June 2006

Welcome to The Sensor -- the newsletter of the Enterprise for Innovative Geospatial Solutions (EIGS) bringing you the latest developments from Mississippi’s emerging geospatial industry cluster. Please feel free to share this with friends and colleagues. To subscribe, visit www.eigs.olemiss.edu

For further information, or to submit story ideas, please contact Lisa Stone - lstone@olemiss.edu 

Guest Corner

For CMPDD, GIS a Method of Doing Business

By Chuck Carr, GIS Manager
Central MS Planning and Development District
ccarr@cmpdd.org

Central Mississippi Planning and Development District (CMPDD) is a sub-state regional planning organization serving the governments of seven adjacent counties in Central Mississippi: Copiah, Hinds, Madison, Rankin, Simpson, Warren and Yazoo. CMPDD is a non-profit corporation concerned with meeting the ever changing needs of its seven member counties and thirty-three municipalities. The District promotes area-wide progress through regional planning and development concepts in such areas as local planning, governmental management, economic development financing, and human resource coordination. CMPDD was created in 1968 through the voluntary actions of local governments and community leadership, in cooperation with various federal and state agencies.

Long before GIS (Geographic Information Systems) was so named, CMPDD was involved in some early experimental programs between HUD and NASA which utilized land-sat ERTS (Earth Resources Technology Satellite) remote sensing data in an effort to apply space and military technological advances in domestic use. Following this early indoctrination into remote sensing applications at the local level, CMPDD first began development of a formal GIS system in 1985 with the creation of digital base maps for local governments. While the District dedicated some initial funding to the establishment of this activity, it has largely built its GIS system on a project-by-project process. Today, however, GIS is viewed more as a method of doing business, which is constantly building additional layers in a large computerized mapping database, and rarely is the District’s GIS system thought of as an independent project. It is a method of doing business with an emphasis on changing technology, efficiency, accuracy, multiple users, and merging of digital mapping systems with attribute databases.

Currently at CMPDD, the development of its GIS continues to be a major undertaking of the District. Because CMPDD offers comprehensive planning assistance to local governments, including preparation of comprehensive plans in accordance with State law, zoning ordinances, subdivision regulations, sign ordinances, and unified development codes, the District must embrace and rely on GIS technology to meet those needs. CMPDD also prepares Economic Development Plans for municipalities and counties, and performs economic feasibility studies for local governments and private parties which also require significant GIS related data input and analysis.

As we know, a geographic information system is essentially an ongoing computer-based technology process for viewing and manipulating data that can be referenced geographically. The use of GIS technology gives CMPDD planners and outside researchers the ability to analyze and visually display a host of geographically referenced information very effectively. Powerful database management and display features of today’s GIS software packages allow geographic data to be merged into easily interpretable maps and graphics to aid in decision-making processes. At CMPDD, the major uses of GIS technology include:

  • Land use planning

  • Transportation planning

  • Redistricting

  • Pavement management

  • Demographic analysis

  • Population estimates and projections

  • Site selection radial searches

  • Economic development mapping

  • Roadway inventory

A major portion of GIS implementation at CMPDD is associated with data entry and conversion. Planners continually take to the field to collect information on existing development patterns and roadway conditions, which in turn will be entered into computer map files and attribute tables for analysis. Flood plain information is also acquired, either through recently updated digital map files or by digitizing hard copy Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) maps, which also provide valuable input data on which to base land use and transportation planning recommendations. Another valuable source of information has been that of local counties and cities which are acquiring or have implemented GIS at the local level. This sharing of local data to assist in making regional plans and decisions has resulted in improved governmental management procedures at all levels of government. As GIS use becomes more widespread, the networking of GIS users allows the District to communicate more effectively with other cities, counties, external organizations and the general public. Obviously, much of the data used in the field of GIS for planning purposes is changing constantly. Managing and documenting such dynamic data is both difficult and time consuming, but necessary. It is absolutely essential that, in order to realize the true benefit of GIS undertakings, information be maintained over time.

One of the District’s most popular data products is the Radial Demographic Profile, which utilizes geo-referenced data and can provide demographics for a given radius around a specified point. Radial Profiles are critical components of market research for business location analysis and are utilized by entrepreneurs, businesses looking to expand or locate, and economic developers looking to attract new industry and business.

Another important ongoing mapping service that the District provides involves the preparation of industrial park maps for forty-two (42) industrial parks, depicting an existing inventory of available sites and utilities. For each site, statistical data was gathered and digital maps produced which outline existing infrastructure, lot lines, and building footprints.

Hazard mitigation planning is another area that employs the use of GIS technology to accurately record the location of critical community facilities that warrant special attention to reduce a jurisdiction’s vulnerability during natural disasters. District staff has worked with each local jurisdiction to develop a community profile and complete a risk assessment of each jurisdiction which identifies specific hazards threatening the jurisdiction, characterizes the jurisdiction’s vulnerability to those hazards, and outlines an action plan of projects and/or programs that can be implemented to reduce those vulnerabilities.

GIS technology has been an integral component in developing year 2030 projections for the transportation planning process for the Jackson Urbanized Area. These forecasts were developed based upon Land Use Plans developed for each county or municipality in the projected Jackson Urbanized Area, which is that portion of the three-county metropolitan area that is expected to be urban in character by 2030. Using GIS software, District planners were able to streamline the development of projections by Traffic Analysis Zone (TAZ), which are zones drawn for transportation planning purposes using Census geography (census tracts, block groups and blocks) as a base. The projections were based upon Land Use Plans or zoning adopted by each municipality and each county in the three-county Jackson Metropolitan Area. These projections will then be used to produce 2030 traffic projections by applying a traffic simulation model to these forecasts. Based on the results of the model, traffic projections will be used as one of the criteria for prioritizing street, road, and highway improvements in the urbanized area over the next twenty-five years.

As evidenced by this sampling of projects and programs utilizing GIS capabilities, the demand for up-to-date accurate GIS information from planners, as well as public and private decision makers, is unequaled in this era of spatial technology advances. Because GIS technology can be of enormous assistance in so many different areas of local, regional and national concern, the District will continue to strive to maximize the utilization of such a valuable decision-making resource.

  

IMAGES OF THE MONTH

Top: This activity at Alaska's Cleveland Volcano was observed May 23 from the International Space Station. Image courtesy NASA.

Bottom: Mt. Merapi, in Java, Indonesia, is one of the most active volcanoes in the country. Image collected May 13 and provided courtesy DigitalGlobe.

DID YOU KNOW?

Although there is no consensus on a definition of the geospatial technology industry,
the following definition has been recommended for adoption by the Department of Labor:

The geospatial industry acquires, integrates, manages, analyzes, maps, distributes, and uses geographic, temporal and spatial information and knowledge. The industry includes basic and applied research, technology development, education, and applications to address the planning, decision-making, and operational needs of people and organizations of all types.

This finding is part of Phase I of the DOL-ETA-funded one-year project titled, “Defining and Communicating Geospatial Industry Workforce Need.” The Department of Labor has sponsored substantial initiatives, including six grants totaling nearly $6.4 million, in an effort to define the nature, industry, growth, and workforce requirements of the geospatial industry.

 

UPCOMING EVENTS

June 4-6, 2006
Southern Innovation Summit
New Orleans, LA

June 8, 2006
MARIS Task Force Meeting
Jackson, MS

June 15-16, 2006
MS-FAST SBIR/STTR Conference
Oxford, MS
RSVP to Joe Graben

LEGISLATIVE CORNER

The 2006 Regular Session of the Mississippi Legislature adjourned on Friday, March 31st.
 

SEEN AND HEARD

"Each State had a different ability to respond. Mississippi has a very robust infrastructure in its academic community. Therefore, they did not need as much assistance as other states and it enabled us (NGA) to deploy assets to less capable states."

 - Lyn Peutz,
National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency
Guest Speaker, Earth Observation Business Network meeting, referring to how NGA worked with FEMA in response to Katrina.

 

“We are currently in the midst of a geospatial labor market shortage that shows every sign of growing more acute in the coming years. The increasing use of geospatial tools and data in almost every sector of the global economy has been driven by dramatic advancements in the capabilities of our tools and in the increased availability of better spatial data. This growth has created a substantial demand for highly qualified personnel in all areas of the geospatial industry…”

- Duane F. Marble
“Who Are We? Defining the Geospatial Workforce”
Geospatial Solutions Magazine, May 2006
 

Industry Perspective: Craig Harvey, NVision Solutions

EIGS Consultant, Johnna Van recently spent a few minutes with Craig Harvey of NVision Solutions, and talked about the company and what is on the horizon for NVision Solutions.

Van: Craig, why don’t you give our readers a brief overview of NVision Solutions.

Harvey: NVision started in March of 2002. We started in a 100 square foot office and over the past 4 years have doubled in revenue each of our first 4 years to just under 2 million this year. We have won numerous international industry awards in our brief history. Our staff is young and energetic and primarily consists of young Mississippians. We provide solutions to Geographic and database problems in a variety of industries ranging from golf to corporate agriculture and from consumer software applications to enterprise GIS applications for large business. While we are primarily a GeoSpatial solutions company, we also provide database expertise and Web development. We have responded to hurricane Katrina as have many companies, and continue to serve coastal Mississippi in hopes that our efforts can ease the impact of this natural disaster in some small way. We have produced more than 100,000 hard copy maps for relief workers in Mississippi and Louisiana over the past 4 months. One of our highlights was helping to coordinate and build the Kaboom playground in Waveland Mississippi.

Van: It seems as though everywhere I look I’m reading something about NVision or a recent award you or the company have won. What is the secret to your success?

Harvey: We believe we are situated perfectly to respond to the types of problems that have unfortunately become typical in America such as homeland security, natural disasters, agriculture, environmental issues, and competitive economic business initiatives just to name a few. The reason we are “ready” is because nearly a decade ago Senator Lott, Dan Golden (NASA), and Dr. Khayat, Chancellor UM worked together with the state of Mississippi to create a Geospatial cluster in Mississippi. We are the result of a lot of people’s hard work and foresight. I feel privileged to represent Mississippi as their small business representative; I feel that as a member of the Mississippi Geospatial business cluster, my job has been easy, and exciting, if not predictable. With so many talented people in close proximity it brings out the best in all of us. I am truly excited to have been selected for this award but I know that it reflects the quality of our staff, partners, and the cluster.

Van: What is the most difficult challenge for you in building your business model?

Harvey: Like so many small businesses, not just in Mississippi, offering quality benefit programs and health insurance to our employees remains a constant challenge. Post Katrina impediments include recruiting and retention of highly qualified individuals to the Mississippi Coast. Our roots are here and we intend to stay and grow with the coast as it recovers from the impact of Katrina.

Van: Can you give our readers a few specific examples of how the technology has been used to solve problems for your clients?

Harvey: From our very first client in 2002 where we optimized and provided technology to them that enabled them to become one of the fastest growing precision ag companies in the country to this past 5 months where our work with Hancock County Mississippi has helped the county to move towards recovery at an accelerated pace we have been worked with and contributed to the success of numerous small and large businesses both in Mississippi and Nationally. We continue to produce educational software for distribution through our web site that helps students understand Geospation technology hopefully seeding the future CEOs and CIOs with regard to our technology. We also continue to produce software for the general consumer such as an application that helps catalogue digital pictures to a computer map (emulating the old stick pin on a map on the wall) and software geared towards birdwatchers and RV Campers. Our most recent success has been in emergency operations. Spending the last 5 months in the Hancock County EOC has enabled us to develop unparalleled expertise in emergency operations and we have responded by creating innovative applications to aid Hancock County in reparations and mitigation from Katrina.

Van: Can you provide a glimpse of the potential clients that could benefit from your services?

Harvey: We have been working with numerous new clients as a result of our work with Hancock County in response to Hurricane Katrina. Counties and States across the County have taken notice of our efforts in Hancock County and across the coast. We will continue to build on this expertise and expand our reach beyond the gulf coast. We are also continuing development of enterprise GIS applications for Utility Companies, as well as facility management applications for communities and large businesses.

Van: I recently saw where NVision Solutions was mentioned on MSNBC. That is pretty significant. Can you tell our readers how you captured their attention?

Harvey: Last year I committed to and attended a Canadian trade mission. Mississippi Development Authority helped coordinate the travel for me and quite frankly made it easy for me to attend. Though I did not secure a large contract through that initial foray into the international market I did meet some quality American companies that were in attendance. One of those contacts was Howard Melamed, President of Cell Antennae, a Florida company specializing in communications. So when we realized what a horrendous problem we had at the temporary Emergency Operations Center just after Hurricane Katrina, I called Howard in Florida for some advice and he volunteered some help. To make a long story short, within two days I had a cell repeater at the EOC and we had 5 bars till we relocated the EOC to its present location. Mr. Melamed didn’t ask for, or worry about a contract or being paid; he simply extended a helping hand to us all the way from Florida. He was gracious enough to mention us in their recent press release outlining the services his company provides for Emergency Management. Its funny where you meet quality people, I traveled all the way to Canada to meet a person located 7 hours down the road and through that chance meeting later provided technology that was important to many, many Hancock County residents (without their ever knowing about it).

Van: In closing, could you tell our readers what sets you apart from your competition?

Harvey: I would love to say I’m smarter, or work harder, or somehow have a better plan, but the truth of the matter is we value our partnerships with our “competitors”. I heard a term from a partner company some years ago, “compedimates”. I think that our willingness to accept either a large part or small part in a consolidated effort makes us a valuable partner to other companies. We do have high expertise, impeccable integrity, disciplined work ethic, and a honest desire to succeed. But these are all qualities of small and large businesses in Mississippi and across this country. I believe that one of the reasons we continue to be successful is our ability to quickly access market directions and market needs and move to meet those needs. One example was a 5 minute decision to move our company into the Hancock County EOC. We didn’t have to “get permission” from a board or executive committee, we simply saw a need and decided to step in to help, no bureaucracy no delay. I think that is the value that we bring to the table and its similar to what makes small businesses across the country strong in today’s changing environment. We truly thrive when facing problems that seem insurmountable or have been persistent over a period of time. Those are the problems that provide long lasting relief to our clients and long lasting satisfaction to us.


NVision Solutions, Inc. is a small, disadvantaged, minority, woman-owned firm that specializes in advanced geospatial solutions and powerful web applications. NVision, an active member of Mississippi's EIGS geospatial industry cluster, is headquartered at the NASA Stennis Space Center in south Mississippi. For more information about NVision Solutions, Inc., visit www.nvisionsolutions.com or contact Craig Harvey at charvey@nvisionsolutions.com or (228) 688-2205.

Smart GROWTH: Coastal Development Strategies Conference

Southern Mississippi on the Move… Tools for Smart Growth, Sustainable Development, Social Well-Being and Economic Recovery

Hosted by the MS Department of Marine Resources, Comprehensive Resource Management Plan (CRMP) and the Mississippi Gulf Coast Chamber of Commerce, the 7th Annual Coastal Development Strategies Conference was held in Biloxi, Mississippi, on May 2-3, 2006. This year because of the profound and widespread impact of Hurricane Katrina on the region, the conference registration was waived. Attendees included elected officials, planners, developers, bankers, public works directors, boards of supervisors, lawyers, designers, energy providers, builders, transportation officials, business owners, school teachers and citizens among others who live and work with the decisions, both public and private, that are made every day that affect South Mississippi.

This dynamic, practical and timely conference provided the decision makers of Southern Mississippi with the most successful smart growth and development tools, strategies, ideas and experiences from cities and leaders from around the nation. The keynote speaker was Joseph Riley, Jr., Mayor of the City of Charleston, South Carolina, who is widely considered one of the most visionary and highly effective governmental leaders in America who is serving an unprecedented eighth term. Through his lifetime of experience in Charleston, Mayor Riley has become a leading expert on urban design and livability issues. Some of Mayor Riley’s ideas and concepts that have contributed to the city’s success during his term are: Charleston’s tremendous decrease in serious crime; the use of public and private partnerships to leverage all the city’s resources to stimulate new development and restoration of downtown Charleston; and his recognition that the economic well being of Charleston is dependent on a diverse and expandable tax base.

Global Perspectives

Israelis Double Recon Capability With Eros B

Aviation Week & Space Technology
Israel's new Eros B spacecraft is returning excellent high-resolution imagery, enabling the Israel Defense Forces to double its overhead monitoring of Iranian and Syrian facilities along with other potential threats.

Combined with the Eros A, aloft since 2000, the new spacecraft gives Israel a much more autonomous reconnaissance satellite capability. This will provide Israeli leaders with additional information on which to base policy and military decisions. Both spacecraft were designed to provide 8-10 years of service, and the new satellite will provide about a 50% decrease in recon target revisit time. Israeli officials say that once Eros B completes testing, they will propose to the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency (NGA) that the U.S. also use it.

Geospatial technology market in India expected to touch $613 million mark by 2010

Source: GIS Development.com
India, 30 May 2006: Growth in the use of spatial technologies based on maps and satellite imageries has secured acceptance for geospatial technology in India as an effective decision-making tool. This technology is used in integrated land information systems, education sector and urban planning.

The first ever Indian geospatial industry survey report conducted by geospatial publications Geospatial Today and Spatial India, says that the market estimates for these services (domestic and export markets) is projected to be 613 million by 2010.

Maui Police Department Uses GIS for Groundbreaking E911 Dispatch System

Source: GISCafe
May 31, 2006 — Redlands, California — The Maui Police Department (MPD) now uses geographic information system (GIS) technology from ESRI for a groundbreaking E911 dispatch system that allows dispatchers to track the locations of people using a wireless phone to call in an emergency. The system can pinpoint and digitally map an emergency call location within seconds, allowing dispatchers to rapidly respond to emergencies no matter the location, whether on land or sea or in remote hiking or camping areas. The system is the first to go online for the state of Hawaii.

EIGS Welcomes 18th Partner to Geospatial Cluster

EIGS is pleased to welcome the newest partner to the statewide geospatial cluster: The Partnership for Geospatial and Information Technology Job Training and Capacity Building at the Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College. Funded through a grant by the Department of Labor, GEO-ITECH will address the regional shortage in job-ready technicians for the high growth, high demand geospatial and information technology sectors. Aligned with two Department of Labor high-growth model initiatives, the Geospatial Training and Apprentice Project (GTAP) and the National Information Technology Apprenticeship System (NITAS), the project aims to build a demand-driven workforce system and prepare a job-ready geospatial and information technology workforce.

GEO-ITECH has the primary goals of:

  • Building capacity to create a demand-driven and sustainable system to prepare incumbent, dislocated/ separated, new and entry-level geospatial and information technology workers.

  • Train a geospatial and information technology workforce.

Projected outcomes include:

  • 45 K-12 teachers will demonstrate geospatial applications and use in classroom instructions

  • 1,500 middle and high school students will participate in geospatial demonstrations

  • 14 faculty will be trained with nine faculty gaining certification

  • 80% of program graduates will attain job placements

  • 150 incumbent workers will receive customized training with 95% receiving continuing education certificates

  • 150 students will gain IT industry-recognized certification

  • 30 workers/students will receive entry level technical certifications

With the increasing need for skilled workers, GEO-ITECH will offer courses, state-of-the-art labs, and apprenticeships for students pursuing a geospatial career. The geospatial training objectives of GEO-ITECH are designed to:

  • Implement the geospatial technology and the Geospatial Training and Apprentice Project (GTAP).

  • Strengthen instructors’ skills to train students in real-world applications

  • Equip graduates with validated and profiled Geo skill sets and competencies

  • Provide soft skills as well as technical skills the industry desires.

For more information, visit www.mgccc.edu/~GEO_ITECH or contact Sean Hodges at 601-928-6305, sean.hodges@mgccc.edu. 

EIGS In the News

Classmates Propel UAV Industry through Air-O-Space
Mississippi Business Journal  May 22, 2006
“Tim Brodgon and Skip Wright grew up 20 miles apart on the Mississippi Gulf Coast and shared several engineering classes together at Mississippi State University (MSU) in the early 1980s, but it wasn’t until 2000 that the two connected and ignited unprecedented growth in the unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) industry.”

Storm Troopers
UM Quest, Vol. 5, No. 1  Winter 2006
“Armed with expertise in disaster planning and remote sensing technologies, UM engineers played an important role in helping pull the state through Hurricane Katrina and its immediate aftermath. A team of geologists and geological engineers, including faculty and graduate students – all trained in GIS – set up camp at the state emergency headquarters in Jackson. Led by Greg Easson, director of UM’s Geoinformatics Center, they were armed with GPS units, research-grade laptops and, most importantly, years of expertise in interpreting satellite data and turning it into information that rescuers and relief workers can use.”

Geo-Engineers, Technology Huge Hit at Disaster Response Forum in Brazil
Ole Miss NewsDesk  April 20, 2006
“Natural disasters are never welcome, but information and technology that equip emergency relief agencies to cope with them definitely are. Ask Greg Easson, professor of geology and geological engineering at the University of Mississippi. The geo-engineer recently received an enthusiastic response from 25 workers representing 21 countries at the World Vision Humanitarian Emergency Affairs Regional Forum in Recife, Brazil. The response came after Easson spoke to the group about field-mapping solutions to support disaster preparedness and mitigation, sharing information about useful equipment and data.” More information

Technology Whiz Kids
The Panolian  May 6, 2006
“Hand-in-hand with the bus-stop plan is a second project, also a state first place winner, developed by Annah Bailey, Jenny Flint and J.P. Wallace. This crew is obtaining the same technology that NASA uses to devise a system to track the buses as they travel along their routes. Helping them is Zach Watts who grew up in Batesville and now works at NASA's Stennis Space Center on the Gulf Coast with NVision Solutions. The South Panola students are getting preferential treatment as participants in NVision's outreach program, Watts said, which will supply a tracking device to be placed on a school bus. Using satellite technology the students will be able to view a computer screen and track the bus in real time.” More information

Smart Data Strategies, Inc. and IAEGS Partner to Provide On-line GIS Training Courses
GISCafe.com  May 15, 2006
“Smart Data Strategies, Inc. (SDS) and the Institute for Advanced Education in Geospatial Sciences (IAEGS) have entered into a Memorandum of Understanding to collaborate on the development, marketing and distribution of online GIS courses. This strategic partnership will result in an additional service offering to users of the SDS DREAMaps product line, a suite of software tools and online services that streamline the management and distribution of GIS and land records data. This new service will allow the user to take the SDS DREAMaps™ training at their location via the internet, at their own pace, and have access to their training study program for up to 3 months. More information

Water, water everywhere but is it safe to drink?
UM Quest, Vol. 5, No. 1  Winter 2006
“The project, which the UM Geoinformatics Center has coordinated with staff from NASA, Stennis Space Center and the South African Department of Water Affairs and Forestry, uses satellite imagery to complement field monitoring already in place, to develop a eutrophication warning system that would warn people about contaminated water.”

AGT launches website
The Stennis News  May 23, 2006
“The new site is packed with informational features including a media center and a career center in order to strengthen ties with the existing and potential clientele. The new site features AGT’s innovative capabilities, exceptional certifications, and progressive partners.”
More information

To sign up to receive The Sensor, visit www.eigs.olemiss.edu
To unsubscribe please send an email to eigs-out@pfidc.com with the word UNSUBSCRIBE in the subject line and your email address in the body.