 |
|
|
|||||
|
|
April 21, 2005
Geospatial Applications: Evaluating GIS Computer Programs for Farm Use
Farmers and land managers who use spatial management practices in crop production need geographic information system computer programs to visualize and interpret soil and crop variations within fields. The GIS computer programs also are needed to prepare variable-rate crop-input maps. Several GIS programs, including some programs written specifically for farm applications are available commercially. Farmers have specific functions they need performed by a GIS computer program. I will evaluate several GIS programs based on functions needed by farmers. In this column, I will evaluate Ag Leader’s spatial management systems computer program. Future columns will evaluate other farm GIS programs. To make my evaluations, I will use the following functions to make my comparisons:
In addition to these primary GIS functions, farmers who use digital GIS data quickly learn there are many other jobs they need to do with their spatial data, such as changing map projections and cutting layers to conform to their field boundaries. A problem unique to farm GIS applications is moving data between proprietary GIS programs. Most of the major agricultural equipment companies market GIS software that uses unique file formats that are not always interchangeable between programs. All of the GIS programs I have evaluated require significant learning time. Generally, computer programs that have greater functionality require more effort and time to learn. I will not evaluate any of the programs for ease of use. Ag Leader has two versions of its spatial management systems software. The two versions are SMS Basic and SMS Advanced. This evaluation refers to functions of SMS Advanced. ### Source: John
Nowatzki, (701) 231-8213, jnowatzk@ndsuext.nodak.edu
Click here for a larger image. (34Kb gif) Click
here for a printable PDF version of this graphic. (7 Kb b&w table) |
Market Advisor: |
|
North Dakota State University |
