Thursday, May 24, 2012

PCI Geomatics and Discovery Air to jointly offer Fire Mapping Services in Ontario, Canada


RICHMOND HILL, Ontario, Canada—May 24, 2012: PCI Geomatics, a world-leading developer of geoimaging software and systems, announced today that it will be jointly offering fire mapping services in Northern Ontario with Discovery Air Fire Services Inc. (DAFS) during the upcoming 2012 forest fire season.

DAFS, a wholly owned subsidiary of Discovery Air, has been active for over 60 years, supplying airborne fire management services to the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources and other authorities responsible for firefighting in Canada. With the increasing complexity and frequency of forest fires in recent years, DAFS has added a new High Level Infrared (HLIR) sensor to its fixed wing fleet, to provide intelligence to wildfire Incident Commanders, Fire Managers, and Fire Duty Officers on a daily basis. The HLIR system consists of a Firemapper camera and operations console, which is used by DAFS to collect thermal and visual imagery during response operations.

One of the key challenges with the imagery collected by the DAFS Firemapper system is rapid and accurate processing of imagery that is collected, in order to prepare mission-critical maps in near real-time. This is especially helpful to understand the effectiveness of firefighting efforts and adjust plans on a daily basis. DAFS, together with PCI Geomatics, will implement an operational system to derive accurate, up-to-date maps based on imagery collected using the Firemapper system. Leveraging PCI’s rigorous technology to process the individual images collected by the camera, DAFS will prepare GIS-ready maps for operational briefings, providing the most up-to-date, accurate fire status information.

The enhanced end-to-end workflow will greatly enhance the situational awareness capability of the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources, through the provision of accurate, map-based fire information that will be collected and delivered within hours of capture. The services will be offered through DAFS’ Northern Ontario operations, which is capable of responding to emergencies across Ontario’s forest fire danger areas.

About PCI Geomatics
PCI Geomatics is a world-leading developer of software and systems to process aerial and satellite imagery. The company provides integrated Esri imagery workflows, standalone image processing capability, and large volume processing throughput, giving customers the ability to produce high-quality image products and derived information for any project. Find out more at www.pcigeomatics.com.


About Discovery Air Fire Services Inc. (DAFS)
DAFS is a Northern Ontario-based Aerial Operations Company which has been active in the Canadian Aviation industry for over 60 years. DAFS is a premier provider of special-mission aircraft.  DAFS has established Aircraft and Flight Operations bases with Airframe, Line, and Component maintenance bases at Dryden, Kenora, and Sudbury Ontario. Additionally, the company supports Satellite Flight Operations base at Geraldton and Chapleau. With over 140 aircraft, it is one of the largest air operators in Canada, employing more than 850 flight crew, maintainers, and support staff to deliver a variety of air transport, maintenance, and logistics solutions to its government, airline and business customers.

About Discovery Air Inc.
Discovery Air Inc. is a Canadian specialty aviation company, operating over 150 aircraft with approximately 850 team members. Its subsidiaries provide airborne training to the Canadian military; air ambulance services; airborne fire services; helicopter operations; fixed-wing air charter services; expediting and logistics support; and a range of maintenance, repair, overhaul, modification, engineering and certification services.
Discovery Air Inc.’s Class A common voting shares and unsecured debentures trade on the Toronto Stock Exchange (symbols DA.A and DA.DB.A, respectively).

Press Contact
Kevin R. Jones
Director, Marketing and Product Management
T: 819-770-0022 x 214
E:
jones@pcigeomatics.com
Web:
www.pcigeomatics.com
Twitter: @pcigeomatics

Tuesday, May 1, 2012

PCI Geomatics selected as first recipient of the OGC’s Distinguished Member Award


RICHMOND HILL, Ontario, Canada—May 1, 2012: PCI Geomatics, a world-leading developer of geoimaging software and systems, announced today that it was one of the Consortium's first recipients of the Open Geospatial Consortium’s (OGC) Distinguished Member Award.

The Distinguished Member Award was established by the OGC in 2011 to recognize OGC member organizations that have made substantial, positive, and sustained impacts on one or more areas of the OGC mission accomplishment through a high level of commitment beyond traditional member engagement. The award was granted by the Board to PCI Geomatics in recognition of PCI’s strategic commitment to advancing the mission objectives of the Open Geospatial Consortium in the Asia Pacific region.

Mark Reichardt, OGC President and CEO, commented; “In recent years, PCI has provided OGC with unprecedented access to its regional staff in India, China, and other nations across Asia to increase the visibility of OGC and to encourage standards adoption and stimulate participation in the OGC member process by all nations.” He added, “The OGC also recognizes PCI’s leadership in developing the Global Advisory Council, the brainchild of Dr. Robert Moses – the program ensures underrepresented regions of the world have a voice in the OGC process.”

Terry Moloney, PCI’s President and CEO, accepted the award in person this past March 2012 and stated; “PCI has always been a strong believer in the fundamental mission and purpose of the OGC – to promote open data standards and participation, enabling open access to geospatial information to multi-disciplinary groups working in the fields of GIS and Remote Sensing. Through innovation and access to geospatial information, positive societal changes can be affected. PCI has always believed in these principles and is honored to have been selected as the first recipient for this prestigious award.”

About PCI Geomatics
PCI Geomatics is a world-leading developer of software and systems to process aerial and satellite imagery. The company provides integrated Esri imagery workflows, standalone image processing capability, and large volume processing throughput, giving customers the ability to produce high-quality image products and derived information for any project. Find out more at www.pcigeomatics.com.

Press Contact
Kevin R. Jones
Director, Marketing and Product Management
T: 819-770-0022 x 214
E:
jones@pcigeomatics.com
Web:
www.pcigeomatics.com
Twitter: @pcigeomatics