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News and Information
2010
CherSoft goes to Kuala Lumpur
Following several months of 0500hrs telephone conferences with Malaysian Partners and clients we decided to spend some time in Kuala Lumpur; Simon Salter and Steve McQueenie drew the short straws. Our TDB solution and Tidal knowledge are starting to get noticed globally, hence a 12 hour flight to Malaysia and a whirlwind of meetings in KL. Several regional projects in the Malacca Straights mean that tidal solutions are at the top of several Hydrographic Offices requirements. It also means that non traditional partners are being sought to meet these new business demands.
CherSoft recently bid the C3I MMEA programme with Comintel, our systems integration partners in KL, and this trip provided an opportunity to review the current stage of that bid. Henry will provide the backbone of the software solution enabling the Malaysian blue light forces to command, control and communicate operations in the Malacca Straights and elsewhere on the high seas.
Kuala Lumpur is a fantastic city with an unrivalled mix of cultures, business and tourist activities. It is also being developed into a major commercial centre that thrives because of its location, people and genuine acceptance of ongoing change – people here are definitely glass half full types. It also meant that on this foreign trip Simon could get at least one decent vegetarian meal — although there was the normal comedy of ordering vegetable rice and being given meat surprise.
Work is now ongoing to meet the clients' requirements and impress upon them our ability to deliver robust solutions. With the UKHO and SHOM as current clients we have a strong message, but to break into these new markets we will need strong in-country partnerships and a keen eye on the future challenges that the Malaysian Marine market might face.
Steve McQueenie hopes to be back in Kuala Lumpur before the end of this year signing a new contract for the CherSoft team.
ISO9001 certification renewed
CherSoft has just completed ISO9001 auditing by SIRA. This re-affirms our commitment to quality, a principle which has been embedded in the CherSoft culture since the company was formed. We have now been continuously accredited for ISO9001 and TickIT for over eleven years.
CherSoft Integrate Tidal Data Base with Hydrographic Production Database for the French Hydrographic Office
CherSoft is pleased to announce the successful completion of an eighteen-month delivery of the CherSoft Tidal Data Base (TdB) and integration with the CARIS Hydrographic Production Database (HPD) for the French Hydrographic Office, Service Hydrographique et Océanographique de la Marine (SHOM).
Through this geospatial infrastructure project, CARIS and CherSoft will deliver to SHOM a database management system that will provide better access to its navaid, tidal and bathymetric databases while achieving improved information processing from data collection to archiving.
“Working with CherSoft enabled us to quickly meet the need identified by SHOM to include tidal components in this project,” said Geerten Blessing, Managing Director of CARIS BV. “We are delighted with the results achieved through teaming with CherSoft to deliver this comprehensive TdB solution”.
The delivery marks a significant juncture in the CherSoft Team’s growth strategy as they look to new partners and international clients to globally develop their market leading tidal solutions and marine navigation services.
Simon Salter, CherSoft director and founder said, “the TdB delivery to SHOM confirms the inherent functionality of the database and highlights the professional standing of the CherSoft team. CherSoft is very pleased to have been selected by CARIS as the best company to provide this and to assist in the developing the production capabilities of SHOM. We are all looking forward to a continuing relationship with CARIS and further supporting SHOM in the future”.
Newly released Ordnance Survey data supported by Henry
After months of public consultation, OS OpenData was launched on 1 April by Communities Secretary John Denham. He said he hoped it would attract "a new wave of entrepreneurs" to reuse the data in innovative ways. At CherSoft we have watched these developments with interest and are now proud to announce that our flagship navigation product, Henry, can support the OS Street View and other raster data formats using our continuous raster display technology. Max, lead developer on the raster team said “creating a continuous surface that could be panned and zoomed smoothly was quite a challenge with such a large data set but the results are spectacular”.
New Features for Nuno Navigator final release
CherSoft today announced a list of new features that will be provided in the final release of Nuno Navigator, their new consumer navigation application.
Several features have been added since the public Beta release. These include:
- Track Log. See where you have been, and save useful bits for later.
- Anchoring Mode. See seabed features only when you need them.
- Chart Overview. Makes moving around the chart easier, and shows you more information about the charts themselves.
- Quick light recognition. Hover over a light on the chart and see a graphical display of its characteristics.
- Data Import and Export. Save your tracks, routes and places as GPX data or KML (Google Maps). Load data from lots of sources into Nuno Navigator
- Inland ENC. Nuno Navigator will work with digital charts for inland waterways, published by the Army Corps of Engineers. (http://www.agc.army.mil/echarts/)
CherSoft attend ACCU conference
Four members of the CherSoft development team went to the Association of C and C++ User's Conference in Oxford. This year's emphasis on testing techniques has given us some new ideas. It's always interesting to meet other people working in different fields, and get new perspectives on the challenges we face.
New Nuno Navigator Beta release
CherSoft today released another public Beta version of Nuno Navigator, their new consumer navigation application.
This release fixes several bugs in the original Beta release, as well as providing general improvements in performance and useability.
CEO Simon Salter said, “We are continuing to improve Nuno Navigator as a result of thorough testing, and in response to user feedback.”
S-100 Stakeholder's Workshop
The 2nd S-100 stakeholders’ workshop was held at the UKHO in March 2010. CherSoft were included in the 15 invited industry volunteers representing mariners, ship operators, ECDIS manufacturers and chart software developers. The purpose of the workshop was to gain first hand information from stakeholders on the impact, requirements and any constraints involved in the introduction of the new developments. In 3 days of discussion a wide variety of topics were tackled. Simon commented “We have been developing S-57 based systems for many years, and are pleased to be able to contribute towards the developing new standards”.
Beer O'Clock
Just up the road from the CherSoft offices is the venue for the Great British Northern Beer Festival. Four stages, 28 bands, 12,000 visitors and 220 real ales, all served through handpulls, making this Festival the biggest hand pulled Festival in the world. It is quite an event. We like the odd drop of beer so we couldn’t resist getting involved. The company sponsored a barrel and we all spent a pleasant evening checking out one or two (or maybe more) of the brews on offer.
Trip to Egersund
Simon Salter (Chief Executive) and members of the CherSoft team were in Egersund, Norway this week visiting Jeppesen as the team look to broaden partnerships with commercial hydrographical companies. CherSoft originally met Egil Aarstad of Jeppesen in South Africa at Hydro 09 and they have been working together closely to identify new business development areas.
Simon was very happy with the visit, saying “The two companies are very complementary with solutions for the global hydrographic community and this should enable a very close working relationship for the future. We are especially focussed on our tidal products and solutions that are already gaining a wide audience in Europe”
Egersund is situated in a beautiful part of the world about one hour’s drive south from Stavanger. Frozen lakes, snow covered roads and rock strewn hills were all brilliantly lit by the arctic sun which, although bright, managed to impart no warmth at all. However it did provide a fantastic backdrop for our meeting with Jeppesen and we spent the whole day at their well appointed (and warm) offices which look out over the fjord. Many thanks to the Jeppesen team whose hospitality and interest certainly shone throughout the day.
2009
Bond Party
This year’s CherSoft annual party had a James Bond theme. This meant that the Directors could carry guns and everyone got to drink an authentic Vesper made with genuine Lillet
* If you need more information on the sophisticated range of CherSoft cocktails please contact bar_tender@chersoft.co.uk.
CherSoft visits the Port of London Authority
A team from CherSoft visited the Port of London Authority (PLA). The PLA is responsible for ensuring navigational safety along the Tidal Thames, promoting use of the River and safeguarding the environment. The day included a visit to the impressive control centre at Gravesend.
Visit to Hydro09
CherSoft attended the Hydro9 conference and exhibition in Cape Town. As well as meeting with many other company representatives Simon and Steve also presented a paper on Active Data.
Admiralty Information Overlay support implemented as part of Henry 5,2,0,388
The is the first navigation system to display Admiralty Information Overlays (AIO) fully and will be used by UKHO in developing and finalising the AIO product.
See the release notes.
Simply Messing About In Boats
CherSoft staff don't spend all their time in the office.
Admiralty Digital Publications 2010 upgrade delivered to the UKHO
The Admiralty Digital Publications (ADP) 2010 upgrade was delivered to the UK Hydrographic Office. This upgrade incorporates several new enhancements and improvements. ADP 2010 will go on general release at the beginning of 2010.
16 Henry navigation systems supplied to the Netherlands Maritime Force
CherSoft delivers UKHO ARCS production report
A CherSoft consultancy team studying a replacement for the current UK Hydrographic Office ARCS production system delivered their report today.
Henry gains Search and Rescue facilities
Henry 5,2,0,296 now has the ability to generate Search and Rescue patterns. See the release notes.
New and improved POLAR delivered
We delivered an upgrade to the POLAR marine data management system at the UK Hydrographic Office. This adds functionality in several key areas and improves usability.
Henry 5,2,0,150 released
Henry now supports Shape files. See the release notes.
CherSoft welcomes two new members of staff
After looking for nearly a year (we're picky), we have successfully recruited two excellent software developers who bring valued new skills to the team.
2008
Feliz Navidad
We had a Mexican theme to the annual party this year. This featured, amongst other things, margaritas and some very good food (with chillies in).
CherSoft become Microsoft Gold Partners
Gold Certified Partners represent the highest level of competence and expertise with Microsoft technologies and have the closest working relationship with Microsoft.
Henry chosen for NATO ‘Bold Master 08’ exercise
CherSoft have supplied a custom version of Henry specially created to meet the exercise requirements. Participating nations are France, Germany, Norway, Canada, Greece, Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Turkey and The United States; in all, 132 participants from 11 countries and the NSC will be augmented by 3 persons during this period.
Henry supplied to Danish Navy Squadron MCM-Staff
Row, row, row your boat
CherSoft supply Olly Hicks with navigation and other marine software for his attempt at rowing around the world.
Software engineers are all at sea
We chartered the Thames sailing barge SB May for the weekend to provide a training program for CherSoft employees. The unlikely juxtaposition of state-of-the-art navigation systems with rope and canvas worked remarkably well. We also enjoyed the last good weekend of summer.
CherSoft partner with Caris to develop TdB
CARIS, a leading developer of geomatics software, announces that it has been awarded a contract by the Service Hydrographique et Océanographique de la Marine (SHOM) to deliver a Marine Spatial Data Infrastructure (MSDI) to access its hydrographic information. CherSoft as a subcontractor will supply a tide database as part of the solution.
Further increases in ENCXTM sales
Recent new clients include Marine Sonic, the University of Bremen and the MAritime University of Szczecin.
2007
Gruesome murder solved by CherSoft employees
This year the CherSoft Christmas party focussed on a murder mystery. Oddly enough the murderer turned out to be one of the directors.
Dramatic office revamp
We have finished refurbishing the CherSoft Office just in time for Christmas. While there was nothing really wrong with the previous office layout it was all a bit boring, a little claustrophobic and lacked natural light. The layout now uses three newly installed light pipes which focus on a central area set out with a variety of plants. To make the best use of this splash of sunlight and greenery we have replaced all the standard partitions with glass. Now the office has a much more open and airy feel to it.
Henry chosen for NATO “Bold Master 07” exercise
CherSoft have supplied a custom version of Henry specially created to meet the exercise requirements. The objectives for the exercise are:
- Exercise NCAGS personnel operating in a multinational environment
- Enhance cooperation between NATO and shipping authorities
- Exercise NCAGS procedures within the MCC staff
- Exercise information exchange throughout the NCAGS Organisation
- Exercise the Allied Worldwide Navigational Information System (AWNIS)
- Evaluate of NCAGS procedures in particular Accompaniment
CherSoft delivers online ENC updating capability to UK Hydrographic Office
Delivery of the ENC Online Update Service (EOUS) and Admiralty Update Service (AUS) host and client to the UK Hydrographic Office. A cornerstone of the UK Hydrographic Office’s digital delivery program this system provides mariners with the ability to download ENC charts and updates either directly or via email.
CherSoft survives disastrous Rotherham floods
In 2007, widespread flooding hit the Sheffield and Rotherham area. Our main office was inaccessible for three days and power was cut off. Floodwater was literally within inches of the main door but fortunately none got in. Other businesses in the area were far less fortunate and the total cost to the area was substantial. Because of the distributed nature of CherSoft and the way that home-working is encouraged we were able to provide uninterrupted support to all our customers.
ENCXTM sales are up.
ENCXTM is the CherSoft chart kernel. It is performance technology designed to be easily integrated and deployed. Recently ENCXTM has been chosen by Memorial University, Raven Industries and Intelisea.
2006
CherSoft's annual Christmas Party
This year the Christmas Party featured a large chocolate fountain.
Hydro 06 - 'Beyond ENC' Paper Presentation
The International Hydrographic Conference – Hydro 06 – was held in Antwerp (Belgium) November 6-9, 2006. The main theme of the conference was "Evolutions in Hydrography". About 35 papers were presented covering advancements in Charting, Sea Floor Mapping, Multibeam, Positioning and related issues. CherSoft were represented by Simon Salter who presented a paper entitled 'Beyond ENC'. This paper discusses some contemporary issues with ENC data and display systems. It identifies several areas where experience has exposed deficiencies in the use of ENC. It then goes on to suggest several ways of improving cartographic data handling in the marine environment.The full text of the paper is here.
Henry chosen for NATO “Bold Master” exercise
CherSoft have supplied a custom version of Henry specially created to meet the exercise requirements. The aim is to exercise and evaluate NCAGS and AWNIS procedures in accordance with current doctrine in a multinational environment.
CherSoft delivers new POLAR system to the UK Hydrographic office
POLAR (Production Of Lights and Radio Signals) is a sophisticated multi-user database for managing marine data. It implements a robust work-flow model with full audit and change records. Notices to Mariners are generated automatically.
Henry chosen by Royal Naval Reserve
The Royal Naval Reserve (RNR) is an integral part of Britain's naval forces, comprising a corps of some 3,250 men and women who train in peacetime to enable the Royal Navy to meet its operational commitments in times of stretch, crisis, tension and war.
Henry gains NZ Mariner chart support
NZMariner is the official New Zealand raster chart folio.
Henry gains DNC support
The Digital Nautical Chart® is produced by the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency (NGA) and is an unclassified, vector-based digital database containing maritime significant features essential for safe marine navigation.
2005
HENRY now available for download
CherSoft are pleased to announce a new freely available edition of Henry. This edition of Henry can be used to view demonstration ARCS charts and our World Vector Shoreline. There is no time limit and you can freely create and distribute all overlays. Its only limitations are that S57 and ARCS data cannot be installed. However when you decide to purchase Henry you will receive a dongle which will allow you to install commercial charts. No new Henry software needs to be installed.
Download and evaluate our high performance marine navigation and charting application here
ENCX SDK Launch
CherSoft is proud to annouce the launch of their ENCX software development kit (SDK). ENCX allows software developers to add chart displays to their products.
Although ENCX is a new product it leans on CherSoft's long (eleven year) experience in marine chart display. It fully supports commercial S-57/ENC vector charts and UKHO ARCS and Maptech raster charts. There is also some support for drawing on chart surfaces (overlays).
ENCX is free to download, evaluate and develop against. OEMs only pay after they have made a sale. Though powerful, we think the library is easy to use and as such OEMs will not need to paid support or training courses.
For more information see www.encx.com
New Contract Award from UKHO
CherSoft are pleased to announce an important new contract with the United Kingdom Hydrographic Office.
We have been selected to implement a new workflow system to support the UKHO's production of Admiralty List of Radio Signals (Volume 6) and List of Lights data.
Using our high performance chart display system, the UKHO will be able to view, input and amend data in both these important datasets with massively increased ease, flexibility and control.
CherSoft is particularly pleased once again to have been selected to support one of the world's leading producers of marine data, and to have won the contract in competitive tender against a field including global corporations.
We believe this reflects considerable faith in our ability to provide efficient solutions to challenging problems and builds on our experience delivering a number of projects to the UKHO, including Admiralty TotalTide and Admiralty List of Lights applications.
CherSoft Director Simon Salter says:
"This is very exciting for us. We had already developed significant expertise with this data through our work on several generations of the Digital List of Lights, EasyTide and TotalTide applications. Integrating backwards to support the data production was a natural step. This project is using our chart display system to control the data production process, which is a good example of its power and flexibility. We're now working very hard to make sure we get it right - but our track record speaks for itself there."
Henry, the navigation system that forms the underlying technology for the project is also making progress in its own right and has been sold to thousands of customers in various forms - including the UKHO. There have been recent sales to the Mediterranean Shipping Company, and plans to launch a chart display kernel for software developers are well-advanced.
ISO 9001:2000 TickIT Certification
CherSoft have just been undergone an audit by SIRA to ensure continued compliance with the ISO9001:2000 standard. The audit was a success and CherSoft's accreditation was renewed without any non-conformancies (major or minor).
2004
Rotherham Business Awards
CherSoft have been recognised as one of the leading local companies at the inaugural Rotherham Business Awards held at Hellaby Hall Hotel. Simon Salter received the runners-up commendation in the 'Success Through People Award' from the chief executive of Rotherham Chamber, John Lewis.
New Office
CherSoft have moved into their new office at The Point on the Bradmarsh Industrial Estate in Rotherham. Although this office is quite close to the previous premises it is a considerable improvement in working conditions. The brand new office is spacious, has full climate control, extensive natural lighting and all the features expected from a state of the art business facility.
EasyTide Shortlisted for Government Award
EasyTide, the on-line tidal prediction service that was developed for the UKHO by CherSoft, was short listed for the 'Best government e-service' award at 'theForum' awards held at the Paddington Hilton on the 29th July 2004.
Launch of the BP Shipping Marine Distance Tables
CherSoft were invited to attend the launch of the BP Shipping Marine Distance Tables by AtoBviaC plc at the Barbican in London. This marked the public unveiling of a major project to create an electronic version of the BP Shipping Distance Tables. A team of Master Mariners using CherSoft navigation software are currently creating the tables. Already nearly 1000 of the world's most frequently covered ports are included in the tables. CherSoft software was chosen by AtoBviaC in the face of considerable competition. John Howe of AtoBviaC said, "The CherSoft navigation system is easy to work with, fast and accurate". He went on to say that CherSoft's enthusiasm, expertise and flexibility made them an outstanding company to work with.