CPS^NG (Cartographic Production System, Next Generation) is the solution for cartographic production and is ready for commercial release. All the years of our experience in database-driven cartography is reflected in the design of the system. The major software modules are introduced in this article and more information about them is given in a following article written by Dan Sherrill.

CPS^NG Geographic Database

The CPS^NG Geographic Database is the central. The geographic data are modelled in database and the separate software modules can import/export data, manage the data, and create cartographic products in paper and digital form. The user can perform tasks like coordinate projection, handle versioning of the data through the use of database history. Quality control is an integral part of overall data management. Database security is taken care of in separate modules for user access rights and for easy viewing of logs. The information about the production environment and the information about the data and the products are stored in the CPS^NG Rulebase.

Editor

The Editor is the product where the user does all database and cartographic editing. The editing environment is closely connected to the database by a transaction process. All editing is done outside the database to keep the database consistent. Long transactions can be performed by the use of pessimistic locking. All possible needed functionality for editing geographical data is within the editing environment. Custom specific functionality can easily be implemented in separate menus or executed separately from a command line.

Internet map distribution

CPS^NG has several options for using the web as a distribution channel for maps. These options cover the needs of many different users who want to use the Internet as a distribution medium. Our proprietary Karthotellet format is one of these options.

Paper and Raster Map Production

The Paper Map Production product includes modules like Mapper, Output Manager, Neatline Generator and Map Series Editor. These modules gives the user full functionality for defining and creating output from the data stored in the CPS^NG Database or stored in a file based system. If the defined maps include complex symbology there is an extension to the Paper Map Production module. CPS PrePress include functionality for handling complex situations of symbology and embedded Postscript files.

Job Manager

The Job Manager is the overall tool for creating cartographic workflows. The Job Manager is used to assign cartographic production, cartographic design, or database editing jobs to separate operators or to specific roles within the organization. Flexible workflows can be designed to incorporate different job steps as well as job steps that not involve CPS^NG software. The tool provides a structured way of describing and tracking separate job steps and individual products.