HUNTSVILLE, Ala. – The European Commission Joint Research Center has selected Intergraph spatial data infrastructure (SDI) technology for a pilot implementation of INSPIRE services for monitoring the air quality in Europe. This pilot project supports the European Commission Shared Environmental Information System and is a test for the implementation of an Ambient Air Quality and Clean Air for Europe (CAFE) directive based on INSPIRE services. Once the pilot project succeeds, Intergraph will be Europe’s first technology provider for supporting clean air initiatives. The project will serve as a blueprint for the larger European Air Quality Information System in the 27 European Union countries.

"The CAFE project speaks to the rising demand for SDI technologies around the globe," said Jeff Vining, Gartner vice president and research analyst. "SDI applications provide an ideal platform for large-scale collaboration and widespread data sharing. Environmental protection is one of many areas in which SDI is becoming increasingly valuable for communicating across country boundaries to achieve a common goal."

Airborne pollution does not follow national or administrative boundaries, yet data on air quality are collected by many separate organizations within each member state. This can make it impossible to synthesize consistent and timely pictures of conditions for areas that are larger than the responsibility of a single organization, let alone at a regional level.

Intergraph’s geospatially-powered SDI application ensures harmonized data exchange within the enterprise and between government, businesses and the public for improved communication, collaboration, productivity, ease of maintenance and reduced costs. The solution supports compliance with INSPIRE and other government directives that ease geospatial data sharing. For the CAFE program, Intergraph technology will record and consolidate data across all different government levels and regions of Europe for optimal air quality assessment.

"Intergraph is a long-term player in the field of SDI and INSPIRE," said Horst Harbauer, senior vice president of Intergraph Security, Government & Infrastructure in EMEA. "We have helped shape the industry, working with countless government organizations and leading the development of industry standards and initiatives. We are honored to extend our expertise into the area of air quality and support efforts that will have such a profound impact on future generations."

Intergraph serves almost every EU member state, offering its expertise and experience as a leading provider of geospatial technology. The company has participated in many other European Union-funded SDI initiatives, including GIS4EU, HUMBOLDT, eSDInet+, EURADIN and NATURE-SDIplus, further demonstrating a deep understanding of and commitment to SDI. More information on Intergraph’s SDI solution can be found at:www.intergraph.com/govt/sdi.aspx.


About Clean Air for Europe
The Clean Air for Europe (CAFE) program was launched in March 2001 with the aim of developing long-term, strategic and integrated policy advice to protect against significant negative effects of air pollution on human health and the environment. More information can be found at: europa.eu/legislation_summaries/environment/air_pollution/l28026_en.htm.

About Intergraph:
Intergraph is the leading global provider of engineering and geospatial software that enables customers to visualize complex data. Businesses and governments in more than 60 countries rely on Intergraph’s industry-specific software to organize vast amounts of data into understandable visual representations and actionable intelligence. Intergraph’s software and services empower customers to build and operate more efficient plants and ships, create intelligent maps and protect critical infrastructure and millions of people around the world.

Intergraph operates through two divisions: Process, Power & Marine (PP&M) and Security, Government & Infrastructure (SG&I). Intergraph PP&M provides enterprise engineering software for the design, construction and operation of plants, ships and offshore facilities. Intergraph SG&I provides geospatially-powered solutions to the defense and intelligence, public safety and security, government, transportation, photogrammetry, utilities and communications industries. For more information, visit www.intergraph.com.