A Geographic Information System (GIS) is the primary module for navigation, analysis and visualization. This module displays all georeferenced information including site plans, aerial photographs, marine and terrestrial assets, and surrounding data on a web map.

Asset Tracking Anywhere’s (ATA’s) mapping module starts by capturing, storing, analyzing, and managing spatial data. Beyond that ATA is the leader in displaying spatial and temporal data over the web and allowing users to interactively query the data on the fly without the need for predetermined scenarios or pre-rendered imagery.

One of the great features of electronic maps is the ease with which they can present information in geographical context, on demand. Microsoft, Google and Yahoo maps feature maps that users can pan (by dragging the mouse) and zoom (by using the mouse wheel). Users may enter a point location, address, intersection or general area to quickly find almost any location around the world.

ATA utilizes the following three viewing modes from Microsoft, Google and Yahoo maps: Map (topographic and street maps), Satellite (satellite and high-resolution aerial photographs) and Hybrid, which is a combination of the two.

These providers work with TeleAtlas, DigitalGlobe, MDA Federal, NAVTEQ, NASA, and many governments to provide global coverage reliably and quickly.

ATA also utilizes ESRI’s ArcGIS Server. This suite of products offers advantages over standard map engines in the ease of data layering, data creation, data visualization, data capture, raster-to-vector translation and the manipulation of projection and coordinate systems. However, the primary advantage the ESRI partnership offers to ATA clients is in the software’s extensive tools for spatial analysis. Spatial analysis through ESRI’s software includes:

• Data modeling
• Topological modeling
• Networking
• Cartographic modeling
• Map overlay
• Automated cartography
• Geostatistics

The ATA/ESRI architecture provides the ability to leverage the power of a sophisticated server-based mapping engine in the context of a customized solution, without the need for additional levels of abstraction or the introduction of third party web browser extensions. This module allows organizations to build and maintain maps with their regular mapping program, as well as maintain layer control in the web application.