Changes

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 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 IMSMA^NG prior to beginning widespread use of the system.

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, 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 education coordinators may need only vector map layers to visualise education activity data.

{{note|Any changes made to 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}}

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, 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 Data Entry Form 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.

* If changes do not appear to be taking affect as expected in the newly updated map, delete and rebuild the client sandbox to ensure the GIS has the most up-to-date data}}

All geospatial data in IMSMA^NG is stored in LLWGS84 decimal degree format, but IMSMA^NG can display data in virtually any coordinate system. 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 IMSMA^NG and establish a set of relevant systems that can be used for coordinate data entry and visualisation.

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