Software Options for Operational GIS in
Professional Environments
Workshop on Census Cartography and Management, Lusaka, Zambia, 08–12 October 2007
Summary
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Major Software Platforms
Elements of individual Platforms
• Fully Integrative Software Platforms
• Predominantly Image Analysis Software
• Platforms
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Issues to be considered
Workshop on Census Cartography and Management, Lusaka, Zambia, 08–12 October 2007
Major Platforms
(not exhaustive)
Raster/Vector Integration
• ESRI ArcGIS
• Geomedia (Intergraph)
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IDRISI
Maptitude
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GRASS
MapInfo (Pitney Bowes)
AutoCAD
Microstation
Image Analysis
•ERDAS Imagine (Leica)
•Geomatica (PCI Geomatics)
•ENVI (ITT visuals)
•Definiens Professional
•Google Earth
Workshop on Census Cartography and Management, Lusaka, Zambia, 08–12 October 2007
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ESRI
Market Leader
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Extensive Format Support
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Flexible Functionality for
different users
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Extensive Analysis Toolset
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Database Management of
various data types
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Extensive Support, Trainig, and
Knowledge Base
Workshop on Census Cartography and Management, Lusaka, Zambia, 08–12 October 2007
GeoMedia
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Supports many data types
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Extensive Analysis Toolset
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Direct access to major
geospatial/CAD Data Formats
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Incorporates industry-standard
relational databases
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Regularly updated with full support
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Training
Workshop on Census Cartography and Management, Lusaka, Zambia, 08–12 October 2007
IDRISI
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Open Code
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Single Packaged Product
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Sophisticated Raster based
analysis
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Raster analysis toolset
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Extensive Vector-based data
input and output through
CartaLinx
Workshop on Census Cartography and Management, Lusaka, Zambia, 08–12 October 2007
Maptitude
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Cad & GIS
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Import/Export options
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Address Matching Feature
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Suited for Readily
Available Datasets
Workshop on Census Cartography and Management, Lusaka, Zambia, 08–12 October 2007
Geographic Resources Analysis Support System
(GRASS)
GRASS 6.2
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Raster/Vector capabilities
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New topological 2D/3D
vector engine and support
for vector network analysis
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First UNIX GIS
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UNIX Functionality
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Open Code
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Global User Base
Workshop on Census Cartography and Management, Lusaka, Zambia, 08–12 October 2007
MapInfo
(Pitney Bowes Software)
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Mapping Functionality
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Limited GIS Functionality
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Traditionally Visual Basic
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Flexible Applications
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Global base
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Strong Dissemination Tool
Workshop on Census Cartography and Management, Lusaka, Zambia, 08–12 October 2007
AutoCAD Map
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Sophisticated GIS/CAD
integration
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Grid, Projection, & Topology
Support
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Extensive Database options
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Vector/Raster display and
Analysis
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Menu-based
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Costly
Workshop on Census Cartography and Management, Lusaka, Zambia, 08–12 October 2007
Microstation
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Largely US and European Use
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Cad-Based Mapping
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Limited Analysis Features
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Limited Data Format
Integration & Georeferencing
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Simple Google Earth/Google
SketchUp Interface
Workshop on Census Cartography and Management, Lusaka, Zambia, 08–12 October 2007
Image Analysis Software
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Major platforms -ERDAS Imagine (Leica), ENVI (ITT
Solutions) Geomatica (PCI Geomatics) & Definiens
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Google -for broad based applications
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Raster-based analysis becoming commonplace in census
mapping operations
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Many Image analysis software can integrate vector data
for refined image analysis
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Imagery becoming cheaper and faster to process and
integrate with existing vector datasets
Workshop on Census Cartography and Management, Lusaka, Zambia, 08–12 October 2007
ERDAS IMAGINE 9.1
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Raster-based software
designed to extract
information from images.
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Handles extensive collections
of geospatial data
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Provides client-side
interaction with spatially
aware databases
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Extends to topological editing
of spatial databases
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Vector layer support
Workshop on Census Cartography and Management, Lusaka, Zambia, 08–12 October 2007
Geomatica
(PCI Geomatics)
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Handles extensive collections of
geospatial data formats
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Provides client-side interaction with
spatially aware databases
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Full map production capabilities
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Attribute management tools for
viewing, editing, querying and
analysis of attributes
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Extensive image processing
capabilities
Workshop on Census Cartography and Management, Lusaka, Zambia, 08–12 October 2007
ENVI 4.3
(ITT Solutions)
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Integrates raster imagery with geographic information systems
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Vector layers can be overlain onto image data, to easily compare
raster and vector information.
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Relatively extensive support & knowledge base
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Reads vector formats (ArcView shp, ARC/INFO interchange, DXF,
Microstation/Intergraph DGN files, USGS DLG files and more)
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Linear feature extractor automatically digitizes everything
between the seed points, faithfully following curves, jumping
gaps, and snapping vectors if desired
Workshop on Census Cartography and Management, Lusaka, Zambia, 08–12 October 2007
ENVI 4.3
(ITT Solutions)
Feature extraction tool can be used on any linear feature, from
roads to coastlines, and saves large amounts of time over
traditional point-by-point digitizing.
Workshop on Census Cartography and Management, Lusaka, Zambia, 08–12 October 2007
Definiens
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Highly sophisticated automated user defined feature extraction
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Extract geo-information from any kind of remote sensing imagery
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Data Management Connectivity to ArcGIS Server
• Load and save vector data to and from databases
• Simultaneously update different locations of one large dataset
• Update portions of large vector datasets
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Extension for ArcGIS
• Allows ArcCatalog to define a collection of maps as a
Definiens’ workspace
• enables users to review and edit Definiens’ workspace entries
Workshop on Census Cartography and Management, Lusaka, Zambia, 08–12 October 2007
Definiens Enterprise Image Intelligence Suite
Workshop on Census Cartography and Management, Lusaka, Zambia, 08–12 October 2007
Google Earth
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Free Imagery! However…
(Cost associated feature
upgrades)
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Global Coverage
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Democratizing Access
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User Friendly
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Large Knowledge Base
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Useful for Quick Display of
Raster & Vector Data
Workshop on Census Cartography and Management, Lusaka, Zambia, 08–12 October 2007
Google Earth
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Several External tools and
methods for image integration
into various GIS platforms exist
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Google Maps Image Downloader
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Georeference to Graticule
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Local Knowledge Control
Points
Workshop on Census Cartography and Management, Lusaka, Zambia, 08–12 October 2007
Issues to be considered
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Cost
Upgrades
LAN configuration
Training needs
Ease of installation
Maintenance
Documentation and manuals
Help-line and vendor support
Means of making patches for support
Workforce
Workshop on Census Cartography and Management, Lusaka, Zambia, 08–12 October 2007
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Summary
Many commercial suppliers exists
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Evaluate your goals within the census and
adopt technologies accordingly
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Evaluate the interoperability of software to
best suit both current and future needs
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Collaborate with different agencies and staff on
the preferred software platform
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An informed choice is the best choice!
Workshop on Census Cartography and Management, Lusaka, Zambia, 08–12 October 2007
A Complex Process which a savvy GIS consumer
should research, select, test, and question before
the purchase of a system is made.
Workshop on Census Cartography and Management, Lusaka, Zambia, 08–12 October 2007