Developing a Web-based Developing a Web-based GIS Viewer using GIS Viewer using

MapObjects Java to MapObjects Java to Reduce Operating CostsReduce Operating Costs

OutlineOutline

IntroductionIntroduction Why the need?Why the need? AlternativesAlternatives Our SolutionOur Solution ChallengesChallenges Application FunctionalityApplication Functionality

IntroductionIntroduction ISA serves 16 Agencies, 5 DepartmentsISA serves 16 Agencies, 5 Departments

Approximately 500 ArcView 3.x licensesApproximately 500 ArcView 3.x licenses

Upgraded to 175 ArcView 8.x licensesUpgraded to 175 ArcView 8.x licenses

Further refined to 31 single use and 48 floating Further refined to 31 single use and 48 floating licenses as IDV was developedlicenses as IDV was developed

A large majority are casual users who:A large majority are casual users who:• View dataView data• Add local dataAdd local data• PrintPrint• Find addressesFind addresses• Save projectsSave projects

Why the Need?Why the Need?

License maintenance costsLicense maintenance costs For a majority of our users, ArcView was too For a majority of our users, ArcView was too

robust.robust. What are the alternatives to ArcView (2003)?What are the alternatives to ArcView (2003)?

ArcGIS Engine 9

ArcGIS Server 9

ArcExplorer Java 4.0.1

ArcIMS Java

Viewer 4.0.1

Cost – Licensing (??) + License

(??)

Additional license

(??)

Deployment MO Java (?)

(++)

AlternativesAlternativesArcGIS

Engine 9ArcGIS

Server 9ArcExplorer Java 4.0.1

ArcIMS Java

Viewer 4.0.1

Existing Competence

Beta (-) Beta (-) (+) (++)

Existing Programming Skills

VB,.NET, (++)

VB,.NET, ++

Java (-) ASP, JSP, (+)

Long range viability

.NET (++) .NET (++) (+) (+)

Stability (--) (--) (+) (+)

Delivery Date for Apps

(--) (--) (+) (+)

Existing Code/Sample

(-) (-) AEJ Base Code? (+)

Former vendor (+)

Alternatives continued…Alternatives continued…ArcGIS

Engine 9

ArcGIS Server 9

ArcExplorer Java 4.0.1

ArcIMS Java

Viewer 4.0.1

Ultimate functionality

(+) (+) (-) (-)

Access Local Data (++) (-) (++) (+)?

Access Network Data

(+) (+) (++) (++)

Rendering (++) (++) (+) (+)

Ease of installation

(+) (++) (+) (++)

Ease of upgrades (++) (++) (-?) (++)

How easy to program functionality

(++) (++) (-) (+)

How easy to program GUI

(++) (++) (+/-) (+/-)

Tech Support (-) (-) (+) (++)

Our Initial SolutionOur Initial Solution

Initial solution was to use ArcIMS Java Initial solution was to use ArcIMS Java Custom ViewerCustom Viewer

Limitations encountered during Limitations encountered during developmentdevelopment• Very limited object modelVery limited object model• Not very flexibleNot very flexible• Is based on MapObjects Java 1.0Is based on MapObjects Java 1.0• Limitations in selection capabilities.Limitations in selection capabilities.• Couldn’t view attribute tableCouldn’t view attribute table• No printing capabilitiesNo printing capabilities

Our Second TryOur Second Try

Discovered that ArcIMS Custom Java Discovered that ArcIMS Custom Java Viewer applets were built on Viewer applets were built on MapObjects Java…therefore we MapObjects Java…therefore we decided to build our own applets on decided to build our own applets on MapObjects JavaMapObjects Java

Switched to MapObjects Java 2.0+Switched to MapObjects Java 2.0+• Access to more base objectsAccess to more base objects• Much more flexibilityMuch more flexibility

ChallengesChallenges

Silent installation – 3 different Silent installation – 3 different vendors to work with (ESRI, Sun, vendors to work with (ESRI, Sun, Microsoft)Microsoft)

Rewriting/reinventing the wheelRewriting/reinventing the wheel Encountering intrinsic bugs due to Encountering intrinsic bugs due to

the scale of this projectthe scale of this project

BenefitsBenefits

Reduce license costs!!!Reduce license costs!!! No desktop installationsNo desktop installations All installations are silent behind the All installations are silent behind the

scenes over the Intranetscenes over the Intranet All ArcIMS Java Custom Viewer All ArcIMS Java Custom Viewer

limitations were overcomelimitations were overcome The wheel is now our own wheel to The wheel is now our own wheel to

fix and extendfix and extend

InterfaceInterface

Key IDV functionalityKey IDV functionality

Adding DataAdding Data• Favorites folderFavorites folder• Geography Geography

NetworkNetwork• View metadataView metadata

More FunctionalityMore Functionality

Attributes DialogAttributes Dialog

Functionality…Functionality…

Summarize AttributesSummarize Attributes

Functionality…Functionality…Single geocodingSingle geocoding

Batch geocoding:Batch geocoding:

Functionality…Functionality…

Manual Manual Label/AnnotationLabel/Annotation

Functionality…Functionality…Custom PrintingCustom Printing

Functionality…Functionality…

View MetadataView Metadata

FunctionalityFunctionality

Context Sensitive HelpContext Sensitive HelpTutorialsTutorialsFAQFAQKnown Bugs ListKnown Bugs List

Questions?Questions?