1. Types of GIS implementation

2. Classical three-tier architecture of a GIS software system

3. Desktop GIS software architecture used in project GIS
(A) standalone desktop GIS on PCs each with own local files
(B) Desktop GIS on PCs sharing files on a PC file server over a LAN.

4. Client-server GIS: desktop GIS software and DBMS data server in a workgroup or departmental GIS configuration.

5. Centralized desktop GIS as used in advanced departmental and enterprise implementations

6. Centralized server GIS as used in advanced departmental and enterprise implementations

7. Desktop and network GIS paradigms

8. Clint Brown,
Software Product Director (Courtesy Clint Brown)

9. GIS software vendor market share
(Courtesy Daratech)

10. Screenshot of Intergraph GeoMedia—Desktop GIS

11. Screenshot of Manifold System desktop GIS

12. Screenshot of ESRI ArcGIS ArcInfo—Professional Desktop GIS

13. A geographic mashup of videos, pictures, and Wikipedia links on Google Maps

14. OpenStreetMap database for Durham, UK

15. Architecture of MapServer
The central boxes are the software components that read data, render maps, and fulfill other client requests.
A Web server (open-source Apache or Microsoft IIS) is used to communicate with browser clients.
(Source:

16. Screenshot of Autodesk MapGuide—Server GIS
  (

17. Google Earth
(earth.google.com)

18. Microsoft Virtual Earth(

19. A Web application written using the ILOG JViews Map component toolkit

20. ESRI ArcPad
running on a rugged hand-held field PC device

21. The Apple iPhone showing Google Maps—an example of a hand-held GIS
(Courtesy Alex Singleton)

22. Screenshot of Clark Labs Idrisi desktop GIS