PCI Geomatics® Spatial Analysis Tech Helps 
India's Rural Planning

Richmond Hill, Ontario – December 5, 2003: PCI Geomatics spatial analysis software is contributing towards sustainable development efforts in rural India as a practical facility-planning tool. The pioneering development of a low-cost Geomatics-based Facility Management Information System, known simply as "e-Gram Suvidha" (translated as "electronic village facilities"), uses PCI Geomatics GIS technology to help local operators who may lack GIS expertise to learn how to perform spatial data queries. The resulting thematic map layers are used for planning decisions at the village level.

"The success of the e-Gram Suvidha system spotlights India’s geospatial productivity at a critical time," states Dr. Robert Moses, President and CEO of PCI Geomatics. "Geomatics technology is now an indispensable tool in India, especially for rural development. As the nation addresses key environmental issues, infrastructure growth, and population migration, decision makers will seek to optimize their investment return from affordable satellite data and geospatial technology solutions. Technology from PCI Geomatics will continue to help revolutionize this process in India."

The e-Gram Suvidha system was developed at the National Informatics Centre (NIC), Ministry of Communications and Information Technology, for the Government of India. Under the supervision of Vivek Chitale, Principal Systems Analyst, and V.V. Sreedhara Rao, Senior Technical Director, the system was designed to utilize PCI Geomatics spatial analysis (SPANS) software, selected in part for its user-friendly query/analysis capabilities, open-ended design, and high function value. These proven GIS tools are integrated in PCI Geomatics’ flagship software, Geomatica 9. Geomatica 9 combines remote sensing, photogrammetry, map production, and advanced GIS technology within a single, programmable, and interoperable work environment.

"Geomatica 9 brings the latest technological innovation to the geomatics industry," notes Dr. Jiten Saha, Managing Director of PCI Software Private Limited, a PCI Geomatics joint venture company and reseller partner in India. "With the e-Gram Suvidha program having been successful thus far, the advent of Geomatica 9 offers yet another timely opportunity for local planners in their quest to attain a superior level of sophistication in product development. They can now add further information value to their system with new image-centric GIS functions and other powerful processing features. Continuous investment in spatial information technology by planners and policy makers will better serve the expanding data needs of many thousands of rural constituencies in important new ways."

Remote sensing, GIS capabilities, map production, hyperspectral tools, and an exclusive new hyperspectral data compression technology top the list of features in the new Geomatica 9, released earlier this year. A completely integrated solution, Geomatica 9 provides superior geomatics capabilities and productivity enhancing features within a seamless environment for remote sensing, GIS, photogrammetry, and cartographic processing.

"Our spatial data technologies have been applied in many situations, but the e-Gram Suvidha management system is a truly resourceful approach and we applaud its mission," comments Arnold Hougham, Vice President of Sales and Product Development for PCI Geomatics. "A guiding vision for PCI Geomatics software development is to help our users succeed. The e-Gram Suvidha system is an important success that could potentially benefit an entire nation."

For more information on this release, PCI Geomatics software solutions, or PCI Geomatics corporate information, please visit www.pcigeomatics.com.

About PCI Geomatics

PCI Geomatics (www.pcigeomatics.com) is a world leading developer of image-centric geomatics software solutions. PCI Geomatics’ flagship solution, Geomatica, meets the growing demands of the Remote Sensing, Spatial Analysis, Cartographic, and Photogrammetry worlds. PCI Geomatics is celebrating the beginning of its third decade as an industry-leading geomatics solution provider and has long been recognized for its premium yet affordable geomatics software solutions, advanced algorithms, excellent customer assistance, and product support of the widest range of spatial data formats in the industry.

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Press Contact
Tricia McIntosh
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Tel:  (905) 764-0614, Ext. 2217
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