MalaysiaGIS.com

Source: New Straits Times

ERSIS Asia Sdn Bhd, the sole distributor of MapInfo Geographic Information System (GIS) software in Malaysia introduced the latest version of the package last week.

According to the company, MapInfo version 3.0 incorporates various various improvements over its predecessor, Version 2.12, that will enhance the functionality appeal of the package.

The new features reduce the gap between MapInfo which is designed to be an entry level package and the higher-end GIS packages, according to Ersis Asia's assistant manager Khairi Abdul Wahad.

Sporting a new and improved user interface to enable easier and faster mapping work, MapInfo Version 3.0 new features include new data visualization tools - a new raster image underlay and improved thematic mapping.

It also incorporates new geographic analysis features such as new polygon operations, map editing tools and data driven buffering. The new version also offers extended data access with Direct Connect Remote Server Access for Macintosh, Unix and Windows platforms.

At an entry-level price of about RM5,000, MapInfo 3.0 is available for the DOS, Sun and Hewlett-Packard HP-UX, Macintosh and Intergraph platforms.

Khairi said with MapInfo version 3.0, Ersis Asia is confident that it will continue to get a good response from the local market. Since introducing the product in Malaysia about 18 months ago, the company said it has sold over 200 licenses of MapInfo Version 2.12.

"We hope to be able to sell 150-200 of MapInfo 3.0 in Malaysia this year," he said, adding the most of the company's customers come from the Government sector.

He said that Ersis Asia, which is a joint venture company between Ersis Australia Pty Ltd and local concerns have also completed a Bahasa Melayu version of MapInfo's menu.

With the option of using a translated menu, he said users who are not too well versed in English can also use the package without facing any difficulty.