I started Monday at 8:30 a.m. with the “Getting Started with the ArcGIS Web Mapping APIs Session” by Presenters Jeremy Bartley, Kelly Hutchins, and Sterling Quinn.  I’m telling you…lot’s of cool stuff in the new APIs for JavaScript, Flex, and Silverlight. The Version 2.0 Beta was released Sunday, so I am pretty excited about that and the new editing widgets that are avaialable in all three api’s.

Over the past few days I attended sessions back to back, including: “Using and Extending the ArcGIS WebMap for Flex”, “Working with the ArcGIS API for Flex”, “Distributed Geodatabase Development”, “Working with the ArcGIS API for JavaScript” and several user presentations on Javascript and Flex work.  All that flexing can wear you out!  But it is Palm Springs!

Of course, the most exciting news to some of you will be the new Iphone Application Development API.  There is also a rumor of an Android Development API, which was the subject of many questions during the mobile technology question sessions. Everybody seems to be hot to jump on the Android bandwagon.

I also spent a lot of time with several of the ESRI development team leads whom helped me with answering several questions and providing
issue solutions.

Well that was a brief flash of the summit.  I am incredibly pumped about getting the pre release and implementing all the new stuff as soon as I get back to work!

Blog at you all again soon!
Rodney

Oh to leave with a list of a few of the new things for ArcGIS Desktop here is a list straight from Jack Dangermon’s slide!

• An ArcCatalog window built into ArcMap for quick data access
• Easier and faster ways to find and use symbols and tools
• Auto hide and dockable windows (e.g., table of contents) so your focus remains on the map
• Ability to execute geoprocessing in the background, allowing you to continue to interact with your map
• Integration of a new window in ArcMap to simplify project management and collaboration
• New Query layers that allow you to access all data (including spatial data) stored in relational databases via standard SQL
• Creation and management of time-based data
• Can display and animate temporal datasets
• Python window console within ArcMap
• Being able to automate everything with Python
• Desktop add-ins template

Trimble recently announced the new software releases of TerraSync, GPScorrect (w/ArcPad), Pathfinder Office, and GPS Analyst increase your accuracy regardless of the model year of your Trimble unit (Geo3 and forward).

GeoXH, ProXH, ProXRT receivers: these receivers will now be 10cm (4 inch) more often and in more places. It will now be easier to achieve 10cm in canopy, you can achieve it faster (eg: if it took 60-90 seconds before, it will now be 20 seconds), and with longer baselines. A rover unit could not be 200km from a dual-freq base and still achieve 10cm. The ProXRT can now post-process GLONASS as well.

GeoXT, ProXT: this product, when using these new versions of TerraSync has been re-spec’d to 50cm (20 inch) rather than just “sub-meter”. Results will now be smoother as well.

Juno: this receiver has also been re-classified to a 1-3m receiver from a 3-5m receiver. The increased post-processing ability will take this Sirf receiver reliably to 1-3m, and in practical terms closer to 1m. Increased yield and smoother accuracy in canopy are a big benefit for the Juno. Note that this applies to the Juno SB, SC, and ST.

We will host this webinar twice, please register for the date and time that best fits your schedule below.

Date: Thursday, February 11, 2010
Time: 3:00 pm
Register here - Click Here

Date: Monday, February 22, 2010
Time: 3:00 pm
Register here – Click here

GEO-Jobe GIS is the Authorized Sole Source Trimble Dealer for Mapping & GIS Solutions in Tennessee and is the only vendor in the State authorized to handle Trimble Sales, Training, Service, Support and Rentals. GEO-Jobe GIS is also an Authorized ESRI Business Partner, Consultant, Reseller, Developer, and offers Authorized ESRI Training throughout the State. In addition, GEO-Jobe GIS is the Authorized Reseller for LaserTech Laser Offset devices and LizardTech MrSID technology.

The Trimble Seminars will be held in Johnson City, Knoxville, Chattanooga, Nashville, Jackson, and Memphis. We will be giving away a free 1GB iPod Shuffle to one lucky attendee at each of our seminars.

Each half-day seminar will include the following:

• GPS Theory Basics
  • What is GPS
  • Real Time vs. Post Processing
  • Learn about GLONASS (Russian), Galileo (European), and other satellite constellations
• Trimble Product Reviews
  • GeoExplorer 2008 Series (GeoXM, GeoXT, GeoXH)
  • Pathfinder Series (ProXT, ProXH, ProXRT)
  • Nomad
  • Juno ST/SB/SC
  • NetR5 Reference Station
  • Centimeter Level Trimble GPS (Trimble R8GNSS)
  • Hurricane & Zephyr Antenna’s for better Accuracy and use in tree canopy
• H-Star Technology Overview
• Real-Time Mapping – Do YOU want a High-Accuracy Real-Time Mapping Solution? – Come see it in action!! Requires no post processing for decimeter-level (4″) accuracy.
• Laser Offset Technology – For collecting assets in low satellite signal areas such as when you are close to buildings or under heavy tree canopy. If you can see it, you can capture it.
• Digital Photography – Our inventory is stocked with BRAND NEW 8 megapixel cameras with WiFi capabilities. These cameras allow you to capture high resolution imagery for assets in the field and then automatically transfer the image to the GeoXH/XT handheld maintaining a permanent link to the asset. As the data is exported out to the ArcGIS environment, the picture and link are automatically maintained and available for viewing back in the office.
• GIS/GPS Field to Finish Solution – Now you can get more done in less time with this turnkey package by GEO-Jobe GIS. Featuring out of the box solutions for Water, Gas, Electric, Stormwater, Wasterwater, Telecom, and more. We bring the complex down to a manageable workflow. With training added in, you’ll be up and running in no time.
• Mobile Editing - With so many handhelds and PDA devices now in the field, updating data in real time is not just possible, it’s now readily available. Access your data out in the field on the PDA and perform edits and updates which allows synchronizing back to the office as often as you see fit.
• In-Vehicle Mapping - GEO-Jobe GIS is a reseller of Panasonic Toughbooks and has already outfitted several utilities with In-Vehicle Mapping Systems. The latest Toughbooks come with internal GPS and broadband cards which provides flexibility for automated locating and updating in the field. This means workorders, for example, can be transmitted to and from vehicles from the office. Plus, add Automatic Vehicle Location (AVL) technology and your fleet will be more efficient at responding to incidents when they occur.
• Fleet Equipment Management – GEO-Jobe GIS provides complete packages for your crews. From Toughbooks loaded with ESRI ArcGIS and ArcPad to Trimble GPS hardware and software packages, let us help you standardize your fleet so all of your employees are outfitted with the same equipment, fully setup and configured at GEO-Jobe, and delivered ready to go.
• Training – Do you need GIS or GPS Training?  GEO-Jobe offers a wide range of standard and customized Training Programs
  • ArcPad, GPScorrect & GPS Analyst
  • TerraSync & Pathfinder Office
  • Custom onsite Training
  • ArcGIS Desktop I
  • ArcGIS Desktop II (formerly Intro to ArcGIS I)
  • ArcGIS Desktop III (formerly Intro to ArcGIS II)

The exhibit area opened up this morning and it is amazing. There are hundreds of exhibitors here: Google, BAE, USGS, Trimble, Topcon, HP, ITT… (full list here) I’ll get some more pictures today!

For the first time ever, ESRI demonstrated a preview of ArcGIS 9.4! The user interface looks like it may borrow some styling and functional cues from Bentley’s WaterCAD with dockable and pinable windows (the TOC for example). The editing interface looks like it will be greatly improved, removing the “target layer” and introducing a type of “legend” of features to pick from which determines the features you are creating or modifying. The tag line for that demonstration ended up being, “editing is as easy as drawing on a map”.

The final speaker for the plenary session was Dr. Peter Raven of the Missouri Botanical Gardens on Biodiversity – The Foundation of Life. His talk was very moving, encouraging each GIS user to imagine the world as they would like it to be and strive in daily life to make the world as close to that dream as possible. Dr. Raven congratulated ESRI on its efforts to promote GIS in early education. While he never mentioned this phrase, it resonated with me throughout the entire speech, “Think globally, act locally.”

Finally, the Map Gallery… Hundreds of submissions this year for public display.

The White Paper provides insights into the following areas:

• The function and makeup of the ESRI ELA team (called the Agency Central Support or ACS) that works with an end user agency
• Initial software shipments and the requirements gathering to ensure the correct software is made available (for example floating or concurrent licensing).
• Organizing mass installations
• Technical Support

You can find the document HERE.

Check out our new poll on this topic on the left.

This offer is available to customers who have entered into or are purchasing an ESRI® Small Municipal and County Government Enterprise License Agreement.

Add-on prices per population tier:

(these prices will be added to the standard prices of the Small Gov’t ELA program)

• > 25,000 = $500
• 25,000-50,000 = $750
• 50,000 – 100,000 = $1,000

This pricing includes technical support, upgrades, and 2 boxes of media.

Contact GEO-Jobe for more info or for Custom ArcPad training. 615-883-0085.

• Fundamentals of GPS
  • Satellite requirements
  • Working with base stations
  • Real-time vs. Post-processing
• Overview of TerraSync
  • Importing and using a data dictionary
  • Importing background layers
  • Logging features
  • Logging attributes
  • Saving your work to transfer
• Overview of Pathfinder Office
  • Transferring data from the Trimble unit
  • Post processing data
  • Exporting to shapefile
• Working with ArcGIS
  • Loading data into the geodatabase
  • Editing loaded data
  • Analyzing data

There will be plenty of opportunity for question and answer sessions. We know that the application of Trimble and ArcGIS technology are different for each of you. Make sure you have your Trimble hardware and mapping software available so you can try some of these topics during the session.

Upon registration, you will receive login information for the training. You will need high speed internet connection and a phone for the audio part. The next course is available on June 11th. Cost is $500 per person. Register HERE or call 615-883-0085 for more info.

Trimble (NASDAQ: TRMB) today introduced a flexible Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) receiver for Geographic Information System (GIS) data collection and mapping—the GPS Pathfinder® ProXRT receiver. The receiver combines a high-performance GPS receiver with Trimble® H-Star™ technology, OmniSTAR correction capability, and optional GLONASS capability to provide various levels of positioning accuracies—from submeter to decimeter (10 centimeter) accuracy.

The ProXRT receiver is ideal for high-accuracy mapping, data collection, and asset management applications in industries such as water/wastewater, utilities, telecommunications, transportation as well as many others. In recent years, these industries have experienced the need for subfoot and decimeter level performance.

With Trimble’s patented H-Star technology, GPS Pathfinder ProXRT receiver users can relocate assets in real time so they can verify their data before they even leave the job site. Users can connect to a real time correction source and collect decimeter positions in the field by using wireless communications link and a local Trimble VRS™ network or they can set up a base station for additional flexibility.

With Bluetooth® technology, the GPS Pathfinder ProXRT receiver allows for cable-free communications to a field computer. The receiver can be connected to a variety of field computers, including the rugged Trimble Nomad™ series, Trimble Recon® handheld, or the Trimble Ranger™ handheld as well as laptops, tablet PCs, and PDAs.

The Trimble TerraSync™ software or Trimble GPScorrect™ extension for ESRI ArcPad software provides a complete solution from the field to office and back.

The GPS Pathfinder ProXRT receiver is expected to begin shipping in March 2008 from Trimble’s worldwide Mapping and GIS dealers and business partners.

As the only authorized reseller of Trimble Mapping and GIS equipment in the State of Tennessee, GEO-Jobe GIS is really excited about this new product and will begin selling this as soon as it becomes available to us. Pictures to follow as soon as they are made available.

For more information, see the news release here.

Radar Loop of last nights tornadoes.