A Geospatial Foundation Continued from page 19 help spread GIS knowledge throughout the organization's scientific community while also providing tools that enable scientists to use GIS independently. This has allowed the organization's specialized staff time to work on both the SDI and advanced information projects. Software The IDAMAR SDI relies on Microsoft for its operating system, Oracle for DBMS, and Esri's ArcGIS for its GIS software. Specifically, the IDAMAR SDI makes use of ArcSDE, ArcIMS, and ArcGIS Server applications as well as single use and floating licenses for ArcView; ArcEditor; and the ArcGIS Spatial Analyst, ArcGIS 3D Analyst, ArcGIS Publisher, and ArcGIS Geostatistical Analyst extensions. Hardware The SDI is supported by four servers--two internal and two external. A variety of IHPT devices (PDAs, laptops, PCs, workstations, printers, plotters, and high-resolution scanners) are used for some SDI functions. Internal processes Implementing the SDI reengineered some IHPT production processes and introduced new ones. Setting up rules and workflows was necessary because making internal production more efficient was a main objective of the project. Offline products Generated in response to ad hoc requests for information, offline products are normally distributed as CDs or DVDs. Although not necessarily related to the internal products generated by IHPT, the SDI answers specific information needs, and offline operations are advantageous from a naval security standpoint. In addition, some paper products are still used for a variety of purposes including thematic cartography. In the last three years, more than 30 ad hoc GIS projects based on the SDI have been developed. Online products and services Online products and services provide broad access to the SDI. They are the most visible part of the public system that includes data catalogs, information products, and data services. Two Web portals (one internal and one external) allow users to obtain information products and services and provide the front end for data catalogs, data visualization applications, the metadata search engine, download services, and data services. 20 ArcUser Spring 2009 As an aid for navigators, photographs of landmarks along the Portuguese coastline are available from the public Web site. This picture shows the lighthouse at the entrance to the Lisbon harbor. Information Products Some information products are available from one or both of the Web portals, while others are furnished offline. The scope of products supplied depends on use and encompasses public services, commercial services, environmental protection, naval missions, and research and development. The list of products included here is not exhaustive, only representative. Exploring data with online data catalogs, data visualization, and metadata Several data catalogs allow users to explore data in IDAMAR SDI databases. Geographic interfaces assist in visualizing data such as horizontal control points, chart folios coverage, hydrographic surveys coverage, hydrographic soundings, sea bottom sediment samples, chemical analysis for water and sea bottom samples, tide observations, and sea state buoy observations. The ENC World Catalog is one of the most relevant catalogs available. Although not entirely related to IHPT (because its geographic extent is the world), this catalog helps sea navigators identify the available cells relevant to their route. The coverage data, collected by the International Centre for ENCs (IC-ENC), is available at websig.hidrografico. pt/website/icenc and is updated monthly. Information on the appearance of the coastline as it appears from the sea is very useful for sea navigation. A compilation of visual aids to the navigation of the Portuguese coastline is available from a customized ArcGIS Server Web site. This site provides www.esri.com