[OSGeo-Discuss] Comparision between MapServer/OpenLayers and ESRI ArcIMS

[Jody Garnett]

A couple more suggestions:
- make sure to include either tile server or geowebcache in the mix to
minimize hardware costs
- try and cost for a three year window in order to capture the
respective difference in license costs
- where ESRI is already used I normally do not suggest open source as
an alternative - but as an extension (you will get a more capable WMS
instance by dropping geoserver ontop of your existing esri stack for
example).

Helping pull together this kind of information is something LISAsoft
is good at (an I am sure other consulting organizations).

Jody

On Wed, May 27, 2009 at 9:04 AM, Bill Thoen <bthoen at gisnet.com> wrote:
> I need to make a case for developing a map and data server using Open
>  Source software such as MapServer, Open Layers, PostgereSQL/PostGIS to
>  counter a proposal to go with ESRI's solutions. The client who this  would
> be directed to manages a lot of land parcels on which some  development is
> planned. As part of the support for this, the object is  to build an
> Internet-accessible server that maintains about 800Gb of  spatial and
> tabular data, that can provide interactive maps of the  properties, data
> downloads of selected areas and layers in shapefile,  AutoCAD and other
> formats. It also needs to generate 3D surfaces from  dense LiDAR data that's
> available. It also needs a database cataloging  system that can be searched
> for data held in the system. Finally, it  needs to provide different access
> privileges to various personnel who  will be using restricted data sets.
>
> So what I need are some *current* facts about what packages are needed  to
> do this completely with ESRI software and what it will cost. Have any  of
> you had to address this 800-lb gorilla problem recently and do you have any
> advice or facts I can use? I have to  present my case to people who don't
> know much about GIS so I think price  is going to be my best argument. So
> far, all I've been able to ascertain  is that an Internet license for ArcIMS
> costs about $9 - $10K per dual  core machine per year. Is that true? And
> don't you also need ArcSDE for the  database connection, and some Arc3D for
> surface generation from LiDAR  and copies of ArcGIS all around, and is data
> downloading even available  through ArcIMS? What functionality comes
> "out-of-the-box" with ESRI's tools that meets what I've listed above? Is
> there something in the ESRI stable that can maintain differential,
> password-protected user access? How much would still have to be developed?
> And what about training and staff to maintain the system? What's that cost?
>
> If anyone has answers to any of these questions I'd be grateful if you could
> give me some facts. As it stands I can put those questions out for
> consideration, but I'd like to know the answers too.
>
> Thanks,
> - Bill Thoen
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