SANY Sensors Anywhere

Have you ever felt the need for more graphic functionalities in a WMS? The "Map and Diagram Service" (MDS) specifications define extensions to the OGC WMS and SLD standards with cartographic features such as diagrams, patterns and custom symbols expressed in Scalable Vector Graphics.

Diagram and other proportional symbol overlays are geo-referenced, and (technically) indistinguishable from regular WMS layers. As a consequence, all WMS client applications are compatible and can be used for viewing thematic layers that can be overlayed on regular cartographic materials. However, the creation of thematic maps on the fly requires dedicated MDS clients that are able to use the extended diagram parameters.

MDS defines several types of diagrams, including pie charts, bar charts, and line charts. Contours (see figure) are another important feature for the effective and intuitive representation of sensor data and interpolated fusion results.

A reference implementation of the Map and Diagram Service specifications is being implemented in the "QGIS map server", which is offered under GPL licence and available for download at:

Download: QGIS Server home page

The development of this service started in ORCHESTRA IP , and continued in SANY IP . The result is an open source application which is mature enough to compete with existing WMS implementations. If you need an application capable of cartographic symbolization while remaining compatible with existing WMS clients, then this is the application you have been looking for. Nevertheless, the usual disclaimer "this application is provided as is, with no express or implied warranty..." applies.