We are pleased to announce that FME 2004 ICE will be officially released on June 8, 2004.
If you are an AMC holder, we invite you to upgrade to this new release by downloading it from our Download Center. You will receive the latest version on CD in approximately 3-4 weeks.

This latest release of FME implements close to 600 enhancement requests from users and also includes 15 new and updated formats and 6 added transformers.

For this release, we have also made general user interface improvements, added Python and Tcl scripting interfaces for FME Objects, and reduced the memory requirements for many of our processing capabilities, such as intersection and topology, thereby enabling FME to process larger datasets. Specifically, the intersection and topology components use less memory and therefore are able to process larger datasets.

FME 2004 ICE Highlights include:

• ArcGIS 8.3 and 9.0 extenders – the 8.3 extender has been enhanced to allow access to databases and Customized Formats; the 9.0 extender supplies additional formats to the ArcGIS Data Interoperability extension.
• Autodesk Map 3D 2005 – FME now reads files produced by Autodesk Map3D
  2005. In addition, FME formats can be accessed directly from the import/export functionality included in Autodesk Map 3D 2005.
• FME Administrator – the Administrator is a new application that allows users to activate and deactivate support for ArcGIS, Autodesk Map 3D 2005, and other FME-enabled applications.
• Labeller – the Labeller now has the ability to avoid text collisions.
• Linear Referencing functions – the DistanceSnipper and VertexSnipper cut features based on a specified distance or vertex.
• Design File/AutoCAD reading – added support for many additional entity types.
• Memory requirements – reduced memory needed to handle larger processes and data volumes.
• New XML based formats – GPX, Landonline (LandXML), and IUF can now be directly read.

For a complete list of what’s cool about FME 2004 ICE, visit www.safe.com/2004ice.

We are adding the capability for third-party applications to directly read and work with data that is not in the application’s native format. To successfully develop our application extenders, we leverage all our technology within the FME core. We now have application extenders available for products such as ArcGIS 8.3/9.0, ArcView 3.x, GeoMedia, MapGuide and MapPoint. Over the next few releases, you will see our FME products take these extenders to a new level of interoperability.

Safe Software offers a pre-paid service that gives one-on-one personal assistance when you need it to solve your data translation and transformation challenges.

The Solution Assistance service helps you apply the complete power of our products to your projects. Safe's professional services team can work with you to solve a challenge, while giving you valuable advice to get started on the right track.

Solution Assistance services include:

• E-mail support for application problems;
• One-on-one web support via Webex;
• Example FME Workspaces based on sample datasets;
• Development of prototype/proof-of-concept FME Workspaces based on user data; and,
• Knowledge transfer from our experienced Professional Services team.

Solution Assistance prices start from $120 USD per hour (minimum 10 hours).
Contact services@safe.com to find out how Solution Assistance can help you reach their milestones more quickly, or visit www.safe.com/services for more information.

We highly recommend that our FME customers take a close look at the features and benefits of maintaining an Annual Maintenance Contract (AMC), which is included for the first year with an FME purchase. Whether your questions relate to a technical challenge, a customized application, or an obscure data source, you will have direct access to the tools and assistance that you need.

Advantages:

• New versions of FME at no additional cost
• Discounted FME Training
• Specialty pricing on Solution Assistance
• Regular Beta Software Releases
• Priority Access Technical Support
• Product Notification E-mails
• Full Credit for Upgrade

Find out more at www.safe.com/support/amc.htm.

SpatialDirect provides the data export functionality enabling ESRI’s ArcIMS Web Interface to be used as a data export portal. The Spatial Data is stored in several SDE instances.

The City of Richmond had an enterprise GIS system that contained a large amount of valuable data that needed to be able to distribute to staff in a cost-effective manner. Using ESRI’s ArcIMS and Safe Software’s FME ESRI Suite and SpatialDirect, the City created an Intranet mapping website to provide the required information.

Read the complete version of this success story in PDF format here:
www.safe.com/solutions/success/pdfs/success_cityofrichmond.pdf.

We are always looking for practical examples of diverse solutions achieved by our users with our products. Do you or you have an interesting story? Tell us how you applied our technology for your solutions by submitting your information online at www.safe.com/storysubmission.htm. Select stories may be featured on our website, newsletter, or other marketing material.

If your success story is featured on our website, you will receive Safe Software merchandise as a thank you!

Share a tip, trick, or a cool way you use FME with us! We will include highlights in future issues. Send us an e-mail via feedback@safe.com.

News Releases
Safe Software Adds Support for More XML-based Spatial Formats
Safe Software’s FME Expands Support for ESRI’s ArcGIS

Safe in Other News
ESRI Business Partner Award Recipients - Award Winners
Spatial Business Systems Announces Integration Solution for ESRI’s ArcGIS and Smallworld GIS - GIS solution provider extends open integration tools based on Safe Software FME product

White Papers
We continue to add practical examples of solutions achieved by our customers using our products, as well as informational white papers. Read our latest white paper, GIS and Spatial ETL: Complementary Spatial Data Technologies online, which defines the function of spatial ETL and expands the role and impact it has with spatial data processes and GIS systems.

If you will be in Edmonton, AB June 8 – 10, join us at the GeoAlberta 2004 Conference. Katherine Irwin of Safe Software will speak on "Solving Spatial Data Migration & Distribution Challenges" at 1:00-4:30pm on June 8 in Salon 3.

Visit us at more tradeshows and presentations throughout the world. You can view our tradeshow and presentation schedule online at www.safe.com/events. Be sure to check this page often, since we always register to attend new tradeshows and presentation opportunities.

Sign up for an FME Training Session and learn from the experts how to use the essential components of the Feature Manipulation Engine (FME) through hands-on lab training. For a list of upcoming training sessions and to register, visit www.safe.com/training.

Our special offer continues!
Did you or your client attend an FME training course between 1993 and 2000? If so, you may take a refresher course and update yourself with the newest FME features. We are offering a special training rate of $500.00 US (regularly $1,000 US) so you can get back up to speed. E-mail sales@safe.com for more details.

Did you know you can use FME to

• remodel schemas?
• migrate CAD to GIS?
• apply updates to databases?
• integrate with third-party applications?
• access over more than 130 formats?

Introducing the FME Most Valuable Professional (MVP) Program
The FME MVP Program is designed to recognize the active participation, technical expertise, community spirit, and passion of those who voluntarily share their knowledge, time and expertise in our FME mailing list. Visit www.safe.com/mvp for program details. The success of our online communities depends on those individuals who give their own time to share their thoughts and suggestions with others.

The Safe Software Grant Program
The Safe Software Grant Program is for educational and humanitarian efforts and provides qualifying organizations, and their students in the case of education institutes, with our FME and SpatialDirect solutions for use in their teaching and humanitarian efforts. If you know of education institutions, graduates, or non-profit organizations that would be interested in using our products, spread the word about us and have them find out more at www.safe.com/education or apply directly at www.safe.com/education/application.php.

FME User Survey
We are committed to providing the best products and services that we can, and part of this ongoing commitment includes listening to our customers. We value your business and want to make sure that we meet your highest expectations.

Last month, we sent out a survey to our customers. We would appreciate it if you could spare approximately 10 minutes to complete our customer survey available at www.safe.com/survey/fme. The results of this survey will help direct future FME development.