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Harnessing Configuration for Web GIS Application Development

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GeCo in the Rockies

The document discusses challenges with developing and maintaining web GIS applications, and proposes using a configurable software platform called Geocortex Spatial Application Infrastructure (SAI) to address these challenges. It notes that SAI allows organizations to leverage out-of-the-box configuration, workflows and activities to develop applications faster while reducing costs, while also enabling customization when needed through workflow and application programming interfaces. The key is focusing configuration and workflow over custom code wherever possible to streamline development and maintenance.

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Scott Stafford-Veale Harnessing Configuration for Web GIS Application Development September 25, 2014
•Server GIS software company –Customizable COTS solutions •Professional services, support, and training •1000+ clients worldwide •95+ staff –focus on ArcGIS Server / ArcGIS Online •Esri Platinum Partner •Located in Victoria BC, Waterloo ON, Cambridge, UK
We see common web mapping challenges across hundreds of organizations and departments implementing GIS.
Challenge 1: Solving business problems often involves additional development to meet functional requirements.
Challenge 2: Maintainingmultiple web mapping applications.
Challenge 3: Technology changes quickly.
ArcIMS  Web ADF  Flex/Silverlight  ArcGIS Server  Organizations are re-creating the same applications over and over… Web ADF REST + Flex/Silverlight JavaScript/HTML5 ArcGIS Online/Portal for ArcGIS
Maximum simplicity… with power & versatility
Pushing for Intuitive, Targeted Apps
“I need many compelling and powerful applications to serve my end users. The required technology is changing rapidly but I’m budget restrained and moderately qualified to deliver them myself” Anonymous, haggard GIS Manager
BeginnersExpertsPerpetualIntermediates GISP’s as Web GIS Developers
The Challenge “To accelerate the adoption and use of an application and lower the cost of ownership.” Application Development within the Geocortex Spatial Application Infrastructure Out of the Box Configuration Workflow Workflow/ REST API Customization Viewer API Customization
Out of the box Configuration & Workflow Customization 1.Easy to implement and maintain 2.Doesn’t meet functional requirements 1.Easy to implement and maintain 2.More up front configurationthan OOTB 3.Doesn’t meet functional requirements 1.Code base needs to be maintained and maycause upgrade problems 2.More up front development cost 3.Improved user experience Usability
Out of the box Configuration & Workflow Customization 1.Majority of application leverages core features. 1.Back-end configuration and management tools built using Geocortex Workflow. 2.Custom tools built using Geocortex Workflow 1.Custom modules built on Geocortex Silverlight or JavaScript API. 2.Maylead to upgrade concerns . Maintenance
‘configure’ wherever possible….
Potential Producer Nightmare Database Connections Map Services Security Custom Tools Integration Reports Search Workflows Custom Code ArcGIS Platform Viewer Application Multiply this stack by 12…
An Approach Database Connections Security Configuration Custom Tools Integration Reports Search Workflows Map Server Feature Server Geocode Server ArcGIS Server ArcGIS Online Hosted Services Hosted Data Web Maps Configurable Platform (COTS)
Build Application Using Geocortex Manager
What about sophisticated user interactions? •Create Form Letters for a Proposed Zoning Change •Investigate Emergency Response History •Find documents associated with a parcel •Investigate a Service Request •Economic Development property searches •Extract Spatial Data •Detailed Parcel Report
Configuring Sophisticated User Interactions Geoprocessing Route Query Geocode Open Form Intersection SQL Send Email Get User Capture Geometry Get Extents Zoom to extents Show Selection Print map Server-Side ActivitiesClient-Side Activities
Leverage Workflow Technology
Drawbacks of Configurable Software May not have 100% of the look, feel, function you are looking for. Might require compromise.
Advantages of Configurable Software Faster development/deployment Easier maintenance/upgrades
Advantages of Configurable Software Less $$ (both immediate and long-term)
START COTS Enterprise App TIME & MONEY CAPABILITIES Workflow Forms Charts Security Search Reports Data Links Viewers
Out of the Box Configuration Workflow Workflow/ REST API Customization Viewer API Customization 2 1 3 1.Leverage SAI Configuration: Common elements available in other applications, so why re- invent the wheel? 2.Focus on Application Adoption: Wherever possible leverage out of the box Workflow activities butbe sure the solution closes the functionality gap 3.Be Smart about Customization: Although workflow can do most of the work, a few custom REST API and Workflow activities improved performance and maintainability. Summary
Demonstration
Thank you ssv@latitudegeo.com

More Related Content

Harnessing Configuration for Web GIS Application Development

  • 1. Scott Stafford-Veale Harnessing Configuration for Web GIS Application Development September 25, 2014
  • 2. •Server GIS software company –Customizable COTS solutions •Professional services, support, and training •1000+ clients worldwide •95+ staff –focus on ArcGIS Server / ArcGIS Online •Esri Platinum Partner •Located in Victoria BC, Waterloo ON, Cambridge, UK
  • 3. We see common web mapping challenges across hundreds of organizations and departments implementing GIS.
  • 4. Challenge 1: Solving business problems often involves additional development to meet functional requirements.
  • 5. Challenge 2: Maintainingmultiple web mapping applications.
  • 6. Challenge 3: Technology changes quickly.
  • 7. ArcIMS  Web ADF  Flex/Silverlight  ArcGIS Server  Organizations are re-creating the same applications over and over… Web ADF REST + Flex/Silverlight JavaScript/HTML5 ArcGIS Online/Portal for ArcGIS
  • 8. Maximum simplicity… with power & versatility
  • 9. Pushing for Intuitive, Targeted Apps
  • 10. “I need many compelling and powerful applications to serve my end users. The required technology is changing rapidly but I’m budget restrained and moderately qualified to deliver them myself” Anonymous, haggard GIS Manager
  • 12. The Challenge “To accelerate the adoption and use of an application and lower the cost of ownership.” Application Development within the Geocortex Spatial Application Infrastructure Out of the Box Configuration Workflow Workflow/ REST API Customization Viewer API Customization
  • 13. Out of the box Configuration & Workflow Customization 1.Easy to implement and maintain 2.Doesn’t meet functional requirements 1.Easy to implement and maintain 2.More up front configurationthan OOTB 3.Doesn’t meet functional requirements 1.Code base needs to be maintained and maycause upgrade problems 2.More up front development cost 3.Improved user experience Usability
  • 14. Out of the box Configuration & Workflow Customization 1.Majority of application leverages core features. 1.Back-end configuration and management tools built using Geocortex Workflow. 2.Custom tools built using Geocortex Workflow 1.Custom modules built on Geocortex Silverlight or JavaScript API. 2.Maylead to upgrade concerns . Maintenance
  • 16. Potential Producer Nightmare Database Connections Map Services Security Custom Tools Integration Reports Search Workflows Custom Code ArcGIS Platform Viewer Application Multiply this stack by 12…
  • 17. An Approach Database Connections Security Configuration Custom Tools Integration Reports Search Workflows Map Server Feature Server Geocode Server ArcGIS Server ArcGIS Online Hosted Services Hosted Data Web Maps Configurable Platform (COTS)
  • 18. Build Application Using Geocortex Manager
  • 19. What about sophisticated user interactions? •Create Form Letters for a Proposed Zoning Change •Investigate Emergency Response History •Find documents associated with a parcel •Investigate a Service Request •Economic Development property searches •Extract Spatial Data •Detailed Parcel Report
  • 20. Configuring Sophisticated User Interactions Geoprocessing Route Query Geocode Open Form Intersection SQL Send Email Get User Capture Geometry Get Extents Zoom to extents Show Selection Print map Server-Side ActivitiesClient-Side Activities
  • 22. Drawbacks of Configurable Software May not have 100% of the look, feel, function you are looking for. Might require compromise.
  • 23. Advantages of Configurable Software Faster development/deployment Easier maintenance/upgrades
  • 24. Advantages of Configurable Software Less $$ (both immediate and long-term)
  • 25. START COTS Enterprise App TIME & MONEY CAPABILITIES Workflow Forms Charts Security Search Reports Data Links Viewers
  • 26. Out of the Box Configuration Workflow Workflow/ REST API Customization Viewer API Customization 2 1 3 1.Leverage SAI Configuration: Common elements available in other applications, so why re- invent the wheel? 2.Focus on Application Adoption: Wherever possible leverage out of the box Workflow activities butbe sure the solution closes the functionality gap 3.Be Smart about Customization: Although workflow can do most of the work, a few custom REST API and Workflow activities improved performance and maintainability. Summary