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MapFrame News Release MapFrame Announces a Powerful Tool for Compressing and Moving Map Databases Between the Office and the Field DALLAS (FEBRUARY 2, 2001) - MapFrame Corporation -- a leading provider of mobile solutions for the utility industry -- announced today the release of Field Flow Manager™, a powerful tool for managing the flow of map-based data between the office and the field. This highly innovative client/server software provides state of the art capabilities for compressing and moving data in a mobile environment on an "as needed" basis with incremental map updates. In keeping with MapFrame’s commitment to bring smart, simple solutions to the field automation marketplace, Field Flow Manager provides powerful capabilities but utilizes a format that is transparent to the user. "Field Flow Manager evolved from the work we’ve done with our large utility clients," explained Ted Eynon, MapFrame Sales and Marketing Vice-President. "These organizations need to take big databases to the field on mobile computers and they also want the ability to easily update facility maps on a daily basis no matter where an individual works." Field Flow Manager is an essential component in the process of replacing paper maps with a mobile system. Traditionally, utility field crews have used big, unwieldy books with paper maps to help them identify and solve problems. Not only are specific facility maps hard to find, they are often outdated and limited in terms of providing diagnostic help. Plus, periodically printing and distributing new paper maps is a time-consuming and expensive process. "Our clients tell us they need an automated system and they need it loaded with data for their entire service territory so they can move people around in an emergency," said Eynon. "But then they’re concerned about keeping all that data current. Our answer is Field Flow Manager." On the server side, Field Flow Manager utilizes MapFrame’s FieldSmart™ technology to organize and compress map data. FieldSmart’s proprietary compact data representation techniques make it possible for even the largest utility to load all its facility maps and related databases on a laptop or pen-based computer. Field Flow Manager accepts data from all major GIS and CAD systems. In the case of utilities using multiple systems, the software automatically converts the formats into a compatible structure so the user can view data from separate systems without changing programs. Field Flow Manager handles both raster and vector data. On the client side, Field Flow Manager has built-in intelligence that automatically synchronizes the update process so every computer gets just the data it needs, in contrast to receiving an entire database for each update. This "smart" fast incremental process, where only changes are moved through the system in a compressed format, means mobile computers can be updated on a daily basis if needed. And field personnel never have to get involved in a process that is automatic and takes place in the background. In addition to updating field personnel, Field Flow Manager can also play an important role in keeping the central map database current. Since the software facilitates a two-way flow of information, field personnel can easily tag errors or update attributes and then send this information back to the office. Field Flow Manager can be used in either a wired or wireless environment and – with its flexible architecture – is compatible with most existing network infrastructures. All MapFrame applications utilize Field Flow Manager including FieldSmart View, Collect, Inspect, and Design. # # # Press Information: Heather Patton, MapFrame email: Click here tel: 214.741.2264 x105 General Information: Click here |
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