The exeGesIS SDM MapLink Version 3 module adds Geographic Information Systems (GIS) functionality to CMS. The module allows spatial information related to the database records to be managed from within the database application, and this mapped data to be browsed, queried and printed. There are two products in the MapLink suite, MapLink for MapInfo and MapInfo for ArcGIS (both versions 8x and 9x).

View a demo of MapLink in action

The MapLink module incorporates a version of the exeGesIS SDM Gazetteers software, providing tools for navigating around the map by searching any indexed layer, such as Settlements or Post Codes.

The module allows multi-user data entry and editing on the same layer. This process is managed invisibly by the MapLink module, by using temporary layers during data entry then writing these back into the master layer.

Above: MapLink for MapInfo

Above: MapLink for ArcGIS

Data managed within the MapLink module can also be accessed from outside the host application by using the associated GIS software. This allows the user to customize the GIS environment for the MapLink module, as well as providing a wider range of GIS tools for data management and spatial analysis.

The module also includes a limited-functionality version of the exeGesIS SDM Templates software for the production of professional scaled plans complete with user-defined grids, logos, titles, keys and copyright statements. Greater functionality is available with the full version of the Map Templates module, which has to be separately licensed and installed.

The new release of MapLink includes many productivity and exciting interface improvements which greatly improve the functionality of the mapping module when built into custom applications. The enhancements include:

• Multi user point/line and polygon editing - in previous versions new objects could be created by any user, but existing object editing could not be carried out whilst other users were adding or editing records.
• Spatial selection tools and new current selection layer:
• Selections can be passed back to the underlying database for reporting and further filtering.
• Prints using the map templates software, now have the option to show all records or only the current selection.
• Selections can be saved to new MapInfo layers.
• Selections are protected from being unselected by accidental clicks on the map.
• Additional MapInfo Layers can be opened and displayed within the interface.
• Expert users can, at any time, launch a full copy of MapInfo which is loaded with the same map as the MapLink window, they can then use the full MapInfo tools to create complex buffers or do any other advanced processing, then once complete, with a click of a button the user can move back to the MapLink interface, maintaining all work carried out in MapInfo as well as the map view.
• Object intersection method - can be used to query the spatial data to find information such as Parish/Community name or whether the object is in a SSSI. The information is returned to the text database ready for populating text field or constraint lists.

Other improvements include:

• Multiple selected items can now be updated in a single action
• Clear selection option added to the context menu
• Improved help facilities now embedded as .CHM files
• Ability to launch full MapInfo Professional from MapLink
• Compatible with .NET applications
• Batch upload of data in CSV format for use with handheld devices ******
• Exposes the full MapBasic functionality via new DO and EVALUATE methods
• Sample applications for VB6,VB.NET,MS Access included
• Improved diagnostics for MapLink configurations
• Initiate a cross hair "click & get" session from the database application******
• Ability to tune communication between the map and application on stressed networks
• Improved error messaging and trapping
• Improved resolution of multi-user conflicts

This product uses an identical interface to the MapInfo MapLink module, so developers only need to write one common application which can be linked to MapInfo or ArcGIS interfaces.

Other features include

• Compatible with .NET applications
• High level abstraction of the ArcObjects object library
• Perform operations on grouped layers as if they are single layer
• Batch upload of data in CSV format for use with handheld devices
• New method to perform intersections on linked layers
• Export active view to JPG (for inclusion of maps in Crystal reports)
• Exposes the full underlying ArcObject model via GISMap and GISApp properties
• Initiate a cross hair "click & get" session from the database application
• Automatically tile the GIS and Database windows and set the split
• Sample applications for VB6,VB.NET,MS Access included
• Improved diagnostics for MapLink configurations

Download a leaflet detailing MapLink here (PDF format).