Get an education at AGI GeoCommunity '10

25 August 2010, 11:22am

AGI can now announce that the excellent AGI GeoCommunity '10 conference programme is being further enhanced by a series of Kingston University Technical Workshops.

Each one hour session will be free of charge to conference delegates and require no advance booking; it is first-come-first-served... simply get there ahead of the crowd!

The three sessions scheduled are being presented by Kingston Centre for GIS staff. Each will be repeated on the second day of the conference. Further details are listed below:

Doing GIS with Open Source - Dr Mike Smith

Open source software now plays a major role in all business and consumer IT environments, from operating systems, through to business software and mission-critical operations. Perhaps surprisingly, commercial businesses are often both the largest users and submitters of open source programming code. As a result, open source is a fundamental part of everyday computing. This workshop focuses upon what open source software is and its importance within the GI industry, with a particular focus upon "spatial processing". From the end-users perspective, the broad domains of desktop processing are initially covered, specifically vector, raster and statistical processing. This is followed by a brief introduction to web mapping applications.

Developing server and mobile solutions for data capture - Dr James O'Brien

Using a real-world mobile data collection scenario from the award winning Kingston Centre for GIS fieldwork programme we will demonstrate the workflows needed to go from desktop to server to mobile and back again using ESRI products. The Kingston team successfully implemented a portable ArcGIS server on a fieldcourse to Malta the last 2 years fed with base data from ArcGIS desktop products and updated by multiple mobile clients running ArcPad. The server collated data was then returned to desktop users for detailed analysis of the data collected in the field.

Going beyond the flat map: creating realistic digital environments - Dr Kenneth Field

Increasingly, organisations are looking to harness developments in 3D modelling and visualization to create more realistic digital environments for depicting the real world. This workshop explores ways of developing 3D models within GIS by using out-of-the-box tools and also by making use of 3D design software in tandem with GIS. The session shows how models can be developed and placed within real environments and how map data can be used to add realism to the models. Examples of modelling urban environments and natural landscapes will be explored using a range of software.

"We are very pleased to welcome the GIS teaching staff from Kingston University back to AGI GeoCommunity again this year. Their three topical workshop sessions will add further variety to our conference programme and offer even more benefits to those attending", said Chris Holcroft, AGI Director & CEO.

About Kingston Centre for GIS

In 1989, Kingston University offered the first GIS undergraduate degree in the world. This was followed by several MSc and PhD research degrees. There are now strong and active undergraduate and postgraduate groups within the Centre, in addition to a Professional Training Programme. Staff are also actively involved in Research & Consultancy. Kingston has one of the largest GIS programmes in Europe.

In addition to several dedicated computer labs equipped with GIS software and specialist hardware across the University, there is a dedicated GIS and remote sensing computing laboratory linked to the University network. The GIS teaching laboratories at the University have a large number of computers with a range of the latest GIS and remote sensing software installed.

The Centre is committed to ensuring students get an unparalleled experience whether at undergraduate or postgraduate level, via Distance Learning or on one of its CPD or Summer School courses.

In 2008 a new MSc distance learning course in Geographical Information Systems and Science was introduced. In 2009 the centre was accredited as an ESRI Development Center and also saw the centre enrol over 40 full-time and part-time students from across the world onto its two MSc courses.

About AGI GeoCommunity '10

AGI GeoCommunity '10: Opportunities in a Changing World - will be held in Stratford-upon-Avon on September 28th to 30th 2010.

The AGI GeoCommunity series has a proven reputation as a 'must-attend' event for a range of service delivery managers and information management and technology professionals. Previous delegates and speakers have been drawn from Central and Local Government, Utilities, Health, Emergency Services, Infrastructure, Insurance, Marketing, Business Intelligence, Finance and Technology sectors.

The AGI GeoCommunity '10 conference will open on the 29th September and offer two full days of thought leadership, practical education, knowledge transfer and real world best practice and case studies. A pre-conference 'Icebreaker' evening event will be hosted by popular demand on 28th September 2010.

Attendance at AGI GeoCommunity '09 increased 5% against 2008, attracting 625 people. The residential format, introduced in 2007, is now well established and the event has proven its growth and sustainability.

The conference paper programme is available at www.agigeocommunity.com

AGI