See discussions, stats, and author profiles for this publication at: https://www.researchgate.net/publication/327122259

GIS Cloud Computing Methodology

Conference Paper · July 2018

DOI: 10.1109/CITS.2018.8440176

CITATIONS

2READS

1,165

1 author:

Some of the authors of this publication are also working on these related projects:

GIS-BAU View project

Omar Ahmad Al-Bayari

Al-Balqa' Applied University

37 PUBLICATIONS   225 CITATIONS   

SEE PROFILE

All content following this page was uploaded by Omar Ahmad Al-Bayari on 09 October 2019.

The user has requested enhancement of the downloaded file.

https://www.researchgate.net/publication/327122259_GIS_Cloud_Computing_Methodology?enrichId=rgreq-d65653ff9a5ae069e6201b5cf576df0e-XXX&enrichSource=Y292ZXJQYWdlOzMyNzEyMjI1OTtBUzo4MTE5ODg1Mjc2MTYwMDFAMTU3MDYwNDU1OTQ0OQ%3D%3D&el=1_x_2&_esc=publicationCoverPdfhttps://www.researchgate.net/publication/327122259_GIS_Cloud_Computing_Methodology?enrichId=rgreq-d65653ff9a5ae069e6201b5cf576df0e-XXX&enrichSource=Y292ZXJQYWdlOzMyNzEyMjI1OTtBUzo4MTE5ODg1Mjc2MTYwMDFAMTU3MDYwNDU1OTQ0OQ%3D%3D&el=1_x_3&_esc=publicationCoverPdfhttps://www.researchgate.net/project/GIS-BAU?enrichId=rgreq-d65653ff9a5ae069e6201b5cf576df0e-XXX&enrichSource=Y292ZXJQYWdlOzMyNzEyMjI1OTtBUzo4MTE5ODg1Mjc2MTYwMDFAMTU3MDYwNDU1OTQ0OQ%3D%3D&el=1_x_9&_esc=publicationCoverPdfhttps://www.researchgate.net/?enrichId=rgreq-d65653ff9a5ae069e6201b5cf576df0e-XXX&enrichSource=Y292ZXJQYWdlOzMyNzEyMjI1OTtBUzo4MTE5ODg1Mjc2MTYwMDFAMTU3MDYwNDU1OTQ0OQ%3D%3D&el=1_x_1&_esc=publicationCoverPdfhttps://www.researchgate.net/profile/Omar-Al-Bayari?enrichId=rgreq-d65653ff9a5ae069e6201b5cf576df0e-XXX&enrichSource=Y292ZXJQYWdlOzMyNzEyMjI1OTtBUzo4MTE5ODg1Mjc2MTYwMDFAMTU3MDYwNDU1OTQ0OQ%3D%3D&el=1_x_4&_esc=publicationCoverPdfhttps://www.researchgate.net/profile/Omar-Al-Bayari?enrichId=rgreq-d65653ff9a5ae069e6201b5cf576df0e-XXX&enrichSource=Y292ZXJQYWdlOzMyNzEyMjI1OTtBUzo4MTE5ODg1Mjc2MTYwMDFAMTU3MDYwNDU1OTQ0OQ%3D%3D&el=1_x_5&_esc=publicationCoverPdfhttps://www.researchgate.net/institution/Al-Balqa-Applied-University2?enrichId=rgreq-d65653ff9a5ae069e6201b5cf576df0e-XXX&enrichSource=Y292ZXJQYWdlOzMyNzEyMjI1OTtBUzo4MTE5ODg1Mjc2MTYwMDFAMTU3MDYwNDU1OTQ0OQ%3D%3D&el=1_x_6&_esc=publicationCoverPdfhttps://www.researchgate.net/profile/Omar-Al-Bayari?enrichId=rgreq-d65653ff9a5ae069e6201b5cf576df0e-XXX&enrichSource=Y292ZXJQYWdlOzMyNzEyMjI1OTtBUzo4MTE5ODg1Mjc2MTYwMDFAMTU3MDYwNDU1OTQ0OQ%3D%3D&el=1_x_7&_esc=publicationCoverPdfhttps://www.researchgate.net/profile/Omar-Al-Bayari?enrichId=rgreq-d65653ff9a5ae069e6201b5cf576df0e-XXX&enrichSource=Y292ZXJQYWdlOzMyNzEyMjI1OTtBUzo4MTE5ODg1Mjc2MTYwMDFAMTU3MDYwNDU1OTQ0OQ%3D%3D&el=1_x_10&_esc=publicationCoverPdf

978-1-5386-4599-4/18/$31.00 ©2018 IEEE

GIS Cloud Computing; Application Omar Al-Bayari

Department of Surveying and Geomatics Engineering AL-Balqa’ Applied University

Al-Salt, Jordan bayariomar@yahoo.it

Abstract— Geographic Information System (GIS) is the processes of managing, manipulating, analyzing, updating and presenting metadata according to its geographic location, to be effectively used in different aspects of life [1]. Cloud Computing allowed the utilization of all computing resources and software as required through the web in a virtual computing environment [2, 3]. Different Application software and data are provided at the (virtual) server side to be used. GIS Cloud is the future of Web GIS, with capabilities of easy and fast: collecting, processing, analyzing, updating, rectifying, publishing geospatial data through the internet. It is a web-based- GIS Application to enable all users fast, easy informed decision-making at fair price. It provides the power of desktop GIS on a web-based platform at fair cost anywhere. It offers a JavaScript Application Programming Interface (API) and a REST API, to provide GIS functionality into an application or website that can be hosted by GIS Cloud or by a third-party. In this work we are presenting a GIS-Cloud application in AL-Kamaliah region, small town of Amman suburbs to demonstrate its practicality and functionality.

Keywords— Map Editor, Map Viewer, Mobile Data Collection (MDC), Application Programming Interface (API), Hypertext Markup Language (HTML5), Web Map Service (WMS), Web Feature service (WFS) and Geocodes.

I. INTRODUCTION Cloud computing allows an easy access to computing

resources such as networks, servers, storage, services and applications. It is the on-demand IT services to a computing platform for sharing resources. Cloud computing is the advancement of computing and software deployment by the important industries such as Google, IBM, Microsoft, and Amazon. Several prototype applications and platforms, such as the IBM “Blue Cloud” infrastructure, the Google App Engine, the Amazon Cloud, and the Elastic Computing Platform. It is the future computing paradigm [4, 5]. According to the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST): “Cloud Computing is a model for enabling convenient, on-demand network access to a shared pool of configurable computing resources (e.g., networks, servers, storage, applications, and services) that can be rapidly provisioned and released with minimal management effort or service provider interaction. Organizations can use a virtual computing environment and data resources upon their need using different applications and communicate them to their Web clients. Applications can be web accessed and the application software and data are kept at the (virtual) server side” [6].

GIS CLOUD is an Integrated System of Hardware, Software and Spatial Data to produce maps and reports which simplifies the analysis and the informed decision making. It is a type of virtualized computing resources that are provisioned based on service-level agreements [7]. Global organizations like ESRI, GIS Cloud Ltd, already using Cloud Computing to provide on-demand services to users. World’s largest GIS Cloud infrastructure providers are Amazon (Amazon EC2 & S3), Microsoft (Microsoft Windows Azure, Windows Server Hyper-V), and IBM (IBM Cloud) [8].

Cloud Computing provides on-demand self-service with easy network access at any location in no time, at fair cost and pay-per-use. Delivery of services could be according to the needs such as: software as a service (SaaS), platform as a service (PaaS) and infrastructure as a service (IaaS) to be employed at the level of the organization, the clients, the public or a mix [9]. GIS Cloud we believe is the future of GIS because of its great applications and their simplifying the GIS functions, meanwhile, reducing the technical support and maintenance needs. It reduces the cost of the implementation (GIS software and specialized technician). The elastic nature of the GIS Cloud allows the increase or decrease the capacity on demand and helps in direct publication. Finally, it opens the skies to Collaborative mapping without in site expert intervention and concern about data size and storage.

GIS Cloud Applications are different and easy to use for non GIS professionals, which qualify them as the optimal solution for decision making, planning and in emergencies. Examples are many such as: in Fire Service in Australia, in disease surveillance system in Pakistan, in providing work for special groups to improve their employment in the USA, as well as in the public works to complete a list of maintenance works in Amsterdam etc. The more and more need for GIS solutions implied the need for its being friendly, fast and at low cost for all users and these requirements are provided through GIS Cloud Computing.

II. GIS CLOUD APPLICATION GIS Cloud main characteristic is its unique vector

visualization engine which improve the way we can use and present maps. It also allows the integration to any other GIS solutions. The GIS CLOUD solutions include: Mobile Data Collecting, Map viewer, Map portal, Map editor (Fig. 1). Customers focus more on their applications and the

development team manages and supervises the security and reliability of the GIS Cloud solution.

The cloud provides a reliable, secure infrastructure under constant supervision and management from their team, to allow customers more focus on their GIS applications.

Fig. 1. GIS CLOUD solutions.

GIS Cloud developed seven Applications who are instantly available and easily accessible through the web. GIS Cloud can do better and faster: Map Performance, Pricing, Structure, Collaboration, Functionality and Integration, at Important Cost Reduction and per- use (the GIS Cloud we used, charge 5$ for 1000 Geocodes). It supports multiple vector and raster formats, as well as, the Open Geospatial Consortium (OGC) standards like WMS, WFS etc. The user interface is tailored and customized to the needs. It can be used to embrace the reach and publish.

III. MAIN COMPONENTS AND WORK PROCEDURE The GIS CLOUD is created by mixing GIS with the

website using a java script codes. It has Map editor, Mobile Data Collection (MDC), Map viewer and Map Portal. We did our application merging MDC (Application, Web), Map editor and Map viewer (Fig. 2).

Fig. 2. GIS Cloud components

Map Editor is to create and share maps, while supports all GIS formats. Developed on HTML5 technologies, with full vector-based editing and real-time updates to the geodatabase.

Map Viewer is used to allow all users to view maps in real time according to their allowed access. Creating an account will allow accessing the GIS Cloud using the username and password. Then, the manager will appear with two options, the form and frame (Fig. 3).

Fig. 3. GIS CLOUD website home tab.

The Form: (MDC) is to start designing the desired model through: Collect, inspect and manage field data. The Frame: (Map editor) of the model is where to Create, upload, author, publish and share the spatial data. Start by the form to create new project (description of it), then move to Form items, to choose what will appear on the application uploaded by the users. To create the Frame the Home Tab will Appear (Fig. 4) to access all maps, your own maps, maps someone has shared with you, or public maps and data.

Fig. 4. Map editor home tab

To 'Create New Map' we start creating the frame; and choose the best base map for our project. Then the map editor page will start (Fig. 5).

Fig. 5. Street Map

Main User Interface offers complete control and functionality for working with the geospatial data.

To use the Application or to modify your user account you have to Login to “Map Editor“(Using user Name and Password). The tool ribbon is used for creating projects and their maps with all the layers to allow data management and analysis. It has a Layer panel to offer Map Viewer, Layer Data Table, Info Table and Search tool and GIS Cloud Team connection.

Mobile Data Collection: MDC application enables media enriched location information using location based technology (LBS). It collects data to allow charring, analyzing, publishing and updating in real time. In addition, off-line data can be collected to be uploaded when internet connectivity is available (Fig. 6).

Fig. 6. Mobile data collection

MDC makes collecting data off-site very easy and information available from anywhere. It allows reviewing attributes data and making edits directly from the field. It populates data for immediate analysis, share and publish. The form is where you populate your data to the attributes. GIS Cloud allows off-site workers to view real time update. Installing the application on your mobile will associate your ID with all other users who are using the application. Upon installation, access the Application and choose the project from the website then, it will switch to the form window to start data collecting. The location is shown as GPS coordinates where you can have a photo, record an audio, write a description and edit (Fig. 7). Then, send it to GIS Cloud to be accessed immediately.

Fig. 7. Collecting data.

Collecting the data using the mobile application, we went to the map editor page and choose “My Maps” then “create a new map” (Fig. 8).

Fig. 8. Map editor home tab.

We chose 'open street map' of Al-Kamaliah suburb. We added the layer of the data we had collected using the MDC to the data of our project as a layer. Then, we added all the types that we've created in the form and gave a color code for every feature (Fig.9).

Fig. 9. Feature style and color.

Fig. 10. MAP with all the collected features.

Create the final report clicking on 'layer tab' ,'report', it prompted us a window called 'layer report' then we checked in all the fields and clicked on 'create report' (Table I).

TABLE I. GIS CLOUD REPORT; ROAD WORKS AT AL-KAMALIAH .

IV. DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS As a new experience of GIS Cloud utilization in Jordan

we found that GIS cloud services are much easier , faster and cheaper than traditional GIS solutions . in the following we present a comparison between GIS Cloud and traditional GIS solution(Table II):

TABLE II. COMPERSIONS BETWEEN GIS CLOUD AND GIS TRADTIONAL SOLUTIONS FOR SOME FEATURES .

CONCLUSION GIS Cloud is the solution for increased GIS applications in optimized planning, informed decision making and emergencies at reasonable cost in no time and efforts. It allows in site mobile data collection, editing and publishing in real time using another programmer or application. Also, it gives the opportunity to develop, edit, and publish on the map from the field using the internet and simple gadgets. It

is exactly what we need to overcome all problems in desktop GIS. GIS Cloud Advantages are to include: real time follow-up, easy Data access and distribution through the web in real time, no need to download large datasets, out sourcing of GIS and IT management, E-commerce is easier, Data Volume and format is no problem, Time Saving in to migrate the data to the server and to access and download and reduces the installation and usage cost. Web-based GIS, has a lot of clever sampling software and issues so the end user may not notice when viewing but download is a different issue. Cloud GIS Disadvantages are presented in the lack of control and security over the way your data is used, displayed, manipulated and analyzed.

ACKNOWLEDGMENT I would like to thank Tarqeem Company (Eng. Fuad Shannaq), Eng. Ahmad Nsour and Ghofran Hajahjeh for their support to conduct this work.

REFERENCES [1] David W. S. Wong and C. Victor Wu, 1996, “Spatial Metadata and

GIS for Decision Support”, Proceedings of the 29th Annual Hawaii, International Conference on System Sciences - I996 IEEE.

[2] L.M. Vaquero, L. Rodero-Merino, J. Caceres, and M. Lindner, 2009, “A break in the clouds: towards a cloud definition,” SIGCOMM Comput. Commun. 39 (1), pp.50-55.

[3] VOGELS, W., 2008, “A Head in the Clouds – The Power of Infrastructure as a Service,” In First workshop on Cloud Computing and in Applications (CCA ‘08).

[4] L. Mei, W. K. Chan, and T. H. Tse, 2008, “A tale of clouds: Paradigm comparisons and some thoughts on research issues,” Asia-Pacific Conference on Services Computing. 2006 IEEE, Vol. 0, pp. 464–469.

[5] Y. Zhao, I. Raicu, and I. Foster, 2008, “Scientific Workflow Systems for 21st Century, New Bottle or New Wine?” In: 2008 IEEE Congress on Services, pp 467-471.

[6] The Characteristics of Cloud Computing. (2010, Sept 13-16). IEEE. Retrieved from San Diego, CA, USA:http://ieeexplore.ieee.org/abstract/document/5599083/?reload=true

[7] Rajkumar Buyya, Chee Shin Yeo, and Srikumar Venugopal, “Market-Oriented Cloud Computing: Vision, Hype, and Reality for Delivering IT Services as Computing Utilities,” Keynote Paper, Proceedings of the 10th IEEE International Conference on High Performance Computing and Communications (HPCC 2008, IEEE CS Press, Los Alamitos, CA, USA), Sept. 25-27, 2008, China.

[8] Muzafar Ahmad Bhat et al., 2011 “Cloud Computing: A solution to geographical information systems (GIS)”, International Journal on Computer Science and Engineering (IJCSE), pp594-600, vol.3No.2.

[9] I. Foster, Y. Zhao, I. Raicu, and S. Lu, 2008,”Cloud Computing and Grid Computing 360-Degree Compared,” In: Grid Computing Environments Workshop, 2008, GCE '08, p. 10, 1.

GIS Cloud Traditional GIS User

-Web based: easy accessed and publish for all users as it deals

with browsers. - no need for GIS professionals

-Machine based (Desktop, Server,..etc),related to

specific space. - need trained, professionals

in GIS Data Collection

-Integrated within the technology, easy to develop,

design and use.

Need developer every time you change the project and

the area. Development

GIS Cloud technical Support can develop and customize on

demand to all users at low cost.

Need professionals in .NET and Java for development and they are highly paid

usually. Licensing and prices

The license is per server and not by number of cores

4 core or 64 same prices, the server price is almost half

prices of other technology and Map Editor is 30% and the Map Viewer is 10% and the

MDC is less than 10% compared with the other

solutions .

Expensive Limited by the number of

server cores , for desktop is 2-3 time higher , for server 2-4 times higher and MDC is not available and need to be develop with additional

cost.

View publication statsView publication stats

https://www.researchgate.net/publication/327122259

/ColorImageDict > /JPEG2000ColorACSImageDict > /JPEG2000ColorImageDict > /AntiAliasGrayImages false /CropGrayImages true /GrayImageMinResolution 150 /GrayImageMinResolutionPolicy /OK /DownsampleGrayImages true /GrayImageDownsampleType /Bicubic /GrayImageResolution 300 /GrayImageDepth -1 /GrayImageMinDownsampleDepth 2 /GrayImageDownsampleThreshold 2.00333 /EncodeGrayImages true /GrayImageFilter /DCTEncode /AutoFilterGrayImages true /GrayImageAutoFilterStrategy /JPEG /GrayACSImageDict > /GrayImageDict > /JPEG2000GrayACSImageDict > /JPEG2000GrayImageDict > /AntiAliasMonoImages false /CropMonoImages true /MonoImageMinResolution 1200 /MonoImageMinResolutionPolicy /OK /DownsampleMonoImages true /MonoImageDownsampleType /Bicubic /MonoImageResolution 600 /MonoImageDepth -1 /MonoImageDownsampleThreshold 1.00167 /EncodeMonoImages true /MonoImageFilter /CCITTFaxEncode /MonoImageDict > /AllowPSXObjects false /CheckCompliance [ /None ] /PDFX1aCheck false /PDFX3Check false /PDFXCompliantPDFOnly false /PDFXNoTrimBoxError true /PDFXTrimBoxToMediaBoxOffset [ 0.00000 0.00000 0.00000 0.00000 ] /PDFXSetBleedBoxToMediaBox true /PDFXBleedBoxToTrimBoxOffset [ 0.00000 0.00000 0.00000 0.00000 ] /PDFXOutputIntentProfile (None) /PDFXOutputConditionIdentifier () /PDFXOutputCondition () /PDFXRegistryName () /PDFXTrapped /False

/CreateJDFFile false /Description >>> setdistillerparams> setpagedevice