The UN Open GIS Initiative is intending to provide a sustainable hybrid GIS platform (integrating open-source software GIS technology with the existing proprietary GIS platform) to effectively and efficiently support enhanced Situational Awareness and informed decision making to fulfill the core mandates of UN operations (e.g. Monitors ceasefire agreement & armed groups activities, Sustainable development, disaster risk reduction, etc.). During emergency operations, GIS and Image Intelligence significantly contribute to lifesaving operations, whether search and rescue or any other emergency operations. Having this ability, GIS has proven to minimize the cost of operations, assist in lifesaving activities, provide a common understanding of the situation through visual information of the areas of interest.
UN has been utilizing geospatial technology over the past few decades and its GIS infrastructure has been built on mostly proprietary solutions. For the past years, hybrid and open-source technology have grown and matured beyond what just proprietary solutions can provide.
Continuing provision of GIS services only on proprietary solution brings considerable challenges, such as limited flexibility, restrictions in data formats, high cost of licenses, limited options for scalability and mainstream, and difficulty to transfer capacity & technology to the Member States (host nations) and working partners.
Where hybrid and open-source complement to effectively support UN operational and technical demands, it is complementing UN legacy GIS infrastructure, it minimizes the cost of licenses, which would optimize the cost of running and maintaining of GIS infrastructure. The hybrid and open source technology provides flexibility and streamlining of GIS process, scalability due to cost efficiency, interoperability, innovations, and has a lighter footprint on the infrastructure.
Hybrid GIS architecture combines the necessary components and technical demand from both proprietary and open-source solutions through the integration of a geospatial database between a proprietary and open-source that complements both platforms to support every UN requirement.
The Hybrid GIS Infrastructure pilot project focused on proofing the concept through the design and implementation of a hybrid prototype to support (1) Unite Map and (2) Open GeoPortal.
This talk will share the experience of integration of proprietary and open-source GIS Infrastructure.