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

[Shoaib Burq]

Hi Shaun

Have a look at this:
http://www.foss4g2006.org/contributionDisplay.py?contribId=69&sessionId=52&confId=1

This is one solution that makes use of a three tier architecture
1. Mapbuilder (Client)
2. GeoServer/Mapserver (Application Server)
3. PostGIS (Spatial/Non-spatial data)

This does date back to early 2006 and I'm sure someone can suggest a
more up-to-date technical solution.

HTH.
Cheers
Shoaib

On Wed, Apr 16, 2008 at 7:26 AM, Shaun Kolomeitz
<Shaun.Kolomeitz at epa.qld.gov.au> wrote:
>
>  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
>  +----------------------------------------------------------------+
>  Think B4U Print
>  1 ream of paper = 6% of a tree and 5.4kg CO2 in the atmosphere
>  3 sheets of A4 paper = 1 litre of water
>  +----------------------------------------------------------------+
>  _________________________
>  Disclaimer
>
>  WARNING: This e-mail (including any attachments) has originated from a Queensland Government department and may contain information that is confidential, private, or covered by legal professional privilege, and may be protected by copyright.
>
>  You may use this e-mail only if you are the person(s) it was intended to be sent to and if you use it in an authorised way.  No one is allowed to use, review, alter, transmit, disclose, distribute, print or copy this e-mail without appropriate authority.  If you have received this e-mail in error, please inform the sender immediately by phone or e-mail and delete this e-mail, including any copies, from your computer system network and destroy any hardcopies.
>
>  Unless otherwise stated, this e-mail represents the views of the sender and not the views of the Environmental Protection Agency.
>
>  Although this e-mail has been checked for the presence of computer viruses, the Environmental Protection Agency provides no warranty that all viruses have been detected and cleaned. Any use of this e-mail could harm your computer system.  It is your responsibility to ensure that this e-mail does not contain and is not affected by computer viruses, defects or interference by third parties or replication problems (including incompatibility with your computer system).
>
>  E-mails sent to and from the Environmental Protection Agency will be electronically stored, managed and may be audited, in accordance with the law and Queensland Government Information Standards (IS31, IS38, IS40, IS41 and IS42) to the extent they are consistent with the law.
>  ___________________________
>
>  !DEPTSTAMP1!
>  _______________________________________________
>  Aust-NZ mailing list
>  Aust-NZ at lists.osgeo.org
>  http://lists.osgeo.org/mailman/listinfo/aust-nz
>