Changes

IMSMANG IMSMA^NG includes an embedded GIS based on ESRI’s ArcGIS 9.x that allows users to visualize mine action information on an integrated map without moving to another application. While IMSMANG IMSMA^NG implements many standard GIS features, information managers can augment the provided capabilities with external GIS applications such as ArcGIS Desktop. Since these customisations can have an impact on the performance and usability of the system, it is important to consider the necessary map and GIS customisations for IMSMANG IMSMA^NG prior to beginning widespread use of the system.

IMSMANG IMSMA^NG is designed to support a variety of users from information managers to operations users. Recognizing that each user or group of users may require a different set of maps, IMSMANG IMSMA^NG allows users to visualise data on maps individually tailored for their needs. For example, users in a regional mine action programme office may need only maps of their region to display data while MRE coordinators may need only vector map layers to visualise MRE data.

Following the guidelines below, information managers can build easy-to-use, sustainable maps for visualising data in IMSMANGIMSMA^NG:

Raster images take up a large amount of space compared to vector layers, causing slower system performance. Limiting the use of raster layers to one or two background images or turning them off by default can improve performance of the map display and IMSMANG IMSMA^NG overall.

Keep backups of map(s) in their state prior to importing them into IMSMANGIMSMA^NG. This makes later map customisation easier and speeds up the process of importing the maps again.

{{note|Any changes made to IMSMANG IMSMA^NG maps apply only to the client on which the changes were made. To make system-wide map changes for client-server installations, updated maps must be imported on each client installation}}

IMSMANG IMSMA^NG comes with several symbology options for displaying mine action data on the map. For example, hazards can be displayed on the map with different symbols for priority, status and type. These symbols are stored in the .MXD file and can be customised by information managers as desired. Additionally, IMSMANG IMSMA^NG allows information managers to create subthemes for each item. Using the Subtheme manager, information managers can display the different attributes of any item that are collected using single-select option lists on field report templates. For example, information managers can display the different symbols for the “Slope” values of hazards including “High,” “Medium,” “Low” and “Flat.” The example is shown in the figure below.

Changing the symbology used to display data in IMSMANG IMSMA^NG is a multistep process (as shown in the figure below) that should only be undertaken by advanced users with an understanding of GIS. Further, as with all map customisation activities, this process requires the use of ArcGIS Desktop products.

Figure 24. Process for Changing IMSMANG IMSMA^NG Map Symbology

* Back up any customised map files including any font files (.TTF), style files (.STYLE) and .MXD files, particularly the imsma.mxd file. IMSMANG IMSMA^NG does not automatically back up customised files.

All geospatial data in IMSMANG IMSMA^NG is stored in LLWGS84 decimal degree format, but IMSMANG IMSMA^NG can display data in virtually any coordinate system. IMSMANG IMSMA^NG comes with all the coordinate systems available to ArcGIS Desktop products like LLWGS84 and MGRS, yet information managers can add other systems their programmes use including UTM and national coordinate systems. Using the Coordinate System manager, information managers can add coordinate system and projection (or .PRJ) files to IMSMANG IMSMA^NG and establish a set of relevant systems that can be used for coordinate data entry and visualisation.

In addition to customised coordinate systems and projections, IMSMANG IMSMA^NG supports the use of localised number formats for coordinate entry, for example 73.233 or 73,233. IMSMANG IMSMA^NG validates all numeric coordinate data based on the client’s locale settings so users running in a locale that uses a comma as a decimal separator can enter 72,333 while users running in a locale where a period is the decimal separator can enter 72.233.

* Coordinate systems added via the Coordinate System manager are available to all users connecting to the IMSMANG IMSMA^NG server. If customised .PRJ files are used, information managers must copy these files to each client to ensure the accurate display of coordinates in the new system.* Limiting the available coordinate systems within IMSMANGIMSMA^NG, for example, one or two UTM zones and a national system, simplifies coordinate data entry and visualisation}}