1. Thin-Client GIS Research for Resource Managers
Bill Slocumb
GIS Specialist and Research Associate
North Carolina State University
Raleigh, NC
National Park Service
Northeast Region
Research and Technical Support for GIS

2. Presentation Focus Areas
Enterprise Goal
User Needs
Deployment Options
Google Earth
ArcIMS
ArcGIS Server
Virtual Computing Laboratory (VCL)
VCL System

3. GIS Enterprise Goal:
To rapidly deploy customized GIS applications using standard and project specific spatial and tabular data to parks and programs to enhance current capabilities.

4. Spatial Database Development and User Needs
Incorporate:
Fire
I&M Inventories
Vegetation
Cultural Resources
Park Specific Data
Maintain relationships between spatial and tabular data

5. GEWA Fish Inventory

6. Spatial Database Development Objectives
Incorporate different data sets
Create relationships to external databases
Allow for:
Concurrent / Single editing
Concurrent viewing
User accounts (security)
Provide database for customized GIS applications and analysis

8. Natural Resources Condition Assessment and General Management Planning
NR Condition Assessments
In Review:
ACAD, GATE, FIIS, SAHI
Starting:
CACO, BOHA, GEWA, MIMA, SAIR
GMPs
BOHA, CEBE, FIIS, MORR, SARA
3-D rendering at Boston Harbor Islands NRA

9. Deployment Options Google Earth ArcIMS ArcGIS Server
Primarily viewing
ArcIMS
Limited functionality
ArcGIS Server
System resource intensive
Not a mature environment
Virtual Computing Laboratory
Thin client
Full GIS functionality
Quickly deploy customized applications

10. Google Earth Configuration
Storage Management
System
(Spatial Data)
Web Server
ArcGIS Desktop
(Network Link: KML or KMZ)
Thin Client
(Google Earth)
(Network Link)

11. Storage Management System
ESRI Enterprise GIS Configurations
ArcGIS Server
Thin Client
(Web Browser)
ArcSDE
MS SQL Server
Storage Management System
ArcIMS
DB Admin

12. VCL Enterprise GIS Configurations
“Blade”
(ArcGIS Desktop)
ArcSDE
Thin Client
(Remote Desktop Connection)
MS SQL Server
Storage Management System
(ESRI Map Documents)
(Enterprise and Personal Geodatabases)
DB Admin

13. Virtual Computing Lab (VCL)
Schedule reservation
Remote desktop connection
Uses standard windows OS and tools
Concurrent viewing
Single edit session by owner

14. VCL No additional client software needed
Run current version of selected software
Publish customized ArcMap documents
Looks like your desktop!!

15. Interagency Environmental Review
Identify areas and features of interest within a given radius or contained within a selected feature
Data Includes
Natural Heritage Areas
National Natural Landmarks
Major Federal Lands
National Register Properties
National Historic Landmarks

18. Current Activities and Discussion
VCL prototype applications: Interagency Review, Fire, Interagency Trails and GEWA GMP;
Test working with local data on VCL;
Continue investigating ArcGIS Server; and
Continued development of custom applications with regional and park staff.