 |
        |
           |
|
|
|
For those of you who were fortunate enough to register in time, the first in a series of 12 exciting on-line GIS
seminars was held Tuesday, November 9 at GeonetCom.com  Screen Shot from GeonetCom Seminar The presentation began with a historical definition of GIS. Next, this historical definition was compared to the more modern definition of GIS. In the modern definition, GIS is thought of as being integrated with business processes, is easily distributed across networks, and supports large transactions, or volumes of data. Astroth went on to explain how today, we are faced with a Client/Server and more web centric GIS, concepts not mentioned in historical definitions. The session proceeded to detail how GIS has evolved into a more integrated tool, facilitating the distribution of remotely sensed data. GIS applications are now accessed with common internet web browsers supported by standard web servers and software such as Autodesk’s mapguide. What's more, today's GIS applications can be used to access huge spatial databases and ancillary information such as aerial photography and satellite imagery. Several impressive examples of webmapping applications were then offered reinforcing the fact that the desktop environment is now a “virtual environment”, getting information to the people who need it. The City of LA’s “Navigate LA!” http://navla.gatekeeper.com/ is used as an integral part of decision making for the city. The City of Los Angeles has developed NaviGate LA! to provide easy visual access to City information. The application has been especially helpful in simplifying and streamlining formerly burdensome tasks such as building permits. In addition, NaviGate LA! can readily access information from other sources, such as parcel maps and associated data, demographic data, elected official district maps, information about locations of specific services available to residents, and more. Another user of Autodesk’s GIS webmapping technology is The City of Oakland http://www.oaklandnet.com/maproom/cfm/oakland.cfm. In the wake of the Loma Prieta earthquake, officials realized the need for an improved emergency response system. It became obvious that an efficient way of managing the recovery process was needed so that people could rebuild their homes and businesses as quickly as possible. As a result of this introspection, the city now has a powerful tool that can be used for analyzing crime patterns and provides a much better way to respond to public safety issues. Both of these benefits came about because city staff and officials openly shared information distributed by their GIS. The examples that we viewed, along with new technological advancements, such as the recently announced mobile "point-of-work" solutions based on Oracle8i (tm) Lite and Autodesk MapGuide(r) technology are true signs that Geo- Spatial technologies (GIS) are now quickly becoming integrated with work flow management. For those of you not yet familiar with what Autodesk has billed “Project Maui”, this is the first mobile technology to deliver enterprise asset management data to field technicians and engineers via handheld devices such as those made for the Palm Computing(r) and Windows CE(r) platforms (see http://spatialnews.geocomm.com/dailynews/1999/nov/09/oracle.html). The historical GIS time-line that we were guided through by Astroth in this first seminar succeeded in showing us all how GIS has become a peer data service, helping to manage core business processes. We, the GIS Community, are now leveraging intelligent map objects, using tools such as Oracle’s 8i lite, Java technologies (such as the Maui Project based on Mapguide architecture) and portable hand held devices to connect to ever-expanding live databases via spatial information portals on the web. At the conclusion of the seminar, Astroth opened the "floor" (or the phone I should say!) to questions. Almost immediately we heard the voice of an attendee asking for more information on the Autodesk/Oracle announcement. Once again, I found myself thinking how cool this technology was! Astroth proceeded to explain about how Autodesk and Oracle are bringing technology to the field using Mapguide and Oracle technologies. Several more questions were fielded and I was accidentally disconnected when I tried to enter the code to ask a question. Next time I'll pay closer attention to the instructions! Next Seminar Be sure to attend the next GeonetCom seminar November 16, November 18, 12-1 p.m. EST Implementing an Enterprise GIS Solution Is it worth it? Where do I begin? Learn how Thames Water implemented its state-of-the-art, enterprise-wide GIS solution, Autodesk Vision. Discussions focus on the problems that must be tackled, and why the benefits make it worth the effort and expense. Join Autodesk, PlaceWare, URISA, GeoCommunity, GeoPlace.com, Directions Magazine, and USGS for GeonetCom, the world's most comprehensive GIS-focused virtual seminar series. By Glenn Letham, editor SpatialNews and The GeoCommunity editor@geocomm.com www.geonetcom.com |
Sponsored by: For information regarding advertising rates Click Here! |
Copyright© 1995-2012 MindSites Group / Privacy Policy
GeoCommunity™, Wireless Developer Network™, GIS Data Depot®, and Spatial News™
including all logos and other service marks
are registered trademarks and trade communities of
MindSites Group