GEODASY now with GIS

A F Howland Associates has announced a major update to the popular GEOtechnical DAtabase SYstem, GEODASY to provide a front end GIS module termed GEOVIEW. If you have ever used map pins to identify features on a map, then you will realise the benefits of modern geographic information technology (GIS). GEOVIEW is designed to release many of the archival features that exist in GEODASY.

Howlands have always recognised the value in accumulating ground data and have advocated the use of GIS functions for many years. Indeed, before it was disbanded they provided a powerful GIS system for the London Docklands Development Corporation (LDDC) that contained the historic land use of the area and the data from the famous Docklands Borehole Database System.

Recent developments in technology have meant that GIS is affordable for all organisations. Howlands argue that payback for organisations is achieved by having ready access to its own data. Changing legislation is also stimulating a number of organisations to look at the best ways to record their data. Pending implementation of Part II of the Environmental Protection Act has spurred a number of local authorities to contact Howlands about the best way registering environmental and contamination data.

GEOVIEW is an elegant system that combines the facilities of a powerful GIS with the database features of GEODASY. In this relationship, GEODASY forms a management link between the data and the GIS front end. It allows data to be entered directly from the keyboard using its standard user friendly entry screens. This could be particularly beneficial in dealing with any backlog of paper records that might exist. Alternatively, external data can be imported in GEODASY’s own native format or directly from disks in AGS format supplied by any donor system. The import routines in GEODASY provide a means of validating external data and correcting, or modifying it, as needs be.

Once the data is held in GEODASY it is immediately accessible to GEOVIEW. The link is seamless and maintains the Howland’s policy of easy to use systems. The new data is first converted to a project list. The created projects appear on a background index map, quickly allowing areas of existing data to be recognised in exactly the same way as pins on a map. As the level of zoom is increased the actual boreholes appear. Summary data can be viewed to screen by simple point and click. Alternatively, a full borehole record can be displayed on screen and printed if required. "The preview and print is generated in real time and does not rely on scanned images." points out Dr Howland, "Reliance on scanned images eliminates completely the ability to process the contained data. Also, the storage overhead and process time involved with large images is a practical limitation on the real use of GIS" he adds.

GEOVIEW retains the intuitive use that is characteristic of GEODASY. It is an ideal vehicle for organisations that may be exploring the use of GIS. Howlands are convinced that as the system is tried the natural manner in which the data is displayed will cause other benefits to become apparent to the users. For this reason the GIS module is a powerful package that offers a wide range of functions. This allows GEOVIEW to be extended, as may be required, to include other data sets held by the organisations.

For more information contact A F Howland Associates, The Old Exchange, Newmarket Road, Cringleford, Norwich NR4 6UF, UK. Fax +44 (0) 1603 250749. Email admin@howland.co.uk