Software Options for Operational GIS in Professional Environments

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Software Options for Operational GIS in
Professional Environments
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Summary

• Major Software Platforms
• Elements of individual Platforms
• Fully Integrative Software Platforms
• Predominantly Image Analysis Software
• Platforms
• Issues to be considered

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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)
• IDRISI
• Maptitude
• GRASS
• MapInfo (Pitney Bowes)
• 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, Trainig, and Knowledge Base

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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

• Open Code
• Single Packaged Product
• Sophisticated Raster based analysis
• Raster analysis toolset
• Extensive Vector-based data input and output
  through CartaLinx

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Maptitude

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

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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
• UNIX Functionality
• Open Code
• Global User Base

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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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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 overlain 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)
• Linear feature extractor automatically digitizes
  everything between the seed points, faithfully
  following curves, jumping gaps, and snapping
  vectors if desired

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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.
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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! However (Cost associated feature
  upgrades)
• Global Coverage
• Democratizing Access
• User Friendly
• Large Knowledge Base
• Useful for Quick Display of Raster Vector Data

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Google Earth

• Several External tools and methods for image
  integration into various GIS platforms exist
• Google Maps Image Downloader
• Georeference to Graticule
• Local Knowledge Control Points

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Issues to be considered

• 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

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Summary

• Many commercial suppliers exists
• 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
• An informed choice is the best choice!

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A Complex Process which a savvy GIS consumer
should research, select, test, and question
before the purchase of a system is made.