People internal to government are not familiar with web mapping tools/services that are available/suitable to them - there is no consistent message that comes from IIT, GeoBC, and DataBC.
Summary of existing code or frameworks for Web Mapping currently in use within the Government of British Columbia
| Web Mapping Solution | Detailed Descriptions | Lifecyle |
|---|---|---|
| IMF2 - DataBC's Internet Mapping Framework | description | Platform Maturity |
| SMK - DataBC's Simple Map Kit | description | Growth |
| AGO - BC's Map Hub (ArcGIS Online) | description | SaaS |
| CWM - IIT's Common Web Mapping Framework | description | Platform Maturity |
| DMF - DataBC's Mash-up Framework | Deprecated |
- please see detailed descriptions above for further information
| | Internet Mapping Framework 2 | BC Map Hub | Simple Map Kit | Common Web Mapping |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| IMF2 | AGO | SMK | CWM | |
| Overview | description | description | description | description |
| Future Direction | Platform Maturity - Minor UI Updates | Continued vigilance on data governance and content publication | Positioned as light weight points on a map replacement for DMF (An older government framework which uses the Google API). Community involvement, source code on GitHub. Optional support and hosting model from DataBC | Platform Maturity - Minor UI Updates |
| Contact | DataBC Client Engagement - [email protected] | DataBC Client Engagement - [email protected] | DataBC Client Engagement - [email protected] | Common Services Manager IITD |
| Architecture | Custom BC Gov't Web services and tools on top of Geocortex Essentials/ArcGIS Server/BCGW | Licensed cloud based service running on elastic Amazon cloud | javascript libraries - deploy anywhere | Custom BC Gov't Framework on top of Geoserver and Open Layers 2 |
| Examples | iMapBC Consultative Area Database, Major Projects, ACDF, Traditional Use Studies, | EMBC COP , PICES, Mount Polly, Wildfire apps, Drought portal app | Assisted living and residential care | MTO, ILRR, EYOR, NRS Explore |
| Build Requirements | ||||
| Self-serve/wizard option to build web mapping applications quickly with no coding/scripting experience | no | yes | optional code repository available | no |
| Self-serve/wizard option to build web mapping applications quickly with coding/scripting experience | no | yes | yes | no |
| Full development of coding/scripting web mapping applications | yes - licenses of Geocortex Essentials required | yes - requires user subscription to BC's ArcGIS Online | yes | yes |
| A web mapping application that can be configured and deployed with internal resources | yes | yes | yes | yes |
| A web mapping application that can be configured and deployed with Consulting/contractor services | yes | yes | yes | yes |
| Simple customizations without the effort of a full development | yes | yes | yes partial | No - Depends how you define simple. Lots of customization can be done by changes to a JSON configuration file, without writing any code. |
| Complex custom tools, workflows and applications to provide powerful and feature-rich end-user experiences | yes | yes | no needs developer | yes Workflows are the responsibility of the developer. |
| Customization of web mapping applications that can be embedded in other applications or web pages | yes | yes | yes | yes |
| Is hosted in the 'cloud' | no | yes | yes | no |
| Is hosted in Canada | yes | no - but we are scoping ArcGIS Portal - an "on premises" instance of AGO | exported sites can be hosted on any web server (in Canada or elsewhere) | yes |
| Is hosted with write access to a web server (Self serve) | yes | Can be if author chooses to download and customize an AGO web app | yes | |
| Is hosted with deployment via a web server (DataBC/IIT managed deployment) | yes | yes - it is possible to customize AGO web apps, which must be hosted on a web server i.e. Web AppBuilder Developer Edition | exported sites can be hosted on any web server | yes |
| Has zero or minimal licensing fees | ELA | ELA | yes | yes |
| Supports the ability to secure the application or data within the application based on IDIR/BCeID user layer level security | yeslayer level | yes internal seat license requirements | yes - can be hosted under a siteminder proxy (for access to secure BCGW Layers) | yes - both site and layer level |
| Provides high performance, fast and efficient response times | yes | yes | yes | yes |
| Can handle a lot of users and high data volume | yes | yes | yes | yes Yes - The CWM library is running completely in the user’s browser, so it scales to any number of users. The map data it is showing is being generated on other machines, and those resources are being shared by all users. |
| Time to Market | Varies - Standard SDLC | Fast - Self publication potential | Fast - build and deploy anywhere | Varies - Standard SDLC |
| Build Cost/Development | low build cost - no coding required, configuration via GUI | Application Owner | ||
| License/Platform Cost | ELA | No licensing costs associated with CWM client. The data that is being shown on the map may require licensing depending on who is hosting it. | ||
| Data Modelling Costs | IMF2 requires ArcGIS Rest services for editing capability | not in scope of web mapping but AGO requires ArcGIS Rest services for editing capability - AGO user subsribers can create these with a fee | not in scope of web mapping but requires WMS/WFS/GeoJSON/ArcGIS Rest services - editing capabilities are not available | not part of web mapping, but can support WMS/WFS editing? |
| Hosting Costs | Annual hosting costs vary based on app complexity or MOU | No - but data hosting costs may apply | optional hosting via DataBC | ? |
| End User Requirements | ||||
| Easily FIND the web mapping application and data within the map | yes | yes | ||
| Easily FIND metadata/information about the data in the web mapping application | yes | yes | yes | |
| Easily USE the web mapping application without training (Training to use, and/or build) | yes | yes | ||
| Easily USE the web mapping application if they have a visual impairment (Maybe better as a application requirement but can aplications allow for this?) | yes | some AGO App templates do provide options to assist visually impaired users. Not sure how robust (story maps are an example) | no | |
| SHARE the mapping application session and its data internally within government | yes | yes | no | yes |
| SHARE the mapping application session and its data externally with non-government | yes | yes | no | yes |
| Consume and integrate local data into the web mapping application | Shape and CSV | yes | SHAPE, GeoJSON, CSV, KML | yes Seven popular geometry types for import |
| Consume and integrate Provincial data into the web mapping application | yes | yes | yes | yes |
| Consume and integrate External data into the web mapping application (WMS, REST) | Rest | yes | WMS/WFS | yes |
| Transfer data collected within the web mapping application to operational systems | yes | yes | no | yesnot part of CWM client. Application which hosts CWM needs to be able to handle this. |
| Collect data | Custom only | Yes - through Collector for AGO and Survey123 for AGO mobile apps | No | yes correct that CWM client provides the tools, but the application needs to implement workflows |
| Edit data | yes | yes | no | yes correct that CWM client provides the tools, but the application needs to implement workflows |
| Filter or query data | yes | yes | yes | yes |
| Download the data being viewed | yes | Yes - but there may be some limitations | no | yes |
| Prepare specific datasets for off-line use | no | yes | no | yes |
| Add mark-ups to the map in the web mapping application | yes | yes | yes | yes |
| Re-symbolize, modify or customize map data or labels | yes | yes | no | No - The application can draw custom features or labels on the map if desired. |
| Customize printing by modifying the legend | no | not sure what this means (turn layers on or off? If so, yes) | no | yes |
| Save work and return to it at a later date | yes | does this mean the end user of an app? If so, no. | no | yes |
| Access visualization tools in the web mapping application | Basic/Advanced/3D? | yes | 3D | yes |
| Identify & discover relationships among features (e.g. proximity, intersection) | yes | yes | no | yesCWM client can make use of SOS to find features that overlap a polygon. |
| Detect statistically significant patterns (e.g. hotspots, outliers) | no | yes | no | no |
| Use analytical models to make predictions based on data | no | (AGO does have some capabilities - but we encourage folks to use ArcMap or Pro instead. Complexity of desired analytical model may be a factor too) | no | no |
| Types of training available | manual, webinar, video | yes | documentation | Floating Help, contextual help, |
| Mobile Friendly | Yes | Yes | Yes | no |