Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
This FAQ will forever be updated with new information as it becomes available and as you, the user, recommend or highlight areas needing more explanation.
Check back here often.
Index
Mapping Content
When using ArcGIS
General Questions
Mapping content
What are the origins of the source data (eg. have noticed some discrepancies in the road names compared to local data)?
PSMA is the primary data source. In regard to a data discrepancy, MDS is always appreciative of detailed local knowledge regarding content. If you should discover an anomily with the data, please provide details to to feedback@mapds.com.au, where it will be investigated and updated as required. All feedback helps to increase the accuracy of the data we provide.
How often is the mapping content updated?
MDS receives 4 updates per year from PSMA. MDS then combines its own updates with the latest PSMA data available.
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When using ArcGIS
Is it available as a map service and if so can a "Demo" version of the map service be provided for evaluation within ArcGIS Desktop?
Yes, the MDS Foundation Map is currently an ArcGIS Server Map Service and as such can be consumed in ArcGIS Desktop.
Does the customer have to create the map service from the cached images?
No, the user does not have to do anything in terms of managing cache for the Foundation Map. The cache tiles are maintained and hosted by MDS. The user simply references the MDS Foundation Map in their web application using the custom ArcGISTiledMapServiceLayer classes provided for each of the ArcGIS Web APIs.
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Does MDS Foundation Map have the same functionality as the ArcGIS map service brings?
The MDS Foundation Map provides the mapping capabilities of a ArcGISTiledMapServiceLayer in the context of web applications built using the ArcGIS APIs for JavaScript, Silverlight and Flex. It does not expose Query or Identify capabilities – it is simply providing a high speed, quality map upon which other data and services can be displayed.
Can MDS Foundation Map be used within Dekho?
Yes, MDS Foundation Map will be available for existing clients under the maintenance and support program at no additional cost. New purchases of Dekho V3.1 will include the MDS Foundation Map customers. Dekho version 3.1 is available from 1st September 2010.
How do ArcGIS Desktop users access MDS Foundation Map?
ArcGIS Desktop users can access MDS Foundation Map by adding a connection to the MDS Foundation Map ArcGIS server using a provided set of connections and credentials.
How do you integrate the MDS Foundation Map in to web applications?
Detailed instructions on how to use the MDS Foundation Map as a base layer in the ArcGIS APIs for JavaScript, Silverlight and Flex are provided as part of the service. Documented, worked example code for each API is provided as point of reference for the user's own applications.
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Does the user need to have ArcGIS Server to host the service?
No, the service is hosted by MDS. The service is consumed by the client in a web application.
How does MDS host the service? Is it through a ArcGIS server 9.3.1 Cached service?
Within MDS’ hosting environment developed over 13 years. This is through ArcGIS server as an ArcGIS service.
MDS hosts MDS Foundation Map as an ArcGIS 9.3.1 and 10 compatible ArcGIS service.
Does the user need to use the ArcGIS Server REST API to access the service?
Yes, the MDS Foundation Map service is required to be accessed through the ArcGIS Server REST API.
Can MDS data be consumed by ArcIMS?
No. ArcIMS is a web mapping product from Esri that came before ArcGIS Server. It's still in use in many places and is still fully supported, but it is no longer actively developed by Esri.
A map service created in ArcIMS can not include the MDS Foundation Map because the ArcIMS map service has no understanding of cached map tiles as a data source.
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General Questions
Are the map levels / scales fixed?
MDS Foundation Map includes 18 levels / scales based on industry standards.
Can you overlay data on MDS Foundation Map?
Yes, you can overlay data on the MDS Foundation Map in a web application that utilises the map as a base layer. Note that the MDS Foundation Map uses the Web Mercator projection ( EPSG:102113). Overlaid services should be in the same projection for best performance.
How can user purchase the map tiles so they can host the service themselves?
They can't at this stage, we are investigation an appliance for “behind the firewall” situations. They could always purchase the “plug and play” vector data as mentioned above.
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What is the price for transaction access to ABS demographic data, and the QuickMap Developer Toolkit service to function data?
ABS data is available online through MDS Geo-Demographic Service (Tactician Online). Call MDS Client Services on (02) 8436-2800 for more information.
What is the file size of the mapping tiles?
The average tile size is 2k. >99% of all tiles are within one k of the 2k average. There are however a small number of tiles on the servers that are up to 10k.
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What coordinate systems is the service available as, in the code its set to EPSG:102113 which is the WGS-84 Web Mercator, I was of the understanding this was to be replaced with EPSG 3857.
The MDS Foundation Map is only available in the Web Mercator projection (EPSG:102113). This follows what Bing, Google and ArcGIS.com use as the projection for their base maps. Services that are displayed over the MDS Foundation Map should be in the same projection for the best performance.