What can you do with web mapping APIs?

Numerous client-side mapping libraries exist in both the open-source and closed-source domains. These include, but are not limited to, Leaflet, OpenLayers, Maplibre, CesiumJS, Google Map, and Mapbox. Essentially, they facilitate the seamless rendering of your geospatial data on a map in your browser. Likewise, there are various server-side mapping libraries such as PostGS, GeoServer, MapServer, and ArcGIS Server, among others. These libraries enable the creation of a pipeline for geospatial data, its storage, and its streaming to the client application.

Generally, Web mapping APIs empower you to transform location data into engaging and useful experiences. Embed interactive maps, plan efficient routes, track objects in real-time, and overlay your data for analysis.

An API is a set of building blocks or frameworks that are invoked using a programming language. As a result, it does not stand alone as a programming language like Python, Java, or SQL, etc. APIs define the service agreement between two applications (e.g., map-based apps). The agreement specifies how the two map-based applications will interact with each other through requests and responses (geospatial data and information sharing). The application that acts as the client makes GIS operational requests through the browser using the API. while the application that acts as the server receives these operational requests, processes them, and sends the response to the client application through the API.

Application Programming Interfaces allow different systems to access and manipulate a common data set (or sets). This allows data to be used and utilised across the business. For example an FTTx (optical fibre) network is designed on 3-GIS using the underlying Esri toolset. This network includes all the fibre pairs, ducts, chambers, roads, street furniture etc. Very exciting and allows delivery to plan, manage and build a physical network. Using APIs though Sales can use CRM such as Salesforce to productise the fibres and sell to customers; Finance can use the same data sets and monitor profit and loss etc; Operations can understand where outages are and which customers are affected; Field services can understand what assets are where.

3D Tileset is an additional format designed to manage large scale, varied 3D geospatial datasets like point clouds and building models. It's built on top of the glTF and captures spatial hierarchy.

A web mapping service that is not highly regarded but has good usability and can be easily accessed from any device is Google my maps. Google my maps is a web-based mapping tool that allows you to create custom maps by marking specific locations, adding text, images, and videos, and sharing them with others. You can use it for personal or professional purposes, such as planning a trip, organizing a project, or showcasing points of interest. I made an application of it, displaying all the environmental protection areas in the state of Ceará in Brazil, with all the relevant information for external use. This way, it can be used by inspectors in the field and by tourists who want to visit the areas.

The gathering of GIS data itself is costly and time-consuming process. The cleansing of GIS data by GIS analysts require considerable time to process the large datasets.

Biggest challenges no surprise are all around the data. Basically rubbish in means rubbish out. Much legacy data is still on paper so will need to be manually converted. The next challenge is converting CAD or Vizio drawings. Again basically lines on a screen. Then legacy data formats such as ENE, Smallworld etc. Can be a real pain to migrate unless you have access to good automation tools. The final challenge is data inconsistencies, missing and plain wrong. Never easy but well worth the effort and please ensure processes are put in place to keep data current and accurate.

Using the right system both for current needs but in many ways more importantly for future years. Esri is the biggest and best platform and really difficult to see why any business would use anything that is not Esri based. The risk of having to migrate again in the future is just too high. There are also so many Esri partners building new and better functions that it is a bit like buying Apple iPhone. Put simply the AppStore is bigger and better by miles than anything else.