Software Options for Operational GIS in Professional Environment Free

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Software Options for Operational GIS in
Professional Environment Free Open
Source Software (FOSS) Applications
Technologies
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Summary

• Major Software Platforms
• Desktop GIS
• Mapping-oriented
• Image Analysis
• Issues to be considered
• Free and OpenSource Software

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Major Platforms (not exhaustive)

• Image Analysis
• ERDAS Imagine (Leica)
• Geomatica (PCI Geomatics)
• ENVI (ITT visuals)
• Definiens Professional
• Google Earth

• Raster/Vector Integration
• ESRI ArcGIS
• Geomedia (Intergraph)
• MapInfo (Pitney Bowes)
• IDRISI
• Maptitude
• GRASS
• AutoCAD
• Microstation

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ESRI

• Market Leader
• Extensive Format Support
• Flexible Functionality for different users
• Extensive Analysis Toolset
• Database Management of various data types
• Extensive Support, Training, and Knowledge Base
• Annual User Conference

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GeoMedia

• Supports many data types
• Extensive Analysis Toolset
• Direct access to major geospatial/CAD Data
  Formats
• Incorporates industry-standard relational
  databases
• Regularly updated with full support
• Training

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IDRISI

• Sophisticated Raster based analysis
• Raster analysis toolset
• Extensive Vector-based data input and output
  through CartaLinx
• Used by Universities
• Single Packaged Product

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Geographic Resources Analysis Support System
(GRASS)
GRASS 6.2

• Raster/Vector capabilities
• New topological 2D/3D vector engine and support
  for vector network analysis
• First UNIX GIS
• Global User Base
• Open Code

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MapInfo (Pitney Bowes Software)

• Mapping Functionality
• Limited GIS Functionality
• Traditionally Visual Basic
• Flexible Applications
• Global base
• Strong Dissemination Tool

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AutoCAD Map

• Sophisticated GIS/CAD integration
• Grid, Projection, Topology Support
• Extensive Database options
• Vector/Raster display and Analysis
• Menu-based
• Costly

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Maptitude

• Cad GIS
• Import/Export options
• Address Matching Feature
• Suited for Readily Available Datasets

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Microstation

• Largely US and European Use
• CAD-Based Mapping
• Limited Analysis Features
• Limited Data Format Integration Georeferencing
• Simple Google Earth/Google SketchUp Interface

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Image Analysis Software

• Major platforms -ERDAS Imagine (Leica), ENVI (ITT
  Solutions) Geomatica (PCI Geomatics) Definiens
• Google -for broad based applications
• Raster-based analysis becoming commonplace in
  census mapping operations
• Many Image analysis software can integrate vector
  data for refined image analysis
• Imagery becoming cheaper and faster to process
  and integrate with existing vector datasets

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ERDAS IMAGINE 9.1

• Raster-based software designed to extract
  information from images.
• Handles extensive collections of geospatial data
• Provides client-side interaction with spatially
  aware databases
• Extends to topological editing of spatial
  databases
• Vector layer support

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Geomatica (PCI Geomatics)

• Handles extensive collections of geospatial data
  formats
• Provides client-side interaction with spatially
  aware databases
• Full map production capabilities
• Attribute management tools for viewing, editing,
  querying and analysis of attributes
• Extensive image processing capabilities

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ENVI 4.3 (ITT Solutions)

• Integrates raster imagery with geographic
  information systems
• Vector layers can be overlaid onto image data, to
  easily compare raster and vector information.
• Relatively extensive support knowledge base
• Reads vector formats (ArcView shp, ARC/INFO
  interchange, DXF, Microstation/Intergraph DGN
  files, USGS DLG files and more)

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ENVI 4.3
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.
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Definiens

• Highly sophisticated automated user defined
  feature extraction
• Extract geo-information from any kind of remote
  sensing imagery
• 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
• Extension for ArcGIS
• Allows ArcCatalog to define a collection of maps
  as a Definiens workspace
• enables users to review and edit Definiens
  workspace entries

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Definiens Enterprise Image Intelligence Suite
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Google Earth

• Free Imagery! (Google Earth Prof.)
• Global Coverage
• Democratizing Access
• User Friendly
• Large Knowledge Base
• Useful for Quick Display of Raster Vector Data

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GIS 2003 Software Vendor Market Share(Daratech)

• ESRI 34
• Intergraph 13
• Autodesk 9
• IBM 9
• Leica 7
• MapInfo 4
• Other 24

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System Selection General Considerations

• Evaluate your goals within the census and adopt
  technologies accordingly
• Evaluate the interoperability of software to best
  suit both current and future needs
• Collaborate with different agencies and staff on
  the preferred software platform

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Specific Issues to be considered in system
selection

• Cost
• Upgrades
• LAN configuration
• Training needs/Workforce
• Ease of installation
• Maintenance
• Documentation and manuals
• Help-line and vendor support

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FOSS Applications Technologies

• Geographic Database/ Analysis
• Desktop Mapping
• Web mapping
• GPS
• Conclusion

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Free Open Source (FOSS)

• Applications of which you can access the source
  code
• Similar functionality as commercial software
  applications
• Becoming less IT oriented and more GUI friendly
• Provides useful information to users about the
  construction of applications
• Provide the ability to learn how to construct
  tailored applications for specific uses
• Allows for a more informed decision on what is
  needed outside the free and open source
  environment

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Geodatabase

• PostGIS
• (postgis.refractions.net)
• Allows the storage and management of
  geographical vector data directly from within the
  database (thus using standard SQL and its Open
  Geospatial Consortium extensions distance, area,
  buffer, overlay etc much like ESRI's SDE or
  Oracle's Spatial extension)

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PostGIS
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Geodatabase

• Vector-based model
• Importing and exporting ESRI shapefile data is
  straightforward.
• Raster geodatabase are not available.
• Users in Australia, British Columbia, Colorado,
  Portugal, Virginia, Georgia, Switzerland,
  Florida, Chile, Switzerland, Brazil, Sweden,
  Italy, Norway, New Zealand, Germany, Sri Lanka
• WFP and FAO

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Desktop Mapping Software

• In the last few years, thanks also to a larger
  user base, the situation has vastly improved
• QuantumGIS (http//qgis.org)
• most advanced raster vector image and data
  display and manipulation
• Thuban (http//thuban.intevation.org)
• Vector-based strong limitations in the handling
  of rasters

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Quantum GIS or QGIS
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QGIS Interface
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GRASS

• Short for Geographic Resources Analysis Support
  System
• Historically known as a raster GIS, difficult to
  use, mainly command-line oriented.
• Since 2002 it has known a heavy development the
  2D and 3D vector section, as well as the database
  integration, have been completely rewritten, and
  it is now available as a new (6.0) stable
  version.
• Very complete, with all functions required for a
  professional use, from management and analysis of
  geospatial data to image analysis, from chart and
  maps production to spatial modelling and full 3D
  visualization
• Can Be Accompanied with R statistical package
  (http//www.r-project.org)

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GRASSInterface
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Map Server Applications

• Definition (GSDI Association ) Web Map Server-A
  service that can produce maps drawn into a
  standard image format (PNG, GIF, JPEG, etc) based
  on a standard set of input parameters.
• The first Mapserver (also called UMN Mapserver
  http//ms.gis.umn.edu) has been developed
  originally by the University of Minnesota. It is
  OGC compliant (WMS 1.1.0, WMS 1.0.0, WMC 1.0, WFS
  1.0.0, SLD 1.0, GML 2.0, Filter 1.0.0, WMS 1.1.1)
  
• Examples include pmapper (http//pmapper.sourcefor
  ge.net), Chameleon (http//chameleon.maptools.org)
  and Cartoweb (http//www.cartoweb.org)
• With these tools, customized map server
  applications can be built in a very
  cost-effective way

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http//ms.gis.umn.edu
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http//ms.gis.umn.edu
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p.mapper
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http//webgrs.wur.nl/cgi/Miscellaneous/EthioAtlas
p.mapper
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GPS data integration

• Many free programs are available for interacting
  with GPS hardware
• - gpstrans http//gpstrans.sourceforge.net)
• - gpsbabel http//gpsbabel.sourceforge.net)
• - gpsdrive http//www.gpsdrive.cc).

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GPStrans
GPStrans allows waypoint data to be transferred
to and from a Garmin GPS)
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GPSBabel
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FOSS Online Resources

• Open Source Geospatial Foundation
  http//www.osgeo.org
• Geonetwork Opensource Community
  http//geonetwork-opensource.org
• The FreeGIS Project http//www.freegis.org
• Map Tools Utilities http//maptools.org
• Open Source GIS http//opensourcegis.org
• Remote Sensing Open Source Support
  http//remotesensing.org
• Open Source Geospatial Consortium
  http//www.opengeospatial.org/

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OOpen Source GIS http//opensourcegis.org
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RRemote Sensing Open SSource Support
http//remotesensing.org
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OOpen GGeospatial CConsortium
http//www.opengeospatial .org/
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Concluding Remarks

• Several products are mature and ready for
  professional use, whereas others, while usable,
  need further development to be really competitive
  (setting aside the cost of acquisition)
• UMN Mapserver is fully functional it does not
  have significant limitations, and in several
  respects it is superior to its commercial
  counterparts
• PostGIS as a relational geodatabase is a very
  reliable and powerful solution, and has already
  replaced commercial top-end solutions

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Cont.

• For geographic analyses, GRASS is fully
  functional, stable and very powerful. In many
  situations (where money is an issue underfunded
  universities and public administrations, small or
  heavily competing companies, etc.) it is the best
  alternative to the (unfortunately very common)
  illegal use of (cracked or stolen) proprietary
  software. Its inherent qualities, however, allow
  its use also in large and more complex settings
• Desktop mapping (and in particular QGIS) is
  usable, but still young some more months of
  development will be necessary to make it more
  stable and powerful

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Open Source Contributions?
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Cont.

• What are the costs for Upgrades of hardware
  or/and existing software?
• Is a LAN configuration needed?
• What are the staff training needs/ Is the
  existing workforce adequate?
• What is the ease and difficulty as far as
  installation of hardware/software as well as
  maintenance?
• What infrastructure documentation, manuals,
  Help-line, and vendor support (patches etc.)?