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Monday May 4, 7:04 am Eastern Time
Company Press Release
Informix Dynamic Server With Universal Data Option Used to Chart the Vast Geography of British Columbia
New TerrainWorks DataBlade Enables Comprehensive Digital Maps of Canadian Province's Territory
MENLO PARK, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--May 4, 1998-- Informix Corporation (NASDAQ:IFMX - news), the leading provider of innovative database technology, and the Geographic Data BC (GDBC) division of the Government of British Columbia announced today that Informix(R) Dynamic Server(tm) with Universal Data Option(tm) and the new TerrainWorks DataBlade(R) module will be used as part of two strategic projects to map the vast geography of British Columbia.
The digital maps will greatly benefit the Province's 9-1-1 services, city planners, tourists, fisheries management, hydro-electric utilities, and the region's extensive forest industry that depend on accurate, current, and reliable map-based data.
Informix Dynamic Server with Universal Data Option is enhanced by the TerrainWorks DataBlade module, currently under development by Informix partner Barrodale Computing Services Ltd. (BCS). This new DataBlade module is a comprehensive tool for the storage and management of geo-spatial data that describes such geographical objects as streams, roads, and forests.
British Columbia will leverage the Informix solution and the new TerrainWorks DataBlade module to implement two systems: the Road Network System, an expansive data management system for all roads and associated address-range data in British Columbia, and the Terrain Resource Information Management (TRIM) Watershed Atlas, a fully-automated, highly-detailed database of watershed geo-spatial features. A watershed is a geographical area that drains into a particular stream, river, or other form of water body. Both projects have been contracted out to BCS, and the results will be available for public and private use.
''The incredible power of the Informix solution has allowed us to achieve an extraordinary degree of flexibility and security in management of the detailed mapping of British Columbia's landscape, and the roads that cover that terrain,'' said David Skea, senior spatial analyst at GDBC. ''Informix Dynamic Server with Universal Data Option and the TerrainWorks DataBlade module enable seamless integration of spatial and attribute data to consolidate Geographic Information System (GIS) road and watershed information into highly accurate digital maps.''
Before the availability of Informix Dynamic Server and the TerrainWorks DataBlade module, geo-spatial data was stored in two separate databases. The result was a lack of support for creating new versions of maps and an inability to perform general query processing. Also, these early systems were plagued by referential integrity problems. With the introduction of Informix's technology and the TerrainWorks DataBlade module, users can now manage large geo-spatial data sets with the efficiency and security that had previously been limited to standard database applications.
Digital Mapping of British Columbia
The Road Network System, which will be 60 to 80 gigabytes (GB) in size, will serve as a single source for all road data and will handle spatial queries concerning general location, routing, position and distance along a route, mixed with non-spatial queries based on a road's attributes, such as its composition, condition, and maximum bearable weight. An example is the use of a digital map for 9-1-1 calls where police must find the location and most efficient route to an emergency.
The TRIM Watershed Atlas Project (TWA) will leverage Universal Data Option and the TerrainWorks DataBlade module to produce and manage a comprehensive database of watershed features. When fully loaded, it will comprise approximately 200 GB of data, with 20 to 50 GB of new data added every year.
Features of the TRIM Watershed Atlas Project will operate intelligently, storing geographic coordinates according to latitude, longitude and height. For example, when a city planner or geologist selects a particular point on a stream, the TRIM Watershed Atlas can inform the user what is upstream and downstream. Users will be able to access the TRIM Watershed Atlas database through the World Wide Web via an extensive range of display and query facilities. Queries such as ''From this point, into what stream segment will water flow?'' or ''From this point, is there a downstream dam?'' can be used to extract precise data from the GIS maps.
''The GIS market is expected to grow rapidly this year with the introduction of modern data management techniques. The TerrainWorks DataBlade module was designed specifically to meet this increased need through its use of variable aperture technology and data compression, which allows large volumes of data to be easily and quickly stored and retrieved,'' said Steve Weick, vice president, research and development at Informix. ''Working with GDBC and BCS on these high-detail, high-accuracy maps has allowed Informix to demonstrate the full potential of Informix Dynamic Server and bring new levels of detail and efficiency to map making.''
About Informix Dynamic Server with Universal Data Option
Informix Dynamic Server speeds query and administration tasks, maintains optimal performance regardless of computing environment, and enables the development of database applications that take full advantage of all available hardware resources. With flexible configuration options, Informix Dynamic Server supports all data types, provides maximum performance and scalability for decision support, supports data warehouse applications running in high-end parallel environments, and allows the creation of intelligent Web applications.
The Universal Data Option uses DataBlade technology to extend the traditional relational database functionality of Informix Dynamic Server to incorporate new data types such as photos and maps, and new industry-specific business logic such as package routing rules or complex currency exposure analysis. This option also allows customers to take advantage of new server functions and indexing methods for Web and content management.
About Informix
Informix Corporation, the world's database technology leader, based in Menlo Park, California, provides innovative database products that assist the world's major corporations to attain competitive advantage. Informix is widely recognized as the technology leader for corporate computing environments ranging from small workgroups to very large parallel processing applications. Informix's database servers, application development tools, superior customer service, and strong partnerships enable the company to be at the forefront of major information technology solution areas including data warehousing, OLTP, and Web/content management. For more information, visit our Web site at informix.com.
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(c)1998 Informix Corporation. All rights reserved. The following are trademarks of Informix Corporation, or its affiliates: Informix(R), Informix Dynamic Server(tm) with Universal Data Option(tm), and Datablade(R). |
