New release: Cadcorp SIS V5.2

New release: Cadcorp SIS V5.2

Previewed in London at GIS2000, the latest release of Cadcorp SIS - Spatial Information System version 5.2, is now shipping. The first customer to take delivery of this software was IGN France International (IGN-FI), the French National Mapping Agency subsidiary for IGN overseas activities.

The established product mix of Cadcorp SIS 'off the shelf' modules, namely: Map Viewer, Map Manager, Map Editor and Map Modeller are retained.

Owing to their great success, the ActiveX modules for Map Viewer, Map Manager and Map Modeller will also continue as runtime platforms for third party developers keen to embed SIS capability into their applications using the Cadcorp SIS Software Developers Kit (SDK).

The new release

What is behind this new release? Significantly, SIS Version 5.2 is the first and currently, the only, GIS software product to be OpenGIS certified conformant for Simple Features for OLE/COM.

Simple Features is the OpenGIS interface for vector data structures. In addition, Oracle Corporation has designated the new direct driver included with Cadcorp SIS V5.2 "On Oracle" logo compliant, assuring a fast and secure connection with Oracle 8.0.4 Spatial Cartridge and Oracle 8i Spatial

Projections
New features such as new projections and layout tools target new international markets, particularly the United States. US data format support for DLG, SDTS and ESRI World file georeferencing for raster data are all included. US projections in both NAD 27 and NAD 83 are available as part of the projection library from the European Petroleum Survey Group, (EPSG). This library represents the definitive international projection library for the GIS industry and uses the same abstract model as the OpenGIS Simple Features specification.

Data formats
Support for all data formats is now in the form of plug-in DLL's allowing easy 'retrofitting', and enhancement of data format plugins without affecting the main software. New datasets supported include AutoCAD 2000 (DWG), MapInfo TAB, Earth Resource Mapping's ECW (Enhanced Compression Wavelet), GeoTIFF (the TIFF based interchange format for georeferenced raster imagery). In addition Cadcorp SIS V5.2 now includes support for OpenGIS Grid Coverages, OpenGIS Web Mapping Server, DCW (Digital Chart of the World) Edition 003 and the SYSDECO Transfer format. This brings the list of datasets supported 'out of the box' by Cadcorp SIS up to 45.

Interface
Looking at the interface, the popular 'magnifying glass' zoom tool, the Roamer, has been enhanced to make the task of data maintenance even easier. The dynamic MapTips® feature which displays the attributes of map items as the cursor passes over them has been upgraded to feature multi-line text. Text included is fully controllable and makes MapTips a powerful data enquiry tool driven simply by mouse movement. In total, 47 areas of the product interface have been further refined with improved productivity in mind.

3D
Cadcorp SIS Map Modeller, the premier desktop offering from the Cadcorp SIS product suite has always handled 3D. Now in V5.2, the creation of large TIN's (Triangulated Irregular Networks) has been given a further boost through the introduction of new algorithms.

New web offering
At the Web GIS entry level, Cadcorp now offer the capability to quickly and easily serve maps on the Web using the Cadcorp SIS Map Server. This is newly released software means that Cadcorp SIS can be used to create maps that can then be easily distributed around an organisation and even its customers. Developed around the OpenGIS Web Map Overlay Specification, it is possible to allow a web server to display a map in any standard browser without need for browser plugins, to display in a browser a list of available maps stored on the server, to display the map in a browser with basic information about the content of the file, (such as the list of overlays within it and its scale). It also provides the possibility to perform basic zoom and pan commands and to provide information in XML format about the maps found such as their name, current extents, scale and projections.

Cadcorp ASC
Cadcorp SIS ASC (Active Server Component), the dynamic, thin-client, fully functional Web-based GIS, goes from strength to strength. It retains the same structure as before; a developer kit (Cadcorp SIS IDK) and also the various Cadcorp SIS ASC user packs. Armed with the developer kit, Web-based GIS applications can be developed.

Cadcorp SIS IDK allows application development combining HTML with MS VBScript, Java or any other HTML compliant scripting language. Applications can then be run in conjunction with an appropriate Cadcorp SIS ASC user licence. This brokers concurrent user access via a licenced server 'hit' ratio set for each user per hour. License packs for 5, 10, 25, 50, 100 concurrent users and combinations of these are available.

Supporting this new release of Cadcorp SIS is a completely revised documentation set for both the general user and programmer.

Cadcorp SIS now offers one of the widest ranges of integrated PC GIS technology available today. Other vendors may talk of their GIS products working together, but all too often they are derived from very different backgrounds and design philosophies. With SIS, all products originate from a common coherent foundation. This applies to standard Cadcorp SIS modules, ActiveX runtimes, or even Web-based applications.

Cadcorp SIS - the truly integrated GIS for all your spatial management needs

About Cadcorp
Established in 1991, Cadcorp is a leading developer of digital mapping and geographic information systems (GIS) software. Based in the UK and with offices in the USA, Cadcorp's distribution and VAR network stretches world-wide. The company also plays a pivotal technical role in the OpenGIS Consortium.

Cadcorp SIS applications exist in local and central government, emergency services, mapping and surveying, commerce, broadcasting and many other areas.

Contacts: Cadcorp - Chris HOLCROFT
Email: chrish@cadcorp.com
Alan PLUMLEY
Email: alanp@cadcorp.com