Transcript ESRI’s ArcIMS vs. Geomedia’s WebMap, for GIS over the web

ESRI’s ArcIMS
vs.
Intergraph’s
GeoMedia WebMap
for GIS over the web
Contributors:
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James Janning
Michael Wallace
Justin Johnson
Introduction
Web-based GIS applications are a means to
distribute geographic data to end users
without GIS software
End users, because of these web-based
products can view this data using their
existing web browser
The two products examined here are ESRI’s
ArcIMS and Intergraph’s GeoMedia WebMap
Web-based GIS
application basics:
Must incorporate clients, middleware, web GIS
software, data, and servers
Basic procedure:
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Client sends request for map via web browser
Request goes to application on server called middleware,
which interprets the request for the web-based GIS software
The web-based GIS software (also on the server) then
processes the request by querying its spatial database(s) for
the appropriate spatial entity/attribute data necessary for
the requested map
The GIS software then sends the map data back to the
middleware application for reinterpretation
Middleware application then sends completed map image to
the client’s internet browser for viewing
Web-based GIS application
requirements/responsibilities
Send & receive appropriate data
Organize multiple requests
Maximize processing efficiency
Determine output format
Provide usable templates
ESRI’s ArcIMS:
Can serve data in two different formats, raster and
vector
Raster:
 Distributed in JPG, PNG, or GIF format
 Requires no additional client software
Vector:
 Requires a Java plug-in on the client side
 The plug in is downloaded and installed
automatically
 Vector streaming technology provided through the
use of ArcXML
ArcIMS (continued)
Advantages:
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Out-of-the-box usability
Capability of administering server software from a remote
location
Can share data with other ESRI GIS software, including data
from the ArcIMS website
Can be loaded on a UNIX platform
ArcIMS has had a web-based product since 1990
Disadvantages:
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Inability to use non-ESRI data sources without conversion
Dependence on non-ESRI software products for use as
middleware
Intergraph’s
GeoMedia WebMap:
Can serve data in two formats, raster and vector
Raster:
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Distributed in JPG, PNG, or GIF format
Requires no additional client software
Vector:
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Distributed in ActiveCGM (computer graphics metafile)
format
Requires ActiveCGM plug-in on the client-side
Plug-in must be installed by the user
Plug-in is limited to a Windows OS platform and must use
Internet Explorer or Netscape
WebMap (continued)
Advantages:
 Open GIS solution that uses no proprietary
languages or data formats
Disadvantages:
 CGM plug-in is a major component of WebMap,
however, Intergraph does not own it
 CGM plug-in must be downloaded by client, which
may require instruction and may cause problems
 CGM plug-in only works on Windows platforms
 Custom applications are difficult, time consuming,
and therefore expensive to write
Cost
Comparison
ESRI’s ArcIMS
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First CPU is $7,500
Additional CPUs are $5,000 each
Intergraph’s GeoMedia WebMap
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$10,000 for two CPUs
Intergraph’s GeoMedia WebEnterprise
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$24,000 for two CPUs
Keep in mind
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Any customizing of these products will require many
programming hours, which can become very costly and
needs to be recognized as a legitimate expense, and ArcIMS
is the only one of the two that can be used out-of-the-box
Product Summary
Pricing
ArcIMS
WebMap
$7,500 for 1 CPU, $5,000 to add CPU
$10,000 for 2CPUs
Server Requirements
ArcIMS
WebMap
MS Windows NT/2000/XP, UNIX, AIX
MS Windows NT/2000/XP
Microsoft IIS or Apache
Microsoft IIS
Vector Data Output
ArcIMS
WebMap
Not limited to a specific platform
Limited to MS Windows platform
Requires internet browser to be
compatible with ArcXML
ActiveCGM must be downloaded and
installed on the client system
Data Input
ArcIMS
WebMap
ESRI data only
Most data types regardless of format
Arial photographs, satellite imagery
Arial photographs, satellite imagery
Concluding Remarks
Intergraph’s GeoMedia WebMap is more
flexible from a data usage standpoint,
therefore, if multiple data types will be
utilized, WebMap is a reasonable choice
ESRI’s ArcIMS is more flexible from the server
setup standpoint
Bear in mind that although on the surface,
both products appear to cost about the same,
the ultimate cost is relative to product of
man/hours for setup and functionality/benefit
of the final product