NIMA awards map production deal

The National Imaging and Mapping Agency recently purchased 500 licenses of Avenza Systems Inc.'s MAPublisher map production software for agencywide use.

MAPublisher is used to create cartographic-quality maps from geographic information systems (GIS) data. The software was developed as a suite of plug-ins for Adobe Systems Inc.'s Illustrator and Macromedia Inc.'s FreeHand, take advantage of the graphics-editing capabilities of those applications, according to Avenza officials.

The NIMA contract was awarded Sept. 30 and financial terms are undisclosed, said Jeff Hoedeman, vice president of business development at Avenza. He added that the award represents the first large order from NIMA, but the company has previously filled several smaller orders.

Ted Florence, president of Avenza, said the NIMA order reflects a growing interest in the company's products from large organizations seeking to enhance the map-making capabilities for a broad user base.

The company, based in Mississauga, Ontario, Canada, has numerous other U.S. government customers, including the CIA, the U.S. Geological Survey, the Army and myriad city and state governments, Hoedeman said.