Toronto, Canada, February 19, 2014 — Optech, the world leader in the development, manufacture and support of high-accuracy lidar 3D survey systems and productivity-enhancing workflow software, is pleased to announce that the Optech CZMIL HydroFusion software solution has won the 2014 MAPPS Geospatial Products and Services Excellence Award for Technology Innovation.

Designed to handle the highly efficient data acquisition of the Optech CZMIL airborne bathymetry system, CZMIL HydroFusion represents a significant advance in bathymetric and data fusion algorithms while combining planning, acquisition optimization, and 3D voxel visualization in the production of advanced fused environmental data products. This tightly integrated workflow solution combines the data streams from CZMIL's three sensors (lidar, RGB and hyperspectral) into one deliverable with many data fusion outputs, including seamless topographic/bathymetry, bottom classification, object detection, and turbid water bathymetry products.

“Data fusion is a growing issue within the geospatial community and how it can be optimized is epitomized by Optech's development of their 3D Environmental HydroFusion Software for the Coastal Zone Mapping and Imaging Lidar,” said Robert “Bob” Burtch, Professor Emeritus at Ferris State University and chairman of the judges' panel. “Their system collects three types of data in a single pass: water-penetrating lidar, camera, and hyperspectral imagery.  Optech developed HydroFusion to seamlessly process that data through a single interface in performing hydrographic surveys. The workflow is very simple and streamlined and will enhance their data collection into the future.”

“We are thrilled and proud to have CZMIL HydroFusion recognized as a revolutionary step in bathymetric data collection and processing by such a large and respected association of surveying, spatial data and GIS firms,” said Max Elbaz, President of Optech, Inc. “CZMIL HydroFusion is unique in its ability to plan a mission and then automatically process and fuse data collected simultaneously from CZMIL’s three sensors, producing several levels of bathymetric products. In addition HydroFusion, with its game-changing new Muddy Bottom Algorithm (MBA) software module, recently demonstrated in US and Korean waters that it can successfully extract bathymetric data in muddy bottom and turbid conditions that were previously impossible to survey.”

About MAPPS
Formed in 1982, MAPPS is the only national association exclusively comprised of private firms in the remote sensing, spatial data and geographic information systems field in the United States. The MAPPS membership spans the entire spectrum of the geospatial community, including Member Firms engaged in satellite and airborne remote sensing, surveying, photogrammetry, aerial photography, lidar, hydrography, bathymetry, charting, aerial and satellite image processing, GPS, and GIS data collection and conversion services.

About Optech
Optech is the world leader in high-accuracy lidar 3D survey systems, integrated cameras, and productivity-enhancing workflows. With operations and staff worldwide, Optech offers both standalone and fully integrated lidar and camera solutions in airborne mapping, airborne lidar bathymetry, mobile mapping, terrestrial laser scanning, mine cavity monitoring, and industrial process control, as well as space-proven sensors. Accuracy and productivity matter!

For further information, please contact your local Sales Manager or:
Wayne Szameitat
International Sales Manager
Optech
 300 Interchange Way
Vaughan, Ontario, Canada L4K 5Z8
+1 905 660 0808
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