q  APESA's computer facilities consist of one system of personal computers linked by a server netware and another of independent PC's mostly dedicated to GIS work. The whole system, included hardware and software, is changed and upgraded in its entirety every three years.

 q  The netware system is used for report production, editing and data base file and is linked by an independent server, and three terminals with their own CPUs. The system is also linked to high resolution  laser jet black and white printer and a color jet ink printer.

 q  APESA's database has a ten year accumulated data bank of project simulations, as well as all documents produced  in that time, which are easily accessible in an organized backup database.  This system includes two Arc-View3C software to access and process geographic information. 

 q  The hardware used exclusively for the Geographic Information System includes three PC's  of the Pentium IV type.  The basic software is PC-ARC/INFO for map generation, Arc-View for client data base creation, AUTOCAD 14 for graphic design and FoxBASE, used in the processing of polygons into alpha-numeric data base.

q  The inputs for  GIS generated map production have been Landsat TM satellite images. IRS-1C-Pan images have also been used. The provider of this imagery is the German firm GAF Gmbh, with whom APESA has had a ten year relationship.

q  Field work, which is very heavily stressed in all projects, is done by a team of specialists aided by Garmin GPS equipment and video recording.