BlueSky Credits Leica Geosystems Products with Productivity Gains

The first quarter of 2007 has been a productive one for aerial mapping specialist BlueSky International Ltd. The Leicestershire, U.K.-based firm processed imagery of Wales --- 22,000 square kilometers --- using software from Leica Geosystems to orthorectify, mosaic and cross-check the 25 centimeter-resolution data. The resulting dataset was over 1 terabyte in size.

At the same time, Leica Photogrammetry Suite (LPS) was being used to orthorectify high-resolution photography flown over two English counties, totaling some 6,700 square kilometers and comprising of over 18,000 images. IMAGINE MosaicProÔ was then used to edit and correct seams in the 10 and 12.5 centimeter-resolution data.

And, keeping things lively, the firm was capturing and processed imagery over ten U.K. cities, delivered in 10 centimeter-resolution, as well as several European targets.

According to Operations Director James Eddy, handling this heavy volume involves long hours for his staff and a hefty investment in state-of-the-art hardware. It also requires software able to reduce the time it takes to process and correct imagery. For example, editing seamlines, such as those between buildings, was always “a bit of production bottleneck,” he said. With IMAGINE MosaicPro, seamlines are automatically generated and easy to edit, which enables BlueSky’s staff to work three to four times faster. “The software is so intuitive that with the right training we can have someone editing and checking seamlines in a matter of days,” said Eddy.

He credited Leica’s ORIMA for LPS orientation management software with speeding orientation and triangulation of orthophotos, improving project workflow and providing a better end product. “It’s been a dramatic improvement,” Eddy said.

For a firm that processes an average of 1,000 images per project, dependable production software is a make-or-break proposition. “We’re in a very competitive market and we demand the very best of our people and our products,” said Eddy. “We’re extremely pleased with Leica’s products and plan to continue using them for our projects all over the world.”

“It’s satisfying to see our products performing well under rigorous conditions like BlueSky’s high-volume operation,” added Richard McKay, Vice President, Sales, Leica Geosystems Geospatial Imaging. “We are looking forward to working with BlueSky on future projects and hope to boost their productivity even more.”

To download related imagery, visit ftp.gi.leica-geosystems.com/DOCS/PR/Blue%20Sky%20Images/

About Leica Geosystems Geospatial Imaging Division
When building image-based maps, you need reliable measurements and solutions for your entire workflow. So when it has to be right, more geospatial professionals trust Leica Geosystems Geospatial Imaging, LLC to help them collect, analyze, and present spatial information. Leica Geosystems is powering geospatial imaging by putting precise imaging to work. Its broad array of photogrammetry and remote sensing software solutions capture data efficiently, reference imagery accurately, measure and analyze easily and present spatial information, even in 3D. Those who use Leica Geosystems Geospatial Imaging products every day trust them for their precision, their seamless integration, and their superior customer support. Delivering geospatial imaging solutions with precision, integration, and service from Leica Geosystems. When it has to be right.

For more information about Leica Geosystems or its products and services, call +1 770 776 3400, toll free +1 866 534 2286, or visit gi.leica-geosystems.com.