CANMORE, ALBERTA--(Marketwired - Jan 16, 2014) - The Canadian Avalanche Association (CAA) and TECTERRA unveiled new software today designed to help avalanche professionals in their role of managing avalanche risk for public safety. The software is a significant upgrade to InfoEx, an online information exchange where certified professionals share their snow, weather and avalanche observations. With help from TECTERRA, geospatial technology has transformed this once text-heavy data network in to a highly visual and interactive program, which increases the users' ability to assimilate the data, leading to a simpler and more reliable decision-making process.

"InfoEx plays a significant role in public avalanche safety," explains CAA Executive Director Joe Obad. "Critical technical data is exchanged within this professional network, allowing all subscribers to better manage the safety of their guests and members of the public. Through TECTERRA's generosity and expertise, we have made vast improvements to this uniquely Canadian service."

"TECTERRA is proud to be involved with the InfoEx initiative," states TECTERRA CEO, Dr. Mohamed Abousalem. "By instituting a geospatial interface for this software, our hope is that users will be able to better understand this important shared information, which is vital to a variety of Canadian industries. We are glad that this new platform will allow for easier snow-safety decisions to be made."

"Our Government is proud to have invested in TECTERRA, which is helping to demonstrate Canada's leadership in bringing innovative technology solutions to avalanche safety applications," said Blake Richards, Member of Parliament for Wild Rose, on behalf of the Honourable Michelle Rempel, Minister of State for Western Economic Diversification. "Through our investment in initiatives such as this, we are ensuring Western Canada remains globally competitive while improving avalanche safety, creating jobs, business investment and economic growth."

"The safety of our parks users who choose to recreate in avalanche terrain is paramount to the Alberta government," said Minister of Tourism, Parks and Recreation, Dr. Richard Starke. "I'm proud that our public safety team in Kananaskis Country was able to lend their experience and expertise to this enhanced forecasting tool, which will benefit Alberta and western Canada."

About the CAA

The Canadian Avalanche Association is a not-for-profit, non-government organization formed in 1981 to serve and supports the diverse community of professional avalanche operations in Canada. The CAA establishes technical standards, delivers specialized programs and services, and represents the avalanche community to external stakeholders. The programs and services of the CAA have helped to create and continue to foster the world-class professional operating environment for front-line avalanche safety operations in Canada. InfoEx has run continuously every winter since 1991.

About TECTERRA

TECTERRA Inc. is a national organization supporting the Canadian development and commercialization of geomatics technologies for integrated resource management. With current funding from the Province of Alberta and the Government of Canada, TECTERRA invests in technology solutions for energy, forestry, agriculture, environment, and land management and development applications. The first centre of its kind, TECTERRA works with industry, entrepreneurs, researchers, and government partners to enable the use of geomatics technologies in addressing local, national and global challenges in resource management.