Press Release

Cadcorp ready for UK government interoperability requirements

In order to achieve joined-up government objectives the Office of the eEnvoy has established the e-Government Interoperability Framework (e-GIF). IT vendors, including those in GIS must demonstrate their ability to comply with approved technical standards and Government commitments in order to work with UK Government agencies and departments.

e-GIF

The OGC specifications are now widely regarded as the de jure geospatial standards for GIS. This would concur with Version 4.1 of the e-Government Interoperability Framework Part Two (Technical Policies and Specifications) document which states in Table 9 (Specifications for Business Purposes) for GIS and GIS data users the OGC GML standard has been approved and adopted as of 31 October 2002 .

Cadcorp users have the ability to parse, display, and export Geography Mark-up Language (GML) via desktop and Internet mechanisms as standard. This includes OS MasterMap (independent and topological) files and the OS MasterMap Address Layer.

Cadcorp monitor the UK GOVTALK (www.govtalk.gov.uk) web site closely. Whilst no geographical schemas are approved to date, the following drafts are published for at Requests for Comment (RFC).

OS MasterMap Schemas: XML (eXtensible Mark-up Language) schemas for the validation and manipulation of OS MasterMap data.
OpenGIS GML Schema: GML provides a basis for the transport and manipulation of geospatial data. These schemas define feature and geometry constructs for extension by user communities for the transfer of geospatial information.

OS MasterMap is dependent upon the OpenGIS GML schema. As stated above Cadcorp already implement and conform to the OpenGIS specifications, as well as implement file and database solutions for GML datasets. This includes management tools for Ordnance Survey change-only update maintenance.

The only agreed schema at the time of writing is BS7666 v1.1 which relates to Property Addressing. Cadcorp SIS can access any compliant BS7666 data store - providing there is an OLE DB or ODBC data provider available – subject to the constraints of the BS7666 storage mechanism. BS7666 data can be read directly by Cadcorp SIS should it be in an open format e.g. ASCII text, or XML or one of the 50+ proprietary and transfer formats already supported.

Global open standards

Cadcorp also offer support for the World Wide Web Consortium (W3C) Simple Vector Graphic (SVG) format as a data export tool for Browser based applications. This is available in Cadcorp SIS V6.0 onwards.

As Cadcorp SIS is based on Microsoft Foundation Classes, it is customisable using Microsoft Visual Basic and Visual C++ as well as other developer toolkits such as Delphi . There is no proprietary scripting or macro language associated with Cadcorp products. This ensures mainstream accessibility to the Cadcorp SIS Application Programming Interface (API).

Cadcorp Ltd consistently adhere to interoperability standards throughout the design and development of Cadcorp SIS - Spatial Information System product suite. This ensures that supported data and services are accessible and ‘open’ to as wide a range of users as possible.

In order to maximise an open approach to data use and integration Cadcorp’s philosophy has always been to integrate existing data standards in their native format i.e. without recourse to data conversion to a proprietary format. This ensures that Cadcorp SIS users are not restricted to certain data formats, nor are they exposed to additional processing or resource overheads. This is a benefit to end users as they can share, integrate and distribute multiple data formats directly.

Cadcorp SIS currently reads 50+ vector and raster formats. UK National Mapping Agency formats include Ordnance Survey National Transfer Format (NTF - All products), Ordnance Survey MasterMap (GML, GZip), Ordnance Survey Northern Ireland (NTF) and Postcode Address File (PAF) ,

Commercial and proprietary formats include ESRI (Shape), MapInfo (TAB and MIF), Tiff, Bitmap, ER Mapper ECW and LizardTech MrSID. Cadcorp SIS also has direct connections to mainstream databases such as Oracle 9i, Microsoft SQL Server 2000 and Microsoft Access 2000. ODBC and ADO connectivity is also exposed to end users. No additional middleware is required to link from Cadcorp SIS to supported relational databases.

Cadcorp technology is pioneering in its implementation of de jure interoperability standards, particularly those ratified by the OpenGIS Consortium (OGC). Cadcorp have been technical members of OGC since 1995 and have served as Technical Representatives to the OGC Management Committee. From our work within OGC, Cadcorp have helped to drive the development of several specifications for COM including GML, Co-ordinate Transformation Services, Simple Features and Grid Coverages. Cadcorp to date conform to (i.e. have implemented and passed the OGC specification and received certification), the following Microsoft Common Object Model (COM) specifications.

Simple Features
Grid Coverages
Co-ordinate Transformation Services

Cadcorp SIS, Cadcorp apSIS and Cadcorp SIS OLE DB Provider employ one or more of these specifications. For an up to date list of all compliant products please refer to the OpenGIS Consortium website www.opengis.org/testing/product/index.php?conf=2

Cadcorp SIS Map Server capabilities allow users to connect to, or serve data as OGC Web Map, Feature or Terrain Servers.

The ability to offer open data accessibility in line with initiatives such as e-GIF is borne through being a UK based company and through a rapid development program based upon OpenGIS and other standards.

About Cadcorp SIS

Cadcorp SIS - Spatial Information System - is a suite of Windows-based and Web-enabled end user and developer digital mapping and geographic information system (GIS) software products. The desktop suite comprises: Map Viewer, which provides support for over 50 graphic and data formats, thematics and hard copy; Map Manager, which provides the mainstream user the ability to view, explore, query, symbolise and print digital map and associated tabular data; Map Editor, which in addition to the facilities provided by Map Manager, provides the GIS data custodian with tools to view, manage and edit map and tabular data; and Map Modeller, which adds 3D modelling, terrain analysis and several thematic and analytic mapping tools.

ActiveX based developer toolkits and Viewer, Manager and Modeller based runtime licences are popular products for the development and implementation of bespoke applications by third parties that take advantage of Cadcorp’s GIS know-how.

Cadcorp ASC (Active Server Component) extends the functionality of Cadcorp SIS for use over the Internet or a company-wide intranet. It is a dynamic, server-side Web-based GIS, not merely a map-publishing tool for pre-authored images. Cadcorp ASC provides a true, interactive Web-based solution for real time map creation and analysis.

Cadcorp SIS MasterMap Loader is supplied with Map Modeller for the loading and management of OS MasterMap data in relational databases.

Cadcorp apSIS is programmable component software for the development of geospatial applications for the desktop and Pocket PC platforms.

Cadcorp mSIS is a data collection package that incorporates a desktop data capture management application and a Pocket PC based data collection tool.

About Cadcorp

Established in 1991, Cadcorp is a leading developer of digital mapping and geographic information systems (GIS) software. With offices in the USA and UK, Cadcorp’s distribution and VAR network stretches worldwide. The company also plays a pivotal technical role in the OpenGIS Consortium. Cadcorp SIS is currently the only complete product family to attain OpenGIS conformance certification.

Cadcorp SIS (Spatial Information System) is a range of software modules covering spatial data viewing, data management, data editing, data modelling and analysis. Cadcorp SIS ActiveX components are available for embedding into third party systems. Cadcorp ASC is an Internet/intranet developer toolkit designed for Web based GIS solutions.

Cadcorp SIS applications exist in local government, central government, emergency services, insurance, oil & natural gas, mapping and surveying, commerce, broadcasting and many other markets.

ENDS

For further information, contact: Chris Holcroft, Tel: 01438 747996, e-mail: chrish@cadcorp.com

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