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What
We Do
You’ve seen the images in the newspaper and on the Internet. Dramatic overhead images of Ground Zero in lower Manhattan taken by satellites orbiting the Earth. These images are more than just vivid pictures of a tragic scene. They have served as a roadmap for New York’s recovery, and a blueprint for the future.
The pictures are the result of remote sensing, the technology of generating images of the Earth from spaceborne or airborne platforms, such as satellites and planes. The same technology being used by unmanned drones to identify military targets in the mountains of Afghanistan is one part of the multi-billion-dollar
geospatial industry.
Geospatial technology is an umbrella term used to describe the disciplines of surveying, mapping, remote sensing and Geographical Information Systems (GIS), the data management systems used to process all of the information.
Today, more and more business are realizing the practical applications of
geospatial technology, a powerful technology that uses air- and space-based imagery for various projects, including precision farming, flood management and community development.
While there is a wide range of applications and products, the unifying
factor is the use of geospatial data and technologies to provide new and
useful solutions to a variety of customers including: farmers,
foresters, fishermen, city and county officials, transportation
planners, disaster management organizations, weather services, emergency
first-responders, homeland security experts, educators, airports, the
military, public health officials, and real estate developers.
Other examples of everyday solutions include:
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Law enforcement authorities are using
remote-controlled planes to conduct
information gathering and surveillance to combat drug activity. The
planes can be used to look for marijuana fields, gather video
surveillance and get to otherwise inaccessible areas. The planes can
also be used to inspect hazardous situations, disasters and aid in
searches for missing persons. The small size and low noise output of
the aircraft allows it to fly over a sight and obtain data without
being detected. (Air-O-Space International)
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First responders are mitigating
floods, fires, hazardous material spills, and airborne biochemical
agents with real-time lifesaving information. (NVision Solutions,
Radiance Technologies)
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Communities are training how to use
critical geographic information in preparation and implementation of
homeland security planning. (DigitalQuest)
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The military is detecting targets
better. (Planning Systems Incorporated)
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Corporations are tracking assets such
as shipping containers and monitoring environmental data such as
pipeline temperature and pressure. (AeroTec)
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Engineers lay out roads in hours
rather than days. (Waggoner Engineering, MapSAT)
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Farmers farm by the foot not by the
acre. (InTime, GPS, Mid-South Ag Data, AIM, EMC, MSU Extension
Service)
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Ships sailing anywhere in the world
access up-to-the-minute weather information with pinpoint accuracy.
(World Winds, 3001)
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Foresters are more effectively
managing clear cutting, thinning and weather damage. (Forest One)
Though there is a variety in size, scope and products, ultimately what
ties these companies together is the goal of working to research,
develop, and market new geospatial technology products from a
Mississippi operation.
While it is important not to overlook the establishment of these diverse
companies in Mississippi, what is really exciting is that they are
starting to operate as a traditional cluster might. Partnerships abound,
particularly in the Stennis group, which routinely proposes for large
nationally based projects and programs as a group. They are active in
joint marketing and development projects and are active at all levels of
government. The structure of the industry cluster provides these unique
partnering opportunities among the members. Companies with complimentary
products team to respond to customer needs in new and innovative ways by
working together to fill gaps in each other's business schemes and
capabilities.
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Robin
Buchannon
EIGS Director
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