IMSMA Overview

The Information Management System for Mine Action (IMSMA) was developed by the Geneva Centre in order to provide a standardized software tool to support the data collection, storage, reporting and mapping tasks associated with a wide variety of Mine Action activities. The system is intended for use by headquarters units and operators in the field in countries affected by mines, UXO or other ERW. Current users of the system include national governments, international organizations, NGOs, peace keeping forces and others.

IMSMA provides a variety of functions designed to improve the effectiveness and efficiency of mine action activities. IMSMA combines a powerful GIS capability with a relational database into a state-of-the-art information management tool designed for use by operators and headquarters staff managing or conducting field survey, data collection, clearance and other Mine Action and ERW activities. Core funding for the development of the system, the required user training and field support is provided as part of the Swiss contribution to the Geneva Centre. This generous gift allows the Centre to distribute the system and provide support services at no charge to mine affected countries and their local and international partners.

IMSMA has now been under development and distribution for almost 10 years. During this time the system has under gone a number of changes and upgrades in response to requirements developed by field users, headquarters staffs and the system development team. The latest version of the software includes many new features including a map driven navigation system that significantly improves both data entry and retrieval operations. The integration of a full featured geographic information system (GIS) with an improved and updated relational database component has produced a new and easy to use and maintain information management tool for the Mine Action community. IMSMA is providing field operators and mine action managers at all levels with a complete set of up-to-date information management capabilities that can be easily tailored to meet local needs in the field.

IMSMA is designed for mine action. It can be used to

plan, manage, report and map the results of survey and field data collection;
report on and map mine, UXO and other ERW threats; and
record, report on, and map clearance activities;

IMSMA provides

tools to help managers track the progress of their work;
analysis tools and decision support tools that help managers make mine action safer, faster, more effective and more efficient.

IMSMA is

based on standard computer technology;
easily customizable in the field;
distributed free of charge.

For further information on IMSMA, please contact

Jean-Paul RYCHENER, acting IMSMA Project Manager
Telephone number +41.22.906.16.80
Email jp.rychener(at)gichd.org

Address