Spatial Data Repositories: Design, Implementation and Management Issues

Abstract

This chapter identifies and discusses issues associated with integrating technologies for storing spatial data into business information technology frameworks. A new taxonomy of spatial data storage systems is developed differentiating storage systems by the systems architectures used to enable interaction between client applications and physical spatial data stores, and by the methods used by client applications to query and return spatial data. Five distinct storage models are identified and discussed along with current examples of vendor implementations. Building on this initial discussion, the chapter identifies a variety of issues pertaining to spatial data storage systems affecting three distinct aspects of technology adoption: systems design, systems implementation and management of completed systems. Current issues associated with each of these three aspects are described and illustrated along with a discussion of emerging trends in spatial data storage technologies. As spatial data and the technologies designed to store and manipulate it become more prevalent, understanding potential impacts these technologies may have on other technology decisions within an organization becomes increasingly important. Furthermore, understanding how these technologies can introduce security risks and other vulnerabilities into a computing framework is critical to successful implementation.