Server GIS

• ArcGIS Server
• ArcGIS Explorer
• ArcIMS
• ArcGIS Image Server

Server-Based GIS Technology

Server GIS is used for many kinds of centrally hosted GIS computing. The server-based GIS technology trend is growing. GIS software can be centralized in application servers to deliver GIS capabilities to large numbers of users over networks. Enterprise GIS users connect to central GIS servers using traditional desktop GIS as well as Web browsers, mobile computing devices, and digital appliances.

Comprehensive GIS capabilities must be provided to support a broad range of server GIS requirements. For example, server GIS can be used for

• Managing large GIS databases
• Internet delivery of geographic information
• Hosting central GIS Web portals for information discovery and use
• Centrally hosting GIS functions that are accessed by many users in an organization
• Back-office processing of enterprise GIS databases
• Distributed GIS computing (such as distributed GIS data management and analysis)
• Internet delivery of comprehensive GIS functionality

ESRI GIS servers are IT compliant and interoperate well with other enterprise software (such as Web servers, RDBMSs, and enterprise application frameworks including Java J2EE and Microsoft .NET). This enables the integration of GIS with numerous information system technologies and computing standards.

ArcGIS Server Products

ArcGIS Server is a complete and integrated server-based GIS. It comes with out-of-the-box, end user applications and services for spatial data management, visualization, and spatial analysis.

ArcGIS Explorer is a lightweight client that is included with ArcGIS Server. It offers an easy way to deliver access to GIS content and capabilities. ArcGIS Explorer supports 2D and 3D mapping services as well as geoprocessing services for spatial analysis.

ArcIMS is a scalable Internet Map Server. It is widely used for GIS Web Publishing to deliver maps, data, and metadata to many users on the Web. For example, ArcIMS provides browser-based access to many GIS catalog portals that enable users to publish and share geographic knowledge with other users.

ArcGIS Image Server is a management, processing, and distribution platform for geospatial imagery. It provides fast and open access to geospatial imagery, allowing organizations to leverage their investments in raster data.