Decision-support web GIS platforms, end to end

The problem

Agencies and research programmes often have valuable model runs, satellite products or field data that stay locked in files and scripts. Decision makers need to see the current situation, compare places and periods and export what they need, but building and running a reliable web application is outside the team's core skills. Off-the-shelf dashboards rarely handle gridded scientific data or the specific analytics a programme requires.

What you get

• Requirements and use-case document agreed with scientists and end users
• Spatial database and data services (PostGIS, GeoServer and/or THREDDS)
• Automated data ingestion for the sources the application depends on
• Web application with map, time controls, charts, analytics and download
• Deployment on your server or cloud, with documentation
• Demonstration or training session for users and the maintaining team

How it works

1. 1

   Scope

   Work with the people who will use the tool to define decisions, users, datasets, update frequency and what success looks like; agree a phased scope.

2. 2

   Data and services

   Design the database, set up GeoServer/THREDDS layers and build the ingestion and processing jobs so data arrives on schedule.

3. 3

   Interface

   Build the map application in iterations, demonstrating each release to users and adjusting analytics, controls and UI/UX from their feedback.

4. 4

   Deploy and hand over

   Deploy to production, test across browsers, write technical and user documentation, and train the team that will run it.

Tools

• PostgreSQL/PostGIS
• GeoServer
• THREDDS Data Server
• Python
• Django / Tethys Platform
• React / Next.js
• OpenLayers or MapLibre GL JS
• Linux