Riga, Latvia,  (January 26, 2010) -- A year after replacing its measuring tapes and survey compasses with 124 MobileMapper CX handheld GPS/GIS data collectors, the Latvian State Forest Service (SFS) is renewing its faith in Ashtech products with a new purchase of an additional 115 MobileMapper CX devices. Based on the success of its 2008 mobile GIS device deployment and use, SFS is targeting to equip as many field inspection crews as possible with Ashtech GPS/GIS data collectors for larger forestry management and control operations.

SFS foresters use the MobileMapper CX receivers to map forest parcels and locate forest and timber cutting boundaries.  The MobileMapper CX units support a localized Latvian version of the popular ESRI® ArcPad® mapping software into which is loaded forest GIS data and orthophoto background maps from the state forestry registrar databases.  

Following the national tender process, the Ashtech device was compared with two competitive brands and chosen once again for its convenience, simplicity and accuracy.  MobileMapper CX is a rugged GPS handheld that delivers sub-meter real-time and even down to sub-foot post-processed accuracy at a very competitive price. Lightweight design, sun-readable touch-screen, large SD card support, Bluetooth and long-lasting swappable batteries are some of the embedded features that make the device very productive, easy-to-use and easily deployed to field crews.

12 MobileMapper 6 Devices
In order to equip its hunting inspectors and forest reproductive material inspectors with a GPS device containing an integrated camera, the SFS purchased 12 MobileMapper 6 devices with integrated 2-megapixel cameras.  The MobileMapper 6 can take photos and tag them with the GPS location for use as a point attribute in any GIS application.  The MobileMapper 6 is a rugged GPS/GIS handheld receiver perfectly adapted for harsh outdoor applications that offers professional GPS/GIS features at a price competitive with consumer-grade GPS devices.
All MobileMapper products were purchased from Ashtech distributor SIA Envirotech (www.envirotech.lv). Headquartered in Riga, SIA Envirotech is the leading company in Latvia supplying GIS/GPS technologies and implementing spatially enabled IT solutions.

About SFS
The SFS is a state administration civil institution, within the Latvia Ministry of
Agriculture, responsible for pursuing a unified forest policy, controlling observance of the provisions of statutory acts, implementing support programs, and ensuring the use of sustainable forest management practices in all of Latvia’s forests.
 
About Ashtech
Recognized as an industry innovator, Ashtech has been developing GNSS technology for more than 25 years.  Ashtech is the creator of BLADE technology, which introduces a unique patented method to the market using multiple GNSS constellations for high-accuracy positioning.  Ashtech has also introduced the MobileMapper™ series of products for GIS and mapping, as well as the ProFlex 500 and ProMark series, including the ProMark 500, ProMark3 RTK and ProMark 3, a well-recognized GNSS Land Survey product line currently on the market. Ashtech S.A.S. is privately held and headquartered in Carquefou, France, with offices in Beijing, China, and Singapore, as well as affiliates in Santa Clara, California (Ashtech LLC) and Moscow ( Ashtech A/O LLC). For more information on Ashtech, visit www.ashtech.com.