Intelligence Gathering

Capturing spatially aware intelligence while in the field just got easier with TerraGo geospatial collaboration solutions. Traditionally, field workers were required to learn how to use complex GIS applications in order to efficiently and accurately capture data. With the portability and simplicity of a GeoPDF as the baseline map, TerraGo software gives mobile field workers who have no knowledge of GIS technology the ability to easily capture spatially aware data on a handheld device or laptop. And not only can they collect spatially aware data in the field, but that data can be easily roundtripped back to the system of record via the TerraGo Collaboration Payload. This workflow can be completed in a connected or disconnected environment.

How it Works

TerraGo Publisher software is used to generate GeoPDF files of the area of interest. These files can be pre-loaded on the mobile device (laptop or handheld) or dynamically pushed to field workers with up-to-the-minute maps or images. Once the field worker has the GeoPDF as the baseline map, he or she can leverage the GPS capabilities of the device or the coordinates on the GeoPDF to get to the right location. From an index map or mapbook created with TerraGo Composer, users can also easily zoom to a location on the map, such as an intersection of two streets, using a feature look-up functionality.

One of the key advantages, however, of TerraGo Mobile is the ability to capture data about items that are not on a map, which is very typical during intelligence gathering missions.

Users can take photos, videos, or audio recordings about a particular item found in the field. These multi-media items are automatically geo-located to a particular coordinate. Forms can also be preloaded on the device and completed in the field. All of this information is captured in a single file, called a TerraGo Collaboration Payload, which can be easily sent back to headquarters or to peers in the field for greater situational awareness. The Collaboration Payload also includes information about who captured the information, where they captured it and other attribute data that can be used for compliance purposes.

As GIS headquarters receives the field-collected data, officials can incorporate the data back into the system for greater accuracy of their database or simply leverage the information for better decision making.