In the complex world we live in today, spatial, GIS, and other types of engineering data are primarily managed in a digital format, with an ever increasing number of formats. It is interesting to note that while standards like those developed by OGC are counterbalanced by the broadening of the definition geospatial formats, an increasing number of tools can also now create geospatial data (for example: Google Earth files, PDFs).
Federated information management is an approach that relies on indexing data in its native form rather than converting it to a common format. This concept is in fact already working in Web indexing engines like Google, which reads and indexes a Web site's metadata and content rather than making copies and storing them in one unique format.
A similar approach to solving the data management and organization problems of government, utilities, communications providers, and others is attaining recognition and acceptance by many user and IT organizations. Federated information management allows for indexing a variety of types of data in various forms (spatial data, graphical files, business documents) and presenting them via a spatial user interface. This paper will explore the advantages of federated information management and the industry standards and technologies that enable its implementation.
Watch video on "The Federated System, BE Conference 2007"
Presented by Francois Valois, Product Manager