Spatial Technologies, southern African distributor for the full MapInfo desktop mapping product line is now offering the South African release of the latest version of MapInfo 6.0.

The new version of the software is to include 3D viewing, Internet support, data access, geocoding, projections and raster and vector format support amongst other new features. The 3D viewing capability is based on Microsoft's Open GL and allows freehand tilting and rotating of the image. Traditional pan, zoom and info tools will also operate in the new window.

"With this new facility," says Spatial Technologies Managing Director, Alan Ellis, "Users will be able to create a 3D view of any map that contains a continuous thematic grid by interpolating from a layer of points with values such as population, revenue or elevation. The image of any other layers is draped over the 3D surface."

Another important addition is the Internet support feature. This is provided in two ways: linking objects to URLs and generating HTML Image Maps. Says Ellis: "Any object in a map can contain a URL that is automatically launched in the default web browser when a user clicks on that object with the new Hotlink tool. In addition to URLs, a link can be made to any document file, whether they be doc, xls, ppt, tab, wor, or mdb, that the Windows operating system is able to launch."

MapInfo Professional Version 6 is also able to generate HTML Image Maps that can be included in Web pages. These will enable users of the web page to link to new pages by clicking on objects in the map. "MapInfo can generate an HTML Image Map from any map window that contains a layer of region objects," says Ellis.

Although traditionally perceived as a GIS product, desktop mapping and particularly MapInfo's product is now classed in Europe and the United States as an essential business decision-making tool. With the release of Version 6.0, MapInfo has demonstrated their understanding of the market's requirements by adding much requested features to the list.

The data access feature in Version 6.0 has been enhanced to support the 8.1.6 release of Oracle 8I Spatial and MS Access 2000. The MS Access support also now includes multi-user access to individual tables.

Through strategic partnerships, MapInfo has been deployed enterprise-wide in all spheres of business. Companies such as Microsoft, Manugistics and Cognos have incorporated MapX within their software applications. MapInfo has also forged strategic alliances with many international IT corporations including Oracle, IBM, Seagate and Informix. MapInfo is Oracle's key partner for spatial solutions since they have provided the first complete 100% Java spatial solution for the Internet.

About Spatial Technologies

Spatial Technologies was formed in 1994 and is a specialist computer distributor and services company based in Rivonia, Gauteng. The company offers products and added value services enabling organisations to analyse and manage data spatially.

The company is the southern African master distributor for MapInfo Corporation, a leading provider of products and solutions for business intelligence through the use of geographic analysis and visualisation. MapInfo products are marketed directly and through a network of partners throughout the region.

It offers the following MapInfo related services:

* Full product support.

* Basic and advanced training.

* Application development.

* Customer related studies.

* Data base design.

* Consultancy.

Spatial Technologies

(011) 807 3807

alane@spatial.co.za