EIGS Industry Cluster Spotlight
In lieu of the Company Spotlight this month, we instead feature a profile of the entire cluster:
Variety really is the flavor of the EIGS geospatial industry cluster. The cluster consists of several 1-person operations to companies with thousands of employees. There are start-ups and well-established companies -- the majority of the companies have been in business for an average of 15 years, but two EIGS members (Waggoner Engineering and QinetiQ) have been operating for more than 35 years. Some companies are headquartered in Mississippi while others are branch operations of larger national corporations. With business operations all over the country, the cluster also has a global reach with DigitalGlobe’s offices in London and Singapore and Themis Vision’s presence in Paris, France. The cluster even has five woman-owned companies and a member that is a 100% employee-owned small business (Radiance Technologies).
[READ
MORE]
Commentary From: Michael Liu, Sr. Vice President, Dutko Worldwide
Space X as Symbol
With the blast off of Space X’s Falcon 9 to the International Space Station and hoped for successful mission, more than any technical or organizational feat, there now stands a symbol of how the private sector can succeed at a function once under total control by NASA. Make no mistake, there were those within NASA Headquarters who were hoping for failure (and still do). And there are members of Congress and the Administration who will not be enthusiastic about U.S. space travel and exploration that is not monopolized by the U.S. Government. Ironically, this perception of entrepreneurial ersatz comes under a Democratic Administration. (Too bad for the President that most Americans will not be casting their vote based on success or ingenuity in the space program---something that Newt Gringrich learned during the primaries…) For the Coast, it would behoove leaders of local and state government and the business community to use the NASA-Space X partnership as an example of how Stennis and Huntsville space facilities should maximize their excess capacity and assets---that is, in regards to these assets, allow for- and non-profit private sector entities to take the lead in partnerships with NASA to develop, market and as necessary transform them. Even for the old guard, change will have to come after the election in November as the realities of the federal deficit come crashing again at the foundation of the federal budget…
Will Anything Get Done in Congress this Summer?
The short answer is “no.” There will be a few moves to save certain programs scheduled to expire in September with the biggest being spending for transportation projects. But other than that, nothing of real significance will happen…except those interests that understand how Washington works will be working hard to position themselves and their issues in a positive light with offices of important incumbents who will be returning. After November 6. 2012 there will be a flood of activity in influence both the lame duck session of Congress as well as the new Congress and the competition for face time with staff and members will be fierce. If you have an issue---visit DC over the summer.
Campaign Notes
The big story in early June will be Wisconsin. If Governor Scott Walker beats the union and state Democratic Party backed recall and his Democratic challenger, Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett, he will become a rock star among Republican governors; too hot to be considered viable for the VP sweepstakes, but a magnet for fundraising and stirring the hearts of the party faithful. It also puts Wisconsin solidly in play for the presidential election in November and expands Mitt Romney’s possible path to victory. Wisconsin has not gone Republican since 1984 but the 2000 and 2004 races were nail-biters.
Speculation in the Beltway is that Senators Rubio (FL) and Portman (OH) are at the top of the list to be chosen as Romney’s VP running mate, with Governors Bobby Jindal and Bob McDonnell as dark horses. While polls show Rubio helping only slightly in Florida, it is better than nothing in such an important swing state, and “nothing” is what Portman and McDonnell bring to the early polls in regard to their respective home states. However, Rubio had some unflattering moments about campaign and travel spending while he was Speaker of Florida’s House of Representatives which came up during his senate campaign, and could be a public relations issue that Romney does not want to have to deal with in his selection for vice-president.
The President’s campaign is starting early to try to paint Romney as out of touch with ordinary Americans, that his values do not reflect the kind of cooperative spirit needed to bring Americans together and share in sacrifices necessary to deal with budget deficits, lack of jobs and healthcare. And this will have some success given Romney’s sometimes awkward way of responding to attacks.
Unfortunately for the President, his challenge will be to keep bad economic news out of the headlines. Long-term unemployment will be at record highs throughout the campaign season and the bad news from Europe and Euro Zone will dampen any U.S. recovery (and indeed could drag the world into another recession.) The European crisis will allow Republicans to argue that President Obama’s left leaning policies are in line with the socialist models followed by many European countries which is at the root of their current fiscal and economic uncertainty.
No wonder that the national polls puts the race for president as a dead-heat.
Image of the Month
Annular Solar Eclipse of May 20, 2012
Credit: (Image: Don Pettit)
This is one of a series of photos taken by Expedition 31 Flight Engineer Don Pettit aboard the International Space Station, showing a shadow of the moon created by the May 20, 2012 solar eclipse, as the shadow spreads across cloud cover on Earth. Pettit used a 28-mm lens on a digital still camera.
[READ
MORE]
Items of Interest
AGI Launches GeoWord of the Day
In celebration of the release of the revised 5th edition Glossary of Geology for the Kindle and Nook platforms, the American Geosciences Institute (AGI) has started a free GeoWord of the Day service.
The GeoWord of the Day is a fun and convenient way to learn a new geoscience term every day. Each morning (US ET) the service will highlight a new word or term featured in the Glossary of Geology, ensuring daily authoritative terms and definitions for years to come. Users may choose to receive the GeoWord of Day directly through email by subscribing online at agiweb.org.
Researchers develop system to help prevent construction accidents
Phys.Org
(Phys.org) -- Construction management experts at the University of Calgary's Schulich School of Engineering have developed a system that employs remote sensing technology to improve safety on construction sites by using tracking tags to monitor …
[READ MORE]
Are Defense Cuts Good for the Geospatial Sector?
DirectionsMag.com (press release)
By Mladen Stojic For the past 10 years, the geospatial sector has experienced what many believe was bubble-like growth. Some would attribute the growth to the US federal government's support of our military engagements and intelligence gathering…
[
READ MORE]
The Top 10 Things You Should Know about GIS Certification
DirectionsMag.com
By Sheila Wilson Are you thinking about becoming a certified GIS professional? Looking to understand how it could benefit your career? Sheila Wilson, GISP, executive director of the GIS Certification Institute, and Susan White, GISP, senior planner…
[
READ MORE]
Drones target weeds
ABC Online
Mr Johnson says other future agricultural uses of unmanned helicopters including seeding, remote sensing, precision agriculture and variable rate dispersal. He says it has the advantage of zero soil compaction and with no overlap it will maximise the…
[
READ MORE]
Former federal employee admits stealing data
STLtoday.com
A former employee of the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency pleaded guilty to a federal charge earlier this month and admitted stealing a spreadsheet containing sensitive government and business data and providing it to his new private-sector…
[
READ MORE]
Did you know the US Army is working to compress large amounts of geospatial data into an amount that is manageable on a handheld device? Imagery from the GeoGlobe database currently seeing use in Afghanistan soon may become available in PDF format, placing crucial…
Read more: phys.org
EIGS IN THE NEWS
DigitalGlobe Rejects GeoEye's $792 Million Takeover Offer
Bloomberg
DigitalGlobe Inc. (DGI) rejected an unsolicited offer from GeoEye Inc. (GEOY) for about $792 million, saying the bidder “substantially undervalues” the target. The offer “is not in the best interests” of shareholders of DigitalGlobe and doesn't…
[Read more]
Global Perspectives
India successfully launches spy satellite
China Daily
NEW DELHI - India recentlyl successfully launched its home-made remote sensing spy Radar Imaging Satellite (RISAT-1) from the spaceport of Sriharikota in the southern state of Andhra Pradesh, sources said. India's Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV)…
[Read the full article]
GIS discovers Queensland's tallest tree
Spatial Source
Sunshine Coast Regional Council geographers used Geographic Information System (GIS) technology from Esri Australia to find the giant Eucalypt, nicknamed 'Big Bob' after Sunshine Coast Mayor Bob Abbot, which is around the same height as a 21-story…
[Read
the full article]
Satellite images , GIS to help eradicate mosquitos
Times of India
It will show how Geographic Information System (GIS) and remote sensing can be used to better the public health scene in Kerala, which is plagued by epidemics every year. Held in collaboration with the Achutha Menon Centre for Health Science Studies at…
[Read
the full article]
EIGS Industry Cluster Spotlight (Full text)
In lieu of the Company Spotlight this month, we instead feature a profile of the entire cluster:
Variety really is the flavor of the EIGS geospatial industry cluster. The cluster consists of several 1-person operations to companies with thousands of employees. There are start-ups and well-established companies -- the majority of the companies have been in business for an average of 15 years, but two EIGS members (Waggoner Engineering and QinetiQ) have been operating for more than 35 years. Some companies are headquartered in Mississippi while others are branch operations of larger national corporations. With business operations all over the country, the cluster also has a global reach with DigitalGlobe’s offices in London and Singapore and Themis Vision’s presence in Paris, France. The cluster even has five woman-owned companies and a member that is a 100% employee-owned small business (Radiance Technologies).
Since 1998, the geospatial industry cluster has gone through a couple of name changes and organizational restructuring, but the one constant has been growth. From an original seven charter members, the cluster now consists of 41 members. With this growth, the capabilities offered by the companies have really expanded. While there are a wide range of products and services, the unifying factor is the use of geospatial data and technologies to provide new and useful solutions across a broad spectrum of application areas such as: agriculture, emergency response, weather, military/defense, utilities, workforce development, natural resources, medical, urban planning, and real estate.
The companies have found success serving a variety of target markets including the private sector, local entities, state and federal agencies, and academia. A number of cluster members have branched out geographically beyond U.S. borders and regularly work with customers in China, Europe, South America, and other regions globally.
The EIGS industry cluster has companies that are satellite data providers, aerial imagery providers, and even a company that builds unmanned aerial vehicles to gather imagery and data. While there are many industry-standard geospatial products, there are some unusual ones to be found as well. For example, Themis Vision installed a UV Hyperspectral Imaging System in China to help with studies in forensic science including finger print analysis. WorldWinds’ product FishBytes, available via XM WX Satellite Service, helps fishermen identify preferred fishing locations. And one company, AeroTec, has even provided scanned LIDAR data for a rock music video by the band Radio Head.
A hallmark of the EIGS cluster is the numerous awards and special recognitions. There are companies that have been an “ESRI Business Partner of the Year”, a Boeing Gold Supplier, and a member of the Space Technology Hall of Fame. Two members (Radiance and NVision) have won Tibbetts Awards, given to those small firms, projects, organizations and individuals judged to exemplify the very best in SBIR achievement. Waggoner Engineering has been recognized as the number one design firm in Mississippi by McGraw-Hill magazine. QinetiQ can even brag about having 10 Silver Snoopy Awards, a special honor awarded to NASA employees and contractors for outstanding achievements related to human flight safety or mission success.
Although there is a variety in size, capabilities, and products, ultimately what ties these companies together is the commitment of working with EIGS to research, develop, and market new geospatial technology products with the ultimate goal of growing the geospatial businesses in the regional cluster into a world-class industry group.
