MalaysiaGIS.com

Source: New Straits Times

Institut Kerja Raya, Malaysia (IKRAM) has turned to Information Technology to improve its capability in dealing with the design, construction and maintenance of engineered slopes.

In its latest exercise, the institute invested about RM850,000 to implement a Geographic Information System-based system called Computer Aided Engineering Mapping System (CAEMS).

The system incorporates the SPANS GIS package, Erdas Imagine image analysis system for remote sensing and CADCORE/Tracer for auto-vectorising digital maps to enhance data conversion capabilities. It also includes SPANS MAP and Document Management System solutions.

For hardware, IKRAM has installed two units of Hewlett-Packard's HP9000 Model 725/75 workstations, an ICL CXE 486/66 personal computer, a Calcomp Drawingboard digitizer and a Calcomp A0-sized scanner.

The institute also installed a Calcomp Drawing Master Plus Plotter, an HP colour inkjet printer, a laser printer, a streamer tape drive, a reel tape drive and an uninterruptible power supply (UPS) unit.

The contract for the project was awarded to local systems integrator, Sepakat Computer Consultant Sdn Bhd and installation was completed recently. In conjunction with the completion of the installation, a signing ceremony was held between both parties in Kajang, Selangor, last Thursday.

At the event, IKRAM was represented by its director Abdul Kadir Awang Ahmad and Geotechnical Division senior assistant director, Dr Nik Ramlan Nik Hassan. Representing Sepakat was its executive director Hamid Manaf and GIS manager Awalludin Ramlee.

IKRAM staff are currently undergoing training on the new system and the institute is expected to fully utilize its new tools by the end of this month.

The move is also part of IKRAM's preparations to equip itself with the necessary capabilities and expertise to become a cente of excellence in road design, construction and maintenance technologies for Malaysia and the region.

According to Sepakat, the installation of the solution at IKRAM marked another success for the company in the GIS segment. With over 15 sites to its credit, the company has generated over RM15 million in turnover from the segment since 1990.

The biggest contract it had been awarded so far is the Mini-CALS project awarded by Jabatan Ukur dan Pemetaan (JUPEM) worth RM10.5 million.