IMSMA and maXML

IMSMA^NG exchanges data by exporting and importing maXML files containing information in the form of Data Entry Forms or Auxiliary Data. Data Entry Forms in IMSMA^NG uses a selection of fields from a certain topic depending on needs to collect or enter information ex. Accident can either use fields for civilian accidents in non-surveyed areas or for demining accidents in Land during clearance activities.

Currently IMSMA^NG can only export auxiliary data, not import it. The latest review of maXML has focused mainly on updating the maXML schema for those parts that can be imported into IMSMA^NG. The schemas description of auxiliary data still differs in many cases from how IMSMA^NG exports this information and should not be considered representative of IMSMA^NG.

The selection of fields used for Data Entry Forms usually differs between countries. Mine Action Programs also have the possibility to add its own fields or modify the existing standard ones. This means that IMSMA^NG data can be very different between countries. It is therefore necessary to understand a country’s specific set of data collection forms in order to be able to exchange information with that country’s IMSMA^NG.

Documentation structure

The elements in each Artifact are explained in detail in the sub pages by specifying all elements within the Artifacts. Each element has a short description together with a table listing its type, IMSMA Field Name, IMSMA Type and its IMSMA Enum Category.

Some elements are used by several Artifacts such as DocumentHeader, GeospatialInfo etc. and they are specified at the end of the chapter under common elements. The common elements are still listed in the artifacts they appear to reflect their location in maXML but with a reference to find their specification in common elements.

The IMSMA type is the type of field in IMSMA^NG Data Entry Forms that records the information contained by the element. IMSMA Type can be

• Any Value,
• any Number,
• Multiple Values,
• Single Value
• Date.

Any Value means that the information is collected through a textbox without any restrictions on what can be entered. Any number is a textbox restricted to numbers only. Multiple values means that IMSMA^NG collects the information through checkboxes and therefore that the values are predefined but that multiple values can be selected. Single value indicates that IMSMA^NG collects the information through radiobuttons where values are predefined and only one value can be selected. Date is a field restricted to the date format.

For radiobuttons and checkboxes IMSMA uses enumeration values retrieved from an enumeration table to restrict the choices available. IMSMA Enum Category refers to the category of enumeration values for the IMSMA field in question. The enumeration value is often translated to a different value when displayed in the application IMSMA, either in a different language or in the same language but with another value (e.g. the Land status enumeration list/category contains Active (a.k.a. Base Term) but the value displayed in IMSMA^NG is Open.

An enumeration list may be obtained by contacting your GICHD IM advisor. Choices in IMSMA^NG can be customised to fit the needs of specific mine Action programmes. Customised values are added to the IMSMA enumeration list when created. It is therefore recommended to request specific lists of enumeration values from each country.