New human-centered data collection system allows personnel in the field to communicate with map annotations, drawings and field journals.

San Diego, California – June 19, 2007: In a development with significant benefits to organizations dependent on accurate geospatial communications from personnel in the field, Adapx (pronounced “Adapts”) today revealed a new software product call Mapx™—a fully integrated software solution that enables digital pen and paper-based data collection with ESRI® ArcGIS mapping software.  Adapx announced the new integration at the annual ESRI User’s Conference, where the software was showcased during ESRI President Jack Dangermond’s main stage address and during the plenary session. 

“The Adapx extension to ArcGIS is an excellent example of an innovative technology that can capture data during a lively exchange of information,” said Jack Dangermond, ESRI President. “People can draw on a map the way they have for centuries, and the information is captured in the pen. When the pen is docked into a USB port, the geodatabase is automatically updated.”

As an ESRI ArcGIS® Engine 9.2 Extension, Mapx is the ideal way to create, import, edit, and share paper-based Geographic Information Systems (GIS) data. A powerful addition to ArcGIS, Mapx seamlessly integrates with ArcGIS Desktop applications to provide an end-to-end data collection process that results in accurate, real-time digital information.  With Mapx, the user retains all the flexibility of using paper maps in an easy-to-use data collection solution.  Simply print any map from a Mapx-enabled version of ArcGIS Desktop or Engine application. A pattern of dots embedded in the printed document enables these fully geo-registered maps to be used with Penx™, Adapx’ field-ready digital pens supporting Anoto® functionality. The user is able to mark and annotate maps, and forms associated with the map, containing geodatabase features and attributes, and collect or report on these features and attributes in real time. There is no need to modify existing ESRI products because the Mapx Extension can be used with any ArcGIS 9.2 Desktop licenses, including ArcView®, ArcEditor™, or ArcInfo®, and is compatible with geodatabase feature classes, such as personal and enterprise ArcSDE®. 

Whether the map itself is folded, crumpled, wrinkled, wet, or even in pieces: as long as pre-printed dots – or Anoto® Pattern – are discernable, data capture can continue.  If the map is lost or destroyed, information is never lost – it is stored in the Penx and available as soon as it is uploaded. New maps are easily replaced by printing from a color laser printer.  A companion digital field Journalx™ product suite enables field personnel to take field notes in almost any kind of weather or hazardous environment using bound Rite in the Rain™ notebooks. With Journalx, the notes are delivered directly into the field worker’s Microsoft® OneNote software notebooks. Indeed, using Mapx, notes within OneNote can then be imported into ArcGIS Desktop and placed onto the map, based on a Location field used by customers in their Journalx.

“For organizations with field and mobile personnel, Adapx is filling an important need that has not been served by traditional manual or computing alternatives,” said Peter Zubowicz of ESRI.  “Without technology that is both human-centered and sufficiently rugged, organizations resort to time-consuming typing, tracing, and re-entering of field data.  In situations that tend to be urgent, time-sensitive, even life-threatening, there is a true need for this kind of technology,” he continued. “ESRI is pleased to count Adapx as an ESRI Business Partner, and to showcase its important new technology to users of ESRI GIS software.”

“The failure of technology in our era is that it has required users to change the way they work,” said Adapx Founder and Chairman, Dr. Philip Cohen.  “This leads to excessive complexity, training, and cost.  Adapx’ alternative approach is to create innovative technology that fits users’ existing practices, making it simple and natural to use.  Adapx is developing human-centered software and hardware technologies,” he continued, “and in so doing enabling people who are used to paper-based data collection to gain the benefit of digital solutions without excessive training. Our integration of Mapx with ArcGIS to serve ESRI’s customers is a significant step forward in that process.”

About the Products

Adapx’ Journalx, provides a robust, fully integrated digital data collection solution— while still using the field notebooks the user is accustomed to.  Journalx requires no change in field data collection techniques. The user simply uses a digital pen with Adapx Rite in the Rain all weather digital field notebooks. Specially-formulated Adapx Rite-in-the-Rain® paper and field journals remain durable in wet weather—the same weather-resistant products already used; the only difference is that they are preprinted with digital paper technology that is that is uniquely designed to place the user’s notes directly into Microsoft Office OneNote 2007. Unlike other digital solutions, Journalx software from Adapx does the all the work behind the scenes. Page for page, everything the user writes and sketches with their digital is captured and uploaded into OneNote, for review, searching and even sharing, without having to retype field notes into their computer.

Adapx’ Penx™, based on the Anoto technology, looks and feels like a regular ballpoint pen, but contains an integrated digital camera, advanced image microprocessor and mobile communications device for wireless connection.  Penx features a finished, non-glare / non-slip surface and contains a sealed and pressurized Fisher® ink pen cartridge filled with Rite in the Rain® proprietary ink – for use in any position or condition.   Penx has an optional Dox™ protective carrying case which is designed, tested and proven in robust field conditions. Dox is tested to Mil Spec 810F.  Penx holds its charge for five to seven days, recharges any time it’s docked, and stores up to 50 pages of letter-sized paper at a time. 

About Adapx

Headquartered in Seattle, Washington, Adapx is transforming the way users interact with technology by developing innovative, human-centered technology that improves the mobility, simplicity, accuracy, speed, reliability and intelligibility of information capture and communication.  With nearly 20 years of research, along with significant investments by the U.S. Government, Adapx has developed patented digital paper technology for its clients.  Adapx was originally established in 1999 as Natural Interaction Systems (NIS), which was a spin-off of the Oregon Graduate Institute (now, Oregon Health and Science University). 

About ESRI

Founded in 1969, ESRI (www.esri.com) is the world leader in the GIS software industry. ESRI offers innovative solutions that help users create, manage, analyze, and display information to make timely decisions and solve problems they encounter every day. ESRI’s comprehensive product line ranges from desktop GIS to GIS for the enterprise.

Contact:

David Hyres
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