June 7, 2005

PUC's ArcIMS project status

OIT is in the process of drafting a Document of Understanding with PUC to provide services for their ArcIMS project. They will keep the group updated when it is finalized.

IMS project web pages

Matt shared a URL with the group to begin testing entering data and editing records. Users are expected to provide feedback this week. When Matt is ready for more testing he will send the URL again to the committee.

Municipal Data Contact status

Development of the database is being reviewed by MeGIS and the State Planning Office. Stacey Fontaine (MaineDOT) and Patrick Johnson (MaineDOT) plan to review comments and make necessary revisions. David Kirouac and Tom Marcotte will review an existing GIS contacts database to evaluate if this can be used instead of creating another database.

The plan for this database is that it be a repository for the public and all agencies as a directory of municipalities that have digital GIS data and who to contact to request the data. It is expected that individuals be responsible for updating the data when they find it is incorrect. The database will reside on a server at OIT.

State GIS Users list

OIT is in the process of removing "maine.gov" on the current GIS users list to help prevent incoming SPAM and is also removing phone numbers from the list.

http://megis.maine.gov/users.asp

Upgrading to ArcIMS 9.1

There was discussion about how to upgrade versions of the ArcIMS software hosted at MeGIS in a timely manner without holding upgrades back due to customized applications.

Currently MeGIS is planning to test all the applications in a test environment to see what application issues may arise. It is anticipated that there will be few to no changes required as the move is from 9.0 to 9.1.

Proposed ideas

To mitigate the issues of holding off upgrading software versions the Committee would like to recommend that customized applications include in their contracts a mechanism to support the application throughout its life-cycle by including ongoing upgrade support and maintenance.

Another idea was considered that MeGIS could include this kind of upgrade service into their hosting fees. The issue would be difficult to solve because some customized applications have code that is compiled and unchangeable by agencies other than the original vendor.

DHHS was asked to provide the committee with the estimated hours it took to upgrade their current applications.

Freeance Implementation at DEP

Christopher Kroot provided the committee with an overview of their development of ArcIMS applications using Freeance. It is planned that at the next meeting in August he will present the pros and cons of using Freeance at DEP and demonstration to the group.

Review Subcommittee Recommendations/Goals

We reviewed the goals that were published and recommended to the GIS Technical Committee. Work was found to be progressing in the direction of meeting most of the goals. We discussed modifying the recommendations to include an addition to the Custom applications subheading - To require an annual maintenance contract for customized applications.

1. Planning and Management

The IMS tracking website is under development and near production
Rates were reviewed and re-aligned ($100-200 per month)
eGovernement services are going out to bid and may include provision of GIS services to the public

2. Infrastructure to support internet mapping development – internet/intranet

Infrastructure has been upgraded and continue in line with recommendations
DEP has utilized a template driven development environment as is near implementation using Freeance
The subcommittee plans to continue reviewing template driven publication tools
Work is being done to incorporate fail over capacity for 24X7 service - including strategically using a backup license manager.

3. Exploring geospatial data

RFP is in process to implement One-Stop GIS data – Mid June a 5 member panel will review RFP's

4. Using and rendering geospatial data

Standardize data formats for IMS usage
8 characters or less for layer name
10 character field names
WMS has been created for the National Map
Extra money is available to create additional WMS – MeGIS is asking for requests on what would be needed

5. Shared applications and tools

Conceptual design was discussed at a previous IMS meeting

6. Graphical user interface

Subcommittee plans to look at template driven development

7. Custom applications

Require annual maintenance contract (addition to recommendation)

8. Development standards and guidelines

Guidelines have been published
Considering looking at specific examples of contracts to build a template specific to ArcIMS applications that may be generalized