Current Status

June 28, 2002

The North Dakota GIS Hub is progressing nicely. Over the past several months, the initial plans developed late in 2001 have been implemented, with a few adjustments along the way. The Prototype Phase has been completed, and we are now well into the Pilot Phase.

The Pilot Database has been running since early March, with the Pilot Agencies utilizing the data that is on there, and adding additional data as we go along. Transportation, water, soils, geology, DRG's, and just some of the data types that are present. DOQQ's are being worked on at this time. In late May, ESRI was brought in to validate the database and assist the State on tuning the data. All of the North Dakota metadata is now in, and the database will shortly be upgraded to ArcSDE 8.2. Pending final load testing, the database is planned to go into production in early July.

The Web part of the Hub has taken longer than originally expected. We originally were considering developing a completely customized ArcIMS solution. During the prototype, this was evaluated. Though that approach has merit, the State determined that it would be more practical and more expedient to utilize a less customized ArcIMS approach. In this approach, the "out-of-the-box" tools would be used, but customized for appearance. There were some installation problems with ArcIMS 4.0.1 within the state infrastructure, that also added to the delay. We are now past those issues, ArcIMS is running, and we have a draft of the data themes that will be used on the Hub.

These data themes, "map services" in ArcIMS terminology, will be image-based for display on the Web. The Web-based tool for browsing this data has been named the "North Dakota Hub Explorer." In this tool, one will be able to browse, query, and print several data sets. It is planned that data extraction will be included with this tool. We will also set up feature-based map services, which are very useful for people using ArcMap, as they can connect to these map services as if they are directly connecting to the database. This will be very powerful tool for the agencies, counties and cities across the state, allowing these individual to customize the appearance of Hub data on their screen and download the Hub data to their machines, all from their copy of ArcMap.

A new GIS web site is under construction. The text site is complete and pending review. The graphics are in draft form and pending some minor adjustments. This web site will be the portal to the North Dakota Hub Explorer and the Hub in general. At this time, it is estimated that the Web portion of the Hub will be ready for production in late August. The GIS Technical Committee plans to offer a number of informal training seminars, starting in Bismarck, to assist all interested parties in learning how to best utilize the Hub.

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