Track: Forestry
Using MapObjects To Deploy Operational Forestry Applications
David BouwmanDavid Buckley , Frank Schreiner, Ms. Joanne Smirl, GIS Coordinator, Daishowa-Marubeni International Ltd., Peace River, Alberta, Canada
Operational and production forestry GIS-based applications have typically focused on forest inventory management and updating, harvest cut block planning, and thematic analysis and mapping. In most forestry organizations these applications are operated by specially trained GIS staff who interact with planning and operational foresters to determine requirements. Historically, these applications are ArcInfo based, and this has inherently limited their use by non-GIS staff. However, with the recent extension of the Esri software line, specifically MapObjects, and the evolution of ArcInfo to an Open Development Environment, applications can now be deployed to the forester's desktop without a prerequisite for significant GIS training. This approach has always been the promise of GIS technology, but it has rarely been realized in the forest industry. GIS remains in the domain of technical specialists. This paper will review issues and strategies related to the successful development and deployment of MapObjects applications to the forester's desktop. The role of different Esri products and related technologies will be discussed. With the substantial extension of possible application solutions it has become increasingly difficult for the forestry GIS manager to keep up-to-date on appropriate application development strategies. This paper will present an overview of where these new products fit in the scheme of forestry-based GIS applications. The role of stand-alone, network, Intranet, and Internet applications will be reviewed through examples.
David Bouwman
Innovative GIS Solutions, Inc.
2000 S. College Ave.
Fort Collins, CO 80525
USA
Telephone: 970-490-5900
Fax: 970-490-2300
E-mail: dave@innovativegis.com