Opensource GIS saves companies thousands

By Jason Paizes*

This is particularly relevant within the planning, safety, environmental and compliance disciplines.
A stumbling block of the technology however has been the complexity and cost of licensing as well as the challenge in delivering this information in a meaningful way to untrained users, which typically includes management. Recent advances in opensource, web based GIS solutions have changed the environment completely and now provide a license-free, web-based platform that companies can use to leverage the power of advanced spatial analysis within their organisation for very little upfront cost. What is more, since the technology runs over a web browser, it is available to everyone within an organisation.
Traditional desktop based GIS has been the mainstay of the industry and an effective tool, but has suffered from complex licensing models due to the necessity for installation on individual computers. This coupled with the complexity of the software and the direct connection to the underlying data meant that GIS operators had to be trained in the use of the software which restricted the audience of the technology within an organisation to GIS specialists.
Enter web-based GIS: Companies like ESRI have led the charge when it comes to web enabling GIS applications. This has meant tighter security, more centralised data storage and an application that can be accessed by anyone with permission, directly over a web browser without the requirement for any client side software installation. The system is configured to access live spatial information, and to deliver it to the end user over the web, who accesses it in most case on a read-only basis. End user training requirements drop off considerably and the whole system runs far more efficiently. However, the overriding restriction changes from one of licensing complexity to one of pure cost. Most web-based GIS enterprise systems cost tens of thousands of dollars in licensing alone.
Developers around the world then pooled together and came up with several systems in response to this problem and opensource GIS was born. These systems are typically free of charge and can be implemented without restriction by downloading the code from the opensource directory. Depending on the chosen system, they can link into a myriad of different data sources including existing GIS formats, databases, image files and flat file formats; and they provide all the benefits of high costing alternatives with very little downside.
MapGuide Open Source and MapServer are two examples of powerful open source GIS applications which deliver exceptionally robust functionality with no licensing fees applicable. What is more, since these systems are used by thousands of users and attract the interest of developers all around the world, there is little chance that support will dry up or that the technology will be outdated.
After all, Linux, Apache, Mozilla Firefox, Drupal and Joomla are just a few examples of cutting edge technology based on the open source software model.
The challenge now is how to embrace this technology. In the first instance it helps to contact GIS consultants who are familiar with these systems. The implementation methodology, process and deliverables are similar to licensed GIS software. Once set up, you have the business benefits of a fully fledged geospatial management system, without the headache of continuous license fees.

* Jason Paizes is director of Infinite Digital Solutions (IDS) - a Perth based GIS and web application development company servicing the mining, oil and gas and environmental industries.
For more information email: jason@infiniteds.com.au or visit: www.infiniteds.com.au