OptiMap Server
The OptiMap Server will parse all of the information created in the OptiMap
Builder. You can deploy OptiMap Server on Windows 98/NT/2000, Sun Solaris 2.6+,
MacOS X 10.1+ and most Linux/Unix systems. There are four ways OptiMap Server
can be run on a production server:
- As the OptiMap Server. The normal way is to install OptiMap as its own server. This is how it will be used in the development environment and probably the best way for it to be used as it will run in its own memory space or on its own server - OptiMap Server can even be clustered. Even though this is the usual way, it is interesting to note the other ways OptiMap can be used.
- As a servlet. OptiMap can be installed as a servlet and run on your J2EE application server. This can be beneficial as no non-standard ports are required and all of the processes will be controlled by the application server. However, running the OptiMap servlet will not perform as well as the server.
- As a bath processor. This method allows the developer to execute OptiMap as a batch process from a command-line interface. It is more advanced, but would allow sites with high traffic to pre-generate map data, saving the real-time processing overhead.
- Using the Library. Finally, a developer can call on the Java API directly - this can provide a great deal of control for the advanced Java developer.
Conclusion
There are two directions by which one would come to providing dynamic mapping
information on the Web: by having map data and wanting to Web-enable it, or
by having a Web site and wanting to add map data. OptiMap is meant for the latter
scenario. For organizations that already have GIS software and data, they are
probably better served using the appropriate Web plug-ins or connectors. OptiMap
is not as deep an application as those of ESRI
or MapInfo, but it is not as cumbersome
or complex to learn, either. Quite frankly, it's not meant to be. It's meant
to be an affordable solution for non-GIS professionals.
For Web developers, OptiMap offers a highly customizable, dynamically-integrated,
easy-to-learn development and server environment to deliver online mapping solutions.
It seems to have the necessary elements: a good development tool, a lot of customization
options (via PCXML and PCScript) and integrates with just about every Web development
platform. If you are looking for a Web-based mapping solution, I would recommend
at least evaluating OptiMap.
Drew Falkman is the author of the JRun Web Application Construction Kit and co-author (with Ben Forta) of Reality ColdFusion: J2EE Integration, both published by Macromedia Press. Over the past 6 years, Drew has developed over 150 Web applications in all sizes using ColdFusion and Java. Currently Drew consults, speaks at events, writes for numerous publications, and teaches courses at Portland State University. His latest project through his consulting company, Veraison LLC, was a real-time cattle auction using Flash Remoting and Flash Communication Server. In addition, Drew is a member of Team Macromedia, a certified ColdFusion Developer and a certified Macromedia instructor.
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