Virtual Publishing Corp

Acquiring and Publishing Real-Time Environmental Data Since 1992

Specializing in GOES DCP Data Translation and Automated FTP / Web / Phone Data Delivery

FlowCast (TM) - Automated River / Reservoir Flow Forecasts for the Public Via the Phone and Web

Also Offering - Sponsored Hotlines and River Recreation Sponsorship Opportunities

Custom Interactive Voice Response (IVR) Systems

Our Business - What We Do

Virtual Publishing's core business is the acquisition, aggregation and redistribution of real time environmental data and river flow forecasts. We typically work with such data as river levels, flow, air temperature, wind speed or any other environmental parameter that can be sensed and measured using non-imaging systems. We "redistribute" the data both in raw form to customers for further processing or through electronic publications that we also operate. These electronic publications, in some instances, reach concentrated audiences that offer sponsorship opportunities. In order to be in these businesses, we also maintain the expertise, facilities and tools to develop telephone Interactive Voice Response (IVR) systems with robust database capabilities. We offer these services to others who need custom IVR systems that deliver reliable, intensive database access and real-time updating while in operation. These systems can deliver any type of data (not just environmental data).

How We Get The Data and The Services We Offer

We acquire data in many ways including from any Internet, phone line or satellite accessible source. We specialize in translating GOES DCP data directly from the DOMSAT satellite system. We also operate FlowCast (TM), a reporting system that allows hydroelectric power generators and others who manage reservoirs to provide continually updated forecasts of release flows from their reservoirs for delivery to the public.

Once we have the data, we translate it, if necessary, aggregate it and convert it into a standardized format that our customers specify. In some instances, we simply make the resulting data available to customers via Internet .ftp. Alternatively, or in addition, we provide many different services that are built around the data such as telephone hotlines (local, toll-free or sponsored), web sites, email, alert, notification services and paging. Data supplied to us through FlowCast (TM) is published on Waterline, our national real-time river level and flow telephone hotline and Web site.

The Needs We Service

If you need to acquire any type of environmental data from remote sensors anywhere in the Western Hemisphere, chances are we can get that data for you in real time.

If you generate this type of data yourself and you need to distribute it to the public (or privately if you wish), we can create a custom service using the Web, a telephone hotline or whatever combination of electronic dissemination methods will meet your needs. If you wish to solicit sponsors, promote your organization or give recognition to those who help support the costs of providing your information to the public on a hotline, we can provide "sponsorship enabled" lines with rotating sponsor messages layered into the data content.

We can accommodate both of the above needs at the same time. Customers can get the data they need through us and, at the same time, supply us with other data they generate for distribution to the public.

For ready-made riversport sponsorship opportunities see Waterline and Waterline Sponsorship below.

If you need a custom IVR system, please call us to discuss your needs. We are mainly interested in systems that leverage our database capabilities although they need not be large. Before calling, please see Please Note at the bottom of this page.

Our Customers

We have been serving government agencies at all levels, public utilities, private industry and the recreational public since 1992.

Examples of How Our Services Are Used

Here are some examples of how our customers use our services or how our services can be used.

Our Electric Utility customers use our Internet .ftp services to populate environmental and watershed models that support regional power bidding and dispatch. Using FlowCast, hydropower operators can provide real-time public notice of their upcoming flow operations, hazardous river conditions or other recreational information. Our data and notification services can be built into FERC or state mandated dam emergency action plans.

We use all of our own services to operate Waterline.

We can build and operate custom tailored flood warning and information hotlines or alert services.

We can build and operate water level hotlines for irrigation users or any sort of river or water related commerce.

Hazardous waste or remediation sites can use our services for real-time monitoring or trouble notification.

In short, our data acquisition and distribution services can be used for just about any project that requires environmental data from a remote location in real or near-real time.

Our sponsorship related services can be incorporated into any data distribution arrangement you might need to set up for your own use or you can take advantage of the ready-made opportunities that Waterline offers.

Waterline

See our services in action at Waterline - The National River Information Hotline. Click to the FlowCast (TM) section and look at one of the New England site forecasts. The real-time flow information is automatically updated, usually about every ten minutes. Much of the forecast information is also automatically updated. Manual changes are made, when required, by the controllers of these sites directly from computers in their own control rooms. While you are looking at the text for a site, try calling the hotline to hear that same text read to you over the phone. The Web and the phone are synchronized to within a few seconds. If what you hear on the phone is different from the script, click to refresh your screen.

Waterline Sponsorship

Highly efficientl prime river recreation sponsorship opportunities are newly available on Waterline. If you are interested in reaching the river boating (canoeing, kayaking, rafting, driftboating) or fishing (particularly fly-fishing) audience with no wasted offort, we urge you to call and explore Waterline sponsorship. Current information about river level and flow conditions is crucial to boaters and anglers. Having the right information is often the difference between having a wonderful time or a wasted weekend. Waterline works like a "perpetual virtual event" to deliver your message to these avid river users at precisely the moment when they are seeking the information they need to enjoy their sport. Waterline sponsorship messages are non-bypassable and your Waterline sponsorship program can't be hijacked or co-opted by your competitors. Our FlowCast customers (see above) usually report only to Waterline. Waterline is therefore the only source for information on some of the most popular fishing and boating spots in the United States.

For More Information

Please email or call us. We are available to talk with you Monday through Friday from 9:00 - 5:00 Eastern Time. We will be happy to discuss your needs and describe our services in detail. We welcome challenges. All of our customers get personal attention. We always return calls and we will always get you an answer. All of our customers are happy with our services and, with their permission, we can refer you to them for a first hand conversation about their experience with us.

Please Note:

We provide only fully automated information delivery via computer telephony systems, the Web, .ftp or other electronic means. We don't provide or support call center, interactive operator, or telemarketing services. We are not a 900 number service provider and we don't provide any type of information, consulting or referrals to or for 900 number operations.

We don't get involved in prurient content of any type.

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