MapInfo launches new program, offers European street maps
MapInfo Corp., Troy, N.Y., has launched a new program, dubbed MapOpen, designed to make more kinds of information usable in desktop mapping applications. The program encompasses two new products, a worldwide technology and marketing program and, as previously announced, the inclusion of MapInfo mapping technology in future versions of some of Microsoft Corp.'s general business applications. Arc Link 3.0 and AG*Link are data translation products that allow information from different formats to be used with MapInfo software. ArcLink 3.0, which costs $595 (upgrade $150) facilitates the sharing of data between ESRI's ARC/INFO and MapInfo. AG*Link ($95) transfers Strategic Mapping Inc.' s Atlas GIS files into MapInfo's data file format. Atlas GIS data can also be transferred automatically into MapInfo' s relational file will give data vendors access to a variety of MapInfo's software engineering tools so they can develop and market data that is compatible with MapInfo software. The company's partners in the project to date include Claritas, Geographic Data Technology, American Digital Cartography, Etak, GisDA TA Ltd. and Tele Atlas.
Meanwhile, MapInfo and Tele Atlas, a supplier of geographic data in Europe, have also teamed up to offer street maps of the Netherlands and Belgium for use in desktop mapping systems. The two electronic data maps are the first in a series called StreetInfo Europe. Both companies will sell the products in the series; StreetInfo for Germany and Italy will be the next products released. StreetInfo contains detailed information on all streets, highways, railroads, waterways and municipal boundaries. StreetInfo for the Netherlands and Belgium are available in Windows, Macintosh, DOS, Sun and HP formats. StreetInfo for the Netherlands is $29,800; for Belgium, $21,700. Regional StreetInfo maps can also be purchased; prices range from $1,550 to $5,575.
Market research report designer debuts
Fassino Associates Inc., Media, Pa., offers SmartReport, software that allows users to create and distribute interactive multimedia market research reports. The program lets users integrate qualitative and quantitative research findings. It has built-in analyzing tools that can be used to createcross tabs, do statistical analysis or enter information into a database. Text and graphics in tracking studies can be updated and complex statistical models, such as conjoint simulators, can be integrated. Windows and Macintosh versions of the program, both of which are Internet-ready, are available.
Nexis gains bulk
LEXIS-NEXIS, Dayton, Ohio, has added 33 U.S. newspapers to the 31 that were already available through the NEXIS online service. The NEXIS service allows users to search fulltext versions of the newspapers it offers by topic; the service provides one file of all of the articles on the topic in reverse chronological order. Among the new offerings are The Denver Post, The Sun (Baltimore), The Salt Lake City Tribune, The Times Union (Albany, N.Y.) and the Omaha World Herald. NEXIS-LEXIS plans to add seven more papers to its NEXIS offerings soon. Formerly known as Mead Data Central, LEXIS-NEXIS acquired its new name when it was purchased by Reed Elsevier pIc (cf. Research Company News).
New Snap debuts
Newburyport, Mass.-based Mercator Corp., a subsidiary of Bristol, England-based Mercator Computer Systems, has updated its SNAP Professional survey design and analysis software for PCs. The software can be used to produce questionnaires, enter results and analyze and present data. Version 3 of SNAP Professional allows for fast data entry and import and export between SNAP surveys of selected variables and data as well as entire surveys and raw data files. The new issue also has an index facility in batch production that lists the contents of each table produced. Windows metafile output for both tables and charts for direct linking to word processing software is an available option. SNAP Professional starts at $795 per single-user license.
NCS packages survey software
Minneapolis-based National Computer Systems has put together the NCS Survey software package, in an effort to make low- to mid-volume surveys easier and more cost efficient to conduct. The software is designed to be used with an optical mark read scanner - either NCS Sentry or OpScan models - and enables users to customize scannable survey forms, automatically enter survey data, tabulate results and prepare reports. The company has endeavored to make the Windows-based software, which comes with nine customizable survey template forms, easy to learn and use. The NCS Survey software costs $795.