Graz, Austria – March 30, 2010: Microsoft’s Photogrammetry division, Vexcel Imaging GmbH, announced that it is partnering with PCI Geomatics, an industry leader in geo-imaging products and solutions. The partnership is designed to leverage the strengths of the two organizations to produce an end-to-end image processing system developed specifically for customers of Vexcel Imaging’s UltraCam series of high-resolution digital aerial cameras and UltraMap photogrammetric software.
Through PCI Geomatics’ scalable GeomaticaX technology, a complete workflow will be developed to take advantage of parallel processing and Graphical Processing Units (GPUs), to automatically orthorectify, pansharpen and mosaic hundreds of UltraCam images per day.
“We are very pleased to be working with PCI Geomatics to extend our UltraMap offering,” said Alexander Wiechert, Business Director of Microsoft and Managing Director for Vexcel Imaging GmbH. “Our Chief Photogrametrist has been very impressed with the speed of PCI’s GXL image processing technology, along with the stunning color balancing results for mosaicked UltraCam imagery. We look forward to offering our clients a streamlined, continuous workflow that will allow them to offer competitive products derived from UltraCam to the marketplace.”
“Vexcel Imaging is recognized as the market leader in the field of high resolution, digital photography, and PCI remains committed to providing leading edge, turnkey image processing tools for the industry,” said Allan Place, Director of Global Sales at PCI Geomatics. “The integration of our technologies will represent a breakthrough in automated, rapid and efficient technology for processing thousands of UltraCam images.”
Development on the integrated workflow is currently underway, and will be available to provide end-to-end capability to orthrectify, pansharpen and mosaic UltraCam imagery. Future plans include the ability to accelerate true ortho image production and the automatic generation of digital surface models from stereo UltraCam imagery.
About Vexcel Imaging, GmbH
Acquired by Microsoft Corporation in May 2006, Vexcel Imaging GmbH brings 20 years of photogrammetry expertise to Microsoft’s Bing Maps business unit and is at the heart of the burgeoning Microsoft Photogrammetry business. The company’s offerings include its series of UltraCam large and medium format digital aerial mapping cameras and related software tools such as the UltraMap 2.0 workflow software. For more information, visit www.microsoft.com/ultracam.
About PCI Geomatics
PCI Geomatics is a world leading developer of software and systems for geo-imaging solutions. Since 1982, we have specialized in remote sensing, digital photogrammetry, spatial analysis, cartographic production, automated production systems, image management and on demand mapping solutions. PCI Geomatics’ advanced software systems address a wide variety of industry applications including the environment, agriculture, security and intelligence, aerospace & defense, and satellite receiving stations. We have the expertise and know-how to turn images into useful information. For more information, visit www.pcigeomatics.com.