Virtual Lab. Extremely advanced, user friendly platform allowing to perform a wide range of activities aimed at (but not limited to) EO data processing in different dimensions and models, built mostly upon advanced Hexagon Geospatial M.App Enterprise solution providing:
The figure below shows the example of processing recipe defined in the M.App Enterprise Spatial Workshop interface:
Results Repository – a space for Lab users to store and share their work with others (e.g. to be re-used or developed further), as the recipes can be easily adjusted and/or re-developed to facilitate another use. There is also a possibility to ask for support (from within the users community or commercial) and to have a recipe developed or checked by experts.
Data & Services Publication Portal – provided in native form by M.App Enterprise solution but possible to be further developed an adjusted to specific needs, for example to a customized marketplace with possibility to publish services or data to selected groups of commercial customers. The basic functionality allows controlled Web access from computers and mobile devices with easy possibility to select and run the services published and made available for certain users. From the user perspective there is no need to know about the Lab existence – services can be accessed from the Internet and, if so designed, can be used by people with no IT, EO, remote sensing or geoprocessing experience.
The benefits of EO Lab use can be described as follows:
defines new tenants and creates the Studio administrator account
creates new DB connections for each user
manages the license utilization based on the overview of usage
assigns charges to users
manages error logs related to the management module and services
Tenant is a sub-administrator of Studio users, who can
add content to Apps
configure and administer the assigned Apps area
Text length of individual points can be shorter or longer depending on your needs
Content: imagery upload, vector data upload, creation of the definitions for connections with geoservices (WMS, WFS, WMTS), creation and modification of displayed data styles, creation of connections to databases, custom CRS definitions creation, data license management
Desktop Apps – this section allows to create desktop applications, with possibility to define map objects and layers, to open requests towards external data sources and to create actions set, possible to be used at applications start or execution
Browser Apps – section allowing to create Web applications, with possibility to define objects with the assigned presentation style and access to tools sets: Feature Analyzer – for analysis and Spatial Workshop – for geoprocessing and maps spatial area definition with Map Views tool
Mobile Apps – for mobile applications creation, allowing to configure layers used in mobile systems, data sets, applications working areas and to read logs retrieved from mobile devices
Security – allowing to create users and roles. This tab allows also to define password policies and to manage API keys. Studio administrator is able to create and manage users an their access to Studio module and the applications by assigning the relevant roles. Access to each user account is protected by a password, defined at the first log-in and compliant with the password policy (defined by the system administrator in Passwords module). There is also a possibility to manage API keys and review logs
Virtual EO Lab service concept has been originally developed as one of the important elements of the “DIAS Seed” program, designed and managed by Creotech Instruments S.A., leader of the CREODIAS consortium delivering one the four Copernicus Data and Information Access Services Platforms (DIAS) contracted by the European Space Agency (ESA) and expected to boost user uptake, stimulate innovation and creation of new business models based on Earth Observation data and information.
Such target wouldn’t be possible to be achieved only by bringing processing close to the data sources, what has been the general principle of DIAS. Data and processing availability has to be supplemented by a set of activities aimed at building awareness, developing the required set of competences, creating and adding value, driving the necessary mindset change. The activities should be targeted at different groups of users and tailored to provide the required development support using various methods and at different complexity levels.
Original EO Lab concept has been based on the idea of establishing a dedicated environment, allowing for practical contact with different aspects of EO data processing, targeted mostly at university students. The idea has then evolved, finally leading to the modular, user focused service, catering for needs of the different groups of possible users – from students of schools and universities through startup companies, public administration, research and scientific institutions to EO professionals, developing and delivering services to commercial market.
In order to separate unambiguously the cost of commercially delivered service, the full responsibility for EO Lab development and implementation within CREODIAS Front Office has been handed over to NewMap – geospatial data focused company owned by Creotech and WIZIPISI (Wroclaw Institute of Geospatial Information and Artificial Intelligence, one of CREODIAS consortium members) .
The service concept has been based on the following elements:
-Modularity - service made of blocks allowing for customized configurations and close adjustment to customers’ needs
-Efficiency – minimizing the time needed to achieve results, important for example in fast prototyping
-Flexibility – possible to be seen in different dimensions:
-Reliability – solution based on well-developed and supported COTS environment
-Accessibility – easy access both to the Lab environment and to the published results, allowing sharing or commercial delivery of services and/or other products
The basic design of the service includes 4 major modules
-Educational, aimed at building competence and skills needed to use the Lab environment efficiently
-Lab itself – area allowing for unlimited scope of practical activities, aimed at (but not limited to) EO data processing in different dimensions and models, built mostly upon advanced Hexagon Geospatial M.App Enterprise solution
-Results repository – a space for Lab users to store and share their work with others (e.g. to be re-used or developed further)
The added value elements of the proposed solution depend on the specific user group, with some commonalities, like no need of infrastructure or SW licenses purchases with all benefits of the pay-per-use or subscription based charging models, fast development/prototyping possibilities, pre-defined configurations or activities, etc.
