Training

All the ESRI users may be trained in our specialized training centers. The leading among them - "GISproject" was created on the basis of the Main Research Computer Center (GlavNIVC) of the Ministry of Natural Resources of the Russian Federation. It has Instructors that have corresponding international certificates of ESRI train the users.15 of the certified instructors are employees of DATA+. By the end of 2001 about 3000 users have completed training in "GISproject".

Over 20 courses are taught in "GISproject" Center. In general the courses are divided into introductory, advanced, and specialized ones. There is no need to be specially prepared for taking an introductory course - one must only be able to work with the computer and have at least general knowledge about the subject matter. The advanced courses are built in such a way that they are continuation of the introductory ones. The specialized courses are devoted to the use of additional modules, to adaptation of modules, and programming in their environment.

The groups for training usually consist of 6 to 12 people. Trainees receive training materials in Russian and data necessary for working with examples. Those who successfully complete the training are awarded certificates of an international form. DATA+ also holds courses on site (i.e. sends instructors to the offices of customers outside Moscow). In this case the customer must organize a group of trainees of not less than 5 people and provide a classroom with the necessary equipment. We can also organize any specialized course defined by the customer in accordance with their needs.

In 2002 a new training and production center of DATA+ called "GeoSPro" (Geoinformation Systems and Projects") will be opened in the Moscow State University of Geodesy and Cartography (MIIGAIK). The introductory, advanced, and specialized courses that are being prepared in the new training center are directed to an integrated study of the software. The main attention will be paid to integration of the data collected on the surface of the Earth as well as during airborne and space surveys with the use of different systems, methods of photogrammetrical and thematic data processing, cartographic and specialized additional information with a wide specter of GIS functions.

Besides "GISproject" and "GeoSPro", there are other training centers in Moscow (at the Chair of Cartography and Geoinformatics of the Geographical Faculty of the Moscow State University), in the town of Obninsk (Mocow Region), in Yekaterinburg (at the Urals Regional Information Computer Center of the Ministry of Natural Resources). Detailed information about these centers can be found on the web site of DATA+: http://www.dataplus.ru.