GeoPackage now a supported format

Toronto, ON, September 13, 2016 – Avenza Systems Inc., producers of the Avenza Maps app for mobile devices and geospatial plug-ins for Adobe Creative Cloud, including MAPublisher® 9.8 for Adobe Illustrator®, is pleased to announce the release of Geographic Imager 5.1 for Adobe Photoshop®. This latest update includes many new features including full compatibility with the latest Adobe Photoshop Creative Cloud 2015.5 release. This release also introduces the ability save and export to the GeoPackage format, a platform-independent database that can contain raster data.

“We’re pleased to release Geographic Imager 5.1 with full compatibility for the latest Adobe Photoshop CC 2015.5 update,” said Ted Florence, President of Avenza. “We’ve increased our efforts to make our products compatible with the latest updates to the Adobe Creative Cloud platform,” he added. “We’re committed to providing our users with the best map production tools possible so that they keep creating visually stunning maps.”

Enhancements and new features of Geographic Imager 5.1

• Fully compatible with the latest Adobe Photoshop CC 2015.5 release
  • Greatly improved WMS functionality and usability:
  • Dynamic preview zoom into selected area for image download
  • Expanded list of supported services including worldwide coverage with OSM WMS
  • WMS services can now be managed and organized into folders and categories
  • Support for https-based services
• GeoPackage format is now supported as a Photoshop save type
• Improved Export to Web Tiles includes support for popular GeoPackage format tiling schema
• Improved GeoCrop with dynamic preview zoom and enhanced cropping tools
• Geographic Imager panel options menu returns for CC 2015.5
• Various user interface and usability enhancements

More about Geographic Imager for Adobe Photoshop

Geographic Imager is software for Adobe Photoshop that leverages the superior image editing capabilities of the world’s premier raster-based image editing software and transforms it into a powerful geospatial production tool. Work with satellite imagery, aerial photographs, orthophotos, and DEMs in GeoTIFF and other major GIS image formats using Adobe Photoshop features such as transparencies, filters, and image adjustments while maintaining georeferencing and support for hundreds of coordinate systems and projections.

Geographic Imager 5.1 is immediately available and free of charge to all current Geographic Imager Maintenance Program members and at US$319 for non-maintenance upgrades. New fixed licenses start at US$699. Geographic Imager Basic licenses start at US$99. Academic, floating and volume license pricing are also available. Visit www.avenza.com/geographic-imager for more details.

More about Avenza Systems Inc.

Avenza Systems Inc. is an award-winning, privately held corporation that provides cartographers and GIS professionals with powerful software tools to make better maps. In addition to software offerings for Mac and Windows users, Avenza offers value-added data sets, product training and consulting services, as well as the Avenza Maps app for purchasing and using maps on iOS, Android, and Windows devices. Visit www.avenza.com for more details.

For further information contact:
Tel: 416-487-5116
Email: info@avenza.com
Web: www.avenza.com

Positions available on development teams

Toronto, ON, August 31, 2016 – Avenza Systems Inc., producers of the Avenza Maps app for mobile devices and geospatial plug-ins for Adobe Creative Cloud, including MAPublisher® for Adobe Illustrator® and Geographic Imager® for Adobe Photoshop®, announced that they are hiring additional software developers to join a growing and agile team to build the next generation of desktop and mobile mapping software for users worldwide.

“Our company has seen a great deal of success this year and we’re in a strong position to grow,” said Ilya Varaev, Avenza Systems, Inc.’s Chief Technical Officer. “We’re looking for talented people to join us in growing our products and business.”

Ted Florence, President of Avenza Systems, Inc. described the ideal candidate as, “A person who is goal-oriented, engages in solving technical challenges, and has lots of positive energy.” He added, “He or she can see opportunities to create solutions and collaborate with others to implement them. We all work together to create innovative products in the GIS and mapping industry.”

“Each new team member undergoes in-depth, hands-on training,” said Varaev. “We match our new team members to veteran developers to work side-by-side on processes and techniques, which allows them to work confidently and eases the adjustment period.”

Positions offer full time salary and select benefits. Learn more about careers at Avenza Systems Inc. and how to apply at www.avenza.com/about/careers.

More about Avenza Systems Inc.

Avenza Systems Inc. is an award-winning, privately held corporation that provides cartographers and GIS professionals with powerful software tools to make better maps. In addition to software offerings for Mac and Windows users, Avenza offers value-added data sets, product training and consulting services, as well as the Avenza Maps app for purchasing and using maps on iOS, Android, and Windows devices. Visit www.avenza.com for more details.

For further information contact:
Tel: 416-487-5116
Email: info@avenza.com
Web: www.avenza.com

The PostGIS spatial database now a supported format

Toronto, ON, August 16, 2016 – Avenza Systems Inc., producers of the Avenza Maps app for mobile devices and geospatial plug-ins for Adobe Creative Cloud, including Geographic Imager® for Adobe Photoshop®, is pleased to announce the release of MAPublisher 9.8 for Adobe Illustrator. This latest update includes many new features including full compatibility with Adobe Illustrator Creative Cloud 2015.3. This release also introduces the ability to connect to a PostGIS spatial database and import data, additional options to preview and change character encoding when importing data, and the added ability to fine tune art objects to be exported.

“We’re pleased to release MAPublisher 9.8 with full compatibility for the latest Adobe Illustrator CC 2015.3 update,” said Ted Florence, President of Avenza. “A lot of on-going work behind the scenes has kept us busy with making upcoming features compatible with the latest updates to the Adobe Illustrator platform,” he added. “We’re committed to providing our users with the best map creating experience possible and hope all of the new features in this release will be beneficial.”

Enhancements and new features of MAPublisher 9.8

• Fully compatible with Adobe Illustrator Creative Cloud 2015.3 on both Windows (32-bit and 64-bit) and MacOS
• Connect to and import data from PostGIS spatial databases
• Maximum zoom levels are organized into categories based on map scale in Export to Web Tiles
• Ability to preview how encoding affects data being imported before selecting the appropriate encoding for import
• An option to only export selected art on the artboard when exporting MAP Layers
• Various user interface and usability enhancements

More about MAPublisher for Adobe Illustrator

MAPublisher for Adobe Illustrator is powerful map production software for creating high-quality maps from GIS data. MAPublisher cartographic tools leverage the superior graphic design capabilities of Adobe Illustrator to manipulate GIS data and to produce both print-ready and online maps with accuracy and efficiency.

MAPublisher 9.8 is available free of charge to all MAPublisher users with an active maintenance subscription and as an upgrade for non-maintenance users starting at US$599. New commercial licenses are available from US$1399. MAPublisher FME Auto and MAPublisher LabelPro are also available as add-ons to MAPublisher 9.8 at prices starting at US$399 per license. Floating and volume pricing are also available. Prices include one year of full maintenance. Visit www.avenza.com/mapublisher for more details.

More about Avenza Systems Inc.

Avenza Systems Inc. is an award-winning, privately held corporation that provides cartographers and GIS professionals with powerful software tools to make better maps. In addition to software offerings for Mac and Windows users, Avenza offers value-added data sets, product training and consulting services, as well as the Avenza Maps app for purchasing and using maps on iOS, Android, and Windows devices. Visit www.avenza.com for more details.

For further information contact:
Tel: 416-487-5116
Email: info@avenza.com
Web: www.avenza.com

PDF Maps app receives new name along with varying subscription features to suit all levels of users

TORONTO (August 10, 2016)— Avenza Systems Inc., producers of MAPublisher® cartographic software for Adobe® Illustrator® and Geographic Imager® geospatial tools for Adobe Photoshop®, has announced that it has officially changed the name of the PDF Maps app, its market-leading, award-winning mobile mapping app, to Avenza Maps, effective immediately. The rename increases the company’s popular brand into a more recognizable global presence and better reflects the functionality and use-cases for the application. Along with the rebrand, the Avenza Maps app features a refreshed app icon and website that aims to cater to various users—both consumer and commercial—that currently use the app for personal and business use.

“This rename from PDF Maps to Avenza Maps comes at a defining moment in the continuation of the product and brand,” said Ted Florence, President of Avenza Systems Inc. “We created the app at a time when geospatial PDF files were just becoming popular and have since changed how more than a million people around the world use mobile maps with it. Today, our users obtain maps directly from the Avenza Map Store and directly from their own mapping and GIS workflows, not just as geospatial PDF files but also as GeoTIFF and JPG files. We have created a marketplace and platform that redefines mobile mapping and now is the right time to simplify and adopt the Avenza Maps name.”

The rebranding coincides with the release of a revamped subscription model to accommodate every level of user. The Avenza Maps app and the ability to download as many maps as desired from the in-app map store will remain free for personal-use consumers. New subscription tiers will be introduced to cater to avid users that require more functionality, including the ability to import an unlimited number of maps, to suit enthusiasts and power users who like to import their own maps. The upcoming “Pro” subscription is tailored to commercial and professional users and will include more powerful features needed to conduct work in various industries.

“Helping people produce and use maps is our passion,” Doug Smith, Sales Director of Avenza Systems Inc., “We plan to not only grow the Avenza Maps brand, but also to make it even better. The Avenza name is synonymous with high cartographic quality and efficient workflows and many of the maps we provide through the app are created by map publishers who already use our software. Speaking with our customers and industry professionals who use the Avenza Maps app daily helped us understand that the app was not a stand-alone product, but an extension of Avenza’s passion—helping people produce, distribute and use maps in the most effective way possible. Rebranding will allow us to have clearer brand marketing strategy moving forward.”

The Avenza Maps app is an all-inclusive mapping platform for iOS, Android, and Windows mobile devices. Consumers can download the app for free, get georeferenced maps from the Avenza Map Store, and use them completely offline with a variety of tools. Map publishers can register as a vendor in the Avenza Map Store and generate revenue by pricing their maps and making them available for purchase. Businesses and organizations can upgrade to a cost-effective Pro subscription which allows for commercial use, includes enhanced tools and features, as well as enhanced support. For more information, visit the Avenza Maps website at www.avenzamaps.com.

About Avenza Systems Inc.

Avenza Systems Inc. is an award-winning, privately held corporation that provides cartographers and GIS professionals with powerful software tools for making better maps as well as the Avenza Maps mobile mapping platform. In addition to software offerings for Mac and Windows users, Avenza offers value-added data sets, product training, and consulting services. For more information, visit the Avenza website at www.avenza.com.

Toronto, ON, July 28, 2016 – Avenza Systems Inc., producers of the PDF Maps app for mobile devices and geospatial plug-ins for Adobe Creative Cloud, including Geographic Imager® for Adobe Photoshop® and MAPublisher® for Adobe Illustrator®, is pleased to announce the appointment of Trent Stromberg in the role of Manager of Business Development.

Trent has an impressive background in business development, sales, and strategic marketing. Over the past 7 years, his professional experience in the mapping and GIS industry has focused on building business plans and relationships to acquire map and data sources worldwide. His knowledge and experience will be used to increase the PDF Maps footprint in consumer and professional markets.

“I’m excited to welcome such a well-connected and knowledgeable professional,” said Ted Florence, President of Avenza Systems. “Trent’s insightful knowledge of the mapping industry and business relationships will be an invaluable asset to Avenza as we continue to grow our brands and expand our reach.”

Trent comes to Avenza Systems from his previous role as Business Development Manager at Eastview Geospatial where he worked on data aggregation, contract acquisitions, customer engagement, and other company-building activities.

“What Avenza has achieved with PDF Maps in mobile mapping and wide-scale map distribution is truly innovative and inspiring,” said Trent Stromberg. “With more than 1.5 million users, half a million maps in the Avenza Map Store, three million transactions and worldwide deployment, Avenza’s mobile offering is an exciting project in which I’m excited to participate and contribute.”

Trent is also an active member of the International Map Industry Association and other map industry activities.

More about Avenza Systems Inc. and PDF Maps

Avenza Systems Inc. is an award-winning, privately held corporation that provides cartographers and GIS professionals with powerful software tools to make better maps. In addition to software offerings for Mac and Windows users, Avenza offers value-added data sets, product training and consulting services, as well as the PDF Maps app for purchasing and using maps on iOS and Android devices. Visit www.avenza.com for more details.

– Popular GeoPackage now a supported format –

Toronto, ON, May 11, 2016 – Avenza Systems Inc., producers of the PDF Maps app for mobile devices and geospatial plug-ins for Adobe Creative Cloud, including Geographic Imager® for Adobe Photoshop®, is pleased to announce the release of MAPublisher 9.7 for Adobe Illustrator. This latest update includes many new features including GeoPackage support. This release also introduces improvements to how Web Map Services are imported, making it easier manage services and to interactively select areas.

“We’re delighted to release MAPublisher 9.7 with support for the GeoPackage format,” said Ted Florence, President of Avenza. “GeoPackages are gaining popularity and is an important format to support in MAPublisher and other Avenza solutions moving forward,” he added. “We’re committed to providing our users the ability to use open and interoperable data sources to create high-quality maps and publishing to print, web and mobile.”

Enhancements and new features of MAPublisher 9.7

• Fully compatible with Adobe Illustrator Creative Cloud 2015 on both Windows (32-bit and 64-bit) and Mac
• Web Map Services (WMS) can now be managed and organized into folders. Selecting an area of a web map layer is now easier with improved selection tools.
• The GeoPackage format, a platform-independent database that can contain raster data, is now supported in Export to Web Tiles and Export Document to GeoPackage
• Map scales are now shown when selecting maximum zoom. Exporting to Web Tiles now includes GeoPackage as a map provider. A post export option allows you to open the destination folder containing the web tiles.
• New MAPublisher help system is now online. Browse help topics for tools, features, and tutorials. Most MAPublisher dialog boxes now link directly to help topics.
• MAPublisher FME Auto is now compatible with FME Desktop 2016.1
• Various user interface and performance enhancements to improve usability

More about MAPublisher for Adobe Illustrator

MAPublisher for Adobe Illustrator is powerful map production software for creating high-quality maps from GIS data. MAPublisher cartographic tools leverage the superior graphic design capabilities of Adobe Illustrator to manipulate GIS data and to produce both print-ready and online maps with accuracy and efficiency.

MAPublisher 9.7 is available free of charge to all MAPublisher users with an active maintenance subscription and as an upgrade for non-maintenance users at US$599. New commercial licenses are US$1399. MAPublisher FME Auto and MAPublisher LabelPro are also available as add-ons to MAPublisher 9.7 at prices starting at US$399 per license. Academic, floating and volume pricing are also available. Prices include one year of full maintenance. Visit www.avenza.com/mapublisher for more details.

More about Avenza Systems Inc.

Avenza Systems Inc. is an award-winning, privately held corporation that provides cartographers and GIS professionals with powerful software tools to make better maps. In addition to software offerings for Mac and Windows users, Avenza offers value-added data sets, product training and consulting services, as well as the PDF Maps app for purchasing and using maps on iPhones, iPads and iPod Touch devices. Visit www.avenza.com for more details.

For further information contact:
Tel: 416-487-5116
Email: info@avenza.com
Web: www.avenza.com

Go-To Map App for Travelers, Outdoor Recreationalists, and Industry Professionals Grows in Popularity on Mobile Platforms

TORONTO (May 3, 2016)— Avenza Systems Inc., the leading developer of cartographic software—such as MAPublisher for Adobe Illustrator and Geographic Imager geospatial tools for Adobe Photoshop— is excited to announce that its PDF Maps app recently surpassed the one million downloads milestone. The market-leading consumer and enterprise mobile map app is free to download from the iTunes App Store and the Google Play Store. It caters to international travelers and outdoor enthusiasts who often are confronted with high data roaming charges, international plans, and cellular coverage issues when leaving their coverage areas, as well as industry professionals and field workers who require and use mobile maps as part of their jobs.

“Avenza has always been committed to making digital maps accessible to the recreational novice, using the app for the very first time, as well as for the more knowledgeable user who might require more substantial features. As well, we are very pleased at the continuing and exponential growth of PDF Maps in the professional commercial and government sectors in which the app has proved to be a reliable and valuable tool for field workers and emergency response teams. Reaching the one million downloads milestone has reaffirmed our commitment to a growing consumer base that views the PDF Maps app as more than just an app, but as a valuable resource in remote areas,” said Ted Florence, President, Avenza Systems Inc. “More importantly, we share this milestone with the many map publishers and independent cartographers who have used the PDF Maps app as a portal to share and sell the more than 2.3 million maps which have been downloaded by users to-date and the ever-increasing number of digital map users who together have helped us achieve this level of success and adoption. The map industry is evolving as it attempts to reach its audience in a digital age, and we’re excited to be part of this positive transition.”

Unlike other map apps that provide one view of a location using GPS coordinates as most maps do, Avenza’s PDF Maps app provides a meaningful interface to measure distances, drop placemarks and share personal recorded data in various formats for use on land, sea or air. PDF Maps is an award-winning all-encompassing solution for the use, distribution and sale of digital versions of paper maps to mobile devices. It includes both an app for consumers to explore and interact with their maps, as well as a back-end store and delivery system to facilitate the transaction and delivery of maps from map publishers to consumers. The in-app marketplace provides a mobile e-commerce venue that allows those in the industry to have access to consumers seeking information about specific digital maps. Pricing of each map is set by the publisher and free maps remain free to users through the PDF Maps in-app store.

Avenza’s PDF Maps app is available now on the iTunes App Store and Google Play Store free of charge for personal recreational use. A Windows version is currently in public beta release.

Commercial, government and academic use licensing starts at US$49 per year and drops on a per-device basis as deployment numbers increase. For more information about PDF Maps, visit www.pdf-maps.com or visit Avenza Systems at www.avenza.com.

Retailers and publishers interested in joining the PDF Maps store or the PDF Maps affiliate program, which allows businesses to earn revenue by promoting and selling maps directly to their customers, can sign up for free and can get in contact with the PDF Maps team at pdfmaps@avenza.com.

About Avenza Systems Inc.

Avenza Systems Inc. is an award-winning, privately held corporation that provides cartographers and GIS professionals with powerful software tools for making better maps as well as the PDF Maps mobile mapping system. In addition to software offerings for Mac and Windows users, Avenza offers value-added data sets, product training and consulting services. For more information, visit the Avenza website at www.avenza.com.

Contacts:
Christine Simmons
LFPR Public Relations – www.lfpr.com
(for Avenza Systems Inc.)
949-502-6200 ext. 320
Christines@lfpr.com

IMIA International President oversees the IMIA and its regions

TORONTO (February 8, 2016)— The International Map Industry Association (IMIA) has announced Ted Florence, President of Avenza Systems Inc., as the new President of IMIA International effective immediately. Florence is a well-regarded contributor in the advancement of technology in how maps are created and distributed digitally and will be responsible for directing strategic activities of the IMIA and its Regions – Americas, Asia Pacific, and Europe, Africa and Middle East (EAME), in close concert with the various region Presidents.

“Ted is a proven leader whose business experience and forward vision will be a great fit to lead the IMIA,” commented Sandy Hill, Executive Director of IMIA. “ His passion and dedication will be the main the driving force in organizing the responsibilities of the IMIA board and its committees which will provide support for all our members around the globe. We want to thank outgoing International President, John L. Hammer III , for guiding the association during his term.”

“I’m honoured to be chosen as the IMIA’s new international president,” Florence said. “My focus will be to work closely with the regions in order to bring better business networking opportunities, conferences and exchange forums to the members of the Association. I look forward to working with the executive team to fully realize the potential that our association has to offer the industry and its members.”

Florence currently leads Avenza Systems Inc., the leading developer of cartographic software such as MAPublisher for Adobe Illustrator, Geographic Imager for Adobe Photoshop, and PDF Maps, its market-leading consumer and enterprise mobile mapping app.

About IMIA

IMIA is an international organization that welcomes members from every corner of the globe. Established over 28 years ago, it promotes the interests of all companies involved in the mapping industry: developers of geographic information systems, publishers, government organizations, printers, distributors, consultants, and libraries. IMIA plays an active role in helping member organizations achieve their business and professional goals. More information may be found at www.imiamaps.org.

About Avenza Systems Inc.

Avenza Systems Inc. is an award-winning, privately held corporation that provides cartographers and GIS professionals with powerful software tools for making better maps as well as the PDF Maps mobile mapping system. In addition to software offerings for Mac and Windows users, Avenza offers value-added data sets, product training and consulting services. For more information, visit the Avenza website at www.avenza.com.

PDF Maps Store provides affiliates with an opportunity to earn revenue share via site traffic referrals

TORONTO (January 12, 2016)— Avenza Systems Inc., the leading developer of cartographic software—such as MAPublisher for Adobe Illustrator and Geographic Imager geospatial tools for Adobe Photoshop—is pleased to announce the launch of its affiliate program for PDF Maps, its market-leading consumer and enterprise mobile map app. Any retailer or business, including both online and physical stores, blogs, portals and information sites, can now earn revenue by promoting and selling maps directly to its customers using affiliate links on websites or by using signage with QR codes. Each map sale conducted in this manner will earn the affiliate a share of the revenue.

The PDF Maps Affiliate program is free to join with no application or setup fees or ongoing costs. Existing PDF Maps Store vendors can opt-in to the affiliate program and earn commission in addition to their normal revenue share. “This is a great opportunity for Avenza to increase our marketing efforts and broaden our brand awareness of the PDF Maps platform,” stated sales and marketing director, Doug Smith.

“We are currently working with a number of key map publishers and brands to roll out the affiliate program, and the interest and excitement we’ve seen so far is significant. There has been substantial growth in the use of the PDF Maps app not only as an outdoor recreation tool, but also as a solution for travelers, business people, enterprises and professionals. Because of this, examples of affiliate businesses include but are not limited to, outdoor recreation stores, hotels, car rental companies, book stores, and even bloggers.” said Ted Florence, president of Avenza Systems. “Moreover, the PDF Maps Affiliate program seeks to embrace and connect brick and mortar retailers –that cater to outdoor recreation and whose customers may be interested in maps—to the digital economy, instead of excluding them as has been done in the past with music, books and videos.”

Retailers and businesses interested in joining the affiliate program can sign up for free and can get in contact with the PDF Maps team at www.pdf-maps.com/affiliates.

The PDF Maps app is available now on the iTunes App Store and Google Play Store free of charge for personal recreational use. A Windows version is currently in public beta release. Commercial, government and academic use licensing is available for a nominal annual fee. For more information about PDF Maps, visit www.pdf-maps.com or visit Avenza Systems at www.avenza.com. Pricing of each map is set by the publisher and free maps remain free to users through the PDF Maps in-app store. Commercial use licensing starts at US$49 per year and drops on a per-device basis as deployment numbers increase.

About Avenza Systems Inc.

Avenza Systems Inc. is an award-winning, privately held corporation that provides cartographers and GIS professionals with powerful software tools for making better maps as well as the PDF Maps mobile mapping system. In addition to software offerings for Mac and Windows users, Avenza offers value-added data sets, product training and consulting services. For more information, visit the Avenza website at www.avenza.com.