Southampton, September 17, Snowflake Software announces support for ArcGIS Network Analyst, ESRI’s ArcGIS extension for network-based spatial analysis including routing, travel directions and closest facility analysis.

Snowflake Software’s GO Loader has always provided a unique way to depict the OS MasterMap® ITN Layer. Unlike other tools, GO Loader generates linework that provides an accurate cartographic representation of a restriction, clearly identifying how it applies to the road network and how it could potentially affect the user. This clear and precise representation is essential when a traveller needs to be able to change direction based on the re-routing requirements, particularly when time is of essence as is the case with emergency vehicles.

Network Analyst from ESRI® turns the ITN layer into a logical network. It enables the user to set up weightings such as: traffic density, roadworks, temporal restrictions etc. By utilizing these capabilities with GO Loader' s complex geometry processing capabilities, users can now easily: Define the shortest route Plot travel directions Chart drive time analysis across the entire ITN Network, with full support for turns and one-way restrictions .

In the below example of a true scenario, there is a no entry restriction for all cars attempting to travel from Cumberland Place to the south, past the cenotaph and the park. Utilising the Network Analyst tool, users are directed back round Cumberland Place to access the destination from the south.

The resultant planned route is highlighted in green. The blue and red symbols represent the Road Restriction Information as displayed by the GO Loader ITN tool .

Snowflake Software is an Authorised ESRI (UK) Technology Partner.

GO Loader will be demonstrated at AGI 2007 in Stratford on Avon this week.