>As part of a new project, I'm going to be including "location" fields for a few entities. In the future, I can see some benefits in including GIS functionality in this application.
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>Does anyone know any good references on this subject? I'm interested in ascertaining the field types I would want to use to capture location information in a manner compatable with GIS.
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>As a further topic, I would want to possibly tie in this data to some mapping software or service that would allow me to render mapping information in a web-based application driven by VFP (probably using Web Connection, but that shouldn't matter). I know I've seen several Internet sites that offer some links to maps (most of this has been pretty unimpressive). I'm wondering if this is based on GIS data, and whether they are using some mapping software with an API or COM interface, or if it's a hosting service that renders these maps.
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>Any thoughts are greatly appreciated.
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>-- Randy


The data you need to capture is based upon your data engine. The mapping data is purchased separately from the maping engine. Two mapping engines are ESRI and Map INFO. A company I am working at is implimenting a GIS based solution to handle dispatching of tow trucks and other service vehicles. We are capturing the closest intersection to the customer. This is being passed through a search engine (QM Soft's Address Broker) which translates the intersection into a lat and long. The lat and long are used to pinpoint a spot on a map and a list of service providers is returned.

If you can capture the lat long, this will save you some money.

Hope this helps.