TNTmips is #1
at only 1/5 the Cost!
In November 1996, GIS
World (since renamed GeoWorld) did a review and comparison of seven image
processing packages. Click
here (...link obsolete...) to see the GeoWorld review in their online archive. After you read
the article, read the following response from MicroImages, Inc.
Is it a new product? Over the
past ten years MicroImages has been accused of hiding a serious commercial
product: "but we have never heard of you." Our response has consistently been
that MicroImages invests all available income into the development of
progressively more and more advanced geospatial analysis software, rather than
in elaborate marketing and promotional activities. As a result TNT products
are only gradually being recognized as the most advanced integration of GIS,
image analysis, CAD, desktop mapping and cartography, surface analysis, and
related technologies.
What does it do that's new? It
is easiest to define what TNTmips provides in terms of the individual
functionality of other well known single technology products. TNTmips has:
- GIS capability similar and equal to that
of the workstation version of ArcInfo,
- image analysis (processing) equal to that
of ERDAS,
- desktop mapping similar to MapInfo,
- core CAD capabilities like AutoCAD and
Microstation,
- surface fitting and analysis similar to
GeoSoft, and
- built in relational database and
interfaces to Access, Oracle...
While these are excellent products, their
users have found that they must use several of them to get today's job done.
How does it compete? The
attached review article quickly refers to the integrated, second generation
nature of TNTmips: "Some of the packages (e.g. ERDAS and TNTmips) include so
much GIS functionality that it may be inappropriate to view them strictly as
image processing systems." This does not mean that TNTmips' capabilities in
any individual technology are compromised. The review clearly and
independently documents how TNTmips' ranks at the top among all competitors in
just one of the several technologies that TNTmips embraces. The features
summary table of the [online archive] of the article presents it best. For
the image analysis core functionality tested, TNTmips is the only product
which receives all "y" = yes (except for one "no"), and all "excellent."
(Note, the single "no" indicates that TNTmips does not export to *.DGN files.
This capability has been available in TNTmips for over two years and was
overlooked by the reviewer).
What was criticized? A
moderate criticism of the documentation provided with TNTmips is raised in
this review. MicroImages answers that the rapid success in delivering
advanced geospatial technology is the very thing which handicaps the
documentation. With more than 2200 pages of existing documentation, it has
proven challenging to keep it current with the rapid extension of TNTmips.
What was reviewed? For
fairness, and to create a comparative situation, only the common, basic or
core image processing modules of each of the six product were reviewed. Thus,
fewer than 20% of the features in the basic TNT product were reviewed. In
comparison, about 80% of the features included in the basic or core model of
the competing products were reviewed. All the other products require
additional add-on modules just to complete their image processing
capabilities. All the image analysis, GIS, CAD, TIN, desktop mapping, and
other analysis features are included in TNTmips.
How does it cost 1/5 of the competition? The review states that
these six core modules cost from $3000 to $6000 (highest for ERDAS). TNTmips'
core module is $3000 to $4000, depending upon the desired display resolution.
But, TNTmips' core module includes all its integrated, cross technology
features, and only add-on peripheral support is priced extra. Thus 100% of
TNTmips' integrated functionality is available at the same low price as these
competing products. But, the remaining 80% of the features needed with the
other products must be options must be purchased as options and/or as other
independent technologies (e.g. Arc/Info, MapInfo,...).
[Reviews Index |
GeoWorld Online Archive]
|
25 March 2009 |
page update:
26 May 11
|
©MicroImages, Inc. 2013 Published in the United States of America
11th Floor - Sharp Tower, 206 South 13th Street, Lincoln NE 68508-2010 USA
Business & Sales: (402)477-9554 Support: (402)477-9562 Fax: (402)477-9559
Business info@microimages.com
Support support@microimages.com
Web webmaster@microimages.com
|
