Abstract
An implementation of the Open Geospatial Consortium Web Feature Service (WFS) and Web Map Service (WMS) specifications in an open source desktop GIS is presented together with a discussion of considerations for improving the use of web services data in desktop applications. In our implementation, WFS and WMS services are consumed by a plug-in to MapWindow GIS [1], allowing the end user to view WFS, WMS and ArcIMS data, including data from the ESRI Geography Network, in a transparent manner that can be configured for either data analysis and modeling, or data visualization. This implementation in an open source GIS allows for others to view and use the code, improve it, and otherwise implement the suggested considerations in other GIS platforms. Specific considerations proposed here include: pre-fetching through envelope optimization, tile display, and feature complexity reduction. These strategies improve the speed and responsiveness with which data can be viewed and analyzed. Comparisons made with other web-based data access implementations are used to evaluate whether these techniques provide performance benefits, and under which circumstances.
Highlights
Web-based geographic information system (GIS) tools are increasingly used for basic mapping and data visualization tasks (e.g. Google Maps, MapQuest.com, and ArcIMS) and complex web mapping and data analysis software tools continue to be developed
Open Geospatial Consortium (OGC) standards such as the Web Map Service (WMS) and Web Feature Service (WFS) have proven to be useful for normalizing and improving the manner in which data is shared across the Internet, and as such they are expected to grow in popularity and usage
The client-side GIS approach and case study implementation presented here resulted in a viewing system for online data that can be integrated with existing local data on a desktop GIS
Summary
Web-based geographic information system (GIS) tools are increasingly used for basic mapping and data visualization tasks (e.g. Google Maps, MapQuest.com, and ArcIMS) and complex web mapping and data analysis software tools continue to be developed. In spite of this apparent migration of GIS to the web-platform, desktop or client-side GIS tools are likely to continue to be needed for a variety of use cases in the foreseeable future. The stated mission of the OGC is “to lead the global development, promotion and harmonization of open standards and architectures that enable the integration of geospatial data and services into user applications” [2]
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
