Compass Informatics - Geotechnologies, GIS, GPS, mapping, and information management expertise

Compass Informatics operate the National Biodiversity Data Centre, Ireland, on behalf of the Heritage Council. The Centre is a national resource for the collation, management, and digital publication of records on habitats and species, while also making data available internationally via the Global Biodiversity Information Facility. More..

The Compass INSPIRE Compliance Portfolio and associated Compass INSPIRE ISO Toolkit, provides clear and effective solutions to INSPIRE compliance. It also provides a dedicated information website. More..

Compass Informatics is a corporate member of the Assocation for Geographic Information, UK, and the Irish Association for Geographic Information.

Mapping Irish Renewable Energy Potential
Compass Informatics’ Gearóid Ó Riain describes how geoweb services are benefiting planning for best use of renewable energy sources, ensuring wider diffusion of information and encouraging collaboration across all stakeholders. (Geoconnexion.com, Apr 2010)

Welcome to Compass Informatics

Compass Informatics provides expert services and solutions in three interlinked areas - Information Management; GeoSpatial Technologies (GIS, GPS, Remote Sensing); Planning & Environmental Services. More..

Compass10, our annual conference, will be held on Wednesday September 15th at the Alexander Hotel in Dublin city centre. Pre-registration required - no fee applies. Email us your full details now to register.

At Compass10 clients and staff will present and discuss a series of topics of relevance to those interested in information management, analysis and mapping. For the full agenda please click here and view the event page here.

Like last year we have an applications and discussion strand, with a parallel demonstrations and technologies strand.

The first session will deal with INSPIRE/SDI issues and the why, how, and to what benefit questions will be raised. We promise to make this a livlier session than the topic might suggest!

The following session will provide a timely update on new and enhanced data resources - from the Ordnance Survey, the National Biodiversity Data Centre, and work underway in relation to collation and management of heritage data.

Demonstration and technology sessions on at the same time will cover the use of the comprehensive data management and mapping systems of the National Biodiversity Data Centre, and the excellent image processing and data management systems of ERDAS2010 and ERDAS Apollo.

The final applications session of the day will present a range of topics including bioenergy, rural transport, and green infrastructure. The final technical sessions will deal with Geo Web Services and software, and a solid look at the OSi new PRIME2 database.

The 2009 event attracted people from varied backgrounds and provided opportunities for discussion in a relaxed yet thought-provoking context.

Industry and Company News

Biodiversity Knowledge Quest Event a Constructive Success

Posted on: 28 August 2010

Over the past two days, an assessment has been undertaken of the knowledge available and gaps present in the information we have on wild species of the land and sea in Ireland. With approximately one hundred experts participating in a series of talks and workshops, the outcomes of the Knowledge Quest event held by the National Biodiversity Data Centre will help guide effort and resources over the coming years. Having accurate biodiversity data to hand allows more appropriate decision making to take place, with potential to reduce conflicts between activities.

Green Infrastructure Report Released - Based on Compass Study

Posted on: 24 August 2010

Comhar have just launched a research report focusing on Green Infrastructure, entitled ‘Creating Green Infrastructure for Ireland’. The report sets out a broad definition of Green Infrastructure and explores and proposes an approach and a set of principles that should be followed in Green Infrastructure planning. The report is based substantially on the outcome of a Compass-led baseline study. For more and to download the report please visit our Green Infrastructure page under the Applications menu.

Biodiversity Knowledge Quest at the National Biodiversity Data Centre

Posted on: 19 August 2010

Ireland has agreed a conservation target to halt biodiversity loss by 2010. Over the last decade our knowledge on Ireland’s biological diversity has expanded greatly, yet we still don’t even know how many species there are in Ireland, where they are distributed and how their populations are changing. This will be the subject of a major meeting of scientists and recorders organised by the National Biodiversity Data Centre in Waterford on 26th and 27th August, as part of Ireland’s contribution to International Year of Biodiversity 2010. Compass operate the Centre on behalf of the Heritage Council, Ireland.

Envisat Observes Greenland Glacier Giving Birth to Giant Iceberg

Posted on: 19 August 2010

Earth Observation Blog To Add To Your Favourites

Posted on: 19 August 2010

One of the resources that has been quietly developed by Stuart Green and colleagues is a blog for EO and RS news in Ireland.

Compass Assisting National SDI Initiative in Turkey

Posted on: 13 August 2010

Over the past 7 months, Compass staff, Roger Longhorn and Manuel Treiber, have been assisting the Turkish Satellite Corporation (Turksat) in preparing the feasibility study for the national SDI for Turkey - one of the largest countries in Europe. Longhorn was nominated the lead external consultant on the project, working with Turksat, and made presentations on 'SDI and Best Practice' in Ankara, Turkey, on 21-22 January 2010 at two major workshops attended by over 150 government officials, all interested in participating in the national SDI and initiative. This is being conducted within the larger umbrella programme for implementing e-government across the whole of Turkey.

Compass at GSDI 12 World Conference

Posted on: 13 August 2010

The GSDI (Global Spatial Data Infrastructure)Association will be holding their 12th world conference in Singapore from 19 to 22 October 2010. Compass' SDI expert, Roger Longhorn, will be conducting a half-day workshop on 19 October, focusing on "SDI Policy Best Practice". Roger, who is chair of the GSDI Association Legal Socioeconomic Committee, will also be presenting a paper entitled "Clear steps to SDI building and INSPIRE compliance - with added value", co-authored with Compass' Gearoid O'Riain, Manuel Treiber and Alison Robinson.