INTERNET MAPPINGINTERNET MAPPINGWEB-GIS Vendor Comparison:WEB-GIS Vendor Comparison:

ESRI, AUTODESK, INTERGRAPH.ESRI, AUTODESK, INTERGRAPH.John KinnairdJohn Kinnaird

Cheryl BradleyCheryl BradleyTope BelloTope Bello

Fall 2004 Technology AssignmentFall 2004 Technology Assignment

INTRODUCTION:INTRODUCTION:OVERVIEW OF INTERNET GISOVERVIEW OF INTERNET GIS

Internet GIS enables individuals and Internet GIS enables individuals and organizations to communicate geographically organizations to communicate geographically to their staff via the internet or intranet.to their staff via the internet or intranet.

It provides the users interactive query It provides the users interactive query capabilities.capabilities.

It allows end-users to view geographic data It allows end-users to view geographic data using their existing web browser without GIS using their existing web browser without GIS software, and software, and

It makes it possible for GIS to be integrated It makes it possible for GIS to be integrated with other technologies.with other technologies.

SELECTION OF A WEB-GIS SELECTION OF A WEB-GIS SOFTWARESOFTWARE

Which Internet GIS program do you Which Internet GIS program do you use?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 Do you use HTML client or Java

Client?Client? How good is the system How good is the system

performance?performance?

AIMS AND OBJECTIVESAIMS AND OBJECTIVES

As a GIS Manager the aim is to select As a GIS Manager the aim is to select a WEB-GIS software for a Enterprise a WEB-GIS software for a Enterprise Wide GIS System.Wide GIS System.

The primary goal is to make The primary goal is to make Geographic data available to the Geographic data available to the public or to specific end-users.public or to specific end-users.

Easy accessibility, security, and Easy accessibility, security, and interoperability. interoperability.

EXISTING WEB-GIS SOFTWARE EXISTING WEB-GIS SOFTWARE VENDORSVENDORS

There are over 30 different Web There are over 30 different Web Mapping packages by different GIS Mapping packages by different GIS vendors.vendors.

The three most popular Web-GIS The three most popular Web-GIS software products used in our software products used in our comparison are:comparison are:• ESRI ArcIMSESRI ArcIMS• AutoDesk MapGuideAutoDesk MapGuide• Intergraph GeoMedia WebMapIntergraph GeoMedia WebMap

CRITERIA FOR COMPARISONCRITERIA FOR COMPARISON

General Features and CapabilitiesGeneral Features and Capabilities Advantages vs. DisadvantagesAdvantages vs. Disadvantages File Format and Database supportedFile Format and Database supported PricingPricing Case StudiesCase Studies

ESRI: ArcIMSESRI: ArcIMS

ESRI is the first vendor of Web GIS capabilities. ESRI is the first vendor of Web GIS capabilities. ESRI has been in operation for over 30 yearsESRI has been in operation for over 30 years

It delivers an internet product that works in Java It delivers an internet product that works in Java environment.environment.

It has the server and a client based GIS It has the server and a client based GIS component, for processing query and for querying component, for processing query and for querying the database.the database.

ArcIMS (Internet Map Server) is a multi-tier ArcIMS (Internet Map Server) is a multi-tier architecture consisting of the presentation, architecture consisting of the presentation, business logic and data storage tiers, in addition business logic and data storage tiers, in addition to a set of applications for management.to a set of applications for management.

ESRIS: ArcIMS ComponentsESRIS: ArcIMS Components

ArcIMS ViewersArcIMS Viewers ArcIMS Application ServerArcIMS Application Server ArcIMS Spatial ServerArcIMS Spatial Server ArcIMS ManagerArcIMS Manager

• These components make it possible for These components make it possible for the user to interact with the database, the user to interact with the database, i.e. querying, analyzing and editing.i.e. querying, analyzing and editing.

ESRI ArcIMS FeaturesESRI ArcIMS Features ArcIMS Spatial Server processes request ArcIMS Spatial Server processes request

for maps and attribute information. for maps and attribute information. ArcIMS Application Server tracks the ArcIMS Application Server tracks the

requests for information and distributes requests for information and distributes them to the appropriate spatial server.them to the appropriate spatial server.

Manager combines all the components of Manager combines all the components of ArcIMS into one user interface.ArcIMS into one user interface.

The Client Viewers are in HTML and Java The Client Viewers are in HTML and Java web browsers.web browsers.

Customization is in VB, ASP, C++, etc.Customization is in VB, ASP, C++, etc. ESRI is a member of Open GIS Consortium ESRI is a member of Open GIS Consortium

which fosters interoperability.which fosters interoperability.

Intergraph GeoMedia WebMap Intergraph GeoMedia WebMap ComponentsComponents

GeoMedia WebMap GeoMedia WebMap GeoMedia WebMap ProfessionalGeoMedia WebMap Professional GeoMedia WebMap PublisherGeoMedia WebMap Publisher

• These are components of Intergraph’s These are components of Intergraph’s Web-GIS software that perform the Web-GIS software that perform the preparation of the database, server, web preparation of the database, server, web publishing of maps.publishing of maps.

Geomedia WebMap FeaturesGeomedia WebMap Features

Intergraph GeoMedia WebMap invented Intergraph GeoMedia WebMap invented Geographic Data Objects (GDO), which Geographic Data Objects (GDO), which creates a separate GDO server for each creates a separate GDO server for each GIS and CAD packages.GIS and CAD packages.

Intergraph GeoMedia WebMap supports Intergraph GeoMedia WebMap supports file formats from the following vendors: file formats from the following vendors: Oracle, AutoDesk, FRAMME, Microsoft Oracle, AutoDesk, FRAMME, Microsoft Access, SQL, and ESRI file formats.Access, SQL, and ESRI file formats.

GeoMedia Web Map Professional is not all GeoMedia Web Map Professional is not all so different from the standard Web Map. It so different from the standard Web Map. It performs routing, geocoding and enabling performs routing, geocoding and enabling remote access to the Database. remote access to the Database.

It provides vector and raster viewing It provides vector and raster viewing capabilities. It also performs rendering and capabilities. It also performs rendering and manipulation in the browser. This is one of manipulation in the browser. This is one of the advantages of the GeoMedia Web Map.the advantages of the GeoMedia Web Map.

It allows the user to click a feature and It allows the user to click a feature and view the attributes of the feature.view the attributes of the feature.

Geomedia WebMap FeaturesGeomedia WebMap Features

GeoMedia Web Map Publisher allows the GeoMedia Web Map Publisher allows the creation of web site without the need for creation of web site without the need for programming.programming.

Server-Side Operations deliver geographic Server-Side Operations deliver geographic information to the end user through the information to the end user through the client-side componentsclient-side components

Client-Side Operation include querying, Client-Side Operation include querying, editing and adding data into the database editing and adding data into the database

Geomedia WebMap FeaturesGeomedia WebMap Features

Autodesk: MapGuide 6.5 Autodesk: MapGuide 6.5 ComponentsComponents

Autodesk started making GIS Autodesk started making GIS packages in the 1990’s. packages in the 1990’s. incorporating CAD into GIS.incorporating CAD into GIS.

The MapGuide is made up of the The MapGuide is made up of the following:following:• MapGuide AuthorMapGuide Author• MapGuide ViewersMapGuide Viewers• MapGuide ServerMapGuide Server

MapGuide FeaturesMapGuide Features

Author integrates GIS and CAD data and Author integrates GIS and CAD data and helps design intelligent maps, while also helps design intelligent maps, while also determining the amount of access and determining the amount of access and level of interactivity to end users.level of interactivity to end users.

Viewers consist ofViewers 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 FeaturesMapGuide Features

MapGuide Server runs under Microsoft MapGuide Server runs under Microsoft Windows NTWindows NT• Allows for scalable, fault-tolerant, 32-bit, Allows for scalable, fault-tolerant, 32-bit,

multithreaded architecturemultithreaded architecture• MapGuide server uses a GUI-based MapGuide server uses a GUI-based

administrator that configures start/stop administrator that configures start/stop service, log file generation, and resource service, log file generation, and resource security which is easy to learn and use to security which is easy to learn and use to quickly get up and runningquickly get up and running

• Handles simultaneous connections and is Handles simultaneous connections and is scalable to take advantage of multiprocessor scalable to take advantage of multiprocessor architecturesarchitectures

AdvantagesAdvantages DisadvantagesDisadvantagesESRI ArcIMSESRI ArcIMS

9.09.0Can provide service with or Can provide service with or without a required plug-in without a required plug-in downloaddownload• Better functionality with • Better functionality with ArcIMS HTML Viewer ArcIMS HTML Viewer • Out-of-the box direct data • Out-of-the box direct data editingediting• Designed to handle small • Designed to handle small intranet sites as well as the intranet sites as well as the industrial scale needs of industrial scale needs of enterprise systemsenterprise systems• Easily integrated with other • Easily integrated with other ESRI GIS softwareESRI GIS software

• • Slower web delivery; SDF vs. SHP Slower web delivery; SDF vs. SHP (holds extra information)(holds extra information)• Must first create an Image or • Must first create an Image or Feature ServiceFeature Service• Requires middle-ware XML • Requires middle-ware XML translationtranslation

GeoMedia GeoMedia WebMap 5.2WebMap 5.2

• • Compatibility and Compatibility and interoperability with other file interoperability with other file formats from various databases formats from various databases without conversionwithout conversion• Provides raster and vector • Provides raster and vector viewingviewing• Can be configured to allow as • Can be configured to allow as many users to access the many users to access the datasets as is desired datasets as is desired

• There is no programming involved There is no programming involved for customization, this may affect the for customization, this may affect the security of the GIS database.security of the GIS database.• Customization can add time and Customization can add time and cost to an initially expensive project.cost to an initially expensive project.

FunctionsFunctions

FunctionsFunctionsAdvantagesAdvantages DisadvantagesDisadvantages

MapGuide 6.5MapGuide 6.5 Uses SDF to deliver data and Uses SDF to deliver data and mapping which are much smaller mapping which are much smaller than Shapefiles for faster deliverythan Shapefiles for faster deliveryProvides ability for creating Provides ability for creating complex buffers from disparate complex buffers from disparate feature types and creates single feature types and creates single buffer & can be joined or separatebuffer & can be joined or separateFor viewer software that requires For viewer software that requires download and installation (not-download and installation (not-LiteView), there’s support for LiteView), there’s support for Netscape, and ability to select Netscape, and ability to select objects by rectangle, by radius, and objects by rectangle, by radius, and ability to select multiple objects on ability to select multiple objects on different layersdifferent layersEasy to add spatial and attribute Easy to add spatial and attribute data to MWF files as layers and also data to MWF files as layers and also edit their properties. Also easy to edit their properties. Also easy to convert to MWX for use in LiteView convert to MWX for use in LiteView and XML.and XML.

MapGuide LiteView requires MapGuide LiteView requires customizations for better built in customizations for better built in functionalityfunctionalityThere is no built in data editing; There is no built in data editing; a toolkit is neededa toolkit is neededNo redlining functionality out of No redlining functionality out of the boxthe boxThe developer must be familiar The developer must be familiar with HTML web designwith HTML web designNo easy setup wizard for No easy setup wizard for beginning users beginning users

Supported Data FormatsSupported Data Formats

ESRI ArcIMSESRI ArcIMS supports file formats from the following major database vendors: Oracle, Autodesk CAD supports file formats from the following major database vendors: Oracle, Autodesk CAD format, TIGER files and SQL.format, TIGER files and SQL.

Autodesk MapGuideAutodesk MapGuide supports ESRI’s SHP and coverage files, Oracle, SQL, MapInfo Interchange files, supports ESRI’s SHP and coverage files, Oracle, SQL, MapInfo Interchange files, Microsoft Access, dBase, and more file formats in the Open GIS ConsortiumMicrosoft Access, dBase, and more file formats in the Open GIS Consortium

Vendor Price ComparisonsVendor Price Comparisons

Pricing

$24,000

$10,000 $6,500 -$8,500*

$10,000

$0

$5,000

$10,000

$15,000

$20,000

$25,000

$30,000

ArcIMS GeoMedia WebMap

GeoMedia WebMap

Professional

MapGuide

Case StudiesCase StudiesArcIMSArcIMS• The City of Oklahoma City ArcIMS Emergency Management Map Service contains The City of Oklahoma City ArcIMS Emergency Management Map Service contains

empty layers that are populated with information derived when an incident occursempty 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 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 drinking establishments within a specified radius to provide a one stop portal for Economic Development E-Government Services.Economic Development E-Government Services.

GeoMedia WebMapGeoMedia WebMap• City-Parish of Baton Rouge, Louisiana, US:-Baton Rouge Provides Public Access to Land City-Parish of Baton Rouge, Louisiana, US:-Baton Rouge Provides Public Access to Land

ParcelData with Internet GIS.ParcelData with Internet GIS.• City of Winnipeg Water & Waste Department, Manitoba, Canada:- City of Winnipeg City of Winnipeg Water & Waste Department, Manitoba, Canada:- City of Winnipeg

uses Intergraph Technology to implement water and waste-water Geospatial uses Intergraph Technology to implement water and waste-water Geospatial Infrastructure Management System.Infrastructure Management System.

Autodesk MapGuideAutodesk MapGuide• MapGuide is used by the transportation departments Pima County and the City of 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 Tucson, Arizona to make GIS data available the general public and as well as other city and county departmentsand county departments

• MapGuide powers the NavigateLA website to manage the task of design and 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 construction of all public facilities, including streets and sewers, in Los Angeles, and to manage the city’s GIS.manage the city’s GIS.

• MapGuide powers the city of Vancouver’s VanMap which pulls together data from MapGuide powers the city of Vancouver’s VanMap which pulls together data from multiple sources to allow access via the internet.multiple sources to allow access via the internet.

ConclusionConclusion ESRI ArcIMS relies more heavily on middleware to convert multiple types of ESRI ArcIMS relies more heavily on middleware to convert multiple types of

data, but these extra procedures of converting data formats may reduce data, but these extra procedures of converting data formats may reduce the performance of web mapping significantlythe performance of web mapping significantly

ESRI is a great choice due to its large market share in the GIS industry and 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 softwarebecause it’s most easily integrated with ESRI GIS software

GeoMedia WebMap does not use proprietary software languages, therefore GeoMedia WebMap does not use proprietary software languages, therefore there’s better interoperability across a range of file formats from various there’s better interoperability across a range of file formats from various databases and GIS vendorsdatabases and GIS vendors

Autodesk MapGuide uses SDF (spatial data file) to deliver data and Autodesk MapGuide uses SDF (spatial data file) to deliver data and mapping to the end user, which allows for faster delivery than ESRI mapping to the end user, which allows for faster delivery than ESRI Shapefiles and supports many formats without data conversionShapefiles and supports many formats without data conversion

A vendor’s client-side viewer may be limited to an HTML-based viewer A vendor’s client-side viewer may be limited to an HTML-based viewer depending on the bandwidth of the user’s networkdepending on the bandwidth of the user’s network

In general all these criteria, and more, factor into finding the right Web In general all these criteria, and more, factor into finding the right Web Mapping package on the market and although it is a challenging Mapping package on the market and although it is a challenging implementation the reward of Web mapping services is very significantimplementation the reward of Web mapping services is very significant

In the future implementation procedures of web mapping services should In the future implementation procedures of web mapping services should be more simplifiedbe more simplified