The positive impact of opengis
In a monolithic system, all layers are tightly coupled and not open to other systems,
except through the very elemental means of exchanging data with identical monolithic
systems or translating data from other systems. This kind of data exchange is referred
to as “data transfer.” There are literally hundreds of formats, proprietary and open, and
there are hundreds of filters and conversion utilities to perform the format conversions.
While this process is workable it is not optimal and needs improvement.
As the GE industry moves toward a componentware model, the principal functionality
of a GIS can be broken into four basic groups -- the data, the data access, the spatial
technologies and end user applications. By componentizing these four parts, each one
of the components - like the stereo example, can be supplied by a different vendor - if
strict adherence to the “interface standards” are observed. The end result is that a GIS
user can now use any customization tools to build an application. They can now choose
the most competitive spatial technology. They can use the best data repository
technology. And, can access heterogeneous databases. Moreover, these components
can now enable integration with the other enterprise IT systems; e.g. office automation,
databases, engineering applications, accounting programs, etc.
Figure 2. GIS Components
The data access part of the GIS componentware is defined by the OGC Open Geodata
Interoperability Specification (OGIS).
OGC is providing a specification for a software framework for distributed access to
geodata and geoprocessing resources. This specification will give software developers
around the world a detailed common interface template for writing software that will
interoperate with other OpenGIS-compliant software written by other software
developers. Most importantly, the specification defines standard interfaces that enables
software vendors to produce “Plug and Play” geodata access and geoprocessing tools.
Application developers, information managers, and end users -all of whom are part of
the global computing revolution -benefit from OGIS compliant software in these ways:
The Application Developer can more easily and more flexibly:
- “Write software to access geodata
- “Write software to access geoprocessing resources
- “Tailor applications to specific user needs, integrating the spatial and non-spatial
- “Choose a development environment
- Deliver applications on a variety of platforms
- “Reuse geoprocessing code
The Information Manager has greater flexibility to:
- “Access and/or distribute geodata
- “Provide geoprocessing capabilities to clients
- “Integrate geographic data and processing into a corporate computing
architecture
- Choose appropriate platforms -personal computer type, server type, and
distributed computing platform type
- “Fit the user with the right geoprocessing tools
End users are the ultimate beneficiaries, receiving:
- “Real-time access to a universe of geographic information vastly larger than
today’s accessible universe of geographic information
- “More applications that take advantage of geographic information
- “The ability to work with different geodata types and formats within a single
application environment and continuous workflow, without being concerned
about the details of these types and formats OGIS
addresses the basic aspects of the problem of accessing and using geographic
data from a variety of diverse sources. A complete and detailed treatment of this topic is
provided by OGC in “The OpenGIS Guide”, edited by Kurt Buehler and Lance McKee.
Examples
What does the OpenGIS do for me? A major benefit is the access of heterogeneous
data exchange. For example:
A city planner can do an environmental impact study to test the effect of a new
pipeline within the central business district. The planner can assimilate
population data in one format purchased from a data vendor, gas pipeline data
from a utility installation, and satellite imagery in a raster format, allowing
inspection of the planned corridor for the pipeline. Using OpenGIS, the city
planner brings these different data types together for interpretation in their native
format -- without translation.
It will foster less data ownership as third party data becomes readily available.
Historically, users of geographic information needed to manage all geographic
data for their area of interest whether they owned that data or not. For example,
utility companies have spent millions and millions of dollars maintaining land
bases. With data becoming more readily available, geographic data users will
only “own” and maintain their added value information and not the entire
geography. New markets will continue to emerge due to increased awareness
and availability of spatial data and applications.
Future proof your applications.
As with the stereo amplifier that could use a CD player. Today’s applications will
be able to plug in new data repository technology as it becomes available,
without having to be rewritten.
Conclusion
GIS technology is being incorporated into mainstream information technology as the
use of componentware is adopted. The definition of OpenGIS is a major enabling factor
in this process. The OGIS specification provides a framework for software developers to
create software that enables their users to access and process geographic data from a
variety of sources across a generic computing interface within an open information
technology foundation. The end users ultimately benefit by being able to painlessly
select the best software to meet their production requirements.
