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September 8, 2003

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Michigan DOT chooses MicroSurvey FieldGenius

MicroSurvey Software, Inc. is pleased to announce that the Michigan Department of Transportation has purchased a statewide license of MicroSurvey's FieldGenius to replace their existing DOS based data collection system.

True field-to-finish surveying, the graphical interface and an ability to operate on multiple Windows CE platforms was the Michigan DOT’s main priority when they were looking to replace their old data collector software with new technology.  MDOT took a few years to fully evaluate data collection programs.  In the end it became clear that no other data collector matched FieldGenius’ ease of use and powerful code-free line connectivity.

“The whole beauty behind FieldGenius is that the user doesn’t need to use any line connectivity codes to create the linework,” says Andy Semenchuk, Survey Automation Specialist for MDOT. “If you want to draw a line or an arc, simply turn the line or arc toggle on - it can’t get any easier than that. And because FieldGenius has a graphical interface you see all your work appear in real time, allowing you to catch mistakes before you head back to the office.”

Compatible With Existing Equipment
The main component of Michigan DOT’s work involves topo pickups with Leica 530 RTK units, Geodimeter 600 and Leica TCRA 1103 robotic instruments. Since FieldGenius worked with all their existing equipment, the decision to incorporate FieldGenius made financial sense. “Logistically, FieldGenius allows us to equip our survey crews with one DC software package, but retain compatibility with whatever survey equipment the crew might be using that day,” says Semenchuk.

Compatible with Other Desktop Packages
Michigan DOT saved money by not having to upgrade their desktop software in the same fiscal year as the data collection software.”(MicroSurvey Software) is open to suggestions and from day one ensured that we had compatibility with our existing (desktop) software,” says Semenchuk. ”Other companies were not willing to do that.” Processing FieldGenius projects in MicroSurvey Express 2002, the Michigan surveyors use the CAiCE export feature which creates a text file complete with all coordinate, figure and chain information. This file imports directly into CAiCE Visual Transportation using their Flexible File Format.

"MicroSurvey worked hand in hand with the Michigan DOT to ensure that FieldGenius transferred data smoothly into CAiCE Visual Transportation software," says Darcy J. Detlor, MicroSurvey's president. "We believe that FieldGenius has the easiest to use and most productive interface of any data collection system.  Our success with the Michigan DOT demonstrates that we are on the right track."

A Competitive Solution
MicroSurvey offered the Michigan DOT a statewide site license with a reasonable yearly maintenance fee. This enabled the Michigan DOT to move up to modern technology and keep it current at a far lower cost than the existing yearly license fee. Many more states can take advantage of this state licensing offer. FieldGenius is designed for most common Windows CE devices, and MicroSurvey allows the software to be moved forward onto newer devices. The days of restricting software to one “box” are gone. These devices are much more like desktop computers where you can get a new computer and transfer the software license to the new machine. This offers big long term savings over older data collection systems.

MicroSurvey Software, Inc. is a BC Corporation located in the beautiful Okanagan Valley. In the past 5 years, new products have enabled the company to grow from a small family business into a bustling, energetic enterprise. In 2001 MicroSurvey was ranked 40th fastest growing company in Canada in Profit Magazine's annual listing. For more information about MicroSurvey Software, Inc., please contact