In this issue of OGC User we look at GlobeXplorer, a very successful commercial data provider; COMCARE, a national alliance implementing an open architecture for emergency response; and GeoServices, a Dutch public works information system built on open standards.

-- GlobeXplorer's customers use many different systems, and GlobeXplorer accommodates them all by providing both open and proprietary interfaces. There are lessons here for Google and the other search engines offering geospatial services.

-- COMCARE's Emergency Provider Access Directory, just one part of their open system, allows organizations to "sign up" to receive only those alerts relevant to their mission.

Google's recent routing and imagery offerings and the well publicized map and imagery offerings from MapQuest and Microsoft have sparked awareness that there's e-business potential in Web-based delivery of geospatial information. But these companies are just playing catch-up with GlobeXplorer, a company with a long and successful geospatial e-business track record, a sophisticated Web services based technical approach, and a commitment to open standards.

GlobeXplorer, a data aggregator, provides access to the world's largest online library of commercial earth imagery. Using a variety of mechanisms - a portal, an application programming interface (API), and Web services, GlobeExplorer distributes interactive maps and aerial and satellite imagery to businesses and researchers around the world. Unlike many competing imagery providers, they are not just serving images. They are also integrating spatial data on the fly using Web services, including Web services that implement the Open Geospatial Consortium's OpenGIS Web Feature Service (WFS) and Web Map Service (WMS) Specifications. They also offer "wire service" access to their backend processing system through servlets that run on their Web servers.

Borderless Information Sharing for Emergency Response

COMCARE follows its own advice. Not only does it promote the importance of interoperability and the standards that enable it, but it uses those same standards in its own offerings.

COMCARE is a national advocacy group representing more than 100 member organizations involved in emergency response. COMCARE's goal is to advance emergency communications to create an environment of borderless, geographically targeted information sharing. COMCARE recognizes that despite the best of intentions, emergency information does not always get to the right respondents at the right time. For example, during an anthrax threat in the U.S. capitol area, one agency only heard of the issues after responding to a similar effort. Many first responders in Toronto first heard about the SARS situation via newscasts. With more than 100,000 independent emergency response agencies in the U.S., the challenge of communicating effectively and in a timely manner is paramount.

This article was adapted by OGC User editor Lance McKee from a 28 February, 2005 case study that was translated and prepared by David Duijnmayer based on text written by the Dutch government's OSOSS program.

In 2003 the Dutch Directorate for Public Works and Water Management, Rijkswaterstaat (RWS), which is responsible for the maintenance of dikes, roads, bridges and the navigability of canals in the Netherlands, started the GeoServices project, and it has become very successful. GeoServices is a general term for Web based access to geo-information within Rijkswaterstaat using the international open standards of ISO and OGC.