EXPRESSMaps, a new online service at www.express-maps.com to deliver basemaps at a scale of 1:50 000 within 24 hours.

This service is aimed chiefly at first responders - civil protection agencies, security companies, the military and humanitarian relief teams - in crisis management situations. EXPRESSMaps supplies detailed and precise maps of an area of interest derived from recent, very-high-resolution archive satellite imagery. The ability to obtain such maps quickly and easily is also vital to meet the critical logistics requirements of prospecting, exploration and operations teams working in remote or volatile regions. EXPRESSMaps includes a special multi-licence for NGOs offering the same delivery times, making it easier for them to pool resources and rendering operations more effective on the ground.

Accurate and detailed maps are one of the first things that are called for in the event of a disaster or for military operations. To meet this requirement, and to offer a service that is as universal as possible, Spot Image and Infoterra have combined their expertise to conceive, develop, test and market the EXPRESSMaps service.

As of mid-2009, EXPRESSMaps’ coverage zone spans 100 million sq.km., including more than 75% of land surfaces (outside the USA and Canada, for which very accurate, recent maps are available). This is made possible using SPOT 5 satellite data.

The 1:50 000 scale was chosen to match the inherent accuracy of the source data and the current accuracy of GPS receivers. This universal scale means maps can be used reliably on the ground and have a footprint of roughly 600 sq.km. Map content is easily interpreted thanks to a legend designed to fit production constraints. The technical specifications are dictated to a large extent by how the map will be used in the field. The information highlighted on each map is chosen to help people and teams on the ground to find their way around as easily as possible.

Users receive a set of data files for print-out or loading into GIS software.

One Click, one Day, one Map... with EXPRESSMaps, mapping has never been easier.

Contact us for more information, and visit www.express-maps.com.