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SpatialNews.com Press Release
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Benchmark GIS Announces Release of PowerStructure, a Table Formatting Extension for ArcView GISPowerStructure can process single files or multiple data layers at one time in batch mode, combining data from external databases like a tax assessment role, and perform many common database formatting tasks, including calculating acre values, with just a few clicks. Once a structure for the output database is created, its template can be saved to a file that can be reloaded again in the future, providing a convenient and efficient method for updating data files whenever the external databases are modified. PowerStructure includes the data formatting functionality of PowerCalc, a user-friendly interface for performing all types of numerical and string transformations. With PowerCalc, users can generate unique or random numbers, perform trigonometric functions, calculate area, perimeter and length, convert units, format dates, and extract, replace, or combine characters from any field type. For example, one can extract just the month from a date field, or combine an address with its 4-digit ZIP add-on number. Data is seamlessly translated when calculating a field from the values in a field of a different type. A particularly nice feature is a preview of field calculation results so users do not end up wasting time with improperly constructed calculation statements. Mark Miller, the extension’s designer, commented on the program’s background: “At the top of most ArcView user’s wish lists is the ability to move, resize and rename table fields. Our goal was to create a user-friendly tool that did that and much more. When you select the themes or tables you want to restructure, the PowerStructure dialog shows a list of fields in the current database. You can click on a field and move it to a new position, change its type or size or rename it. When you click Ok, all the selected files are restructured at once. But, let’s take that a little further. Suppose you want to format a road layer to support geocoding functions. You will want to separate the street name and the street type into two separate fields. We included the PowerCalc data formatting interface into the extension for this type of function. You simply tell the program to extract the appropriate characters into each field. You can even change case at the same time, if necessary. Or, imagine that you want to incorporate the current tax assessment role information with a parcel theme. You can join to the external database, select which fields to add to the output database, then use the data to populate the theme table or calculate field values. You can save a table’s structure as a template, complete with field calculations and joined table references, so updating the parcel theme once the assessment role gets modified is a matter of just a few clicks.” According to Dave Lee, the Land Records Director in Bayfield County, Wisconsin, the extension can save considerable time and effort. “This program is really slick--it makes formatting our parcel themes a breeze. What used to take hours setting up twenty-five townships is now completed in a few minutes. The program more than paid for itself after the first day using it.” Pricing and Availability PowerStructure is available now through Benchmark GIS at an introductory price of $99.00 ($129 after July 21, 2000). Special pricing is available for educational institutions. Visitors will be linked to the Spatial Online web site for order processing. Trial Download Readers can download a 15-day trial version of PowerStructure by visiting the Benchmark GIS web site, http://www.benchmarkgis.com. A user guide in PDF format can also be downloaded. CONTACT: Benchmark GIS Mark Miller 919-960-9419 extensions@benchmarkgis.com
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