New FME Supports Cloud and Web Services and Includes Usability and Performance Enhancements
Vancouver, BC, January 14, 2014 – Safe Software, the leader in spatial data transformation technology, today announced the release of FME® Desktop 2014 and FME Server 2014, the latter of which is also available through FME Cloud. Developments in the FME platform have been designed to help users adopt the latest innovations in the technology landscape through new capabilities and usability improvements.
Big Data in the Cloud
FME 2014 assists in the move to big data computing with its support for several cloud applications including Amazon DynamoDB, RDS, Redshift, and S3, as well as Google™ BigQuery.
Cloud-Based Mapping Solutions
Esri ArcGIS® Online (AGOL) subscribers can use FME 2014 to take advantage of AGOL services such as Drive-Time Polygons, Geocoding, GeoEnrichment, and Feature Storage, in external workflows. They can also use AGOL basemaps within the FME Data Inspector.
An AGOL basemap in the FME Data Inspector with data overlayed.
Google Maps Engine users can easily read and write their data to and from FME 2014’s 315+ supported formats that include Google Maps Engine Tables.
Web Service Implementation
FME 2014 includes new tools that facilitate the configuration, testing and use of various web services through a graphical, no-code approach. Highlights include:
- Zapier Service for FME Server – captures information from 300+ web services including Twilio, Evernote®, Gmail™, and more
- WFS 2.0 reader – facilitates the implementation of Open Geospatial Consortium’s® Web Feature Service for sharing vector data
- Improved HTTP and JSON transformers – make working with web services easier
“Many of the capabilities in FME 2014 are aimed at helping users adopt new applications and technology without worry,” says Dale Lutz, Co-CEO and Vice President of Development at Safe Software. “Things like support for the cloud and web services mean our users can take control of all the changes happening in the world of computing and use them to their full advantage.”
Enhanced 3D Support
FME 2014 features continued advancements with 3D and point cloud data handling including:
- Autodesk Revit® reading
- Trimble® Sketchup reading and writing
- Comprehensive improvements to IFC reading
- Support for AutoCAD Civil 3D® versions up to 2013
- Revamped core point cloud data model with more flexibility in defining components, and corresponding component transformation tools
Autodesk Revit data being used within Esri ArcGIS after transformation.
Database Achievements
FME 2014 includes comprehensive improvements to all tools associated with database workflows that enable smoother data handling, including more powerful support for null values.
Newly Supported Formats and Applications: 315+ and Counting
In addition to the cloud and 3D formats already mentioned, FME 2014 includes other new formats across raster, vector, database, GPS, spreadsheet, and XML data types, bringing the total number of supported formats to over 315. Notable new formats include Google WebP, Esri Geodatabase Mosaic Datasets, INSPIRE, AIXM 5.1 and completely overhauled support for Microsoft® Excel.
Additional Highlights Worth Noting
- New raster slope and aspect calculations
- Generic GML writer for easier handling of complex open models
- Faster processing of point cloud and raster data
- Enhanced tolerance snapping for intersection-based geometry tools
- MapnikRasterizer transformer for customized cartographic rendering
FME Desktop 2014
With the release of FME 2014, Safe has made the FME Data Inspector its primary inspection tool. New capabilities include background maps, enhanced table viewing with faster record sorting, 3D mode, and interactive subsetting and translation of data.
FME Workbench received a makeover which promises to allow for more efficient workflow authoring. This refreshed canvas makes better use of space for a tidier environment, has bold new graphically descriptive icons, more intuitive visual cues, and control over annotation styling.
The sleek new look of the FME Workbench canvas.
Safe is committed to making FME a multi-platform product so people can use FME on their preferred operating system and to that end FME Desktop 2014 is available as a technical preview on Mac and Linux.
FME Server 2014
FME Server 2014 includes new functionality that allows users to work more efficiently such as:
- An included WebSocket server for greater data delivery speeds
- Centralized workspace resource sharing
- Compatibility with Single-Sign-On security technology that accepts the user’s initial workstation login credentials
FME Cloud
FME Cloud is the latest product offering from Safe, available in beta, and is a different way to deploy FME Server as a location-aware Integration Platform as a Service (iPaaS). It connects cloud, on-premise and mobile applications using infrastructure that scales to suit capacity requirements so users only pay for what they use.
“With each new release we’re adding more sophisticated automation to help users work more efficiently,” says Don Murray Co-CEO and President of Safe Software. “The new capabilities available through FME Server 2014 and FME Cloud enable faster communication between systems, plus greater control over how these systems integrate to provide everyone with the resources they need, when they need them.”
Learn More About FME 2014
For more information on the latest version of FME visit: www.safe.com/fme2014.
About Safe Software and FME
Safe Software is the maker of FME and the pioneering global leader in spatial data transformation technology. FME empowers users to confidently transform spatial data so it can be used and shared – where, when and how it’s needed. Available in seven languages, FME’s unmatched transformation capabilities and support for 315+ spatial and non-spatial formats enables you to quickly overcome data challenges so you can focus on your objectives. Discover why leading vendors and thousands of organizations worldwide rely on FME to quickly overcome barriers to using and sharing data. Visit www.safe.com.