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Web Services: FAQs
Q: Do I need to have specific software to use your Web Services?
A: Pixxures offers three types of protocols to access and use our Web Services: Arc XML, WMS (Web Map Services), and WFS (Web Feature Service). WMS is a specification of the Open Geospatial Consortium that is supported by most commercial GIS software. ArcXML is used with software applications such as ESRI’s ArcView, ArcMap, ArcIMS and ArcExplorer. WFS is also an OGIS standard-based protocol but is not as mature as WMS with regard to built-in desktop GIS support. However, WFS layers are powerful in that their shape and attribute information can be updated in near-real time providing centralized access to dynamic GIS data. If you are not sure that your applications will work with our servers, we’ll be happy to work with you to set up a demo account for testing purposes.
Q: What content layers do you currently offer?
A: Pixxures’ image layers are updated continually*. We currently offer high-resolution color aerial imagery in various pixel resolutions from 6-inch to 2-foot, 1-meter USGS DOQQ’s/DOQ's (Digital Ortho Quarter Quads/Digital Ortho Quads), 15-meter Satellite Imagery from Digital Globe’s Millennium Mosaic and National Geographic’s DRG (Digital Raster Graphics) 1:24k topographic maps. WFS data layers are currently being considered and we would be happy to consider any of your specific needs for web-accessed image or vector data. >contact us
*Contact Pixxures for a current listing of our high-resolution color aerial imagery of metropolitan and city areas within the United States. Our providers include: Portland Metro (Metro Data Center), Landiscor Aerial Information and Aerials Express.
Q: What kind of service subscriptions do you offer?
A: Currently, we offer subscriptions by user license, (6-month, 12-month, and multi-year) and by transaction (purchase a block of hits).
Q: If I subscribe to your transactional model, is there a limited amount of time to use up a block of hits?
A: There is no limit with our standard terms. Custom or personalized services may differ.
Q: If I subscribe to your transactional model, how do I know how many hits I’ve used and how many hits I have left?
A: As part of your subscription, we offer a monthly usage report that tracks which layer, how many hits each login account has used and how many hits remain.
Q: Do you offer demo accounts for your Web Services?
A: Yes. Demo accounts are generally set up for 15 days of trial. However, depending on your circumstances, we can provide longer evaluation periods.
Q: In what format do you host imagery/data content?
A: The data is compressed and hosted as either JPEG 2000 or ECW format.
Q: Can you host our proprietary imagery/data content and allow restricted access?
A: Yes, we serve the proprietary content via WMS (imagery) or WFS (vector layers). The access and use of imagery is restricted to specific user account logins.
Q: Is the data compressed on your system?
A: Yes. Imagery is usually compressed at a standard of 25:1 ratio or 15:1, and can vary. If you need to have imagery compressed at a different ratio, it is best to provide Pixxures with a sample of your imagery so that we can compress it at various ratios in order to evaluate which ratio works best for you.
Q: Do you offer any back-up storage services of proprietary data being hosted on your server or is the server the only place where this data resides?
A: It is Pixxures' standard practice to back-up all data on a separate disk storage array, which is available for rapid recovery, if needed.
Q: Does Pixxures utilize an ISP?
A: Yes. Applications and data are housed within secure cabinets at an off-site ISP in Denver with extensive unlimited power supply and redundant high-speed network capabilities. Access is only provided to Pixxures IT or to ISP tech support personnel under Pixxures' direct supervision. If you have any other questions please contact us! |
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