At the 2007 ESRI User Conference a popular topic of discussion (and a popular session) was that of ArcGIS Server - recall the solution was released last year along with ArcGIS 9.2. So, why so popular? Given that imagery is a natural background for many GIS applications Image Server really can be thought of as a no-brainer. Imagery is also useful for direct interpretation, statistics and analysis, used for vectorization (80% of vector data collected using imagery backdrop), and data verification after GIS analysis. Read on for more on ArcGIS Imager Server, the road ahead, and the number One enhancement for ArGIS 9.3!
ArcGIS image server provides fast access and visualization of large quantities of file-based imagery processed on the fly and on demand. With ArcGIS Image Server, you can maximize the value of your imagery by making it accessible and usable as soon as possible, enterprise-wide.
ArcGIS Image Server maximizes the value of your imagery:
-Enterprise-wide data availability... large datasets available to CAD, GIS users
-Direct read of imagery in native format
-On-the-fly server-based image processing
-End users get fast image access
In a demonstration we saw a sample service serving 500 2GB images (about 1TB)� very rapid pan and zoom, pixels are being ortho-rectified, fused, pan sharpened on the fly for distribution� nice! Click the image and view meta data within ArcMap� very handy. Optionally, the user can alter image compression value to speed up navigation� then eliminate compression value once you've discovered an area of interest.
Components of Image server
Author (arcmap, service editor), Serve, Use
Authoring an image service definition is conducted within the Service Editor - available as a toolbar within ArcMap. Use this tool to create and edit image service definitions. Add rasters, extract raster properties, georeference and process, define metadata � preview your service before serving to clients.
In another demonstration we saw how simple it is to create a service. The sample saw 100 TIF files (4.5 GB) made of imagery that was 1.5 ft, NAD 83 and combine with Landsat imagery obtained data from landsat.org � 1 GB Landsat scenes, TIF in UTM format.
Input Rasters
Working with raster data is a snap, particularly with direct access without data conversion, enabling rapid application or web service development. Imagery can be easily tiled (DOQQ, NAIP, SRTM, CADRG) using rectified or non-rectified (Quickbird basic scenes). Various formats supported including TIF, NITF, BIL, SDE Raster Mosaic, JP2000, MrSID, and others.
Another demonstration I witnessed saw the quick setup, configuration, and publishing of a server. Some of the tasks accomplished:
-identify location and name of cfg file (wizard)
-create a service provider cfg file
-export data format
-create data projection parameters
-establish resampling method or compression for transmission
-set background color, establish mosaic method, control for overlap
Create dynamically updated image services
Available image server processes include: stack bands, image algebra, spectral matrix, grayscale, stretching, convolution filters (sharpen), pan-sharpen (fuse low-res with high-res), trend, classify, color map (show results of classifications), elevation visualization (hill shade, shaded relief), and histogram
Simple to install, no DBMS, no data conversion� fast implementation.
A typical performance scenario would see 2 sec/request processed per core, 72,000 requests/hr, support 120 concurrent users. Performance depends on image format (TIF is ideal), processing to be applied can add to performance.
Why Image Server??
- Use of imagery growing exponentially
- Available from many sources (aerial cameras, scanned maps, satellites)
- Depth of imagery increasing, more bands of imagery, higher resolution, overlap in imagery (same image from multiple dates or diff. angles)
- Imagery is often available but simply not accessible (obviously Google Earth has addressed this)
- Fast access to imagery and metadata
ArcGIS Image server � The Road ahead
- Tighter Integration with ArcGIS server
- Image service added to ArcGIS server � similar to a map or globe service
- Integration with ArcMap
- Add compiled service definitions from ArcGIS service manager or ArcCatalog
- Fast access to imagery and metadata
- Directly read of multiple image formats and types
- Accessible from multiple clients
- On the fly server based processing
- Changeable image service properties
- Much more!
At the opening keynote seesion on Day 1 of the UC we heard Jack Dangermond discuss how ArcGIS Server will support Mashups. AImagine... "we allow our servers to be mashed up. Integrating multiple GIS services and making use of consumer map services. Use data from Google Earth and other services � this will help us tell stories of geography on the web and integrate content into our GIS�s." Obviously, down the road ArcGIS Image Server will be a very important piece of the puzzle!
Finally, in a cool segment during the conference keynote sessions we heard about "the Favorite 7 enhancements of ArcGIS at 9.3" - The NUMBER 1 improvement was.. added security for your web app and services. This via the new Security ArcGIS Server Manager� create profiles for custom users and define their roles (ie. unrestricted usage for a manager etc�)
John Calkins, ESRI shares the Top 7 improvements in ArcGIS 9.3
Top iPhone related GIS and Geo Tech news stories from 2009 - At the end of the year its always interesting for us to look at some of the stats and results to identify trends and more important, to see what our readers think is hot! In the "news" category it seems that iPhone related geo tech items were extremely popular.
Geo Social Location Checkin to Twitter from iPhone - With the cool SXSW event taking place Austin, TX, everyone who's anyone in social and social location seems to have rolled out updates this week, making your choice for how to check-in to your social media bookmarks even tougher to decide on!
10 Awesome GIS and Mapping apps for the iPhone - I recall last year at the ESRI UC when an iPhone was on stage showing a prototype app (think ArcPad on iPhone). It was then that I realized the iPhone platform is going to be BIG in mapping and there's a ton of opportunity for developers.
Nokia Booklet 3G, unboxing video and image gallery... Those of you in the USA who pop in to BestBuy occasionally, you may have seen a stand showing off the Nokia Booklet 3G. A sleek, 3G enabled, SIM slot (AT&T) sporting netbook.
Interesting Tweeple - 10 Geo Technology & Geo-Social Women of Twitter - given the growing love for geospatial and location-aware technologies, I’ve decided to hype 10 women that I feel make a significant contribution to the Geo-Twittersphere. If you’d like to add 10 knowledgeable and useful Twitter contacts to your Geo following list I highly suggest the following: (in no particular order)
10 Geo Social Location-Aware Apps Making Waves... With Twitter's opening of their location API to developers there's going to be a ton of third party apps that will enable Twitter users to share location-aware information via their Twitter accounts.
Signs that indicate you may be a GeoGeek (aka. GeoNerd) and some suggested Geo blogs - Chances are good that if you are a Geo Geek then you already know it and likely refer to yourself as one. However, there’s many of you out there that may be on the fence and wondering… “am I a Geo Geek?" Read on for a comprehensive list of signs you might be a GeoGeek followed up by some suggested Geoblog reading.
Real-time GPS Mapping and GIS Solution Aids Efficient Disaster Management - Saturday, February 7, 2009 will forever be known as Black Saturday in the State of Victoria, Australia. In the midst of a 10-year drought, a record breaking heat wave descended upon the state, with temperatures exceeding 45 degrees C (110-120 deg F), breaking all-time record highs in some cities - Victoria Police Use Trimble Juno SC Handhelds to Speed Assessment of Damage Caused by Bush Fires.
2010 ESRI Federal User Conference February 17-19, 2010, Washington D.C. Walter E. Washington Convention Center - The FedUC is the largest geospatial conference for federal agencies. Connect with other leaders, decision makers, and GIS professionals.
The International LiDAR Mapping Forum 2010 - Tenth Anniversary Event! ILMF 2010 will be held from March 3 - 5, 2010 at the Hyatt Regency in Denver at Colorado Convention Center.
The NAVTEQ 2010 Global LBS Challenge Awards Ceremony will be held during Ignite at O'Reilly Where 2.0. Be among the first to hear as NAVTEQ announces the winners for the North America region. Participants will be competing for a global prize pool of $10 million and growing by showcasing pre-commercial location-enabled apps using NAVTEQ map data & products. March 30, 2010, during Ignite Where, 7:30pm - 9:00pm, at the Marriott San Jose, CA
WHERE2.0 2010 - Now in its sixth year, the Where 2.0 Conference is where the grassroots and leading edge developers building location-aware technology intersect with the businesses and entrepreneurs seeking out location apps, platforms, and hardware to gain a competitive edge. For 15% use Discount Code: whr10lbs
Components of Image server 
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