Mountain rescue teams in England and Wales are about to achieve significant improvements in the time taken to plan searches, and in the quality of coordination and reporting of those searches, thanks to a new technology platform from UK digital mapping co

PRESS DISPENSARY - Thursday, Mar 04, 2010 - The system, known as SARMAN&tm (Search & Rescue Management Solutions), is a modular system providing the capability to plan, coordinate and more efficiently manage the work of Mountain Rescue England and Wales and all other search and rescue organisations.

Peter Bell, President of Mountain Rescue England and Wales stated: "Mapyx has worked tirelessly to fine-tune their QUO digital mapping software to encompass the operational demands of a mountain rescue environment and to develop its new SARMANTM software. Linked to, indeed part of, this advanced facility, they have similarly fine-tuned their SARMANTM system to operate with various communications platforms, which will provide the integrated, on scene, partner to the Mapyx search and rescue management applications. QUO and SARMANTM software coupled with approved hand-held devices are not, however, restricted to search and rescue operations. This combination will, I am convinced, provide a most valuable adjunct to safety, whatever the environment."

Ewan Thomas, Flood Management Officer for MREW: "Mapyx has been an excellent development partner for the project to provide MR teams with class leading search planning and management software.

"The SARMANTM application has been developed from first principles to provide an incident management system that is fully integrated into the Quo digital mapping platform.

"The powerful combination of Quo, the Mapyx tracking system and SARMANTM will make a significant contribution to search and rescue planning and incident management in

England and Wales."

Steven Wood, Chairman of Mapyx, stated, "Following on from MREW selecting Mapyx as "Official GIS and Mapping Partner", Mapyx elected to develop specific search and rescue software to assist MREW in its operations. Our new SARMAN&tm software is our contribution to the important work of MREW and by working closely together with MREW, we believe that we have developed a system that will improve the effectiveness and efficiency of all search and rescue operations. Sarman&tm is undergoing field testing with MREW in March 2010 and will be operational in April 2010."

The SARMAN&tm software has been designed in conjunction with MREW and provides operational improvements including:

1. Use of digital topographic maps and aerial maps at various scales to provide accurate ground data.

2. Use of Mapyx Quo Professional software functionality to provide detailed routing and tracking information.

3. Reduction of set-up time for establishing search parameters to improve planning and management resulting in increased efficiency and accuracy of searches.

4. Live communication and tracking interfaces permitting better coordination of search teams and providing immediate feedback of search progress.

5. Coordination of multiple search teams and equipment across multiple incidents.

6. Automated process management tasks to provide better, faster and more reliable information with fast, bespoke or standardised reporting functionality.

7. A modular system that can be expanded or reduced depending upon functionality requirements.

8. 'Black box' recording of all planning and field operations.

Notes for editors

About Mapyx Limited

Mapyx Limited, a Surbiton based company, delivers affordable digital maps and tools to a wide range of users. Mapyx products offer value for money, help people share their data (routes, pictures, reviews and more) and build communities around their hobbies, clubs and associations.

The team behind Mapyx has been involved with digital mapping applications for government, military and commercial organisations for over two decades. Mapyx developed its successful 'Quo' product as the essential digital mapping software for outdoor pursuits. Mapyx Quo is free of charge, fully-functional digital mapping software that has won numerous awards. Download a free copy at www.mapyx.com/quo .

About Mountain Rescue England & Wales (MREW)

MREW is a registered charity. Its mountain and cave rescue service in England and Wales is provided by around 3,500 volunteers, available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, whatever the weather.

Besides being called to help people who become ill or injured on the moorlands and mountains, MREW teams frequently help the police search semi-urban areas for missing persons. Its teams also help the ambulance service access remote or difficult areas. MREW has provided expertise and personnel during major civil emergencies such as the Grayrigg train crash and the Lockerbie disaster; assisted the fire service with moorland fires in Yorkshire and the Lake District; helped rescue people from their own homes during extensive flooding in Gloucestershire, Carlisle and South Yorkshire; and searched snowbound roads for stranded motorists. It has also searched for forensic evidence and helped preserve crime scenes.

Further images accompanying this release are available to download at:

<a href="http://www.mapyx.com/mediarelations/sarman.pdf">http://www.mapyx.com/mediarelations/sarman.pdf</a>

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