I have a requirement to display a map using lat/long coordinates on an XP
Embedded machine but not using the internet.
Does anyone know of a library (similar to Microsoft's Mappont product) that
works locally with no internet/network dependency
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Simon Hart
http://simonrhart.blogspot.com
Hi Duncan,
Thanks for your input.
It seems that solution still requires Virtual Earth dependency which only seems available hosted by Microsoft.
Simon.
Hi Simon
What is not on my website, and perhaps should be is that I specialise in writing standalone GIS mapping systems, for the Web, Windows and Linux. The reason for using Virtual Earth or Google Maps is the cost of map data; many of the alternatives are simply beyond reach of potential customers (OS Mater Map, Street level data, etc), unless you are talking about tracking systems (Navteq).
Having said that for specialised GIS systems I do use a number of third party mapping engines that handle the common GIS file formats. Additionally I do have my own mapping engine that handles raster data, which was used for the web before Google Maps, and Virtual Earth were invented.
Depending on map data volumes, concurrent users/standalone system, system architecture etc, will dictate what are the best libraries to use. ESRI is one route, but there are a number of others, which often work out considerably cheaper.
The big advantage of this route is the saving in software royalties, where there are large volume sales, or large numbers of users. (Please note that map data royalties are still payable)
Map data storage requirements Navteq UK Street level data
249 MB ESRI Shape File Format
9.47 GB Geo Tiff
What you appear to be talking about is hosting the map data locally on the machine, or on a local server. This should not be problem depending on the spec of the machine, volume of map data, and library used. Equally handling the NEMA input from a GPS is a straightforward matter.
Duncan Garratt
Just to give you an overview on our system design that we are putting together. We have a customer that has a fleet of vans that drive from location to location to repair roads. We send them a job via GPRS which contains the lat/long which we would like to plot on a map so the engineer can clearly see where he needs to go. Even better, we would like to use a guidance tool (like TomTom) that navigates to the destination.
We have not decided what hardware we will be running on yet, quite possibly a tablet PC but could be a larger Windows Mobile device running Windows CE. As the device will have GPRS connectivity, this is only used to push data out to the device and for the device to push data back to our gateway. For this reason, we have no internet connectivity as the GPRS connects to a private APN. So we can't use Microsofts or Googles hosted services unfortunately. Using TomTom for guidance would work if running on a Windows CE device as they provide a SDK that runs on Windows CE but I don't think they do for Windows XP Embedded. So if we target XP Embedded we would need an alternative guidance tool.
I have been looking at Microsoft Mappoint ActiveX (not the Web Service product) which seems to offer what we need, it seems to support GPS. Hoever I know very little about this but this is the only tool I have seen that fits the bill to date.
Cheers
Simon.
Hi Simion
I have libraries to run what you are after on the Microsoft Compact Framework, and on XP Embedded.
There is a choice of .Net or 32bit code. If using vector data routing can also be included locally on the device.
The cost of the map data for street level UK data (Navteq) would be around ¡ê5 per device per annum, if connected to a GPS. (European map data cost's would be around ¡ê9 per device per annum).
If you could give me a call , so that we can discuss this further.
Duncan Garratt
Hi Simon
Whilst I understand the issue about source code extremely well. I think you will find that in the GIS world, and in other areas, software houses/developers are reluctant to release libraries with source code. I am sure you will understand that intellectual property is extremely valuable. In this case we are not talking about small libraries that display for example a menu in an ASPX page, but libraries that allow a developer to build complete fully functional bespoke GIS systems. Are you honestly saying ESRI, or Map Info, and others should release their source code, which in many cases has cost millions to develop over many years
Equally I think you will find that GIS is a highly specialised field that even with the use of third party libraries requires not only advanced/expert level programming knowledge, but also good/expert knowledge of the skills of a cartographer. As someone with over twenty years of experience in military, and civilian GIS systems, as an operator, cartographer, and programmer, may I respectfully suggest that you seek expert expertise in this area
Duncan Garratt