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Digital Mapping Solutions

ResponseMX technology

ResponseMX is a development platform for building intuitive, rich and engaging web mapping applications with high usability.

Architecture

ResponseMX has a cleanly defined architecture based on the Model View Controller (MVC) design pattern. ResponseMX comprises a Java server which receives XML formatted requests from either an AJAX or Flash client.

View architecture diagram.

Java Server

The ResponseMX server comprises a tiered Java EE application that runs in a servlet container such as Apache Tomcat.

Java Server Features

  • Documented API to create and query maps;
  • Built on Apache Struts Framework for ease of extension. Supplied with a core library of GIS actions (SetView, SetLayers, GetInfo, SearchInRegion…);
  • Provides configuration for data sources including Oracle, MySQL, Microsoft SQL Server and all industry standard GIS formats including MapInfo TAB, ESRI SHP and ESRI SDE;
  • Utilises a spatial engine / map renderer such as MapInfo MapXtreme or MapServer to render map images on demand;
  • Support for web services such as OGC Web Map Service (WMS) and Web Feature Service (WFS).

How do I get a ResponseMX application?

You can develop your own application using ResponseMX. It only takes a few minutes to get up and running with a default deployment.

Alternatively Dotted Eyes can provide custom development services to build an application that meets your requirements. Contact us for further details.

Benefits of choosing Dotted Eyes

We offer a small, flexible team with experience of building sophisticated web mapping applications using the latest technology and who will listen to your requirements.

You will have great support, talking directly to a member of the development team, someone who knows ResponseMX inside out and cares about it.

Client technologies

ResponseMX supports a choice of client technologies:

AJAX (Asynchronous JavaScript And XML)

The ResponseMX AJAX API is built on top of the Prototype JavaScript framework  and provides an animated map window and extendable map tools such as pan, zoom in, zoom out and info. All communication to the server is via a lightweight XML based message format that is also used by Flash clients. For an example of the AJAX API in action view the RMX Ajax sample application.

Flash Platform

The ActionScript API allows robust applications to be built for the Flash Platform. A large number of components are available which provide easy to use map related user interface controls such as a map display, layer control, search form, history form etc.. Several of the sample applications that are shipped with ResponseMX are built with the ActionScript API including RMX Display.

Wrapper for JavaScript or Oracle Forms

The RMX Wrapper APIs provide the ability to embed a Flash application (commonly a map window) into an Oracle Form or a web page. A Flash application can publish a list of methods which are available via either PL/SQL in Oracle Forms or JavaScript in a web page. A simple Flash map window application is used in the RMX Wrapper sample application.

XHTML

ResponseMX also supports building traditional web applications using HTML. These do not have the rich capabilities of the other client technologies but can be made highly accessible and do not require either the Flash Player or a modern web browser.

Using ResponseMX it is simple to create web applications that follow the progressive enhancement strategy whereby a “basic” HTML application is initially produced and subsequently enhanced with either AJAX or Flash to provide a richer user experience if the user’s browser supports those technologies.