[Aust-NZ] FOSS4G Architectures/options for Distributed DBs

[Shaun Kolomeitz]

I posted this to the PostGIS group yesterday, but it is perhaps more
appropriate for OsGeo.

I'm curious as to what the broader community thinks would be a workable
solution for our spatial business problem from a FOSS4G perspective.

We have a broad area network of around 600 clients spread across an area
of 1500 x 1900 km in the State of Queensland, Australia. Primarily our
clients are Rangers and Resource Managers, managing their "patch of
dirt" (Flora, Fauna, Fire, Pests, Assets, Visitor, Camping, Heritage,
etc).
150 or so users are located on remote Satellite connections (with
latency issues) reducing to 50 by the end of the year. The rest are
split between NextG, ADSL and WAN type connections. Satellite
connections in particular may not be available in bad weather
conditions. Even those located in regional centres say that performance
isn't great on their WAN connection.

In the past we've had ArcView 3.x as a custom client app running locally
with local data and now we're looking to the future.
The system is used in the office as a planning tool for field activities
(such as a new fence, fire break, pest treatment) before heading out
into the paddock.
Users collect (capture) a variety of information while in the field
relating to the above activities mentioned (Fire, Pests, Assets etc)
currently with a GPS, and then translate the GPS files to shapes with
attributes added from a handwritten notebook. The shapes are then
imported into the Parks based GIS and sent as zipped shapefiles via
email through our network of contacts twice a year to head office. At
the moment only Fire and Pest info is sent, although we'd like users
around the state to be more collaborative (from a data sense).

The only real givens are that we'll have a corporate GIS repository
storing all corporate data in an Oracle SDE db in head office, and that
the users will be taking data with them into the field (no connection to
ANY network).
I'm pretty sure we'll be using ArcPad as our field-based app (on
handhelds and tablets/laptops).

The current recommended proprietary approach has fairly hefty license
costs attached to it plus development. Also we're running to meet a
deadline of Dec this year, so things are getting to panic stations.

Our main business problems are -
1) Providing a simple to use system which acts as a "portal" to a range
of spatial and non-spatial data and systems relevant to the users patch
2) Simplifying (or automating) the update of data to/from the park base
to the head office
3) Managing data as it is "checked-out" for field use and then
"checked-in" after it comes back, while not providing too much of an
overhead for the users
4) Providing a basic GIS ability (similar to ArcView 3.x)
5) Providing a means of integrating information in other datasets (fire,
pests) and across other dbs (WildLife db) or applications (Assets, etc)
6) Providing multi-user access to individual datasets
7) Providing redlining, markup and a collaboration type ability
8) Providing a standard look-and-feel to any client
9) Providing a solution in the time required

I'm happy to discuss further if need be.
As always any assistance would be greatly appreciated.
We are trying to work on a response to our executive within 10 days.

Kind regards,
Shaun Kolomeitz,
Senior Technical Officer
Business and Asset Services
Queensland Parks and Wildlife Division
Environmental Protection Agency
Ph (07) 3227 6280
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