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GIS Implementation and Trends

GIS ImplementationPhases of GIS Implementation

Trends in GISComputer Hardware TrendsGIS Software TrendsData TrendsManagement TrendsHuman Resource Trends

Application TrendsSummary

References

GIS Implementation

Phases of GIS Implementation-Antenucci

1. Concept defining user needs and GIS requirements

Requirements Analysis the identification of activitiesrelying on map and geographic information throughout theorganization, with attention to both graphic elements and non-graphic attributes of the graphic information

Feasibility Evaluation identifying the extent to which theGIS is practical and estimating its costs and benefits

2. Design developing a workable solution andimplementation plan

Implementation PlanIdentifies and describes individual task

Assigns responsibilities for each task


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Indicates the resources committedDefines relationships among tasksIdentifies products and milestonesEstablishes a schedule

System Design functional requirementsDatabase Design the contents, specifications,relationships, and sources of data to be incorporated into theGIS database

3. Development acquiring GIS components anddeveloping user applications

System Acquisition acquire the most effective GIShardware, software, and support

Database Acquisition plan for conversion of hard-copygraphic and non-graphic data and reformatting of existing digital

dataOrganization, Staffing, and Training organize to implement

and operate the systemOperating Procedure Preparation procedures that cover

the operation and management of the system, maintenance,update, and administration of the data base, application and usein each participating organization, and production of thestandard and special products of the system.

Site Preparation prepare for the installation of GIShardware devices and the communications network

4. Operation phasing from manual to automatedactivities

System Installation delivery, installation, and initialoperation of the GIS hardware and software configuration

Pilot Project a pilot project may be useful to:Verify the operability and usefulness of GIS technologyVerify the costs and benefits estimated in the feasibility

studyCreate a database for system selection benchmark

testingVerify procedures for data base developmentProvide hands-on training for organization staff

Data Conversion building the databaseApplications Development developed to support and

enhance the efficiencies of activitiesConversion to Automated Operations takes time to

complete the whole process


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5. Audit evaluating operations and planning for thefuture

System Review must be flexible to shifting organizationalmandates and structures, advancements in technology,introduction of new techniques, and personnel changes and

additionsSystem Expansion as costs of equipment go down with

increased capability, reviews of the system are necessaryregularly

There are clearly defined steps to work through when planning and implementinga GIS. These steps apply whether you are working on a standalone project or aproject that includes many users and systems. Why do some projects fail andother s succeed? Successful projects are properly planned!

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Trends in GIS

Where will we be five years from now?

I rely on what the industry experts havewritten for this section. Much of the

literature in this section comes from The GIS Primer, cited with this logo

The development and application of geographic information systems isvibrant and exciting. The term GIS remains

one of the most popular buzz words in the computer industry today. GISis perceived as one of the emerging

technologies in the computer marketplace. The involvement of majorcomputer vendors is an illustration of this fact.

Everybody wants a GIS. This popularity is not without its validityhowever. GIS is very much a multi-disciplinary tool

for the management of spatial data. It is inherently complex because of

the need to integrate data from a variety ofsources. Functions must accommodate several application areas in adetailed and efficient manner. A variety of

important developments are occurring which will have profound effects onthe use of GIS. (The Geography Primer: An Introduction to GeographicInformation Systems)

.


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GIS is a constantly changing andevolving environment

New softwareNew hardware

New applicationsNew data conversiontechnologies

Acceptance bymanagement

College graduates withGIS knowledge andexperience

Read what Roger F. Tomlinson, President, Tomlinson Associates Ltd., has to sayabout the future of GIS.The Future of GIS

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Computer Hardware Trends

Mainframes are not reallyfacing extinction, but areassuming roles as data servers

UNIX Workstations salesare flat.

PC applicability isexpanding

Networking has becomemore critical

Data storage technologyhas improved

Computer prices havedropped relative to performance

From The GIS Primer:
http://www.gis.com/trends/tomlinson1.htmlhttp://www.gis.com/trends/tomlinson1.html


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The technological advancements made in hardware and software developmentover the past few years have been phenomenal. The distinction betweenpersonal computer and workstation, a mainstay during the 1980s has becomevery fuzzy. Recent developments within the micro-chip industry, e.g. the Pentiumchip, have made the micro-computer a viable and promising tool for the

processing of spatial data. Most notable of these is the emergence of 32-bitPentium chip micro-computers and the use of the Windows NT operatingenvironment.

Several trends in hardware and software development for GIS technology standout. These are reviewed below :

The dominant hardware system architecture for GIS systemsduring the 1980s was

the centralized multi-user host network. The distributed networkarchitecture,utilizing UNIX based servers, and desktop workstations, has

been the norm overthe past five years.;

The trend in disk storage is towards greatly increased storagesizes for

micro-computers, e.g. PC's and workstations, at a lower cost;

The emergence of relatively low cost reliable raster output

devices, in particularinexpensive ink jet based plotters, has replaced the moreexpensive color

electrostatic as the ad hoc standard plotting device for GIS.;

The emergence of fast, relatively inexpensive micro-computerswith competitive

CPU power, e.g. 32-bit Penitum has challenged the traditionalUNIX stronghold of

GIS.;

While the de facto operating system standard has been UNIX ,the Windows NT

operating system is emerging as a serious and robustalternative. This is especially

prevalent with organizations wishing to integrate their officecomputing

environment with their GIS environment. This trend is closelyassociated with the


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development of 32-bit micro-computers.;

SQL (Standard Query Language) has become the standardinterface for all

relational DBMS;

The ability to customize user interfaces and functionality throughApplication

Programming Interfaces (API) and macro languages. The majordevelopment in GIS

technology over the past five years has been the ability tocustomize the GIS for

specific needs. Application development is a mandatoryrequirement for all GIS

sites, and should be weighted accordingly when considering aGIS acquisition.

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GIS Software Trends

More functionality is available in GIS softwareGIS software has increased modularity (extensions)User interfaces have become much more intuitiveGIS software integration with office automation applications has improvedGIS software is becoming more integrated with other computer systemsThere has been a decrease in UNIX operating system salesThere has been an increase in Windows NT salesWe are awaiting the convergence of Windows 995/98 and NT to Windows

2000


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Data Acquisition and Conversion

Conversion techniques are improved and have become more efficientAutomated data capture has improvedCharacter recognition has improvedScanning with higher resolutions is available resulting in better data

collectionVideo is being integrated into GIS databasesRaster-vector integration is not commonplaceGPS technology is cheaper and easier to use

The Internet!Digital data sources are readily availableData sharing is becoming much more important between agencies

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Data Trends

From The GIS Primer:

New Data SourcesThe generation of data from new sources is an on going development.

Application specialists have traditionallyattempted to research and implement new data sources into their work.

Most of these new data sources are basedstrictly on scientific technological developments.

Remote sensing will become, if it is not already, the primary source fornew data. Due to recent technological

developments in hardware most GIS software can now accommodateremotely sensed imagery at high resolutions,

and in varying formats. Remote sensing data can include aerialphotographs, satellite imagery, radar imagery, etc.

Some of the past problems with using remotely sensed imagery havebeen the inability to integrate it with other

data layers, particularly vector encoded data. Remote sensing specialistsstress that their data is of most value

when combined with, and substantiated by, other data sources. Severalcommercial GIS products are now offering

their software bundled with an image processing software package.Many of these packages allow you to

interactively view data from both systems simultaneously, and also afford

the conversion of data between systems.The integration of GIS and image processing capabilities offers a great

potential for resource specialists.

Another data source that has generated much interest is Digital ElevationModels (DEM). Elevation data has

traditionally been generated from the interpolation of contour information.However, recent technological

developments and the establishment of several digital mapping projectsby government agencies has propagated

the use of and interest in elevation modelling. Several different sources

of DEM data exist within Canada. The mostcommon and readily available DEM data can be acquired from either the

federal government, e.g. 1:250,000 mapscale, or from selected provincial government agencies. For example,

DEM data commensurate with a 1:20,000map scale is distributed by the Alberta Government under the 1:20,000

Provincial Digital Mapping project. In British


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Columbia, DEM data is available with the 1:20,000 TRIM project. In boththese cases DEM data is captured

photogrammetrically during the stereo-compilation phase of thetopographic data capture process. Each DEM is

comprised of X,Y, and Z coordinates at regular intervals across a map

sheet. This regular grid is supplemented byspot height data points and breakline information (irregular points). In theUnited States, DEM data is available from

a variety of sources, however the most common is the USGS (UnitedStates Geological Survey) 1:24,000 QUAD

sheets.

DEM data can be used in the generation of a variety of data derivatives.The most common are slope and aspect.

The ability to integrate DEM data is a common function within most GISpackages. However, it is typically offered

as a separate module that must be purchased individually.

In addition:Spatial Data Transfer Standards are being implemented.Internet resources are plentifulNew public domain data products are coming on line from the governmentNew satellites are being launched with a new generation for imagery.

LANDSAT 7IKONOS

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Management TrendsProductivity improvement from GIS is being justifiedGIS is the wave of the futureGIS cannot be ignored

Click on the link below to read what GEOWorld's Editorial Advisory Board

members have to say:

Industry TrendsGIS Industry Outlook 2000

The Birth of a New Millennium
http://www.geoplace.com/gw/1999/1299/1299ind.asphttp://www.geoplace.com/gw/1999/1299/1299ind.asphttp://www.geoplace.com/gw/1999/1299/1299ind.asphttp://www.geoplace.com/gw/1999/1299/1299ind.asphttp://www.geoplace.com/gw/1999/1299/1299ind.asphttp://www.geoplace.com/gw/1999/1299/1299ind.asp


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Human Resource TrendsMore universities are offering GISGIS course offerings are

expandingCertificatesMasters degreesGIS technicians are more readily

available

Jobs available for GIS Professionals:

GIS PortalThe GIS Jobs ClearinghouseGIS Connection.com - GIS Jobs, Resumes,

Links and Resources

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Application TrendsGIS applications development is still growing by leaps and boundsThird-party BIS application developers are emerging every day

Read an article by Professor Henk J. Scholten and Mr. Andrea LoCascio of theFree University of Amsterdam

GIS Application Research: History, Trends and Developments
http://www.gisportal.com/gis3g.htmhttp://www.gjc.org/http://www.gisconnection.com/index.asphttp://www.gisconnection.com/index.asphttp://www.shef.ac.uk/uni/academic/D-H/gis/key3.htmlhttp://www.gisportal.com/gis3g.htmhttp://www.gjc.org/http://www.gisconnection.com/index.asphttp://www.gisconnection.com/index.asphttp://www.shef.ac.uk/uni/academic/D-H/gis/key3.html


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SummaryGIS is a dynamicindustry!

You must not beafraid of change

Planning for GIS isessential

The future is still fullof surprises!

A great closing paper forthis section is provided tous by Mark Schaefer,Deputy Assistant Secretaryfor Water and Science,United States Department

of the Interior.

GIS and Emerging Jeffersonian Technologies

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References

Antenucci, John, et. Al. Geographic Information Systems: A Guide to theTechnology. New York: Van Nostrand Reinhold, 1991.
http://www.gis.com/trends/schaefer1.htmlhttp://www.gis.com/trends/schaefer1.html


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Arnoff, Stan. Geographic Information Systems: A Management Perspective.Ottawa: WDL Publications, 1995.

The GIS Primer. URL http://www.innovativegis.com/education/primer/primer.html

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http://www.innovativegis.com/education/primer/primer.htmlhttp://www.innovativegis.com/education/primer/primer.html

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