imagery mapping program through the United States Geological Survey, to promote use of the program for education, workforce training and development, and applied research, and to support Federal, State, tribal, and local government programs.
[Visit the website]
ASPRS Past President Kass Green Keynoting ESRI Remote Sensing and GIS 2009
Kass Green, Past President of the American Society for Photogrammetry and Remote Sensing, will keynote ESRI's Remote Sensing and GIS 2009 to be held Sunday, July 12, in conjunction with the ESRI International User Conference (ESRI UC) at the San Diego Convention Center in San Diego, California.
[READ MORE]
Notwithstanding fears of economic downturn, many industry leaders are actually quite optimistic about the health and growth of geospatial industry. Here's what one industry insider had to say:
"Geospatial information and technologies help organizations save money and increase productivity, so, despite the world economic slowdown, we have reason to be optimistic."
Mark Reichardt, President and Chief Executive Officer of the Open Geospatial Consortium, Inc. (OGC)
Make U.S. Export Controls Work for You!
JOIN US:
Wednesday June 10, 2009
John C. Stennis Space Center
Rouchon House
8:30 am - 2:30 pm
REGISTRATION
SPACE IS LIMITED!
$30 Fee includes morning coffee, lunch and conference materials.
The registration deadline is June 8, 2008, 5:00 p.m. CST.
For secure, online credit card registration, click here to register!
For more information, please contact
Jessica Gordon (Jessica.Gordon@mail.doc.gov) at 601-965-4133 or
Chris (Harvey) Narcisse (cmh@olemiss.edu) at 228-688-3061.
GLOBAL PERSPECTIVES
Canadian Air Force to Map Afghanistan
GIS Development
The Canadian air force will digitally map southern Afghanistan and especially the province of Kandahar for NATO (North Atlantic Treaty Organization) and Afghan pilots and ground troops fighting the Taliban and al-Qaida.
[Visit the website]
Bison turn back the clock on a patch of prairie
Globe and Mail - Canada
Remote sensing is being used to assess grazing. Radio collars are tracking where the bison spend their time. The herd is still too small to be considered
[Visit the website]
Canadian Space Agency milestones
Global - Toronto,ON,Canada
1995: A remote sensing satellite developed by Canada and the US is launched. Using advanced microwave technology, the satellite can penetrate fog,
[Visit the website]
Egypt: 'Egypt and Nigeria Have Much to Learn From Each Other '
AllAfrica.com - Washington,USA
It's for remote sensing. We have cameras that can be loaded on aeroplanes and some on the ground. The idea is to look at the demographic changes of your ...
[Visit the website]
