Internet Mapping Framework
Benefits

Here are some of the many reasons to adopt the IMF as the basis for your web mapping applications:

• Rapid deployment of web mapping applications

  Using the IMF, it takes only a fraction of the time that it would otherwise take to create and deploy a customized web mapping application. Using simple to understand XML customization files, an IMF-based web mapping application can be easily developed within a few hours, often without any programming at all.

• Low cost

  The IMF was developed by Moxi Media under contract to the Province of British Columbia. Including the significant contribution of their staff, the design and development cost was several hundred thousand dollars (CDN). The fee for licensing the IMF is an exceptional value, saving hundreds or thousands of hours of development time.

  The version of IMF that works with OpenGIS® compliant services provides additional cost saving potential by allowing the use of free, open-source map server products such as the excellent MapServer application available from the University of Minnesota.

• Application Service Provider model

  The IMF is designed to be installed as an Application Service Provider type of application, whereby it is installed on a single server within an organization but can support multiple web mapping applications. This strategy facilitates application support, enhancement, and maintenance because code changes do not have to be replicated for each mapping site that an organization has.

• Server-side Java application

  The IMF is written in Java and Java Server Pages, and is a platform independent solution. It can be installed on Windows, UNIX, or Linux servers using your choice of web server and servlet engine. The benefits of having the mapping application processes on the server-side are:
   
  

  • The returned pages are thin dynamic HTML, requiring no plug-ins. This enables access by users with minimal bandwidth and computer capability.
     
    
  • The application code is protected. In a client-side solution, much of the application code is downloaded to the browser, and visible to curious users.
     
    
  • Development and maintenance is much easier.

• Ongoing enhancements and maintenance

  IMF licensees benefit from the continuing enhancement of the IMF by the Province of British Columbia (which is the copyright owner of the IMF), and other licensees that sometimes contribute customizations to the product. An active user group discussion board provides opportunities for licensees to share ideas and any custom code that they develop and wish to share. The IMF is updated when new features are added or when new ArcIMS releases or OpenGIS specifications are introduced at a minimal annual cost to licensees.