1

Open Source GIS from a Local Open Source GIS from a Local Government PerspectiveGovernment Perspective

Roger Diercks & Josh KalovRoger Diercks & Josh KalovKankakee County GISKankakee County GIS

2

•““Open source (OS) software is software where the source code is made available Open source (OS) software is software where the source code is made available under a license that allows the modification, and re-distribution of the software at under a license that allows the modification, and re-distribution of the software at will.” will.” – OSGeo Foundation websiteOSGeo Foundation website

•You or your organization may be using it without really realizing itYou or your organization may be using it without really realizing it

•FirefoxFirefox

•Apache HTTP ServerApache HTTP Server

•LinuxLinux

•PythonPython

•OS doesn’t mean do what you will with the software – still licensingOS doesn’t mean do what you will with the software – still licensing

•OS is often, but not always, free - OS is often, but not always, free - e.g. paid support for Red Hat Linuxe.g. paid support for Red Hat Linux

Just what is this open source stuff all about?Just what is this open source stuff all about?

3

•Open source GIS applications can be yet another tool Open source GIS applications can be yet another tool to put in your toolbox. to put in your toolbox.

•Some open source applications may add value to or Some open source applications may add value to or beyond COTS softwarebeyond COTS software

•In some instances open source applications may In some instances open source applications may perform better than COTS softwareperform better than COTS software

•Total cost of ownership may be lower than COTSTotal cost of ownership may be lower than COTS

•Support can be readily found for many open source projectsSupport can be readily found for many open source projects

•Situation dependent!!!!!Situation dependent!!!!!

I’ve invested a lot in commercial off the shelf (COTS) I’ve invested a lot in commercial off the shelf (COTS) software. Why would I even look at open source GIS?software. Why would I even look at open source GIS?

4So just what is Kankakee County doing with So just what is Kankakee County doing with

open source GIS?open source GIS?•Deploying simple public parcel query application using PostGIS + GeoServer + Deploying simple public parcel query application using PostGIS + GeoServer + OpenLayers OpenLayers

•Using GeoServer for serving orthophotography via WMS services to internal Using GeoServer for serving orthophotography via WMS services to internal desktop clients desktop clients

•At proof of concept stage with use of QGIS for basic desktop editing and analysisAt proof of concept stage with use of QGIS for basic desktop editing and analysis

•Frequently use FWTools (GDAL + OGR) for data conversionFrequently use FWTools (GDAL + OGR) for data conversion

•Explored use of MapGuide Open SourceExplored use of MapGuide Open Source

•Many other open source GIS applications we have not researchedMany other open source GIS applications we have not researched

5Kankakee County Public Parcel Query Application (under Kankakee County Public Parcel Query Application (under

development)development)

•Did not want to develop with ArcIMS given then-uncertain future of productDid not want to develop with ArcIMS given then-uncertain future of product

•Did not feel that ArcGIS Server prior to 9.3.1 was suitable solutionDid not feel that ArcGIS Server prior to 9.3.1 was suitable solution

•Settled on open source solution (for now)Settled on open source solution (for now)

•Front end: OpenLayers with jQueryFront end: OpenLayers with jQuery

•Back end: PostGIS + GeoServer + GeoWebCache + PHPBack end: PostGIS + GeoServer + GeoWebCache + PHP

6

Kankakee County Public Parcel Query Kankakee County Public Parcel Query Application (under development)Application (under development)

7

Kankakee County Public Parcel Query Kankakee County Public Parcel Query Application (under development)Application (under development)

8

Kankakee County Public Parcel Query Kankakee County Public Parcel Query Application (under development)Application (under development)

9

PostGISPostGIS

• Adds support for geographic objects to the PostgreSQL (also open source) Adds support for geographic objects to the PostgreSQL (also open source) object-relational database akin to ArcSDEobject-relational database akin to ArcSDE

• Powerful analysis and query functions we are able to easily leverage in web apps Powerful analysis and query functions we are able to easily leverage in web apps using PHPusing PHP

• Easy installation, but loading data can be somewhat involvedEasy installation, but loading data can be somewhat involved

• Extensions for connecting ArcGIS to PostGIS (e.g. zigGIS), Extensions for connecting ArcGIS to PostGIS (e.g. zigGIS), but haven’t tried them.but haven’t tried them.

• Could be a viable option for organizations whereCould be a viable option for organizations where ArcSDE/ArcGIS Server isn’t an optionArcSDE/ArcGIS Server isn’t an option

http://www.postgis.org

10

GeoServerGeoServer

• Java-based software server that allows users to view and edit geospatial data – Java-based software server that allows users to view and edit geospatial data – open standards set forth by OGC. Makes multiple formats easy, e.g. WMS, WFS, open standards set forth by OGC. Makes multiple formats easy, e.g. WMS, WFS, WCS, KMLWCS, KML

• Installation can be tricky, but data management relatively straightforward via GUIInstallation can be tricky, but data management relatively straightforward via GUI

• Extensions for connecting to ArcSDEExtensions for connecting to ArcSDE

• Serving ortho GeoTIFFs to internal ArcGIS clients as WMS yields performance on Serving ortho GeoTIFFs to internal ArcGIS clients as WMS yields performance on par with imagery loaded into ArcSDE – par with imagery loaded into ArcSDE – FAST!!!!!!FAST!!!!!!

• Integrated GeoWebCache to be used for serving WMS to County public siteIntegrated GeoWebCache to be used for serving WMS to County public site

• Possible alternative to ArcGIS Server for organizations where not feasiblePossible alternative to ArcGIS Server for organizations where not feasible

http://geoserver.org

11

GeoServer GUIGeoServer GUI

12

OpenLayersOpenLayers

• JavaScript library for displaying map data in most modern web browsers, with no JavaScript library for displaying map data in most modern web browsers, with no server-side dependencies.server-side dependencies.

• Easy installation – just point to OpenLayers JavaScript in web page & add layersEasy installation – just point to OpenLayers JavaScript in web page & add layers

• Supports wide array of data formats – WMS, WFS, GML, GeoRSS, GeoJSONSupports wide array of data formats – WMS, WFS, GML, GeoRSS, GeoJSON

• Easy integration with other JavaScript libraries such as jQuery, Dojo, Ext JSEasy integration with other JavaScript libraries such as jQuery, Dojo, Ext JS

• Easy integration of GIS data with commercial APIs, e.g WMS services in Easy integration of GIS data with commercial APIs, e.g WMS services in conjunction with Google Mapsconjunction with Google Maps

• ArcGIS Server 9.3 REST API capabilities ArcGIS Server 9.3 REST API capabilities

• Viable alternative to ArcGIS Server JavaScript API – widely usedViable alternative to ArcGIS Server JavaScript API – widely used

http://www.openlayers.org

13

OpenLayers ExamplesOpenLayers Examples• ‘‘Using OpenLayers with ArcGIS Server REST API’ presentation by James FeeUsing OpenLayers with ArcGIS Server REST API’ presentation by James Fee http://www.slideshare.net/cageyjames/using-open-layers-with-arc-gis-server-rest-api-dev-http://www.slideshare.net/cageyjames/using-open-layers-with-arc-gis-server-rest-api-dev-summitsummit

• Long Island Index Interactive Maps – Long Island Index Interactive Maps – http://www.longislandindexmaps.orghttp://www.longislandindexmaps.org OpenLayers front end + ArcGIS Server back end (WMS service)OpenLayers front end + ArcGIS Server back end (WMS service)

14

OpenLayers ExamplesOpenLayers Examples http://www.whitehouse.gov/changehttp://www.whitehouse.gov/change

15

Quantum GIS (QGIS)Quantum GIS (QGIS)

• Desktop GIS that supports numerous vector, raster, and database formats and Desktop GIS that supports numerous vector, raster, and database formats and functionalitiesfunctionalities

• Easy installationEasy installation

• Becoming more capable with every release, both in included Becoming more capable with every release, both in included functionality and proliferation of pluginsfunctionality and proliferation of plugins

• Looking to deploy in a department with interest in Looking to deploy in a department with interest in basic desktop GIS but no more funds for COTS softwarebasic desktop GIS but no more funds for COTS software

• ‘‘Introducing QGISIntroducing QGIS’ ’ presentationpresentation by Tim Sutton provides a good quick introduction by Tim Sutton provides a good quick introduction http://linfiniti.com/downloads/IntroducingQGIS.pdfhttp://linfiniti.com/downloads/IntroducingQGIS.pdf

http://www.qgis.org

16

QGIS ScreenshotQGIS Screenshot

17

FWToolsFWToolshttp://fwtools.maptools.org

•Set of open source GIS applications bundled by Frank WarmerdamSet of open source GIS applications bundled by Frank Warmerdam• OpenEV – raster/vector desktop data viewer and analysis tool OpenEV – raster/vector desktop data viewer and analysis tool

• MapServer – web mapping packageMapServer – web mapping package

• GDAL/OGR – Library & set of command line utilities for reading and writing a GDAL/OGR – Library & set of command line utilities for reading and writing a variety of raster (GDAL) and vector (OGR) data formats variety of raster (GDAL) and vector (OGR) data formats

• OGDI – multi-format raster and vector reading technology for support of military OGDI – multi-format raster and vector reading technology for support of military formats formats

• PythonPython

•Kankakee County often uses the GDAL/OGR functionality for data conversionKankakee County often uses the GDAL/OGR functionality for data conversion

•Command line interface allows for a good deal of flexibilityCommand line interface allows for a good deal of flexibility

18

MapGuide Open SourceMapGuide Open Source

• Web mapping platform alternative to ArcGIS ServerWeb mapping platform alternative to ArcGIS Server

• Web applications can be developed using MapGuide Maestro softwareWeb applications can be developed using MapGuide Maestro software– Similar to application development within ArcGIS Server ManagerSimilar to application development within ArcGIS Server Manager

• Supports multiple data formats including SHP, ArcSDE, WMS, PostGIS.Supports multiple data formats including SHP, ArcSDE, WMS, PostGIS.

• AJAX Viewer, JavaScript APIAJAX Viewer, JavaScript API

• Kendall County uses MapGuide OS for public siteKendall County uses MapGuide OS for public site

http://mapguide.osgeo.org/

19

20Bottom LineBottom Line

• Open source GIS does many things well, and many things not so well – Open source GIS does many things well, and many things not so well – no different than COTS softwareno different than COTS software

• Open source can have a learning curve – Open source can have a learning curve – no different than COTSno different than COTS

• Open source GIS has found a role in Kankakee Open source GIS has found a role in Kankakee County’s GIS programCounty’s GIS program

• Open source supplements, but does not replace, Open source supplements, but does not replace, Kankakee County’s use of COTS technologiesKankakee County’s use of COTS technologies

• Open source opens up opportunities for cash-strapped Open source opens up opportunities for cash-strapped organizations to develop GIS programsorganizations to develop GIS programs

• Having a wide variety of technologies to choose from, be they COTS or Having a wide variety of technologies to choose from, be they COTS or open source is a great thingopen source is a great thing

21

Questions and Contact InformationQuestions and Contact Information

Roger DiercksRoger Diercksrdiercks@k3county.netrdiercks@k3county.net

Josh KalovJosh Kalovjkalov@k3county.netjkalov@k3county.net