 Since kick off, efficient and reliable EO raster data processes have been the backbone of Proxy Logics’ wide range of services in a range of application fields. In the data processing unit, all experts have dedicated image processing and geo-science backgrounds.
Over the course of many projects, we have processed vast amounts of data covering all parts of the country and consisting of various commercial and scientific sensor data from optical and radar sources, as well as data from derived products such as digital elevation models. In recent years, Proxy Logics has built up dedicated and highly efficient workflows for the production of large quantities of very high resolution (VHR) satellite orthoimagery and large-area mosaics in order to serve the growing customer demand for such products.
Needless to say, we are conversant with all multi-purpose image processing systems on the market, and we also have the capability to tailor proprietary raster processing software exactly to customer requirements, as well as providing stand-alone solutions from our own software development unit.
Raster data processing services at Proxy Logics are available as a dedicated service using data provided by the customer, or can be embedded in a complete value-adding service that ranges from the procurement of source data to semi-automated image data analysis for specific applications.
Source Data Procurement
Source Data like Satellite Imagery, Elevation Models and Land Use Data as acquired from Proxy Logics and from other sources can be input to further pre-processing steps, extended quality control and database generation. Proxy Logics provides a complete range of services for the generation of databases including spatial and non-spatial data, integrating raster, vector, attribute, and multimedia data. Services range from data capture (scanning, digitizing, GPS based surveying, inventorying and field mapping), data compilation (mosaic and tile generation, spatial and geo-statistical analysis, data compression) and database conversion to database integration and integrity control. Strict quality control is the guiding principle for all database generation processing steps since data serve as "fuel" for all kinds of information systems. This removes the risk of "garbage in - garbage out" systems.
Orthoimagery Production
The increasing number and capacity of new generation VHR satellite imagery systems now allows the coverage of very large regions with 50cm to 2.5m colour imagery. Most applications require from that imagery to provide a very high positional accuracy and to be strictly quality-controlled. The vast amounts of data related to these large-area coverages can only be managed well, if dedicated and highly efficient workflows for the production and quality control are in place. We have developed such workflows and procedures, making use of our large experience in the field of satellite image processing since 1985. Furthermore we can assist the customer in finding appropriate ancillary data required for the orthorectification process, like best-possible Digital Elevation Models and adequate Ground Control. Areas exceeding 100.000 sqkm can be produced in reliable quality and with positional accuracies of a few meters - in short time.
Large-area Orthomosaics
Many applications require the coverage of very large areas with a continuous and homogeneous image product. Besides precise orthorectification, the mosaicking process has to be done with great care to minimize inhomogeneity of colours and the visibility of scene edges in the image product. Coverages can be achieved in many cases with a single sensor source, when the acceptable time-frame for new image acquisitions or archive data to be used is large enough. Proxy Logics’ experience in the production of single source mosaics covers a lot of different projects and systems. Sometimes, complete coverage of an area is required in a narrow time-frame and at very high resolution. In most of these cases, the use of multi-source VHR imagery is the only way to achieve this goal in due time. Proxy Logics has developed dedicated procedures and workflows to create continuous mosaics, as homogeneous as possible, from many different sources. The use of semi-automated procedures with manual expert input (where necessary) help to ensure the high quality standard, which is recognised to be characteristic for all Proxy Logics products. All mosaics can be delivered in projections, formats and tiling schemes according to the specific customer requirements.
Image Processing and Analysis
Image Processing services at Proxy Logics include basic pre-processing and advanced correction and enhancement procedures for raw satellite data, creation of derived products like Digital Elevation Models as well as the production of mosaics and combined products. Since 1985 we have processed vast amounts of data scattered all over the globe, consisting of various commercial and scientific sensor data sources. Image and Raster Data Processing services at Proxy Logics are available as a single service for data provided by the customer, or can be embedded in a complete value-adding service ranging from the procurement of source data up to semi-automated image data analysis for land, marine and coastal applications. The process of Image Analysis links the pre-processed satellite data from optical and radar sources to the provision of extracted information to specific application areas. Satellite data are an objective and spatially contiguous representation of the properties of the earth's surface. Once gathered, multi-parametric satellite data has to be transformed into mapping or target information by way of an often complex and subjective process. At Proxy Logics we work with a number of applications with proven and established satellite data analysis methodologies, encompassing both automatic feature detection and interactive interpretation techniques. A strictly quality controlled, hybrid process, yields for most applications the most precise and economic results. Our credo is the ultimate importance of developing analysis procedures which are truly operational and, with minor modifications, can easily be scaled up.
GIS Analysis and Geo-Processing
The entire suite of state-of-the-art GIS-based geo-data processing and analysis is established at Proxy Logics since our kick off. Data processing includes quality assessment (geographic-topological, coordinate systems, attributive), data collection and extraction, data conversion for interoperability, metadata generation, digital cartography, and advanced spatial analysis and geo-statistics operations.
Further, geo-processing tools to automate GIS tasks for the processing of raster and vector data are developed at Proxy Logics. Especially for repetitive works involving multiple processing steps, methods to automate, document, and share multiple-step procedures - known as workflows or processing-chains - are developed, tested, and applied. Not only for the execution of mass production projects, but also for implementation at clients’ offices.
Digital Cartography and Map Production
Thematic maps as well as satellite image maps are still the most important medium for presenting and disseminating spatially referenced information. Digital cartography and Geographic Information System (GIS) techniques are the most efficient tools available for map production. Professional map layout is guaranteed by Proxy Logics's qualified cartographers. An advanced computing environment and state-of-the-art software allow Proxy Logics to integrate GIS and digital cartography techniques efficiently. PROXY LOGICS offers the entire scope of output products ranging from low-cost paper plots and high-quality printed & coated color maps to digital map files and fully-fledged web mapping services.
3D Feature Extraction and Terrain Visualisation
Digital Elevation Models and 3D Features for Digital City Models can be extracted by Proxy Logics from a variety of remote sensing sources. 3D feature data and photo-realistic 3D visualisations of the terrain are of increasing importance to a variety of application fields, including tourism, media, defense and security, regional planning and telecommunication. For many years Proxy Logics has served these fields with stunning 3D views, customised animations and fully interactive 3D fly-throughs, by combining earth observation imagery, vector data and digital elevation models to create virtual environments.
Mapping and Monitoring
One of the key areas of Proxy Logics service provision is mapping and monitoring tasks carried out entirely or partially using earth observation and/or other types of geospatial data. The information extraction and derivation technologies used range from visual interpretation of pre-processed and spectrally/texturally enhanced raster information using ancillary data layers and calibration information to automated or semi-automated feature extraction workflows.
A particular strength of Proxy Logics is the wide thematic data extraction and derivation experience, which includes the obtaining of data for applications in the fields of natural resources, infrastructure, land cover and land use, as well as all types of planning relevant information. Proxy Logics mapping projects typically cover large areas and thereby benefit to the maximum from the use of satellite information.
Proxy Logics mapping experts possess vast project experience - including a profound understanding of what customers expect. The service quality is outstanding in terms of precision and quality, and places considerable emphasis on consistency and adherence to standards where applicable.
Base Mapping
This service segment focuses on the provision of information layers that are usually displayed as topographic maps. The demands here can even go beyond standard topographic mapping requirements, such as in very high resolution feature extraction projects. Customers generally use the resulting products for multi-purpose applications, such as for spatial and infrastructure planning as well as for navigation/location based services and products.
Thematic Mapping
This service segment includes the provision of land suitability and soil maps, geological maps, hydrological resource maps, forestry maps, specific land cover and land use maps and many more types of thematic maps, all of which are mainly used for a specific purpose and are usually tailor-made for individual customers. To the greatest extent possible and when suitable, Proxy Logics makes use of agreed or documented thematic standards in this respect, as well as "best practice" work flows.
Monitoring
Monitoring services make use of the unique capacity of geospatial information and earth observation data to enable easy spatial comparison of mapping information over time. It is also the case here that visual and automated processing tools are used, wherever and whenever appropriate, in order to extract the change information required from the data in the time series. Various fields of application utilise monitoring projects to provide accurate details about spatial change patterns as well as statistics.
Information Systems
 A central pillar of Proxy Logics’s successful work and global experience is the integration of remotely sensed data, survey data, web services and DBMS in a single integrated GIS environment, with such environments ranging from stand alone to enterprise-wide solutions.
Specialised and tailored application development (for GIS, RDBMS, and web-solutions) provides the key to successful and sustainable system integration and also ensures sustainability and proper use and application of the information systems.
System Analysis, Integration and Migration
Proxy Logics applies user-centered practices to the analysis, design and testing of concepts and evolving solutions. Applied skills and expertise include business analysis, requirements analysis, system design and usability engineering. We design, specify, assess feasibility and costs, and implement computer systems for a wide range of businesses and authorities.
The integration of various components is one of the key elements for the implementation of integrated spatial information systems. Components to be considered include existing and new databases, database management systems, existing and new applications, operating systems and networks, standard software and the procurement and installation of hardware and peripheral devices.
Successful system integration and migration depends mainly on the proper execution of relevent activities, particularly a careful institutional assessment, a thorough analysis of the user requirements, a detailed system design, in-depth knowledge of state-of-the-art technologies and industrial standards including future developments and finally adequate training and migration measures including workflow integration. Proxy Logics has vast and worldwide experience in all the steps involved in integrating complex systems, from requirement assessment to roll-out.
GIS/DB Design and Implementation
Proxy Logics designs and implements GIS / DB solutions from cradle to maturity for a wide range of land related management disciplines. Typically, services comprise a detailed application, DB and system design followed by DB and GIS application programming, database and metadata generation, prototyping, benchmarking and then system procurement, integration, and training. A further phase consists of system maintenance and potential system expansion.
The successful introduction of complex spatial data handling technology within any organization requires that proven and structured approaches are applied during the GIS / DB design, implementation and operational phases of the installation. Proxy Logics maintains several business partnerships with major international market leaders, including ESRI, Oracle and IBM. Our specialists are conversant in the most important GIS / DB environments and they are also experienced in working under expatriate conditions. In this fashion successful projects have been executed in more than 50 locations.
Application Development
PROXY LOGICS develops GIS and DB applications for a wide range of different disciplines. The main lesson learned from a vast number of successfully completed projects is the importance of a very close cooperation with the client in the application design phase: The design documents are the essential bridge between the programmer and the user.
Applications vary from generic to very specific customisations which are either developed based on GIS / DBMS common-off-the-shelf software (customisation of COTS) or based on Proxy Logics's proprietary software developments. An integral part of customised solutions are the integration of existing databases and software programs or process and data models.
The actual GIS and DB application programming, database generation, prototyping, database and model integration and final benchmarking are executed according to international software development standards. The constantly evolving quality management system (ISO 9001:2000) ensures the high quality demands throughout all application design, development, and implementation phases.
Spatial Data Structure Concepts
Consistent means of sharing geographic data among all potential users could produce significant savings for data collection, maintenance, and use, and therefore enhance decision making. Such effective sharing can be achieved by the establishment of a National Spatial Data Infrastructure (NSDI) with the aim to promote sharing of geospatial data throughout all levels of government, the private and non-profit sectors, and the academic community.
Proxy Logics develops concepts of how to establish such an infrastructure which can be seen as the technology, policies, criteria, international standards (ISO, OGC, INSPIRE) and people necessary to promote geospatial data sharing throughout the entire stakeholder community. It is a set of structures, actions, relations among data producers and new ways of accessing, sharing and using geographic data that enables far more effective collection and comprehensive analysis of data in order to help decision-makers chose the best course(s) of action.
Software Development
Proxy Logics has been working on software development since 2005 . A combination of technical expertise and the company’s capabilities regarding development of specialised thematic applications has been our unique selling point from the very beginning and has enabled us to successfully implement customised software solutions in the domains of agriculture, forestry, geology, land administration, infrastructure management, and security. Currently, approximately seven members of staff are involved in software development and implementation work.
Proxy Logics’ software development involves a number of activities, technologies and processes that focus on GIS and image processing tools, customised applications, enterprise-wide GIS solutions and the development of spatial data infrastructures (SDI). In order to meet customer requirements we apply a wide range of geospatial technologies, programming languages, frameworks and DBMS systems that reflect various IT environments and which allow integrated implementation of solutions. Compliance with international standards (OGC, ISO, INSPIRE) and quality control procedures are key elements of our software development processes. The constantly enhanced quality management system (ISO 9001:2000) ensures adherence to high quality requirements during all software design, development and implementation phases.
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