PCI Geomatics Awarded Coastal Zone Information Management System Contract

[shields (Jessica Shields)]

For Release: March 8, 1999

Contact:
Jessica Shields
Tel: (905) 764-0614
Email: shields@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx


PCI Geomatics Awarded a Contract to Develop a Coastal Zone Information
Management System


Richmond Hill, Ontario: PCI Geomatics today announced that it has been
awarded a contract from the Canadian Space Agnecy (CSA) valued at over
$250,000 to develop a coastal zone information management system (CZ-IMS)
based on its existing suite of image and spatial analysis software products.
The contract was awarded through the CSA's RADARSAT User Development Program
(RUDP), designed to help Canadian remote sensing and geomatics companies
develop RADARSAT products and services that will be commercially successful
and lever data sales worldwide.

The goal of CZ-IMS is to develop a turnkey geomatics tool to provide
near-real time decision support for coastal zone and disaster management.
Key applications include environmental monitoring, oil spill detection and
response, and vessel surveillance.  Primary clients will be government
agencies and resource sector companies which require an enhanced capability
for monitoring environmental conditions, contingency planning, and disaster
response. Through CZ-IMS and RADARSAT's synthetic aperture radar (SAR) data,
countries around the world will be provided with a system for the mapping,
monitoring and surveillance of this vital area.

The decision to develop CZ-IMS reflects a rapidly emerging market need for
specialized, timely earth observation information for coastal zone
management. By the year 2000, it is estimated that over 50% of the global
population and industrial activity will be concentrated within 60 km of the
coastline.  These environmentally sensitive areas are under intense pressure
from natural processes, urban growth, resource exploration and exploitation
and shipping.  The man-made and natural processes that affect the coastal
zone are dynamic and therefore require frequent and rapid updating of
information.

PCI Geomatics will develop the CZ-IMS system. Satlantic Inc. of Halifax is a
subcontractor, providing a data scanning module in CZ-IMS by modifying its
Ocean Monitoring Workstation (OMW) algorithm. Space Imaging of Thornton,
Colorado, is facilitating a pilot project application.

PCI Geomatics is a world leading developer of geomatics software and
solutions based on its remote sensing, digital photogrammetry, spatial
analysis, and cartographic editing programs. PCI Geomatics has over 7,000
licenses installed in over 100 countries, a result of its commitment to
supply leading edge software, customer support and service worldwide.
Additional information can be obtained on the PCI Geomatics web site:
www.pcigeomatics.com.

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___________________________
Jessica Shields
Corporate Communications Officer
PCI Geomatics

Tel: 905-764-0614
Fax: 905-764-9604
Web: www.pcigeomatics.com