Internet Map Browser:
A Case Study Of
Penang GIS
ISSUES AND PROBLEMS
Users Have to Come to PEGIS Centre
For users to do any reference or to check on land-related data or to perform GIS functions on layers of GIS data, they would have to come to the Centre. They felt more comfortable with the presence of PEGIS staff assisting them when necessary. This is especially true when users have limited understanding of the GIS process but need to utilize the data.
Printing Cost
The cost of map printing depends on the size of the map requested. An AO size map would cost users about RM55 (USD14) each, which covers the cost of paper and ink. This cost does not include the time spent by the PEGIS staff to prepare a map. Using the Arc Info-UX application (Arc plot) was not an easy task since the application is command based and not user friendly. On average, an AO size map would take at a least a working day for PEGIS staff to prepare.
Bureaucratic Procedure
Any data requested from the PEGIS Centre, whether it's digital data or hard copies such as plans or maps, required official approvals from the PEGIS management and the data providers. This procedure was part of the policy set by the PDC to protect the PEGIS Centre and data providers from any misuse or abuse of data by users.
Urgent Request for Data
The PEGIS Centre often received urgent request for maps or plans from government agencies to aid in crucial decision making process by the State Legislative. Such an urgent request would normally by pass the bureaucratic procedures mentioned above. Even though relevant government agencies may have staff trained in GIS, they would prefer to pass it down to PEGIS to handle such urgent matters.
Map preparation and production were meticulous and tedious tasks that require lots of detailing, and sometimes additional data processing and analyzing.
GIS Facility: A High Cost Setup
Setting up a GIS facility was very costly during the interim period. Government agencies in the State can't afford to spend up to RM120,000 (USD30,000) for a single, stand-alone GIS station equipped with PC, an AO size digitizer, a color
plotter and a GIS software such as Arc view, even though this is a one-time cost. For a network GIS facility, the cost would be more if it is to linked to the PEGIS database that utilized the UNIX operating system (OS).
Additional Workload for PEGI Staff
The increasing number of requests for GIS data from users had added more workload to the PEGIS staff. This is especially true if the request was for a hard copy data such as maps or plans. Preparing map using command-based Arc plot-UX would require at least a full working day for PEGIS staff.
Allocation of GIS Workstation to User
The HP workstations were favorites among users when they came to PEGIS for data creation and maintenance purposes. These workstations were equipped with 21" monitors for pleasant viewing and larger display area. The addition of two HP workstations during the interim period had increased the total number of workstations to six at the Centre and applications developed for data creation and maintenance modules were customized according to the screen size of these workstations.
Limited Understanding on the
Ability of GIS
Awareness and understanding on the ability of GIS were limited among government officers in the State although they knew the existence of PEGIS. Only a small number were aware of the facilities and services provided by PEGIS. Limited access to the PEGIS database and inadequate GIS workstations cum licenses were believed to be major factors for this problem. In addition, the Arc Info-UX software was not user-friendly. Any currently on-going tasks have to be stopped and postponed to a later time, subjected to the urgency of the request. Attending this request means additional workload for the PEGIS staff.
2000 - PRESENT: DEVELOPMENT OF PEGIS MAP BROWSER
In 1997, the Penang State Government began adopting the internet as part of its ICT development programs. Networking infrastructures and computer facilities were upgraded to utilize this technology. By the year 2000, almost every
government department in the State was equipped with internet lines including the PEGIS Centre.
The Centre has identified the internet as part of the solutions to overcome issues and problems discussed above. Additional funding was requested and PEGIS had engaged a consultant to develop an internet map browser in 1998. Known as the PEGIS Map Browser, this web-based application was finally launched in mid 1999. Its main objective was to provide users from government agencies in Penang with a low cost GIS data access to the PEGIS database.