Developing Geo-web portals with Google Map API- A Case study of the Fichtner Group

The main objective of this paper was to research the use of Web 2.0 techniques and freely available geospatial tools as a base for information-focused applications. The investigation was conducted, based on a prototype development of a project portal for the Fichtner Group. The methods adopted include; developing both server and client-sides of the application with Adobe Flex Builder. Toad for Oracle was used to administer and maintain the Relational Database Management System (RDBMS). The server-side programming language was Java whilst ActionScript was used to create the client logic. MXML was used to describe the user interface and behaviour. The Application Programming Interface (API) used for developing the application was the Google MAP API for Flash (Flex). This Flex technology is not only applicable to the development of commercial web portals but can also be used to develop platforms for the purpose of disaster management, e-agriculture or to create awareness about the effects of climate change. The developed portal provides sufficient information about Fichtner projects and locations worldwide. It aims at portraying the achievements and capabilities of the Group to prospective clients. Keywords— Project portal, Web 2.0, Google Maps API, Rich Internet Application (RIA), Geospatial tools, Flex technology. ——————————  ——————————