Slashgeo

All Points Blog links to an CRN article about Microsoft SQL Server plans in an interview with VP Flessner. From the article: ""You will see an investment in spatial indexing, geometry libraries. I want to do a good job supporting ESRI and other geo-spatial guys and make a good library available so if you can't afford those packages do good spatial analysis with out them," Flessner said. [...] When will that happen? The next four to six years, although he'd like to get more done "sooner rather than later.""

The Memory Leak blog informs us about geodata support for the upcoming Microsoft SQL Server expected in 2008. All Points Blog adds more details and links. From APB: "Spatial will be supported in the next release of SQL Server (code named Katmai) as system data types. Katmai is scheduled to ship in 2008 and will most likely be called SQL Server 2008. Katmai spatial will support two models: a “Flat Earth” planar data type and a “Round Earth” geodetic data type. The Flat Earth data type (GEOMETRY) will support the Open Geospatial Consortium (OGC) Simple Features for SQL Specification with support for approximately 70 spatial methods/functions. There will be spatial indexes for both planar and geodetic data types."

All Points Blog did what I was going to do, to point out the several announcements for support of Microsoft SQL Server 2008, which includes new spatial capabilities. Here are the full press releases: Safe, Manifold, SpatialPoint, AWhere). In addition, there's MapDotNet Server 6.5 which will also support the new SQL Server. See also related stories below.

Safe Software writes "Today Safe Software introduced a free FME® FDO Provider for AutoCAD® Map 3D 2008. Map 3D users now have a faster and easier way to access nine popular import formats. Available for download today at www.safe.com/fmefdo, the free FME FDO Provider integrates with the Data Connect dialog to enable quick connectivity to key spatial data formats, including ESRI® ArcInfo Export (E00), Geography Markup Language (GML), and MapInfo TAB/MIF/MID. With just a few clicks, Map 3D users can conveniently read data directly, without having to copy the datasets. When the data changes, users’ drawings will automatically reflect the most recent information. Users can also easily upgrade to FME, a powerful spatial ETL platform, for access to over 200 additional CAD, GIS, raster and database formats, such as ArcSDE Raster, MapInfo SpatialWare, and KML (Google Earth). To access the download, visit www.safe.com/fmefdo"

Safe Software writes "Safe Software today announced new advancements in spatial data access with the release of FME 2008. The release includes the unveiling of FME Server, a scalable solution for data transformation and distribution, as well as a new version of FME Desktop, the recognized standard in spatial ETL (extract, transform and load). Both solutions add new dimensions to spatial data access, giving even more users access to their data when, where and how they need it." See also previous related stories below.