1. TECHNOLOGY ASSESSMENT
Comparison of Major GIS Software
Team Members:
Chiu Yeung Chong
Lopamudra Patnaik
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2. Overview the Major GIS Software
The key GIS implementation issue is that software and hardware is selected on the range of functionality and/or applications needed by an organization.
1) ESRI - ArcGIS Desktop 9.2
(ArcInfo, ArcEditor, ArcView, ArcReader)
2) MapInfo - MapInfo Professional 9.0
3) AutoDesk - AutoCAD Map3D 2008
4) Intergraph- Geomedia
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3. Things to Consider Key Features Advantages & Limitations
Data Format supported
System Requirements
Major Customers
Price
Market Share
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4. ESRI – ArcGIS Desktop 9.2 Software Features:
A terrain data format, a new way to store massive datasets containing elevation or other surface data in the geodatabase
Support of the network Common Data Form (netCDF) format
Tracking Analyst Extension offers more options for advanced spatio-temporal analysis
3D-Analyst Extension, is now possible in ArcGIS 9.2 for producing exportable movies
Introduced the new geodatabase file format - file geodatabase format (fGDB)
Scalable Architecture – From fully functionality ArcInfo, ArcEditor to lightest version ArcView
Numerous optional extensions allow to perform extended tasks such as raster geoprocessing and three-dimensional analysis
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5. ESRI – ArcGIS Desktop 9.2 Industry leader Multi-platform availability
Advantages
Industry leader
Multi-platform availability
Exceptional functionality, easy to use features
Disadvantages
Arcview’s functionality depends on the users knowledge of the existence and capabilities of Arcview’s extensions, as well as its limitations.
ArcInfo -Considerable learning curve.
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6. MapInfo – MapInfo 9.0 Software Features:
Powerful Data Access - Access data directly from multiple data sources, ESRI formats (SHP, E00, SDE, Personal GeoDB) and CAD data (DWG, DXF, DGN)
Time based analysis – Analyze the relationship between location and time with new Date/Time and Time data types
Better visualization - new features like curved labeling to make visually appealing map
Employ MapBasic to create custom utilities and automate common task
Expandable data access engine – add formats as needed
On-the-fly data indexing provides greater usability of remote data.
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7. MapInfo – MapInfo 9.0 Advantages Cost effective
Inclusion of Locational Intelligence empowers even non-GIS experts to create highly detailed maps to enhance presentations and to make more insightful everyday decisions.
Disadvantages
Only Window based operating system
Relatively few customization tools available
High learning curve
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8. Autodesk – AutoCAD Map3D 2008
Software Features
FDO Data Access Technology enables directly and natively access spatial databases such as ESRI ArcSDE and Oracle, or use SQL Server to store spatial data without expensive middleware
AutoCAD tools for precision editing of GIS data
Powerful, flexible, and open data management tools make it easy to create users, define schemas, and move data between different data stores
GIS tools for map creation and presentation
Web publishing via Autodesk MapGuide Enterprise and MapGuide Open Source
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9. Autodesk – AutoCAD Map3D 2008
Advantages
Cost effective and time efficient
Open source FDO Data Access Technology to directly and natively access data from multiple sources, without the need for data copying or conversion
Multi-user editing capabilities
Import-Export engine interoperates with all major GIS software, so it is possible to read, write, and transform industry-standard formats
Disadvantages:
Only Window based operating System
High learning curve
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10. Intergraph – GeoMedia Software Features:
Integrate data from all major GIS vendor formats
Provides a complete set of advanced spatial analysis tools necessary to create “what if” analyses
Faster and easy-to-read maps and presentations
Open, Easy to Use Platform
Expands data availability through new industry standards web services and application development tools
Advanced cartographic capabilities to improve map presentation and output
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11. Intergraph – GeoMedia Advantages
Does not require a proprietary development language
Accesses the data in place without any translation, so data is always up-to-date and accurate
Significantly reduced GIS learning curve
Enterprise wide sharing of maps & geospatial information.
Disadvantages
Customization may add to initial cost
Time consuming
Only windows and Internet Explorer based software
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12. Data Format Supported:
Name of the Software
Data Formats
ArcGIS Desktop 9.2
Direct Read of Vector Data
Direct Read of CAD (DXF, DWG, DGN)
Direct Read of Raster (ERDAS Imagine, GIF, PEG, JPEG, TIFF, GeoTIFF, GRID)
Direct Read of Other Data ( Geostatistical layers, TIN, DBF, TXT, INFO, ODBC, Microsoft Access)
MapInfo Professional 9.0
Direct access to ESRI formats (SHP, E00, SDE, Personal GeoDB, SDTS and VPF)
AutoCAD data (DWG, DXF, DGN)
Oracle Spatial 10G & 9iR2,
SQL Server 2000 & 2005 with MapInfo SpatialWare
Informix 9.4 with MapInfo SpatialWare
AutoCAD Map3D 2008
ESRI Formats (SHP, Coverage, Atlas BNA)
AutoCAD 2000, 2000i, and 2002 DWG, DXF and AutoDesk Map 5 Project File,
Oracle Spatial, AutoDesk GIS Design Server, AutoDesk MapGuide Spatial Data File (SDF)
Data residing in OLE DB data source, Aerial photographs and satellite images in a variety of raster formats
Intergraph DGN /MapInfo Interchange (.mif and .mid)
Comma-separated values (CSV)
GeoMedia Pro 6.0
ESRI Formats (SHP, coverage)
AutoCAD DWG, DXF, DGN
Native support for all industry standard vector and raster formats including OGC Web Feature Service (WFS),Web Map Service (WMS), and Geography Markup Language (GML)
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13. System Requirements: Name of the Software System Requirements
ArcGIS Desktop 9.2
OS: Windows 2000 Pro, Server 2003, XP Pro, XP Home
CPU: Pentium III or Xeon computer with a 1 GHz
Memory: 512MB RAM
Disk Space: 1 GB of free disk space
MapInfo Professional 9.0
OS: Windows 2000 Pro SP4, XP Pro SP2, XP Home SP2, Server 2003 SP1, Windows Vista
CPU: Pentium III or equivalent microprocessor - Minimum
Memory : 512MB RAM
Disk Space: 550MB
#Windows Vista: Pentium 4 -1 GHz, 1GB of system memory, 40 GB hard drive with at least 15 GB of available space
AutoCAD Map3D 2008
OS: Windows Vista Ultimate and Business, XP Home, XP Pro SP2, 2000 SP4
CPU: Pentium 4, 2.2 GHz or greater
Memory: 512 MB RAM
Disk Space: 1.5 GB free disk space for installation
#AutoCAD Map 3D software does not support 64 bit operating systems
GeoMedia Pro 6.0
OS: Microsoft Windows NT 4.0 SP6a, 2000 SP3, ME, XP Pro SP1
Memory: 512MB RAM recommended
Disk Space: 256MB
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14. Customers/Applications Area:
Name of the Software
Major Customers
ArcGIS Desktop 9.2
Business, National Mapping and Cartographic Publishing, Health and Human Services, Education, Government, Utilities, Natural resources, Engineering, Defense, and Transportation
MapInfo Professional 9.0
Telecommunications, Financial, Healthcare, Insurance, Mobile, Restaurant, Education, Government, Hotel, Media, Real Estate, Retail
AutoCAD Map3D 2008
Engineering ,Government, Utilities and Telecom, Environmental engineering, Oil and gas, Agriculture, Natural resources.
GeoMedia
Commercial Photogrammetry, Communications, Government, Military & Intelligence, Process & Power – Chemical, Consumer Goods, Metals & Mining, Nuclear & Power Generation, Oil & Gas, Pharmaceuticals; Public Safety, Transportation, U.S. Federal, Utilities – Electric, Gas, Pipeline, Water /Wastewater;
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15. Price Vendor GIS Product Price USD ESRI www.esri.com ArcInfo 9.2
ArcEditor 9.2
ArcView 9.2
ArcReader 9.2
$7,600
$5,600
$1,500
Free
MapInfo
MapInfo 9.0
$1,495
AutoDesk
AutoCAD Map3D 2008
$5,295
Intergraph
GeoMedia Pro 6.0
GeoMedia 6.0
$7,500
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16. GIS Software Market Share (2003)
Worldwide Revenue
USD 1.84 billion
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17. Conclusion: ESRI, is the Industry leader because of its
Exceptional functionality
Easy to use features
Significant contribution to
Interoperability
This trend will continue to dominate the GIS market in near future
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18. References
ESRI Incorporated, 380 New York St., Redlands CA
MapInfo Corporation, 1 Global View, Troy, NY
Autodesk Incorporated, 111 McInnis Pkwy, San Rafael CA
Intergraph Corporation, Huntsville, AL
Market share data acquired from
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