Geographic Information Systems

Web GIS
 What is a Web GIS?
► Web GIS is an on-line version of geographic information
system
► Using it, GIS data and functions are made available over
the Internet

► It is also called Internet GIS, or Online GIS

 Client-Server network
► A client/server network involves a large number of client
computers connecting to a single, central server
computer
► Servers usually are high speed computers with robust
hardware capacity to handle large volumes of client
service requests
The Internet
 Basics of Web-GIS

Clients
Server(s)

Internet or
Intranet

Optional
Separate data Data
storage
 How does Web GIS work?
• Users (clients) submit requests for maps, data, or analysis
to a Web server

• The server processes the requests and returns requested

maps, data, or analysis to the clients
 Why Web GIS?
► Avoid the complicated (and often expensive) GIS
software installation in individual client computers
► Users can access GIS database and GIS applications
from anywhere through a common Web browser
 Three types of architectures

► Thin client architecture

► Medium client architecture
► Thick client architecture
 Three types of architectures

► Thin client architecture

- users only need to display maps
► Medium client architecture
- users perform some data manipulation and analysis
locally on their own computers, in addition to map
display
► Thick client architecture
- users perform advanced analysis locally, in addition to
map display and simple analysis
 Three types of architectures

Thin client
Medium client
Thick client
Thin client architecture
 Thin client architecture ..

► Client
- Display
- requires a standard browser
► Server
- Map Render and Element Generator
- out of its databases and applications
 Thin client architecture ..

► Protocol (primarily for data transfer)

- e.g. raster data transfer
► Uses
- map display
► Examples:
- Google Map
Medium client architecture
Medium client architecture ..
 Medium client architecture ..

► Client
- Display and Map Render
- requires a plug-in in the web browser
► Server
- Element Generator
- out of it’s applications and databases
 Medium client architecture ..

► Protocol
- encoded vector
► Uses
- map display, data query, and simple analysis (measure
distance, draw a polygon)
► Example:
- Google Earth
Thick client architecture
 Thick client architecture ..

► Client
- Display, Map Render, Element Generator
- requires plug-ins and stand alone tools
► Server
-
- allows for access to its applications and databases
 Thick client architecture ..

► Protocol
- raster, vector, etc.
► Uses
- display,
- data query, and
- advanced analysis (overlay, buffer)
► Example:
- ArcGIS for Server
http://www.esri.com/software/arcgis/arcgisserver
 Applications – Location-based
Services (LBS)
► A location-based service
- an information service provided by a device that knows
where it is
► include services to identify the location of a person, an
object, or a place, such as the nearest ATM machine or the
whereabouts of a friend
 LBS-capable device
► Any device that includes a GPS capability, such as a laptop
or a smartphone
► Can track postal parcels, vehicles, coupons, etc.
► E-commerce, social networks, mobile networks

► Web of things, web of people, web of events

 Required technologies
► Key:
▪ determine the location of devices
► LBS requires technologies to work together
- Positioning technologies (GPS)
- Terminal technologies (cell phones)
- Networking technologies
- Database technologies (indexes, spatio-temporal
DBs)
- LBS software (services, base SW)
 Required technologies ..
-…
- GIS to
Provide and administer base map data such as man made
structures (streets, buildings) and terrain (mountains,
rivers)
Manage point-of-interest data such as location of gas
stations, restaurants, nightclubs, etc)
 LBS for Mobiles
Emergency Services
E-911 or 101
Road-side service
Directions
Loc-Based Information - Push
Reminders
Traffic / weather alerts
Loc-Based Information - Pull
Concierge
Shopping
City guide
 LBS for mobiles ..
Navigation
Directions prior to trip
Enroute planning / recommendations
Tracking
Workforce / Vehicle (fleet/stolen/lost)
Family
Location-Enhanced Imaging
Location info captured with video or sound
Send images with maps
Location Sharing
Friend-finder / landmarks
 Emergency services
► Provide one of the strongest motivations for LBS
► Problem: users of a cellphone is unable to report his/her
current location to enable effective response
► A solution: install GPS in the vehicle
www.onstar.com
Conclusion - Trends in GIS
 Potential of Web GIS
► Internet users will be able to access GIS applications from
their browsers without purchasing proprietary GIS software

► WebGIS will make it possible to add GIS functionality to a

wide range of network-based applications in business,
government, and education institutions