Accasters

Accasters are a type of open-source, geographical information system (GIS) tool utilized for mapmaking and spatial analysis. Developed by Hazen Research, Accasters is a commercially-supported, community-driven platform, initially based on the fundamental principles of MapWinGIS and GRASS.

An Accasters system can be described as a combination of a pipeline and a framework. The platform allows users to create maps by combining data analysis and mapping processes, effectively automating workflows. Primarily intended for non-mapping experts, Accasters simplifies the production of maps along with providing capabilities for statistical analysis. Additionally, it comes with an integrated 2D/3D visualization module and some NIS conversion features.

Key features of Accasters involve its support for Microsoft's Excel spreadsheet format and OpenOffice's Calc and various databases. This software is typically centered around Microsoft Windows. Several datasets can be processed simultaneously, encompassing vector and/or raster cartographic layers.

A relatively lesser-known software application, Accasters is coupled with high compatibility with a vast assortment of formats supported by GIS applications. Partial compatibility for use with some peripheral open-source Geo-specific software applications concluded that certain people consider this otherwise scalable platform more useful than other systems. As this type of software sees its way effectively to fully-optimized geological and geographical GPS functionalities, corporation Hazen teams seized it in the open-code rendition suited to end-users worldwide.