ESRI Geoportal

Background
The Esri GEO Portal provide a web-based interface for searching and accessing the data, information, imagery, services, and applications available through the Global Earth Observation System of Systems (GEOSS). The Esri GEO Portal connects users to databases, services and other portals that provide reliable, up-to-date, integrated and user-friendly information—important for the work of decision-makers, managers, and other users of Earth observations.

The Esri GEO Portal provides scientists and other users with easy access to a wealth of Earth observation data and Web mapping services. When new resources become available, users can be alerted by subscribing to a GeoRSS feed.

Objectives
The Esri GEO Portal is a platform to organize, share, and discover geospatial resources as follows:


 * 1) Enables producers of geospatial information resources to create and post metadata records (i.e., descriptions of information resources), or register their collections for automatic harvesting;
 * 2) Enables users to discover descriptions of geospatial information resources that cite the particular resources (such as datasets, map services, documents, or websites) that will be helpful to them
 * 3) Provides a means for users to view geospatial information or otherwise access the geospatial information resources cited by the metadata records, regardless of where or how those information resources are maintained.

The Esri GEO Portal offers a range of functionalities to:


 * 1) Discover Geographic information system (GIS) data resources through the use of keyword-based searches and geographic areas drawn on a map or defined by place name or address;
 * 2) View geospatial data resources on Web-accessible map services if metadata about that mapped data is registered;
 * 3) Make maps combining GIS data from different map sources, conform them to a single map projection, and overlay them on a single base map;
 * 4) Obtain data resources from data services. Map images or composite map images can be downloaded to a user’s system after the map is saved. Other information items, including any data associated with a map image can be obtained (if made available by the publisher) by using the option to link to the publisher’s Web site.
 * 5) Post user GIS data resources. If users want to post their data resources for public use, they need to review and conform to GEOSS Components and Services Registry requirements ; than they can make their data available for access and external harvesting by others.

The Esri GEO Portal is built using ArcGIS Server Geoportal Extension 9.3.1.