iSpatial transforms Bentley's MicroStation into a comprehensive GIS environment with data collection, editing and analysis tools. Through its integration with Oracle's database technology, iSpatial allows users to integrate engineering and mapping applications on a single software platform and extends the industry standard data capture and editing tools in MicroStation with a solid database interface and spatial analysis functionality.

At the core of iSpatial is its feature-based design, allowing users to interact with data in familiar terms. A feature is the combination of an element's user-defined logical name, graphical symbology, database attribution and methods. Access to features is handled through the iSpatial's Feature Manager tools, which provide a concise and intuitive interface for multiple users to interact with features. This allows users to focus on the task at hand, rather than on the detailed mechanics of data entry and manipulation.

iSpatial's interaction with Oracle means that multiple users are able to access relevant data, via conventional methods or using the Internet. In addition, users only have to access the Oracle database - they are not required to access iSpatial itself. This allows companies to cut costs substantially, as they will not have to purchase user licenses for every project team member who needs to access data.

iSpatial allows users to view a full graphical picture of the data set. At the same time, however, users can access information through conventional query methods when necessary, without having to negotiate a troublesome graphical interface. In this way, iSpatial caters both to users who require graphic interpretations of information, and those who need to process large sets of raw data.

When accessing information with iSpatial, data retrieval is conducted according to the specific query. This means that users can create seamless data sets in a single layer, without any file size limitations. When data retrievals are conducted, iSpatial only accesses the relevant information, allowing for a fast and streamlined data retrieval process. Oracle technology also allows users to back up their entire data set on a separate server, ensuring that their data is kept secure and will not fall prey to infrastructure failures or downtime. Equally, the Oracle database environment ensures the highest levels of security. Users are required to have the correct access privileges in order to access information.

Migration tool

Another feature of iSpatial is the ability given to users modifying data to lock the data under modification. This means other users accessing the data will be granted read only access, ensuring that referential integrity is maintained, as modifications to data are not conducted simultaneously.

iSpatial also includes a migration tool that allows the migration of data from disparate database formats. iSpatial utilises MicroStation's existing CAD functionality in order to modify spatial data in Oracle, and ensures that data being used is clean and accurate. In addition, iSpatial is able to integrate into existing office environments. Extracted data can be exported into commonly used formats, such as Microsoft's Excel.

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