Cadcorp SIS Advances Interoperability with OpenGIS Simple Features Certification

Cadcorp has achieved another milestone in standards compliance, earning certification under the OpenGIS Simple Features specification. The announcement follows a meeting of the OpenGIS technical committee in the United States, where Cadcorp SIS and the Microsoft COM-based Cadcorp apSIS toolkit—including its OLE DB Provider—were confirmed as conformant.

This marks the third OpenGIS conformance test successfully completed by Cadcorp, reinforcing its ongoing commitment to interoperability and open standards within the GIS industry.

What the Simple Features Specification Means

The OpenGIS Simple Features specification defines a consistent data model for vector-based GIS data and establishes a standardized database schema for presenting such data through Microsoft OLE DB Provider COM interfaces. OLE DB itself is a widely adopted data access framework designed to allow diverse data stores—across formats and sizes—to operate cohesively.

By adhering to this specification, Cadcorp SIS ensures compatibility within heterogeneous data environments, allowing spatial datasets to be accessed and manipulated alongside other enterprise information systems.

Relational Access to GIS Work Sessions

With the introduction of the Cadcorp SIS OLE DB Provider, users can expose a Cadcorp SIS work session—known as a Saved Window Definition (SWD)—as a database. Within that structure, associated map layers (referred to as Overlays) appear as relational tables.

Any Windows application leveraging Microsoft ActiveX Data Objects (ADO) can access these work sessions and spatial layers. As a result, the wide range of data formats supported by Cadcorp SIS—including indexed, multi-tile datasets—can be represented and queried through a relational model.

External applications written in Visual Basic, C++, SQL, or other compatible environments can query SIS data directly. Outputs may then be transferred to specialized statistical or reporting platforms. In effect, Cadcorp SIS data becomes accessible to a broader ecosystem of analytical and enterprise tools.

According to Martin Daly, Technical Director at Cadcorp, the achievement reflects both continued alignment with OpenGIS standards and strategic adoption of OLE DB technologies. By embracing relational database connectivity, Cadcorp positions its GIS platform at the forefront of Windows-based data interoperability.

The Cadcorp SIS Product Suite

Cadcorp SIS (Spatial Information System) is a comprehensive family of Windows-based and web-enabled GIS products. The suite includes:

• Map Viewer, supporting more than 45 graphic and data formats
• Map Manager, enabling mainstream users to explore, query, and print spatial data
• Map Editor, providing advanced tools for data management and editing
• Map Modeller, offering 3D modelling, terrain analysis, and thematic mapping capabilities

In addition, Cadcorp ASC (Active Server Component) extends SIS functionality to web environments. Unlike static map publishing solutions, ASC operates as a dynamic, server-side web GIS platform, supporting real-time map generation and analysis across intranet and internet deployments.

About Cadcorp

Founded in 1991, Cadcorp develops digital mapping and GIS software for a global customer base. With offices in the United Kingdom and the United States, the company maintains an international distribution and value-added reseller network.

Cadcorp plays an active technical role within the OpenGIS Consortium and distinguishes itself as the only complete product family currently holding OpenGIS conformance certification across its suite.

Cadcorp SIS applications serve a diverse array of sectors, including municipal and central government, emergency services, insurance, oil and gas, surveying, commerce, and broadcasting.

Through continued standards compliance and expanded interoperability, Cadcorp reinforces its commitment to open, connected geospatial systems in enterprise environments.