Internet based GIS solutions

As the computer and Internet technologies continue to improve, and cost of digital storage continues to lower, many major GIS providers are now offering Internet based GIS solutions. This technology allows users to access enterprise GIS using an ordinary World Wide Web (WWW) browser. Not only does it eliminate the need to maintain a desktop license for each GIS workstation, but, due to its OPEN nature, it also broadens the feasibility to integrate GIS with other devices for intuitive purposes. This presentation demonstrates the integration of GIS, GPS, wireless communication and Internet technologies to allow real-time map/data retrieval, dynamic foreground map display and real-time GIS data updating. Internet GIS connects the field crew directly with the remote GIS server. With this system, working with disconnected data sets is history, Internet Based GIS does everything dynamically.

Internet based GM
The key components of an Internet Based GIS are the Publishing Engine (PE), a WWW interface, an Internet Server, and a GIS database. PE is a server-based application with connections to both the Internet Server and the GIS database. When a user opens the GIS web page and requests a map or data through the Internet Server, PE receives the requests and communicates with the GIS database to produce the results, which are sent back to the user.

The results published by the PE can be either in vector, raster, or text format. Different providers support different types. Popular map image formats supported include JPEG, SVF and CGM.

Generally speaking, JPEG is more compact in size but has limited ability to carry embedded data to the browser. SVF and CGM, on the other hand, will display intelligent objects on the map and will allow more local viewing functions such as zoom, pan, rotate and fit view. Depending on the PE vendors, it is also possible to install controls or download plug-ins from the browser to thicken the client so it will perform more fimctionality.