Abstract Unleashing spatial information, no matter what format it is in, and making it available through an easy to use graphic interface to those who need it, no matter where they are, has instantaneously empowered virtually the entire Andhra Pradesh State government machinery. The enormous repository of GIS databases of Andhra Pradesh-libraries of information about physical characteristics, asset information, topology and maps with spatial data and associated attribute data are now being shared digitally across the State on the Andhra Pradesh State Wide Area Network (APSWAN). World Wide Web is the enabling technology for much of this new openness and has facilitated the unlocking of information that has been held so far as a secret by a privileged few. The consequence is an evolving and effective Decision Support System that facilitates a Simple, Moral, Accountable, Responsive and Transparent (SMART) governance and every citizen of the state could be a beneficiary.
Over the years a huge repository of spatial data and attribute data has been created by the state of Andhra Pradesh and was being accessed on the Desktop and Client Server environment. These datasets were largely locked in computer centers in the hands of scientists who rarely have the opportunity to use the data for analysis and decision making and address real world problems. Replicating the datasets on desktops at multiple locations would lead to problems in data sharing, maintenance and manipulation and would result in redundant data storage. Also replicating the datasets on various desktops and investing heavily on desktop applications to use the datasets was not viable and hence not attempted. But the need for making these datasets available to individuals across various geographic locations could not be undermined anymore and there was increasing pressure felt at all levels to disseminate such information to those who need it the most.
The Need
There was a need to develop a centralized database that could serve information to multiple users across different geographical locations at a low cost without data redundancy. There was a need for an affordable technology that would enable storage, maintenance and updating of a central database with a easy to use interface, to facilitate all those who need the information system to use it to address issues.
The Users
GIS novices would use the application in their day to day functions and hence the system has to be very user friendly and mouse click driven. All the 37 Ministers including the Chief Minister - Mr. Chandra Babu Naidu himself, 294 MLA's, 67 Secretaries and department heads in the state administrative machinery and all the 23 District Collectors would be provided access as users.
In the next phase a part of the dataset will be made available for general public on the Internet.
The Solution - Integrating GIS and Internet / Intranet Technologies and making Geographical Information available to those who need it.
The Design Objectives Some of the key design objectives were to
- Provide remote Access to map and attribute data
- Shorten Access and Response times
- Provide Interactivity
- Ensure Simplicity
- Provide features like copy-paste and print to
MS Office products
The Software
The application was built on Autodesk MapGuideŽ software, as it is a complete solution, comprising of all the tools required to build, deploy, and access intelligent, map-driven websites. Autodesk MapGuide software is a tool for building web-based applications requiring maps and GIS data. Unlike any other product, Autodesk MapGuide software delivers integrated vector, raster and attribute data to provide true GIS functionality out of the box. The first GIS built from the ground up for the protocols of intranet/Internet use, Autodesk MapGuide software is optimized for distributed and scalable computing, allowing users to access data stored on multiple servers across their organization's network. It complements existing GIS solutions, enabling users with heavy investments in ARC/INFO coverages, Arc View shape files, Microstation DGN and other file formats to quickly distribute thin applications. Autodesk MapGuide essentially has three components Server, Author and the Viewer.
- Autodesk MapGuide Server is a utility that lets you provide dynamic access to vector-based and raster-based map data, as well as ODBC data sources, over an intranet, an extranet, or the Internet. Autodesk MapGuide Server is the administration software that brokers requests and delivers live, interactive maps over the Internet or your Intranet.
- Autodesk MapGuide Author is an authoring tool that lets you define a map's appearance, security, and more, for viewing and distribution over your Intranet or the Internet. Using its WYSIWYG environment, you can efficiently integrate live, interactive maps and related data into your websites.
- Autodesk MapGuide Viewer enables non-technical end-users to access and interact with intelligent maps through their web browsers or through custom applications.
- Autodesk also bundles the products Cold Fusion Server and Cold fusion Studio from Allaire that facilitate report generation and interactive web application development.
Supported File & Database Formats
- Vector File Formats: The Autodesk MapGuideŽ SDF Loader utility imports all major GIS vector formats, converting them to SDF for use with MWF files. Supported file formats include: ESRI (ArcView) SHP, ESRI ARC/INFO Coverage, Intergraph DGN, MapInfo MIF/MID, Atlas BNA, CSV (comma delimited file), AutoCADŽ Release 14 DWG/DXF files.
- Raster File Formats: Autodesk MapGuide software supports a number of raster and georeferenced raster file formats natively, without the need for conversion. Raster files can be optimized for viewing by using the Autodesk MapGuide Raster Workshop. Supported file formats include: GIF, TGA, CALS, PNG, BMP, JPEG, TIFF,etc. Georeferenced Raster File Formats GeoTiff, GeoSPOT/BIL (ESRI .hdr), ESRI world files, MapInfo .TAB
- Database Formats: Autodesk MapGuide software supports simultaneous connections to multiple geographic files and multiple RDBMSs (relational database management systems), such as Oracle, and MS Access, resident locally or residing on UNIX operating systems accessible on the network.