As our Director of Product Development, Jeremy is responsible for ensuring that the solutions we develop as a company are aligned with industry trends allowing our clients to fully benefit from the power of GIS technology. Jeremy’s background in computer science gives him a thorough understanding of the vast capabilities of GIS technology. This technical knowledge on the different ways to deliver GIS solutions, coupled with his business knowledge of state and local government, puts Jeremy in a perfect position to (1) identify opportunities where public sector agencies can benefit from the technology and (2) deliver solutions that capitalize on these opportunities.
Jeremy worked in the public sector for seven years with the State of Tennessee where he was thoroughly involved in the Tennessee Base Mapping Program. One of the first mapping programs in the state, it initiated a multi-million dollar statewide GIS data foundation. Once created, the focus shifted to maximizing the return on the investment by ensuring that the data was maintained moving forward and effectively distributed to stakeholders in both the public and private sectors. Jeremy played an important role in developing maintenance tools and establishing state/local government partnerships that now make up a very impressive parcel data maintenance program. Jeremy played a lead role in being on the cutting edge of implementing Esri geodatabase replication technology to facilitate parcel data sharing between government stakeholders at the state and local level. These efforts have resulted in a statewide parcel geodatabase that is updated on a nightly basis from 50+ distributed geodatabases across the state. This ultimately ensured that stakeholders at the state and federal level are able to, with confidence; leverage the parcel data for decision making purposes. In addition to parcel data activities, Jeremy was involved in developing GIS solutions for local election administration and redistricting.
Jeremy finished his career with the State of Tennessee as the Assistant Director of the Office of Local Government. In this position, Jeremy was responsible for overseeing a variety of GIS services provided to local government agencies across the state. In his final two years, Jeremy played an important role in the establishment of the Geospatial Learning initiative. This initiative focuses on the use of GIS technology in classrooms to help students learn. This initiative has tremendous potential with both short and long term benefits for tomorrow’s workforce
So... Do you climb it?
Jeremy is a graduate of Western Kentucky University (WKU) in Bowling Green,KY. As a Hilltopper (whatever that’s supposed to be), Jeremy received a BS in Computer Science with a minor in Geography/GIS. He also played soccer for the division one men’s soccer program at WKU and still enjoys playing from time to time.
On July 5th and 6th 2011, Vice President of GEO-Jobe GIS consulting, Richard Duncan, was asked to attend a meeting in Vienna, Austria by the United Nations (http://www.un-spider.org/crowdsource-mapping). Not only was he honored to be asked but he was looking forward to meeting GIS Professionals on an International Level and learning from Emergency Management Professionals and Crowdsource Experts with the goal of making a global impact.
The meeting summarized by Richard Duncan:
The first day consisted of a series of introductory presentations on UN-SPIDER (http://www.un-spider.org/), the Secure World Foundation (http://swfound.org/) who also financed the meeting, the Haiti Disaster (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Haiti_earthquake_2010) from a GIS Data and Crowdsource contribution perspective and short discussions on several other world disasters. The speakers that really caught my attention (all the speakers were good but these were exceptional) were Agnieszka Lukaszczyk (Secure World Foundation) and John Crowley (Harvard).
Agnieszka Lukaszczyk presented on the Secure World Foundation and its role within the Space Based Community (comprised of any information that is gathered from Satellites/GPS/etc as well as the GIS Community, Satellite Community, etc). Their mission is as follows:
“SWF works with governments, industry, international organizations and civil society to develop and promote ideas and actions for international collaboration that achieve the secure, sustainable, and peaceful uses of outer space.” They are an organization that is privately funded and is dedicated to increasing the knowledge about the space environment and the need to maintain it, promoting international cooperation and dialog, and helping all space actors realize the benefits that space can provide. They engage with the space and other relevant communities to support steps that encourage the long term sustainability of outer space and the effective use of space to benefit humanity. It works through three primary methods:
- Informing – The Foundation generates research and analysis for decision-makers to promote the creation of sound policy and raise awareness of key issues that may threaten the security, sustainability and utility of outer space.
- Facilitating – The Foundation convenes timely public and private meetings with stakeholders on key issues to encourage discussion and constructive dialogue for the next steps in support of its mission.
- Promoting – When viable solutions or next steps become apparent, the Foundation formulates and disseminates policy positions that are aligned with its vision and mission in order to move them from idea to implementation.
John Crowley presented on the utilization of Open Street Map (http://www.openstreetmap.org/) during the Haiti disaster. Base data was not available in the area and had to be built. One of the resources they used was Satellite Imagery provided by Google, the US Airforce and various other sources. The Images were then used to digitize planimetric data. Crowdsource (Or Volunteer Geographic) information was used to populate attributes such as street names, refugee camps, disaster areas, etc. Once the base data was collected they printed maps that had QR Codes on them that were used for tracking the map as it physically moved through the region geographically and for documenting the redlines that were put on the printed map. The final redlined map would then be re-scanned and georectified at which time the redlines were converted into vector data. Also during the scanning process, the QR code would document its final end point on its geographic journey.
The second day consisted of 2 more break out sessions that focused more on the actual issues related to creating a better template for future response to Emergency Situations, how to better utilize Crowdsourced data, better desiminate GIS Data during a disaster, how to quickly analyse the data, how to quickly and effectively initiate Space Based Agencies (USGS, etc) help, etc.
There will be a report generated and given to the Secretary General of the United Nations which will be considered by the Scientific and Technical Subcommittee of the Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space (STSC/COPUOS) when it meets in early 2012. The second expert meeting is currently scheduled to be held in Geneva on November, 16 2011 together with the next International Conference on Crisis Mapping (ICCM 2011). (Please see http://www.un-spider.org/about/updates/ june-2010 For more details)
Utilities – Public Works June 15-June 27 Local Government – Engineers
Utilities, Public Works, Local Government and Engineers are invited to this FREE 1/2 Day Seminar where attendees will be educated on the industries latest GIS/GPS hardware and software!
Spatially Link your office to your field crew with the Spatial Links family of products and services. Take advantage of the GEO-Jobe GIS designed and configured Work Order Management Solution, utilize the Spatial Links Field Inspection Solution or design a field-to-office/office-to-field solution best suited for your entities Spatial Links needs.
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.
REGISTER HERE FOR THE FREE SEMINAR IN JOHNSON CITY
REGISTER HERE FOR THE FREE SEMINAR IN KNOXVILLE
REGISTER HERE FOR THE FREE SEMINAR IN CHATTANOOGA
REGISTER HERE FOR THE FREE SEMINAR IN NASHVILLE
In recent years, GPS technology has become increasingly widespread within our society for both professional and personal uses. With so many people relying on its functions on a daily basis, I am often surprised at how many of us are only vaguely aware of what is actually going on behind the scenes. A Global Positioning System is, after all, made up of more than just the receiver in your hand or on your windshield. A system by definition is made up of several parts. Since the GPS receivers usually get most of the attention, let’s focus on the other parts of the system.
The Navigation Satellite Timing and Ranging Global Positioning System (NAVSTAR GPS) or GPS for short is owned, operated, and maintained by the US Air Force. It is made available to civilians free of charge unlike some other technologies such as cellular phones or the internet. Developed by the US Department of Defense in the early 1970s, it was officially launched in 1994. Although GPS is a US-based Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS), other parts of the world such as Russia, China, and the European Union are scheduled to have similar, fully-functioning systems with complete global coverage in place within the next ten to fifteen years.
The system is made up of three essential parts: 1) the satellites orbiting the earth 2) the control/monitoring stations on the ground 3) the GPS receiver
The solar-powered satellites, which are about 11,000 miles above the earth’s surface, orbit it on a fixed path, and are equipped with atomic clocks that can measure time in nanoseconds of accuracy. The system consists of over thirty satellites in order to provide coverage of the entire planet. A series of monitoring stations on the ground keeps track of and updates the location, orbit paths, and health of the satellites, making adjustments as needed.
As the satellites orbit the Earth, they constantly broadcast radio waves for the receiver to pick up. This is where the accurate clock comes into play. When the receiver locks on to the signal, it uses the time differential between when the signal was sent and when it was received to determine how far the signal travelled, and thus how far away the satellite is. Using the known location of at least four satellites, the receiver then runs a geometric algorithm that calculates its location through the process of trilateration. Each individual satellite provides a radius or sphere of possibilities as to the location of the receiver. The area where these spheres overlap is the most likely location. As more satellites (spheres) are added, the overlap area becomes smaller until a fairly precise location is determined. And of course all this is done in real-time, while the satellites and, usually, receivers are in motion.
Example of Trilateration with C being the location.
In reality none of this GPS theory ever works perfectly in the real world due to different sources of signal interference or receiver quality. It is, however, becoming much easier to achieve much higher standards of data accuracy for mapping purposes. As a navigation aid, relatively cheap GPS receivers are more than accurate enough to guide your vehicle. As this technology becomes even more user-friendly, we will surely see more uses for it in our everyday lives. But be sure and mention the other components of the SYSTEM the next time someone asks if you have a “GPS” in your car.
For more information about all things GPS:
In an FAA conference in 2010, I sat in a GIS presentation that left many Airport Directors/Managers baffled. The FAA personnel posed a few questions to the audience asking us to raise our hand if we didn’t think we initially needed the internet to run our enterprise. Everyone’s hand went up in the air. The FAA then asked, “How about email?” Again everyone’s hand went up in the air. “Now, whose airport can survive today without it?” Not one hand was raised. The FAA then boldly stated, “Your GIS will become the daily resource for your airport.”
I personally see it as the backbone of the Airport. After writing the GIS Assessment Plan for Baton Rouge International Airport alongside the founders of GEO-Jobe, I realized how necessary it is for an airport to utilize a GIS. Many Airport departments are independent from one another and do not communicate with one another through one system. Data, reports, and analysis are not only extremely slow to process but are either printed and hand delivered or saved and emailed amongst Airport Staff. After studying many of the major airport departments prior to their GIS implementation, I found that most airports do not manage their space well and are losing revenue because of it. With spatial data management tools, they gain many advantages including cost and time saving solutions, the ability to know how the entire airport system connects and operates, and even increased revenue growth. A full fledged GIS paired with an Airport Director/Department Managers that are well educated with their GIS will give you an airport that can produce more deliverables per second. For instance, in a recent meeting with one of our Airport clients, they had spent the last two weeks to measure something as simple as a small area of airport owned property. In the meeting they asked us how long it would take their new GIS we developed (and were presenting to them) to measure the same area. Using an area measuring tool, the same property was measured accurately in under 15 seconds.
What will foster efficiency? To eliminate the barriers between the departments and an Airport’s GIS, all department users must be deeply rooted in ongoing discussions with their GIS division (wholly owned department or Consultants) to provide feedback on tools that need to be developed and updated. In order to do this, all users will need to have a knowledge and understanding of the tools that were developed for their departments use. I’ll refer back to my previous example. Let’s say the planning department knew that the GIS could measure an area of Airport property but didn’t know how to do it themselves. Instead of the Planning Departments VP using the tools built for him to make a decision, he calls/emails the GIS department, they place it on their to-do-list, and return with an answer later in the day (or next day). In the time it took the Planning Departments VP to communicate to the GIS department that he needs an area measured he could have already measured it himself, found the answer, and made an informal decision.
Airport GIS Departments and Consultants should be used to provide additional support (not basic support) to the rest of the Airport staff. They should be used to provide answers to complex decisions and to build applications, not provide information already available through simple tools. This is why it is important for Airport Directors and Department Managers to be well-versed in their GIS. An Airport Director will have more control of the Airport when he or she can visually see it operating in real-time through a GIS. Many large Airports will (or already) have an entire GIS department in place while Mid-Sized to Small Airports should consider hiring GIS Consultants to best manage their system. The question is, will future Airport Directors and Department Managers need a GIS background? Not necassarily. However, they will need to understand what questions their GIS can answer and this understanding is best learned through training/experience with a GIS and their knowledge of it’s usefulness.
Ever thought about the best way to map your system for GIS? What solution might get me where I need to go? Maybe you are wondering “What does my Engineer need when he asks me for your GIS data? These are questions that are often asked by GIS professionals. Before I answers these question, lets talk a bit about the difference between Civilian, Survey and Mapping Grade GPS.
Civilian Grade GPS:
Often times people will confuse Civilian grade GPS with Mapping Grade GPS. Here is my definition of Civilian Grade; any GPS unit with an accuracy above 20ft. These types of receivers can be Cell Phone GPS units, Garman units, Tom Tom’s, in car GPS units, etc. These receivers tend to be able to lock onto a signal under trees and in vehicles. They are usually used to find your way to and from a geographic location such as geocaching, navigation, turn by turn directions, etc. “Do these units have a place in the GIS Industry” you may ask. The answer is absolutely! We use them in our Work Order Management Solution Spatial Links to navigate to a work order. They can be used to map certain GIS Features that do not require high accuracy such as the location of a house for a marketing survey or for storm weather tracking but they would not be best utilized to map a driveway entrance of a home for 911 or to map a valve for a utility.
Mapping Grade GPS:
In the last few years the definition of Mapping Grade GPS has changed significantly. It used to simply mean a GPS unit capable of creating a point in space at 1 meter (3.3 feet) or so. Now, the accuracy of Mapping Grade units range from 10 Centimeters (4 inches) to 1 meter (3.3 feet). In addition it is quickly becoming the norm for Mapping Grade Receivers to have cell phone technology and high res cameras such as the Trimble GeoXH 6000 handheld. They also should facilitate ease of use regarding capturing data, recording information about that data (attributes) and getting that accurate robust data back into the GIS/CAD system quickly and easily.
Survey Grade Receivers:
There is no confusion as to what a Survey Grade Receiver is. This type of unit is accurate below 1 centimeter (0.4 inches). My definition is if you need to map an ants butt then you need survey grade. These types of units are used to depict ownership of property and trust me people want every inch of property they can get. In order for a surveyor to be able to put his stamp on a plat or drawing he has to know what he surveyed is correct. The other uses for this type of equipment are shooting inverts of Sewer/Stormwater pipes, High Accuracy GIS, ground control for aerial surveys and Accident Mapping for Police Departments among others.
So to answer the questions:
What is the best way to map your system for GIS? > Mapping Grade
What solution might get me where I need to go? > Civilian Grade
What does my Engineer need when he asks me for your GIS data? > Survey Grade
We have recently added the first of what will be many, videos to the new YouTube channel. Our very first video, submitted by yours truly, shows how to set up the Units and Coordinate Systems within Trimble’s Pathfinder Office software.
Be sure to check the site often, as we will be adding more how-to videos in the coming weeks and months. These videos will cover a variety of GIS and GPS related topics.
Here’s the video:
Wouldn’t it be convenient to have access to all of your organization’s documents through one, spatially-organized application? Imagine utility companies accessing customer records not only by typing addresses into a filing system, but also by selecting properties on a map. Or what if construction companies could look up project records by the location of the project site? Thanks to docSTAR’s new MapConnect 2.0, it is now easier than ever to integrate document management with ArcGIS maps and services.
For those of you not familiar with docSTAR, it is a document management software package. DocSTAR does many things, but for our purposes all you need to know is that it stores and organizes documents based on the user’s needs, which later allows for the easy search and retrieval of those same documents. This is, after all, what docSTAR stands for, DOCument STorage And Retrieval, an acronym that also highlights the many similarities between document management professionals and rock stars.
When documents are scanned or imported into docSTAR, the user has the option of running customizable templates that can both prompt for and automatically collect information about those documents. This metadata is then stored along with the documents where it makes future retrieval much easier. These customizable metadata fields associated with each document are also what make it possible to later link them to a location on a map. Creating a custom field called Geostatus that is automatically populated with the letter “U” (standing for Unlinked) when a document is imported makes each document recognizable by MapLink, the MapConnect 2.0 interface that actually links them to your map file. Upon opening MapLink (shown below), all unlinked documents will appear in a queue displaying relevant information about each one. They can then be selected and linked to either a map feature or a general area defined by drawing a rectangle.
Unlinked Documents in MapLink
Linking a Document to a Map Feature
Once this is completed, new custom fields are created in the document’s metadata, giving it a new, spatial component. This new data will either be a GIS feature ID number or X,Y coordinate extents depending on the type of link that was executed.
You’re now ready to retrieve your location-based documents, a task also made easy by MapConnect 2.0. For those of you who are familiar with ArcGIS Desktop and use it on a regular basis, ESRI supports a MapConnect Toolbar Extension that allows you to search for documents by selecting features or defining areas within your MXD. The relevant documents then appear in a side bar next to your map. The same functionality is also available with web-based map applications, allowing organizations that do not regularly use ArcGIS Desktop to still store, display, and retrieve their documents in a spatial manner.
Available Documents Sorted by Category
When retrieved, the documents associated with particular features or areas are organized and displayed by categories that are applied when the document is imported into docSTAR. Common category names would include Reports, Invoices, Contracts, etc, but the possibilities are endless based on the specific needs of the user.
Now that you have selected the right feature, looked in the right category, and finally found that proposal that used to be lost in a random folder on a network drive somewhere, it’s time to actually open it up and look at it. This is accomplished using docSTAR’s Webview application, which allows documents to be displayed in a web browser once a user logs in to the service. In addition to displaying the document in its entirety, Webview also allows many of the same functions as the fuller, desktop client version of docSTAR such as sending a link to the document, or downloading and saving it on your local computer.
MapConnect 2.0 is an incredibly user-friendly way to incorporate geographic relationships into the storage and retrieval of documents. It also allows for document management to become an important part of GIS. With a steady increase in both geospatial technology and digital documents on the horizon, this relationship should prove to be a lasting one.
It wasn’t just us. Our clients were asking about the next generation too… As I was writing a quote for a 2008 GeoXH now apart of the GeoExplorer 3000 Series, I got the news. “Time to update and revamp the quote…again!” The 6000 series is a wonderful upgrade to the older handhelds that have become the staple mapping and GIS handheld product for Trimble.
Should you upgrade? The handheld includes a dual-frequency GPS and GLONASS receiver and antenna giving you even better real-time accuracy (GeoXH – 10 cm / 4 inches). It has a 3.5G data modem and an extra GB of storage space (compared to the 3000 series) for those of you that just can’t let things go. It also runs on Windows Mobile 6.5. It has a larger touch screen and sunlight optimized display for you old folks and a 5 megapixel built in camera *with geotagging* for you hipsters. Photo capture and linking of images to GIS features has never been so seamless and simple.
The Floodlight satellite shadow reduction can compute positions even with very weak satellite signals. The software increases the number of positions that are gathered in difficult locations, and boosts accruacy in those places where normally only low accuracy data is available.
Overall, this is a great upgrade and offers you better accuracy, performance, A CAMERA!, larger screen, less disruptions. Trimble nailed it!
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