Anyone who has read recent editions of the DeLorme Professional Newsletter will hopefully be well aware of the data collection capability that XMap Forms enables in the desktop software and on the Earthmate PN-40. At the risk of beating a proverbial dead horse, full details can be found on the XMap Forms Web page. The intent of this article is not to regurgitate the same functional description of the procedure for developing and managing XMap Forms, but rather to outline which DeLorme products are needed to utilize the forms process.
Creating XMap Forms
First and foremost, you need a copy of XMap 7 GIS Enterprise or XMap 7 GIS Editor to create XMap Forms. However there is a caveat. XMap Forms can only be developed in a layer which resides within an Enterprise database, which can only be created using the Enterprise version of XMap. If, as a user of XMap GIS Editor, you have access to such as database within your company or organization, you are all set. If you are a standalone Editor user, you will need to upgrade to Enterprise to create XMap Forms.
If your intended use of XMap Forms entails simply creating forms as a convenient mechanism for adding, deleting, or editing records in your own layers, you need read no further. XMap provides all you need. If, on the other hand, you intend to deploy XMap Forms to your field technicians or mobile workforce, or if you plan on collaborating with other XMap users through the use of XMap Forms, read on.
XMap Forms on the Earthmate PN-40
As previously noted, XMap forms can be used on the Earthmate PN-40 or in XMap. If you intend to use the handheld GPS receiver for data collection, you need to purchase a device for each user. However a single copy of XMap can be employed to distribute forms and any corresponding data to multiple PN-40s and subsequently to upload and manage field-collected records. Typically this process is initiated by individually connecting each device via the included USB cable to the computer on which XMap is installed. Data collected remotely can also be emailed in gpx format to the administrator and manually merged into the master GIS layer.
XMap Forms in XMap Professional
It should be noted that XMap Professional cannot be used to create or manage XMap Forms. Forms created with the Enterprise or Editor versions of the software can be used in XMap Professional. The only way that form-based data collection or editing can be initiated in XMap Professional is through the layer synchronization process. In other words, if you simply export an Openspace layer in which a form has been created, and import that layer into XMap Professional, the form will not be accessible and data cannot be edited in any way. In order to unlock the form, a valid forms license must be purchased for each end-user. This small investment significantly increases the value of XMap Professional by transforming it from a GIS data viewer to a field data collector and editor.
XMap Forms licenses are administered through the Database Manager, which also controls access to synchronized layers for each user. A company will typically purchase a forms license for each copy of XMap Professional, however it is also possible to reassign a license to a different XMap user, which in turn will disable the forms functionality for the original user.
To summarize, XMap Forms functionality in XMap Professional requires a copy of the Enterprise edition of the software to establish synchronization and to create the form, a copy of XMap Professional for each end-user, and a forms license.
XMap Forms in XMap GIS Editor or XMap GIS Enterprise
Unlike with XMap Professional, layers containing XMap Forms can be manually shared among users of the Enterprise and Editor versions of the software without the need for synchronization or a forms license. If a layer containing a form is exported in Openspace format, this layer and the accompanying form will be available to anyone using XMap GIS Editor or Enterprise.
XMap Forms provides a user-friendly facade for your GIS layers and significantly simplifies the process of remotely collecting and editing GIS data. In certain instances, XMap Forms can be used right out of the box. If forms capability is to be utilized by a remote workforce make sure you include the required forms licenses in your purchase.
For more information and pricing, visit www.xmap.com/forms or call 1-800-293-2389
