Oracle Spatial User Conference 2011

Oracle Spatial User Conference 2011
Experience Extreme Spatial Performance

Thursday, May 19, 2011
Ronald Reagan Building & International Trade Center
Washington, DC

Oracle announces the 7th annual international Oracle Spatial User Conference on Thursday, May 19, 2011, in Washington, D.C. For the first time this year, the User Conference will be held as a stand-alone event separate from the GITA Solutions Conference.

Do you want to:

- Use Oracle Exadata Database Machine to experience extreme Spatial performance?
- Learn how leading solutions - in utilities/SmartGrid, business intelligence and more - exploit mapping and spatial analysis?
- Incorporate network analysis, web services and mapping into your applications, using Java and Oracle development tools?
- Deliver ROI by using the world's leading IT platform to leverage location in your business?

You'll find all this at the 2011 Oracle Spatial User Conference:

- Latest updates and developments on Oracle products
- A variety of technical training sessions on Oracle Spatial and Oracle MapViewer – direct from the developers
- Best practices for Oracle Spatial in an Oracle Exadata Database Machine environment
- Use case sessions from customers and partners

Click here for Pricing/Registration Information - Pre-Registration ends May 16th!

Read More

GfK GeoMarketing illuminates business mapping possibilities in Oracle Spatial

A new white paper by GfK GeoMarketing gives Oracle users guidelines on how to take full advantage of the spatial features of Oracle applications. The publication by the Oracle Silver partner emphasizes the key role played by digital postcode maps when carrying out spatial analyses.

Worldwide postcode maps for Oracle - GfK GeoMarketingThe growing spatial functionality of Oracle databases marks an evolutionary leap in information management. A recently released white paper by GfK GeoMarketing titled “Working with digital maps and geodata in Oracle applications” gives users of Oracle solutions guidelines for how to utilize these spatial features through the incorporation of high-quality digital maps.

The publication follows on the heels of the Oracle Silver Partner’s recent announcement that it is now offering its digital postcode and administrative maps in the Oracle data format. This allows Oracles users to take advantage of the company’s cartographic coverage of 240 countries.

“We wanted to give Oracle users access to GfK GeoMarketing’s unique worldwide collection of administrative and postcode maps,” explains Doris Hardt-Beischl, head of sales at GfK GeoMarketing. “Using our maps in conjunction with their own data, Oracle users can spot trends in their data that would otherwise go unnoticed. This leads to more transparency, more efficiency and more turnover.”

Linking data through a common geographic component
The white paper concentrates on the key role played by postcode maps in spatial analyses. One reason for this is the fact that eighty percent of a company’s data contains postcodes in the form of customer-, business location- and competitor addresses. Thanks to this common geographic component, this diverse data can be easily linked with digital postcode maps.

This is possible because postcode maps are not simply illustrative – they also function as data repositories. In the case of postcode maps, this corresponds to detailed information on postcode boundaries as well as the coordinates of each postcode’s center point for the region in question. This data is associated with the map via a table whose columns contain the numerical values for each geographic unit. Each map object has a unique identification code that corresponds to these values in the table. This integration of the visual aspects of the map with so-called “geodata” allows Oracle users to link their own data with the maps, analyze it and then visualize the results.

“Analyzing and displaying data on digital maps is a tremendously powerful tool for generating new insights,” explains Doris Hardt-Beischl. “Now that we offer our full digital map collection in the Oracle format, Oracle users can extract more value from their data and make better, more informed business decisions.”

Wide range of applications for digital maps in Oracle
The new white paper details some of the applications of postcode maps when used as a basis for spatial analyses in Oracle. These range from geocoding data on customers, turnover and branch locations to performing regionally filtered spatial queries that locate untapped potential or underserved areas of the market. The white paper also explains how the digital postcode maps can be used in Oracle to support sales territory planning and controlling activities.

Not all postcode maps are equal
The white paper also gives Oracle users tips on quality features of postcode maps. According to GfK GeoMarketing, five-digit postcodes comprise the best foundation for spatial analyses and subsequent planning. These boundaries often change from year to year, so it’s essential to acquire detailed maps that reflect the latest status.

Free map sample
GfK GeoMarketing offers a free Oracle-format map for downloading. The map features coverage of the postal systems used by countries around the globe. Download the free Oracle-format world map at www.gfk-geomarketing.com/oracle-sample.

Download the white paper “Working with digital maps and geodata in Oracle applications”
at www.gfk-geomarketing.com/oracle-paper.

Print-quality illustrations
can be found at www.gfk-geomarketing.com/maps_oracle2010. (approx. 2.8 MB)

Additional information
on GfK GeoMarketing’s maps and other products can be obtained from Thorsten Lauszus at +49 (0)7251 9295145.

About GfK GeoMarketing
GfK GeoMarketing is one of the largest providers of geomarketing services in Europe for customers and users from all branches of trade. Key business areas include:

* Consultancy
* Market data
* Digital maps
* Geomarketing software RegioGraph

GfK GeoMarketing is a subsidiary of the globally active GfK Group. Ranked fourth among the world's market research institutes, the GfK is represented in 100 countries with over 150 subsidiaries and approximately 10,000 employees. spacer

Contact:

Cornelia Lichtner
Public Relations
Tel. +49 (0)7251 9295 270
Fax +49 (0)7251 9295 290

Read More

Wuhan University Oracle Spatial Innovation Center

The Wuhan University-Oracle Spatial Innovation Center (WOSIC) has been established in Wuhan University, leveraging global best practices to enhance knowledge transfer of China's spatial technology.

WOSIC aims to accelerate the advancement of research and development of spatial technology among Chinese academia through cooperation in joint research projects, software donation, curriculum development, training, and internship program. Oracle Asia Research and Development Center is pioneering the market in developing innovative solutions based on Oracle's world-class technologies.

According to a report from Chinese Network Economy Research Center, the market for map information service in China will exceed 500 million RMB by the end of 2008 and reach to 1.5 billion RMB by the end of 2010.

In repeated surveys beginning in 2002 and most recently in 2006, analyst firm IDC reports show that Oracle's spatial information management-oriented database has 80-90 percent of the market share in the enterprise spatial information management database market. "Wuhan University is one of the key universities in China. It is the world's largest base for geoinformatics education and research," said Li Deren, Chairman, Academic Committee, Wuhan University. "As early as 1999 Wuhan University began its exchanges and cooperation with the Oracle in the field of spatial database. Its self-developed GIS system GeoStar utilized Oracle Spatial 8i, Oracle Spatial 9i as the product of the mainstream database platform. The establishment of this center will facilitate Wuhan University and Oracle's cooperation on personnel training, basic research, and technologic development, which in turn promotes the development of Geoinformatics and Spatial database."

The memorandum of understanding signing underscores the enhanced cooperation between Oracle and educational institutions in Central China's Hubei Province. Since 2002, Oracle has made in-kind donations of $15 million to Wuhan University and Huazhong University of Science and Technology in the forms of software, faculty training, teaching materials, and preferential certification in order to advance the improvement of teaching environment, curriculum construction, and faculty training in these universities. Every year, more than 1,900 students benefit from Oracle's programs.

[via]

Read More

Oracle Utilities Mobile Workforce Management 1.5

Oracle today announced the availability of Oracle Utilities Mobile Workforce Management 1.5, which includes significant enhancements that help utilities improve workforce productivity, more effectively plan maintenance and enhance customer service.

The new release continues to build on Oracle's commitment to providing utilities industry-specific applications that are pre-integrated with other Oracle product offerings and allow customers to fully leverage Oracle Database and Oracle Fusion Middleware to improve application performance and reliability.

Oracle Utilities Mobile Workforce Management has been designed for utility field service work -- to provide real-time scheduling capabilities needed to manage intra-day schedule changes due to emergency work requests and other day-to-day activities.

Oracle Utilities Mobile Workforce Management Release 1.5 Details
Oracle Utilities Mobile Workforce Management 1.5 includes more than 20 user enhancements based on Oracle Customer Advisory Board recommendations. These enhancements will help utilities:

Streamline Crew Management for Multi-Task Jobs -- The new version allows utilities to automate previously manual processes by identifying linkages/flow between various tasks on a project. For example, utilities would typically schedule consecutive tasks like trenching, installing pipe or conduit and setting/energizing a meter in order, but separately, requiring manual schedule reconfiguration should one aspect of the job change. In addition, the application allows utilities to easily accommodate staffing changes. For example, if a service specialist calls in sick, the system will assess the skill set of the present workforce and reassign tasks as needed. With Oracle Utilities Mobile Workforce Management, utilities can coordinate changes to the schedule's tasks automatically and readjust the other work in the series in real time as opposed to an individual having to manually reschedule the
various tasks. This new feature helps save time and reduce human error.

Provide Spatial Information -- Oracle Utilities Mobile Workforce Management 1.5 also integrates with Oracle Fusion Middleware MapViewer to display geospatial data from a number of sources, including Oracle Database, Oracle Spatial, utilities' GIS systems
and external geospatial Web sites accessible through Web services. This integration provides a clearer user interface that allows users to access map data from a central repository, rather than having to download maps individually. The system also makes immediate updates to the central repository, helping ensure that users have access to accurate, up-to-date spatial data to more effectively plan repairs and maintenance and helping work crews get to the right job site as quickly and efficiently as possible.

Enable Route Replay -- Oracle Utilities Mobile Workforce Management 1.5 leverages map data from Oracle Fusion Middleware MapViewer to illustrate routes where vehicles have historically traveled. This feature enables management to document a truck's location at any given time in the past should the information be required for insurance, public information or other schedule/location verification purposes.

Oracle Utilities Mobile Workforce Management 1.5 also includes tighter integration to Oracle Utilities Network Management System to provide users with the flexibility of managing a work order through the user interface of either system.

The following platforms are certified for Oracle Utilities Mobile Workforce Management 1.5: Windows Server 2003 Standard Edition, SP2; Windows XP, SP2; Windows Mobile 5; and Windows Mobile 6.

Supporting Quotes
-- "Efficiently managing a field workforce is a complex process for utilities. The new release of Oracle Utilities Mobile Workforce Management provides features that allow utilities to improve communication between operations and field personnel, reschedule crews as needed, optimize available workforces and more proactively plan
repairs and maintenance to enhance customer service," said Quentin Grady, senior vice president and general manager, Oracle Utilities.

Supporting Resources
http://www.oracle.com/industries/utilities/index.html

http://www.oracle.com/industries/utilities/oracle-utilities-mobile-workforce.html

For more information, visit http://www.oracle.com/industries/utilities.

Read More