Overview
If you've used GoogleMaps,
MapQuest, or other generic web maps, you've experienced simple interactive
web maps. Interactive web map servers from SGSI, such as the powerful MapXtremeTM
product family, take it to the next level.
MapXtremeTM-based
applications deliver live maps to any user with a web connection, 24x7.
With MapXtremeTM,
subscribers can see their wireless coverage area; customers can find the
closest drug store; electrical engineers can visually monitor network
health; and account executives can get driving directions to the next sales
calls.
True interactive web map software is a world apart from
hot-spotted GIFs or linked PDF-format maps: more powerful, more
customizable, more interactive; and cheaper to maintain.
Many users?
Web map server systems are an economical alternative to purchasing large
numbers of copies of MapInfo Pro and often are significantly cheaper
on a per-user basis. Training costs are usually negligible, because
web users do not learn a completely new program: they are already
familiar with Internet Explorer and general web applications.
Frequently updated
maps and databases?
With a server-based system, all maps and other data are maintained
centrally. When the server is updated, everyone immediately uses the
same up-to-date information.
WAN is slow? Some users have no LAN
access?
A web-based map server is available to anyone with web access,
whether or not they are traveling or the company LAN or WAN is unavailable.
When "self service" mapping makes
sense
Some user map requests are straightforward and immediate.
Web-based mapping empowers these non-technical users to
"do-it-themselves". No waiting, either.
Data security important?
With a server-based system, all maps and other data are maintained on
company or agency servers. Your own security and backup policies can
be applied. With MapXtremeTM,
no data needs to be shipped to 3rd party map service companies.
When to think twice before using web-based
mapping
Web-based maps do not substitute entirely for desktop map analysis
software. In the following situations we recommend detailed comparison
of alternatives before opting for a web map approach:
Complex map editing: Because of the latency
inherent in the internet, complex editing of polygons and lines is tough
and often awkward.
Large-format plotting: It is a very rare web map
system that offers good support for large format plots. It is
possible, however.
Complex menu systems and interface or map controls:
These are possible via downloaded Java or Windows applets, but require
custom development.
At Oracle Open World 2001, the USGS showcased this
interactive system for visualizing, publishing and analyzing information in
our national water quality data warehouse.
Note the large number of interface controls and query
settings.
User can change map projection and display help text.
Tightly integrated with an Oracle 9i RDBMS so changes
in the Oracle database are immediately reflected in the maps.
Industry Canada's Community Access Program (CAP) supports affordable
access to the Internet in places like schools,
community centers and libraries. The "CAP Locator" helps people find
an access point near them.
Try zooming in around the City of Toronto.
Turn on the display of CAP points, then click on a point with the
"Information" tool.
Extensive use of Java Script. No Java applet.
Note the beautiful cartographic touches, incl. the Overview map.
Praised
by the press, T-Mobile's "Personal Coverage Check" (PCC) web
map offers precedent-setting level detail for wireless coverage maps.
"We are truly impressed with T-Mobile and their
PCC's honesty so much, we would name it a major reason to switch from
less-revealing carriers to T-Mobile ..."
-- PC Magazine, March 2005
Telus
is a Canadian telecommunications company. This site uses MapXtremeTM
interactive maps and geo-location (geocoding) server software to pinpoint a
street address and determine whether high-speed telecommunications service
is available.
Try "1000 Burrard St" in "Vancouver" (British Colombia).
Fully customizable:
Developer can create full-featured map interface including custom map
pan/zoom controls, drop-downs, layer on/off checkboxes, and much more.
Control over your data:
All maps and other corporate data reside on-site. No data sent to
external service providers.
Rich data model:
The industry's largest set of web map function: data-driven thematic
mapping, auto-labeling, on-the-fly map projections, and map editing (incl.
object overlay, split, buffer, & more).
Data-driven:
Full database-connectivity, without
middleware, allows maps and reports to change immediately, as underlying
data records change.
No special applet: MapXtremeTM
does not require users to download an Active X or Java applet so avoids
the delays and browser incompatibilities of some web map systems.
Java or Windows: Two versions:
native Windows (including .NET
compatibility) and 100% pure Java.
MapXtremeTM
is a developer tool kit, designed for use by experienced web developers.
It ships with sample code, code templates, and full developer
documentation.
While MapXtreme is a full-features web map server
system, your application may benefit from one or more added products.
MapMarkerPlusTM
geocoding server
A geocoding server may be needed for two reasons:
a. To create point maps for stores, clinics, cellular towers, or other
things users will display or search for. You can do this
off-line using the high-performance MapMarkerPlusTM
geocoder.
b. To pinpoint the street address submitted by the web site user:
e.g., find all locations with 50 miles of "123 Main St". This
needs to be done in real-time. MapMarker's high-performance is
essential, since there may be many users submiting addresses at once.
MapXtremeTM
and MapMarkerTM are both
products from MapInfo Corporation, so are designed to be used in tandem.
StreetPro detailed
streets, Zip codes and other background maps
Streets, highways, zip codes, aerial photos or other
background map layers help give context to your corporate point locations or
other maps. MapXtremeTM
includes basic map layers at no additional cost (e.g., states, counties,
interstates, and related). Detailed street maps, zip code boundaries,
and specialty telecommunications or other map layers are priced separately.
These additional maps, when used with a web server, are
subject to special licensing. That is, a "1-user" desktop license to a zip
code map or a street map (for example), does not allow use of that map on a
web server. Web server map licenses are understandably more expensive
than a 1-user desktop license because they serve many users.
"Discovery" server Low-cost web mapping without developers
MapInfo DiscoveryTM
is a software plug-in for MapInfo Pro 7.0. With Discovery,
non-developers can publish standard MapInfo maps to a web server via a
simple menu interface.
A single copy of MapInfo, with the Discovery plug-in,
can provide interactive maps to dozens of departmental or workgroup
users--without requiring dozens of copies of MapInfo Pro.
Web-based apps are not unwrapped, plugged in, and turned
on. In general they require custom development by an experienced
programmer. The advantage is that you can get exactly the functionality and
level of complexity (or simplicity) that you want.
Web map applications (like C++, VB and MapBasicTM
applications) require varying amounts of development time; licensed data;
and/or more computer horsepower.
A minimum custom development budget is usually around
$10,000.
Special pricing applies for certain government customers, for limited "find
the nearest" web applications, and for Discovery server.
The following examples illustrate ballpark costs for sample web map server
systems incorporating MapXtremeTM.
All prices are in US$, exclude hardware, and are subject to change.
Cost
Example #1:
Simple
1-cpu system
$14,995
MapXtreme server, 1 cpu license (any mhz rating).
--No add-on geocoding server or street map layers.
--All web development by customer (ie, no development by SGSI)
--Includes 1-year software maintenance (reqd.)
--Recurring software maintenance cost: $2500/yr.
Cost
Example #2: 2-cpu system, with zip codes
$43,500
MapXtreme server, 2-cpu license (any mhz rating).
--Server license for USA detailed zip codes (1000 mhz).
--No add-on geocoding server or detailed street maps.
--100 hrs of web development by SGSI.
--Includes 1-year software maintenance (reqd.).
--Recurring software/data maintenance: $8500/yr.
Cost
System #3: 1-cpu system, streets & geocoding
$68,500
MapXtreme server, 1-cpu license (any mhz rating).
--Geocoding & detailed USA streets map server license.
--150 hrs of web development by SGSI.
--Includes 1-year software maintenance (reqd.).
--Recurring software/data maintenance: $41,000/yr.
