The form-based GIS data collection capability of the Earthmate PN-Series GPS receivers has been receiving glowing reviews from a wide variety of sources. Most agree that the GIS industry has been waiting for an inexpensive and easy-to-use alternative for the mobile GIS market. For Eagle Information Mapping, Inc., a Houston-based GIS and mapping solutions provider serving the oil and gas industry, the PN is a perfect fit. During a recent conversation with Vice President Tracy Thorleifson, I asked him why he chose to add the PN to Eagle’s list of products and services.
When did you first learn about XMap and the capabilities of the PN-Series GPS receivers?
Eagle has been aware of XMap and the PN-Series GPS devices since their introduction. Although most of our work involves the implementation of corporate, enterprise-level GIS systems, several of our clients have made use of XMap as a “light weight” application for field users for years. And a considerable number of our clients’ field technicians already use PN-Series devices for navigation in the field, even though these devices may not yet be integrated into enterprise workflows.
What do you think the PN offers that other devices cannot provide?
Eagle is really excited about the integration between the PN devices and the SPOT Satellite Communicator. Many of Eagle’s clients work in areas that are out of cell phone coverage. Integration with the SPOT Communicator makes it possible for us to implement simple communication and limited data transfer from just about any location. This can help streamline workflows in day-to-day operations, and in emergency situations this capability becomes extremely useful.
How well do you think the PN and XMap fit into the existing GIS infrastructure for your customers?
In the past Eagle’s client base has typically utilized high-cost, complicated, survey-grade GPS units for field data collection. This has limited the penetration of GPS-based field data collection in these organizations. However, most field technicians spend most of their time working at facilities or locations that have previously been surveyed—there’s no need to collect survey-grade GPS coordinates every time such a site is visited. Rather, the GPS device is simply used to help locate the facility. This makes a low cost, simple device like the PN-Series GPS unit an ideal alternative for field data collection. Our goal is to dramatically increase the use of GPS-enabled field data collection with our clients using PN-Series devices running XMap Forms tailored to the client’s data collection needs.
What value are you able to offer your customers that they would not receive if they purchased a GPS device through another supplier?
Eagle’s strength is in enterprise GIS, workflow management and data management. Collecting data in the field is just the first step of many in making sure only high-quality information enters your corporate GIS system. Eagle’s workflow management tools help companies manage data capture, quality assurance, and quality control workflows, and do so in a way that is highly configurable and 100% audit-able. This helps our clients establish the rigorous Management of Change (MOC) environments that are increasingly required by federal and state regulatory authorities.
About Eagle Information Mapping
Eagle Information Mapping, Inc., has been an Oil and Gas solutions provider since 1991 specializing in Pipeline and Exploration & Production GIS. Our Philosophy is simple—we are dedicated to our customers and we continually provide state-of-the-art technology and unsurpassed service through integrity, dedication, and ingenuity. For more information, visit www.eaglemap.com
