According to ESRI (http://www.esri.com/technology_trends/enterprise_gis/index.html), "An enterprise GIS provides broad access to geospatial data and applications throughout the organization.
The advantages to deploying an enterprise GIS include (i) having a common infrastructure on which to build and deploy GIS solutions, (ii) extending geospatial capabilities to nontraditional users of GIS, (iii) improving capabilities of other enterprise systems by leveraging the value of geographic information, and (iv) increasing overall operating efficiency through the more effective and consistent use of GIS across an organization.
GIS experts maintain control of the information and applications, yet productivity skyrockets as more users have access to geospatial information. Geospatial information can also be integrated with other enterprise applications to geo-enable executive analysis and decision-support systems."
When the typical GIS user in the US mentions 'enterprise' GIS they are referring to large GIS datasets that are (1) stored in the enterprise database (typically Oracle or MS SQL Server) and are (2) accessible by multiple users (public and non-experts) via a web interface and a smaller number of users (experts) via a desktop client. Typically only a subset of the users of the enterprise solution require the ability to edit the spatial data layers.
(a) Enterprise Database: Prior to adopting GIS at the enterprise level, the enterprise database will usually already exist in a given organization. There's no need to switch enterprise database software when implementing enterprise GIS solutions using TatukGIS. TatukGIS solutions can be implemented with just about every popular enterprise database.
(b) Enterprise GIS Dataset Format: TatukGIS solutions allow GIS datasets to be stored in existing enterprise databases without the need for expensive third-party add-ons. The precise enterprise GIS dataset format depends upon the needs of the organization.
If an organization has no specific enterprise GIS dataset need beyond pure speed and performance, then it is recommended that enterprise vector datasets be stored in the enterprise database using the TatukGIS binary SQL layer format. Enterprise raster datasets should be stored in the enterprise database using the TatukGIS PixelStore2 format.
However, many organizations require that their enterprise GIS solutions deal with specific databases and formats. Fortunately TatukGIS solutions can work with many specific enterprise databases and formats including ArcSDE, Oracle Spatial, MS SQL Server 8/Spatial, PostGIS, GeoMedia, and OpenGIS standard formats (to name a few).
(c) Enterprise Web Interface: Several TatukGIS solutions exist for delivering robust enterprise web interfaces that utilize the TatukGIS-powered enterprise GIS databases mentioned above.
Organizations looking for a simple and inexpensive enterprise web-mapping solution should look no further than the TatukGIS Internet Server LITE Edition (http://www.tatukgis.com/products/is/is.aspx).
Organizations with greater enterprise web-mapping requirements and expertise would use the full-featured TatukGIS Internet Server (http://www.tatukgis.com/products/is/is.aspx).
(d) Enterprise Desktop Interface: TatukGIS offers desktop solutions that deliver a richer GIS experience than can be provided by a web-based solution. These desktop solutions can also utilize the TatukGIS-powered enterprise GIS databases mentioned above
Some non-expert users within the organization will enjoy using the free TatukGIS Viewer (http://www.tatukgis.com/products/viewer/viewer.aspx) to make maps with their enterprise GIS datasets. (Please note that not all enterprise GIS datasets that are supported by TatukGIS can be displayed with the Viewer. They can, however, be displayed with the TatukGIS Editor [see below].)
Any individual in the organization who needs to edit enterprise GIS datasets on the desktop will require the TatukGIS Editor (http://www.tatukgis.com/products/Editor/Editor.aspx). In addition, map templates for any TatukGIS web-mapping interface can be created with the Editor.
Also, anyone in the organization requiring customized desktop functionality will require the TatukGIS Editor. The Editor is fully customizable. Robust and specific user interfaces can be created with the Editor and distributed to other Editor users.
Bare Bones Enterprise GIS Example:
A bare minimum enterprise GIS solution implemented using TatukGIS technology for a theoretical county government in the US that already has an enterprise MS SQL Server database would be as follows.
(1) GIS-enable the enterprise MS SQL Server database by storing enterprise datasets in the database using the TatukGIS binary SQL layer and TatukGIS PixelStore2 formats.
(2) Use the TatukGIS Editor on the desktop to edit enterprise GIS datasets in MS SQL Server and to create map templates for use in the TatukGIS Internet Server LITE Edition (see below).
(3) Use the TatukGIS Internet Server LITE Edition to display enterprise GIS datasets on the web for public users. Use the free TatukGIS Viewer to display, analyze, and print maps of enterprise GIS datasets on the desktop.
Total Cost (Bare Bones Enterprise): IS LITE ($590) + Editor ($350) + Viewer (FREE) = $940
Typical Enterprise GIS Example:
A typical enterprise GIS solution implemented using TatukGIS technology for a theoretical city government in the US that already has an enterprise Oracle database and utilizes Oracle Locator would be as follows.
(1) Enterprise GIS database already exists as an Oracle Locator implementation.
(2) Use the TatukGIS Editor on the desktop to edit enterprise GIS datasets in Oracle Locator and to create map templates for use in the TatukGIS Internet Server (see below).
(3) Use a customization built with the TatukGIS Internet Server to display enterprise GIS datasets on the web for public users. Use a customization built in the TatukGIS Editor to to display, analyze, edit and print maps of enterprise GIS datasets on the desktop.
Total Cost (Typical Enterprise): IS ($2000) + Editor*20 ($350*20) = $9000 + (customization costs)
TatukGIS Consulting: GIS Consulting, Application Development, Training, and Support. A U.S.-based TatukGIS partner since 2003. Check out our new website: www.tatukgisconsulting.com
