A Web-based portal will be launched this month that uses three-dimensional interactive "maps" to illustrate Georgia's bio- and high-tech industries as one of the Metro Atlanta Chamber of Commerce's initiatives to establish a worldwide reputation for the state as a technology hub. Designed by Atlanta-based GeoSpatial Metrics and Ramat Gan-based D&A Hi-Tech Information, the portal includes all current Web-based information about Georgia's more than 3,000 technology companies and directs it into industry-focused categories so that a visitor can access information based on his or her needs.

"The portal is a basis for showing the world what an innovative center we already are and bringing the capital and talent here that are necessary for Atlanta to grow," said David Hartnett, the Metro Chamber's vice president of technology. The Web portal was demonstrated last month at the initial meeting of the Chamber's new Technology Marketing Council that was attended by 200 leaders of the technology community.

Once visitors choose what type of bio- or high-tech company they want to learn more about, video-game-like imagery allows them to soar over a virtual metro Atlanta until they find the physical location of their chosen inquiry. Detailed company profiles and logos may appear, and some businesses will even have links to commercial-like videos shot by Atlanta production company Event Streams. The effort is designed to create a buzz around Atlanta's technology industry and attract venture capitalists and emerging talent to the city.

GeoSpatial and D&A Hi-Tech began working together to develop the Web portal after meeting each other during a trade mission to Israel in November, organized by the American-Israel Chamber of Commerce, Southeast Region. Hartnett was a co-leader of the mission.