One of the key functional enhancements that has been introduced to the XMap product line over the last few years is database synchronization. This unique data distribution mechanism has been implemented, in large part, to fulfill a requirement that was repeatedly requested by users of XMap in the oil and gas industry. Specifically, “How do I efficiently distribute our corporate GIS data to our field crews?”
The application of GIS technology to manage workflow, physical infrastructure, and business systems is a standard practice in today’s business world. A challenge for the enterprise GIS is maximizing the return on investment in GIS through efficient data sharing. XMap 6 has been engineered to effectively meet this challenge. Automated database synchronization ensures that your mobile field force is provided with up-to-date GIS data while simultaneously communicating field collected observations or GIS layer updates to the central GIS database. XMap synchronization is initiated by the field worker using a simple button click in the Professional version of XMap and requires no knowledge of GIS data management or data importing. Best of all, XMap 6 is designed to minimize the set-up and maintenance burden on your IT department.
All XMap 6 GIS editions include a locally installed version of SQL Server. With XMap 6 GIS Enterprise, XMap’s most advanced product version, GIS and IT administrators can set up and manage the deployment of GIS databases in compliance with typical IT protocols, providing efficient data flow to your mobile work force.
The database synchronization set-up process involves a few simple steps:
- Using Database Manager which is installed with XMap GIS Enterprise, the GIS manager or IT administrator creates a list of users who will have access to the database in which the required layers are stored. Because XMap 6 supports Windows Groups, this procedure can be performed for a large workforce in matter of minutes.
- The specific layers required by each user or group are tagged or checked.
- A Subscription file is then created and distributed to each worker for whom access to the database has been established.
- The field worker double-clicks this file to initiate the synchronization process. This procedure needs to be performed only once.
Typically the recipient of the synchronized data will be using XMap Professional. This field-optimized GIS viewer does not offer tools for editing, so no changes can be made to either the geometry or attributes of a synchronized GIS layer. However XMap Professional does provide the means to perform such tasks as running queries, switching classifications, and selecting objects to reveal the relevant attribute data. Even more important, the synchronized data is copied into a database in the local instance of SQL server providing access to the data without the need for a continuous network connection.
After double-clicking the subscription file as noted above, three new buttons will be displayed in the toolbar in XMap Professional:
- The Synchronize button establishes a connection to the administrator’s database and initiates the transfer of data that has been updated or added since the last synchronization.
- The Redline button opens a pallet of annotation tools that can be used by the field worker to draw lines, polygons, text, and other objects on the map. This annotation layer is transferred to the data administrator when the Synchronize button is next clicked.
- The Add Synchronized Layers button provides a simple way to restore the relevant layers to the GIS Workspace in the event that they were inadvertently removed or if the previous XMap session was terminated without the current project being saved.
One of the most challenging aspects of GIS data administration is providing remote access to updated data. XMap GIS Enterprise has been designed to effectively address this issue with its efficient data distribution capability. With a single click of the Synchronize button, field workers can simultaneously download updated GIS layers while uploading field-collected data in a redline layer.
To see a Flash tutorial on setting up the synchronization process click here.
