SIS 9 service release optimises user experience

A number of updates and enhancements have been made to SIS Desktop and SIS WebMap to further enhance their intuitive operability. In SIS Desktop, a generic ‘location pin’ cursor has been added to indicate when the map is awaiting interaction, and the Quick Access toolbar has been modernised with a simpler icon style. 

As part of the service release, SIS is continuing apace with its support of Ordnance Survey (OS) data products as standard. Support is up to date for OS Open Roads, OS Boundary-Line, OS OpenMap – Local, OS Open Rivers, and all in OGC GeoPackage format. SIS 9 supported OS Open Zoomstack data from the outset and, in this release, includes the OS supplied Colour Vision Deficiency-friendly styles. 

SIS can read and display over 300 supported GIS, CAD, graphic and database formats, without the need for translation and without the need to purchase add-on software. Multiple improvements to CAD data format support, specifically DGN and DWG, are included in the release. 

The user has also been given the option to exercise greater control over their data. Database connectivity can be optimised optionally, allowing SIS to decide, heuristically, how to split Overlays between ‘threads’ to reduce the number of database connections. It’s been made easier to remove incorrect date fields or to force a zero, null or blank string entry when editing a property value. The user can also control the data they are viewing in the Table Window and how much of that data they wish to export, such as the current set of rows or the whole Overlay. 

In keeping with promoting a smoother user experience, the Gazetteer interface has been updated to reduce the number of clicks required for a search, making options more accessible. 

A number of user-led enhancements have been made to SIS WebMap, notably adding support for the One Scotland Gazetteer to the Quick Search and the option to add a copyright statement to the print output. Updated zoom controls, layer switcher and key map styling in the embedded map, with individual layer controls are also featured. 

FindIT, a planning constraints tool used by government planning and environment departments, has been updated as part of the latest service release too. Functionality has been expanded to highlight the selected feature in the results dialog, zoom in on and select it, and toggle the original search feature on and off. FindIT queries can be run on individual maps, and an Admin Interface has been added to make it easier to configure each option and the overall FindIT settings. The Edit add-in for SIS WebMap also includes an Admin Interface that supports defining mandatory free-text attributes.