November, 2023 – Expediency and efficiency of our solutions are key features making our systems so popular. Another solution has been added to the family, able to fulfill even the most demanding tasks based on geospatial data.
The so-called Map plugin can be implemented in any IT system. Its added value lies in the form of displaying data in maps, or even in collecting it. Any organization wanting to work with its map, but not having a geographic information system as the foundation of their information system, will find great value in it. Flexible map windows in the right places, being the core of the Map plugin, are the best choice.
Map plugin incorporates data interactively, visually locates objects of interest, and makes subsequent work with them extremely intuitive.
Therefore, more and more clients are requesting a map plugin for their systems. It speeds work up, makes it clearer, as well as supports spatial thinking and decision-making.
Map plugin for SHMI
As map experts, we are part of a consortium preparing a unified system for the Slovak Hydrometeorological Institute (SHMI). “We deliver our map plugin, a smart solution that gets a map and map services into the new SHMI system. Anywhere in the system, where the information about the location of objects and dealing with them directly on a map will make work easier and simpler,” says Radovan Hilbert, director of business development at YMS.
Maps wherever they can help
“We can connect the map plugin to any system. It has two versions: an open-source one and one based on the ESRI platform. Both of them are universally usable with dozens of adjustable map layers and functions. Users interactively switch between the map and the data in the main system, and all changes, whether in the map or in the data, are distributed in the common database,” continues Radovan Hilbert.
The client’s administrator configures map layers and map services according to their needs, which users subsequently use as an intuitive map with basic functionality. “They can search the map by text, record data, make point or polygon selections to obtain information about the element, measure distances and areas, prepare map documents and reports,” explains Tomáš Piovarči, YMS project manager for the SHMI map plugin.
Map data for professionals
The map plugin will be available for SHMI experts and the public in various levels of detail.
“Internal employees of SHMI will have almost 50 map layers and several dozen functions at their disposal. They mainly work with surface and underground water monitoring sites, of which there are around a hundred in Slovakia. They establish new ones, adjust their positions and data, view measurements, prepare map outputs with specific professional data and many different reports,” continues Tomáš Piovarči. However, any professional information can be connected to the map, for example, branches, sensors, or field technology.
“The map layers are arranged for the user in a clear hierarchical map tree. In addition to SHMI map services, it is also possible to connect services from other sources to the map plugin, either map services published according to OGC standards or map services provided by ESRI ArcGIS Server technology,” adds YMS business analyst Peter Bobáľ.
The map plugin has dozens of basic functions for working with the map and map layers, filtering and object selection functions, object measurement, and editing functions.
Professional maps and map overviews
SHMI experts prepare almost a hundred thematic maps for various professional purposes, while the user sets basic parameters such as type of map, period, and possibly territorial unit for which the map will be generated. To illustrate, basic generated maps include a map of the difference between groundwater level and height of terrain and a situational map of spatial assessment of groundwater in Slovakia, the so-called drought map.
Blue platform for the public
SHMI will publicize all monitoring locations and measured values in the maps, and through the so-called Blue platform, this data will also be made available to the public. “Everyone can easily orient themselves around the map, select specific monitoring locations with a click, and see exactly what they need,” adds Tomáš Piovarči in conclusion.