GIS

Russia makes BIM compulsory

The use of BIM is likely to become compulsory on all construction projects commissioned by the Russian government from 2019.

An announcement made by Mikhail Menn, head of the construction, housing and utilities ministry, during the ProEstate Forum for international property companies in Moscow, was reported in a Russian construction magazine.

Menn was reported as saying that the Russian government had been influenced by the “interesting” British experience in the field of BIM technologies implementation. He claimed that the UK government’s use of BIM was directly responsible for a 30% reduction in construction cost: “Their experience showed that we, in Russia, are heading in a 100% right direction.”

Governments around the world have urged the use of BIM to get more value for money from their capital investment projects. www.bimplus.co.uk

Imagem and Dutch Kadaster to implement Hexagon solutions

Imagem and Dutch Kadaster have signed a strategic framework agreement to deploy and develop Hexagon Geospatial solutions within Kadaster. The high grade knowledge available within Kadaster in the fields of cadastral and topographic processes allows Imagem and Hexagon Geospatial to focus further development of geospatial technology in GIS, Remote Sensing, Photogrammetry, and Geospatial Data Management domains.

The contract includes M.App Portfolio that is used to create Hexagon Smart M.Apps. Next to making end-user products available, Kadaster will also have access to all knowledge on Hexagon Geospatial technology, both through the team at Imagem as well as Hexagon worldwide. The cooperation offers the partners the possibility to work closely together to create solutions in a broad range of working processes inside Kadaster. www.imagem.nl

Ian Masser to receive GSDI Global Citizen Award

Emeritus Professor Ian Masser is to receive the Global Spatial Data Infrastructure (GSDI) Global Citizen Award during the 15th GSDI World Conference in Taipei, Taiwan on December 2nd 2016. “This is the greatest moment in my life,” Masser said, “I couldn’t believe my ears when I heard the news.”

Masser’s acceptance speech, which will be entitled ‘Looking back on SDI developments with an eye to the future. The GSDI Association occasionally recognizes globally an individual who has provided exemplary thought leadership and substantive worldwide contributions in promoting informed and responsible use of geographic information and geospatial technologies for the benefit of society and fostering spatial data infrastructure developments that support sustainable social, economic, and environmental systems integrated from local to global scales. http://gsdi15.org.tw

Caliper support for the EPA Smart City Air Challenge

Caliper is excited to be supporting the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Smart City Air Challenge.

Caliper is supporting the challenge through an in-kind match that will provide Caliper geospatial technology to local governments who will incorporate Caliper software into their EPA grant proposal. The Caliper grant, valued at $33,000, will be awarded to the two winning local government agencies. It is Caliper’s goal to provide the geospatial technology that supports the objectives of the EPA’s challenge.

Bentleys CivilStorm and StormCAD

Bentley Systems announces the availability of the new CivilStorm and StormCAD CONNECT Edition applications for the analysis and design of stormwater networks. The CONNECT Edition provides a unified, common environment that advances productivity, team collaboration, and project performance. From land development to highway drainage to city-wide analysis and optimized best management practices and designs, CivilStorm and StormCAD provide an easy-to-use environment for engineers to analyze, design, and operate stormwater conveyance systems, using built-in hydraulic and hydrology tools, and a variety of wet-weather analysis methods.

Bentley Systems has also announced the availability of the new SewerGEMS and SewerCAD CONNECT Edition applications for the analysis and design of sewer networks.

Get information on Tata Power portal through GIS

Tata Power has made important information available such as scheduled power outage information, location of customer relation centres and bill collection centres on the Tata Power customer web portal- cp.tatapower. com through a GIS enabled map.

The proactive real time monitoring and analysis of power failure complaints by Tata Power call centre will ensure speedy restoration of power and enhances customer satisfaction. http:// timesofindia.indiatimes.com

GSI launches online system to manage, share geo-data

The Geological Survey of India has launched the Online Core Business Integrated System (OCBIS) to efficiently manage and share quality geo-scientific data through digital channels for socio-economic and scientific gain.

GSI maps, reports, data will be put in public domain so that the information is utilised by all stakeholders. It will help industry users by providing latest data through the web portal and ensure transparency and efficiency. Responsive across mobile platforms, the portal will also let users tour virtual repositories of resources like 2D and 3D photos of rocks, fossils and meteorites and features natural geological sites for the interest of tourists. http://odishatv.in