National Association of GIS-Centric Solutions


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For Immediate Release
July 30, 2004

Organization of GIS-Centric Software Providers Forms
Association to Certify GIS-Centric Software Solutions


Sandy UT — The National Association of GIS-Centric Software (NAGCS) announced their formation today. NAGCS is an association of software ESRI Authorized Developers dedicated to providing enterprise GIS solutions while promoting the unique characteristics and benefits of GIS-centric software and applications. The association also promotes interoperability, open standards and shared access among related applications, distinguishing these applications and software systems from other approaches.

NAGCS certification is available to any software system that meets the criteria described by the association. Systems that meet these criteria are then authorized to carry the NAGCS Certification mark. The criteria include:
  • The GIS GeoDatabase is the feature database.
  • Non-redundant feature data storage.
  • Feature data model is fully user-definable and customizable without vendor support.
  • Non-proprietary feature data model format, including data names, fields, tables, relationships, and other data design elements.
  • Interoperable, providing maximum compatibility with any other GIS-centric application, including concurrent use of the feature geodatabase.
  • Feature data coordinate location and connectivity is inherent in the feature data model, enabling full utilization of the spatial analysis capabilities of the GIS, including linear referencing, events and other GIS functionality.
  • Feature data is created and maintained using the GIS tools for editing, including data error identification and correction methods.
"The founding members of NAGCS recognize the unparalleled benefits of GIS-centric systems. All these firms are founded on that principal and are among the fastest growing companies in their sector," says Brian Haslam, President of Azteca Systems. "In seeking a clear way to distinguish the unique benefits of GIS-centric applications, NAGCS establishes a defining set of criteria that affords us the opportunity to ensure systems meet the standard of what customers expect: no gimmicks and no tricks, but true GIS-centric solutions. Many companies out there claim they use the GIS. We want to set a clear definition of what it means to be GIS-centric."

The association’s founding members include: Azteca Systems, Tadpole Cartesia, NovaLIS and RouteSmart Technologies. The companies outlined the criteria and will remain as voting members. More software companies are expected to join while an interim management team is in place to govern the association until it can be self-operational. The association will soon be announcing the appointment of a third party agent that will review and evaluate applicants for certification.

About NAGCS
The National Association of GIS-Centric Software systems providers was founded to distinguish the unique characters and capabilities of using GIS-centric solutions and data in applications built for business processes. The group is dedicated to furthering the development of GIS-centric solutions for all industries, encouraging the use of GIS-based enterprise systems and distinguishing the benefits of GIS-centric capabilities. For more information, visit NACGS at www.nagcs.org.

NAGCS, nagcs.org, and @nagcs.org are either registered trademarks or trademarks of the National Association of GIS-Centric Software in the United States and/or other countries. The names of actual companies and products mentioned herein may be the trademarks of their respective owners.

For more information, contact:
Brian Haslam
Acting President
National Association of GIS-Centric Solutions.
801-523-2751
bhaslam@azteca.com