The acronym BIM is now in vogue. But what does it mean exactly, and more importantly, does it offer you anything?

BIM stands for building information modeling. As an engineer, I envision it as kind of a 3-dimensional GIS for the design, construction, operation, and maintenance of a building.

Start with a layer of data (a map, if you will) for the foundation. Add another layer for the electrical system, another for the plumbing, another for security and fire protection, and maybe one for exterior elements such as windows and the roof. I’m simplifying; complex buildings such as manufacturing plants or schools will probably have many more layers.

The beauty of BIM is that the model is made available to all stakeholders involved with the building throughout its lifecycle. For you, this means your data gets used in more ways and for a longer time, adding value to it. Also, mistakes are discovered in the design phase, rather than during construction, greatly reducing rework and litigation.

In a recent teleconference, Terry Bennett, senior industry manager in civil engineering and construction with Autodesk and a LEED-certified practicing land surveyor, said he sees BIM as one of the next frontiers. Autodesk expands the concept beyond the actual building to earth construction projects for buildings and even for structures such as bridges and highways. The same modeling techniques and concepts apply.

And he says that BIM can integrate with machine control and laser scanning. When these burgeoning technologies combine, expect new synergy in their fields. Get a glimpse through Autodesk’s eye-grabbing video on BIM.

Vexcel Imaging GmbH released the UltraCamXp Wide Angle, a new version of the UltraCam large format digital aerial camera system that features a wide-angle lens with a shorter focal length.

The UltraCamXp Wide Angle allows lower-flying airplanes to collect data at the same ground sample distance as higher-flying planes carrying the UltraCamXp, while delivering comparable image quality.

This camera is capable of collecting stereo imagery at a 1-inch GSD at a flight speed of 110 knots.

For more information visit Microsoft's Ultracam website.

The need for data on global warming provides many opportunities for the geospatial industry. For example, researchers have found that a combination of lidar and photogrammetric techniques works best to measure and map forest canopy height changes (these help analyze the world's carbon budget).

The height of forest canopies can be measured using small footprint lidars by subtracting the last return altitude (ground) from the corresponding first return altitude (canopy surface). The technique is superior to photogrammetric methods because the ground level is difficult to see on aerial photos of dense forests.

While lidar is used to capture present forest states, photogrammetric methods are used to chart historical changes.

What about GPS/GIS? With increased funding for alternative energy sources, these technologies are uniquely positioned to analyze and monitor the development of renewable energy, to make certain that sites are optimally positioned and that the power is delivered efficiently.

Look for a full article on the application of combining technologies by Airborne 1 in the November issue of Professional Surveyor Magazine.

Outbreaks Near Me, created by researchers at Children's Hospital Boston in collaboration with the MIT Media Lab, enables users to track and report outbreaks of infectious diseases, such as H1N1 (swine flu), on the ground in real time. It builds upon the mission and proven capability of HealthMap, an online resource that collects, filters, maps and disseminates information about emerging infectious diseases.

Outbreaks Near Me was developed with support from Google.org and is available for free in the iTunes App Store. For more information, visit http://healthmap.org/iphone.php.

ESRI, a leader in GIS software, and Trimble, a leader in providing GPS solutions, have launched the 2009 Mobile Government Grant Program. Grants will award hardware, software, and training with a value of $89,980 to 20 state and local government agencies in the United States.

The deadline for all submissions is 5:00 p.m. Pacific time, November 20, 2009. Awards will be announced December 18, 2009. To learn more visit www.esri.com/govgrant.