Web GIS Evaluation of ArcIMS, MapGuide, and GeoMedia WebMap Daniel De Wilde Neil King David Johnson

Introduction Web GIS software distributes spatial data to users through an internet browser Web GIS is a system consisting of –GIS database –GIS server software –Middleware to interpret requests and send results to users –Client browsers –Client-based applets or plug-ins

Introduction Vector, raster, or combination of data served Vector = more functionality. Plug-in. Thick client Raster = slower, no plug-in. Thin client Many software packages offer both. Mixed mode of vector and raster

Introduction Large variety of uses for web GIS –Display city infrastructure –Access water quality data –Search for jobs and job training –View maps of current forest fires –View store locations

Introduction Number of software vendors > 30 Leading vendors include –ESRI ArcIMS –Autodesk MapGuide –Intergraph GeoMedia –MapInfo MapXtreme –Caliper Maptitude –ER Mapper This report looks at ESRI, Autodesk, Integraph

Introduction Assume medium-sized private or public organization needing to make spatial data available to general public Evaluation criteria for web GIS includes: –Database and file formats supported –Viewer technology –Basic operations supported –Advanced functions supported –Programming and customization required –Cost

ESRI ArcIMS Capabilities: –Image rendering –Feature streaming –Data extraction –Geocoding –Spatial and attribute queries The client can be: –Wireless devices -- cellular phones and PDA's –Lightweight browser-based clients –Full-featured GIS desktop computers Supports geodatabases, shapefiles, coverages, GRID data, CAD drawing files, ArcSDE layers, and images.

ESRI ArcIMS Creating a Website: s implest method is with ArcIMS Manager. Can be done individually through three ArcIMS applications: –1. Create map configuration file in Author –2. Create map service in Administrator – A. Java view – B. HTML view –3. Design web site in Designer using this map service

ESRI ArcIMS Options: – ArcIMS Route Server –Secure access to map services through Secure Hypertext Transport Protocol (HTTPS) Hardware Requirements: –RAM: 256 MB for Web server –Disk space: 827 MB for complete installation Price: – $7,500 for first CPU – $5,000 for each additional CPU

ESRI ArcIMS "ArcIMS is complex and takes time to employ, but it is also more flexible and powerful than the other solutions we tested." "... much easier to use than other enterprise-level solutions, including Intergraph Corp.'s GeoMedia.“ –Federal Computer Week, April 15, 2002 ESRI: –In business for over 30 years. –10 regional offices nationwide and 22 more internationally Other products: –ArcMap –ArcGIS –ArcCatalog

Autodesk MapGuide MapGuide launched together with desktop GIS in mid 1990s. Built on foundation of Autodesk CAD Current release (6.3) includes free viewer, Author, and Server. Not necessary to run Autodesk Map (desktop)

Autodesk MapGuide Viewers for full (vector) functionality – download plug-in and install –Netscape, Windows/IE, Sun/Mac –ActiveX Windows/IE plug-in 3 MB –Issues with download Cross-platform MapGuide LiteView runs as Java servlet, provides PNG rasters with basic functionality

Autodesk MapGuide Supports wide range of database, spatial data, and other file formats –AutoCAD 2000, 2002 –ESRI shapefiles –Oracle spatial –Any OLE Database –ECW, MrSID, other georeferenced rasters –(with SDF loader) ESRI coverages, Intergraph DGN, MapInfo Interchange,.csv

Autodesk MapGuide Author –Requires knowledge of HTML & web design. No publishing wizard. –Fully featured – close to desktop capabilities Server –Simultaneous connections to multiple database servers –No additional middleware required to connect to any ODBC database, including Oracle

Autodesk MapGuide MapGuide LiteView functions –Pan, zoom –Identification, selection –Buffering, measuring (with customization) Additional functions with plug-in viewer –Multiple modes of selection –Control over print output –Redlining

Autodesk MapGuide Pricing PublicPrivate 10 seats$4,600$9,320 1 processor – unlimited seats and internet $8,625Not available 2 processors – unlimited seats and internet $16,500$30,000

GeoMedia WebMap Web-based visualization tool that offers real- time links to GIS data warehouses over a corporate intranet.NET compatible Three available tools: –GeoMedia WebMap –GeoMedia WebMap Professional –GeoMedia WebMap Publisher

GeoMedia WebMap Query a database and see information in the form of a map Click on a feature and see selected data behind that map No native file type. On-the-fly conversion of wide range of data and file types. Java applet used to add functions: –Watermarking –Temporary graphics color –Managing coordinate precision UnionPipe concatenates recordsets TopoGeometryPipe breaks geometries into topological components

GeoMedia WebMap Professional version Same features as standard Web Map plus –Use of network objects –Write to the database from a remote location –Analyze data with dynamic segmentation –Perform real-time GIS analysis

GeoMedia WebMap WebMap Publisher Use the familiar GeoMedia interface to publish a GeoMedia WebMap or GeoMedia WebMap Professional web site – without programming Two facilities brought into one program: –Client application that operates within GeoMedia to define a web site from a GeoMedia display, legend entries and data connections –Server application that delivers the GeoMedia WebMap or GeoMedia WebMap Professional Web sites

GeoMedia WebMap Typical installation of WebMap Publisher: The definition of the GeoMedia WebMap Publisher site is held within an MS Access database, and is usually stored on the GeoMedia WebMap or GeoMedia WebMap Professional server

GeoMedia WebMap Case Studies using GeoMedia WebMap products: –Arkansas Bridge Preservation Project –Belgium GeoSpatial Data Management Solution

Conclusions ArcIMS less expensive for private sector. All vendors offer discounts for government organizations. ArcIMS has out of the box capabilities. ArcIMS is well integrated with existing ArcGIS installations. MapGuide has a simpler server/author/publishing configuration – does not require middleware for ODBC sources. MapGuide can easily access multiple databases residing on different servers

Conclusions Number of data and file types supported. 1)GeoMedia 2) MapGuide 3) ArcIMS. GeoMedia has the advantage of not having a native data type – reducing conversion costs. All applications offer a wide range of advanced analysis and query features, with ArcIMS perhaps slightly behind the other two.