Selecting a GIS solution
Apart from the its capability to acquire, store, analyse and display geographic data, a good GIS should allow for the exchange of map data and attribute data with different applications, the rapid access to underlying information, simple communication with external applications, and investigation, interrogation and calculation in the simplest possible ways. Other important properties for a GIS to be used in India are: (a) COST; (b) User-modifiability through macros (so-called user-programmability); (c) User-friendliness both in the user-interface and in the underlying logic of the system; (d) smooth transition from one platform to another (not merely compatibility).
GIS Psackages-A Survey
There are a considerable number of GIS packages available in the market. Indigenous GIS packages are finding way into many user applications and separate niche market segments are identifiable for these. However, overseas GIS packages will, for a variety of reasons continue to have the lion's share of the market. Some of the popular ones are:
- Arc/Info GIS (see also the note below on ArcView): from the Environmental Systems Research Institute (ERSI), Redlands, CA, USA,
- ArcView, also from ESRI
- MapInfo (from MapInfo Corp, Troy, NY, USA)
- WinGIS (from Progis Corp, Graz Austria
GeoConcept (from GeoConcept SA, Paris 13), was designed and developed in France in 1970-71, and is the first PC GIS to be designed from the ground up using the Object-oriented paradigm. This has given it tremendous stability as well as easy expandability. It has an extremely small footprint, which also makes it more nimble. This mapping software reads and writes all GIS vector map data formats. It also has an optimised native raster format, which can handle very large compressed raster maps and display them instantaneously. A variety of standard (image) raster formats can be read, all of which can be fully geo-referenced and 'stretched' if necessary to match the underlying grid. On the attribute data side, GeoConcept has special drivers for Oracle and Access, as well as ODBC drivers allowing the import and export of alphanumeric data in the other rdbms systems and SQL languages. A family of Add-Ons is available for 3-D work, Image Analysis, Postscript quality printing, etc.
Formulated as a hierarchical structural model, GeoConcept is capable of managing a very large number (millions) of map objects. It immediately displays the entire data about that object on double clicking on a particular object on the map. In fact selected data on every map-object can be popped up on screen just by passing the cursor over that object! One can perform thematic analysis involving one or more variables, correlating the various elements and fine-tuning the resultant graphical display. Both geographic and numeric queries can be formulated using ordinary language even when the requirements are complex. A multitude of Queries (regarding locations or regarding attribute values) can be formulated and stored for future use, as can created Views or Thematic displays. Variables in the GeoConcept database can be defined in terms of other (static) Variables (using logical, numerical or string functions); their values get automatically updated when the latter change.
The different versions of GeoConcept are 100% compatible - Stand-alone; Client-server; and even the Internet-server version. This itself is a big help to the user who does not have to remember -- or translate between -- different protocols. There is a Free Viewer available, in addition, which enables the distributed viewing of maps created in GeoConcept.
Upto 32,000 fields of attribute data (including pictures and graphics) can be stored with (and for) each mapdata element. (Control is also stored with the mapdata over what can be seen - and what is invisible - at (12) different levels of zooming, how it is represented, with which marker, linestyle, colour or typeface, etc.) All this is reflected also when one uses the Free Viewer.
GeoConcept is self-contained: the basic system includes complete Digitising and Map-editing capability (including polygon intersections), as well as the ability to do heads-up digitising [to create new vector maps on-screen using a raster (remotely sensed image or aerial photograph) image as a background]; a complete GPS module to interface with GPS locators on vehicles in real-time; and a Routing module (including a shortest-path module).
There is also a GeoXplorer Professional Development Kit with a set of Run-time routines, which enable one to create one's own GIS using C++ or VB.
In short, GeoConcept does indeed meet most of the criteria set earlier for a GIS for application in India. It is also relatively low in cost. The GeoXplorer Development Kit, for instance costs less than a single copy of PC-Arc-Info and provides, in addition to access to the 550-odd DLLs constituting the GIS engine, a copy of GeoConcept Standard as well as 5 run-time licenses. The GeoConcept Standard is in the same price range as Arc-View or MapInfo, while providing a world of better capability.
Conclusion:
We have discussed the problems associated with micro-watershed planning; we have identified the need for an integrated view of the spatial and non-spatial data in a watershed; we have suggested that a GIS is the (only) way this can be achieved. And we have identified several GIS, which can perform this function, and one in particular, which does it very well, cheaply and reliably.
References:
- Monitoring and Evaluation of Watersheds in Karnataka using Satellite Remote Sensing Regional Remote Sensing Service Cenre, ISRO, Bangalore and State Watershed Development Programme, Govt. of Karnataka, Bangalore. Jan 1998
- Menris Case Study Series No 5. GIS Applications to Natural Resource Management and Development Planning in a Rural Area, ICIMOD, July 1997
- Handling Geographic Information Report of the Chorley Committee of Enquiry. Dept of the Environment, Govt. of U.K. London 1987
- Manual of Soil and Water Conservation Practices Gurmel Singh, C Venkataramanan, G Sastry, B P Joshi Oxford & IBH Publg Co. Pvt Ltd 1996
- GIS Assisted Watershed Management in Studies in Regional Planning. Thapa G B, Weber K E, Aung Z, HSD Res paper 29 AIT Bangkok 1992
- Linking the Natural and Social Sciences. The LandUse / Land Cover change Core Project of the IGBP. Turner BL, IGBP Newsletter No 22 1995
- Are Geographical Information Systems an appropriate technology for development in poor countries? A lesson from India. Dasharath Singh. Term Paper Dept of Geography, Univ of Durham, U.K. March 1996
- Internet and Geoinfo System "Inter-GIS" Sri Krishna Sharma Osmania Univ, Hyderabad. GIS India April 1999
- Methodology of Planning at the Gram Panchayat Level - applications of GIS A Baruah, N Ghosh, J G Krishnayya, NIRD Workshop February 1999
- Design and Development of Software for Planning and Management of different types of Watersheds for Rural Areas - DoE Progress Report May 98 - PROGRESS, Hyderabad