INTERNET MAPPING WEB-GIS Vendor Comparison: ESRI, AUTODESK, INTERGRAPH. John Kinnaird Cheryl Bradley Tope Bello Fall 2004 Technology Assignment

INTRODUCTION: OVERVIEW OF INTERNET GIS Internet GIS enables individuals and organizations to communicate geographically to their staff via the internet or intranet. Internet GIS enables individuals and organizations to communicate geographically to their staff via the internet or intranet. It provides the users interactive query capabilities. It provides the users interactive query capabilities. It allows end-users to view geographic data using their existing web browser without GIS software, and It allows end-users to view geographic data using their existing web browser without GIS software, and It makes it possible for GIS to be integrated with other technologies. It makes it possible for GIS to be integrated with other technologies.

SELECTION OF A WEB-GIS SOFTWARE Which Internet GIS program do you use? Which Internet GIS program do you use? Is it Server-side or Client-Side? Is it Server-side or Client-Side? Or Both? Or Both? Do you use HTML client or Java Client? Do you use HTML client or Java Client? How good is the system performance? How good is the system performance?

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES As a GIS Manager the aim is to select a WEB-GIS software for a Enterprise Wide GIS System. As a GIS Manager the aim is to select a WEB-GIS software for a Enterprise Wide GIS System. The primary goal is to make Geographic data available to the public or to specific end-users. The primary goal is to make Geographic data available to the public or to specific end-users. Easy accessibility, security, and interoperability. Easy accessibility, security, and interoperability.

EXISTING WEB-GIS SOFTWARE VENDORS There are over 30 different Web Mapping packages by different GIS vendors. There are over 30 different Web Mapping packages by different GIS vendors. The three most popular Web-GIS software products used in our comparison are: The three most popular Web-GIS software products used in our comparison are: ESRI ArcIMSESRI ArcIMS AutoDesk MapGuideAutoDesk MapGuide Intergraph GeoMedia WebMapIntergraph GeoMedia WebMap

CRITERIA FOR COMPARISON General Features and Capabilities General Features and Capabilities Advantages vs. Disadvantages Advantages vs. Disadvantages File Format and Database supported File Format and Database supported Pricing Pricing Case Studies Case Studies

ESRI: ArcIMS ESRI is the first vendor of Web GIS capabilities. ESRI has been in operation for over 30 years ESRI is the first vendor of Web GIS capabilities. ESRI has been in operation for over 30 years It delivers an internet product that works in Java environment. It delivers an internet product that works in Java environment. It has the server and a client based GIS component, for processing query and for querying the database. It has the server and a client based GIS component, for processing query and for querying the database. ArcIMS (Internet Map Server) is a multi-tier architecture consisting of the presentation, business logic and data storage tiers, in addition to a set of applications for management. ArcIMS (Internet Map Server) is a multi-tier architecture consisting of the presentation, business logic and data storage tiers, in addition to a set of applications for management.

ESRIS: ArcIMS Components ArcIMS Viewers ArcIMS Viewers ArcIMS Application Server ArcIMS Application Server ArcIMS Spatial Server ArcIMS Spatial Server ArcIMS Manager ArcIMS Manager These components make it possible for the user to interact with the database, i.e. querying, analyzing and editing.These components make it possible for the user to interact with the database, i.e. querying, analyzing and editing.

ESRI ArcIMS Features ArcIMS Spatial Server processes request for maps and attribute information. ArcIMS Spatial Server processes request for maps and attribute information. ArcIMS Application Server tracks the requests for information and distributes them to the appropriate spatial server. ArcIMS Application Server tracks the requests for information and distributes them to the appropriate spatial server. Manager combines all the components of ArcIMS into one user interface. Manager combines all the components of ArcIMS into one user interface. The Client Viewers are in HTML and Java web browsers. The Client Viewers are in HTML and Java web browsers. Customization is in VB, ASP, C++, etc. Customization is in VB, ASP, C++, etc. ESRI is a member of Open GIS Consortium which fosters interoperability. ESRI is a member of Open GIS Consortium which fosters interoperability.

Intergraph GeoMedia WebMap Components GeoMedia WebMap GeoMedia WebMap GeoMedia WebMap Professional GeoMedia WebMap Professional GeoMedia WebMap Publisher GeoMedia WebMap Publisher These are components of Intergraph’s Web-GIS software that perform the preparation of the database, server, web publishing of maps.These are components of Intergraph’s Web-GIS software that perform the preparation of the database, server, web publishing of maps.

Geomedia WebMap Features Intergraph GeoMedia WebMap invented Geographic Data Objects (GDO), which creates a separate GDO server for each GIS and CAD packages. Intergraph GeoMedia WebMap invented Geographic Data Objects (GDO), which creates a separate GDO server for each GIS and CAD packages. Intergraph GeoMedia WebMap supports file formats from the following vendors: Oracle, AutoDesk, FRAMME, Microsoft Access, SQL, and ESRI file formats. Intergraph GeoMedia WebMap supports file formats from the following vendors: Oracle, AutoDesk, FRAMME, Microsoft Access, SQL, and ESRI file formats.

GeoMedia Web Map Professional is not all so different from the standard Web Map. It performs routing, geocoding and enabling remote access to the Database. GeoMedia Web Map Professional is not all so different from the standard Web Map. It performs routing, geocoding and enabling remote access to the Database. It provides vector and raster viewing capabilities. It also performs rendering and manipulation in the browser. This is one of the advantages of the GeoMedia Web Map. It provides vector and raster viewing capabilities. It also performs rendering and manipulation in the browser. This is one of the advantages of the GeoMedia Web Map. It allows the user to click a feature and view the attributes of the feature. It allows the user to click a feature and view the attributes of the feature. Geomedia WebMap Features

GeoMedia Web Map Publisher allows the creation of web site without the need for programming. GeoMedia Web Map Publisher allows the creation of web site without the need for programming. Server-Side Operations deliver geographic information to the end user through the client-side components Server-Side Operations deliver geographic information to the end user through the client-side components Client-Side Operation include querying, editing and adding data into the database Client-Side Operation include querying, editing and adding data into the database Geomedia WebMap Features

Autodesk: MapGuide 6.5 Components Autodesk started making GIS packages in the 1990’s. incorporating CAD into GIS. Autodesk started making GIS packages in the 1990’s. incorporating CAD into GIS. The MapGuide is made up of the following: The MapGuide is made up of the following: MapGuide AuthorMapGuide Author MapGuide ViewersMapGuide Viewers MapGuide ServerMapGuide Server

MapGuide Features Author integrates GIS and CAD data and helps design intelligent maps, while also determining the amount of access and level of interactivity to end users. Author integrates GIS and CAD data and helps design intelligent maps, while also determining the amount of access and level of interactivity to end users. Viewers consist of Viewers consist of Plug-in for NetscapePlug-in for Netscape ActiveX Control for Microsoft Internet ExplorerActiveX Control for Microsoft Internet Explorer Java Viewer for Sun and Macintosh OS’sJava Viewer for Sun and Macintosh OS’s MapGuide LiteView, requiring no plug-inMapGuide LiteView, requiring no plug-in

MapGuide Features MapGuide Server runs under Microsoft Windows NT MapGuide Server runs under Microsoft Windows NT Allows for scalable, fault-tolerant, 32-bit, multithreaded architectureAllows for scalable, fault-tolerant, 32-bit, multithreaded architecture MapGuide server uses a GUI-based administrator that configures start/stop service, log file generation, and resource security which is easy to learn and use to quickly get up and runningMapGuide server uses a GUI-based administrator that configures start/stop service, log file generation, and resource security which is easy to learn and use to quickly get up and running Handles simultaneous connections and is scalable to take advantage of multiprocessor architecturesHandles simultaneous connections and is scalable to take advantage of multiprocessor architectures

AdvantagesDisadvantages ESRI ArcIMS 9.0 Can provide service with or without a required plug-in download Better functionality with ArcIMS HTML Viewer Out-of-the box direct data editing Designed to handle small intranet sites as well as the industrial scale needs of enterprise systems Easily integrated with other ESRI GIS software Can provide service with or without a required plug-in download Better functionality with ArcIMS HTML Viewer Out-of-the box direct data editing Designed to handle small intranet sites as well as the industrial scale needs of enterprise systems Easily integrated with other ESRI GIS software Slower web delivery; SDF vs. SHP (holds extra information) Must first create an Image or Feature Service Requires middle-ware XML translation Slower web delivery; SDF vs. SHP (holds extra information) Must first create an Image or Feature Service Requires middle-ware XML translation GeoMedia WebMap 5.2 Compatibility and interoperability with other file formats from various databases without conversion Provides raster and vector viewing Can be configured to allow as many users to access the datasets as is desired Compatibility and interoperability with other file formats from various databases without conversion Provides raster and vector viewing Can be configured to allow as many users to access the datasets as is desired There is no programming involved for customization, this may affect the security of the GIS database. There is no programming involved for customization, this may affect the security of the GIS database. Customization can add time and cost to an initially expensive project. Customization can add time and cost to an initially expensive project. Functions

Functions AdvantagesDisadvantages MapGuide 6.5 Uses SDF to deliver data and mapping which are much smaller than Shapefiles for faster delivery Uses SDF to deliver data and mapping which are much smaller than Shapefiles for faster delivery Provides ability for creating complex buffers from disparate feature types and creates single buffer & can be joined or separate Provides ability for creating complex buffers from disparate feature types and creates single buffer & can be joined or separate For viewer software that requires download and installation (not- LiteView), there’s support for Netscape, and ability to select objects by rectangle, by radius, and ability to select multiple objects on different layers For viewer software that requires download and installation (not- LiteView), there’s support for Netscape, and ability to select objects by rectangle, by radius, and ability to select multiple objects on different layers Easy to add spatial and attribute data to MWF files as layers and also edit their properties. Also easy to convert to MWX for use in LiteView and XML. Easy to add spatial and attribute data to MWF files as layers and also edit their properties. Also easy to convert to MWX for use in LiteView and XML. MapGuide LiteView requires customizations for better built in functionality MapGuide LiteView requires customizations for better built in functionality There is no built in data editing; a toolkit is needed There is no built in data editing; a toolkit is needed No redlining functionality out of the box No redlining functionality out of the box The developer must be familiar with HTML web design The developer must be familiar with HTML web design No easy setup wizard for beginning users No easy setup wizard for beginning users

Supported Data Formats ESRI ArcIMS supports file formats from the following major database vendors: Oracle, Autodesk CAD format, TIGER files and SQL. ESRI ArcIMS supports file formats from the following major database vendors: Oracle, Autodesk CAD format, TIGER files and SQL. Autodesk MapGuide supports ESRI’s SHP and coverage files, Oracle, SQL, MapInfo Interchange files, Microsoft Access, dBase, and more file formats in the Open GIS Consortium Autodesk MapGuide supports ESRI’s SHP and coverage files, Oracle, SQL, MapInfo Interchange files, Microsoft Access, dBase, and more file formats in the Open GIS Consortium

Vendor Price Comparisons

Case Studies ArcIMS The City of Oklahoma City ArcIMS Emergency Management Map Service contains empty layers that are populated with information derived when an incident occursThe City of Oklahoma City ArcIMS Emergency Management Map Service contains empty layers that are populated with information derived when an incident occurs MassMeansBusiness Web Site supports a site finder display and listing of all eating and drinking establishments within a specified radius to provide a one stop portal for Economic Development E-Government Services.MassMeansBusiness Web Site supports a site finder display and listing of all eating and drinking establishments within a specified radius to provide a one stop portal for Economic Development E-Government Services. GeoMedia WebMap City-Parish of Baton Rouge, Louisiana, US:-Baton Rouge Provides Public Access to Land ParcelData with Internet GIS.City-Parish of Baton Rouge, Louisiana, US:-Baton Rouge Provides Public Access to Land ParcelData with Internet GIS. City of Winnipeg Water & Waste Department, Manitoba, Canada:- City of Winnipeg uses Intergraph Technology to implement water and waste-water Geospatial Infrastructure Management System.City of Winnipeg Water & Waste Department, Manitoba, Canada:- City of Winnipeg uses Intergraph Technology to implement water and waste-water Geospatial Infrastructure Management System. Autodesk MapGuide MapGuide is used by the transportation departments Pima County and the City of Tucson, Arizona to make GIS data available the general public and as well as other city and county departmentsMapGuide is used by the transportation departments Pima County and the City of Tucson, Arizona to make GIS data available the general public and as well as other city and county departments MapGuide powers the NavigateLA website to manage the task of design and construction of all public facilities, including streets and sewers, in Los Angeles, and to manage the city’s GIS.MapGuide powers the NavigateLA website to manage the task of design and construction of all public facilities, including streets and sewers, in Los Angeles, and to manage the city’s GIS. MapGuide powers the city of Vancouver’s VanMap which pulls together data from multiple sources to allow access via the internet.MapGuide powers the city of Vancouver’s VanMap which pulls together data from multiple sources to allow access via the internet.

Conclusion  ESRI ArcIMS relies more heavily on middleware to convert multiple types of data, but these extra procedures of converting data formats may reduce the performance of web mapping significantly  ESRI is a great choice due to its large market share in the GIS industry and because it’s most easily integrated with ESRI GIS software  GeoMedia WebMap does not use proprietary software languages, therefore there’s better interoperability across a range of file formats from various databases and GIS vendors  Autodesk MapGuide uses SDF (spatial data file) to deliver data and mapping to the end user, which allows for faster delivery than ESRI Shapefiles and supports many formats without data conversion  A vendor’s client-side viewer may be limited to an HTML-based viewer depending on the bandwidth of the user’s network  In general all these criteria, and more, factor into finding the right Web Mapping package on the market and although it is a challenging implementation the reward of Web mapping services is very significant  In the future implementation procedures of web mapping services should be more simplified