Frequently Asked Questions

Who is Axes Systems?

Axes Systems is an independent software house who develops, markets and distributes its product axpand. Axes Systems doesn't make maps. Axes Systems develops software for making excellent maps.

What is axpand?

• axpand is software designed to help map-makers make excellent maps. axpand joins the best of two worlds, GIS systems and graphic programs, to cut down on the number of steps in the map-making process

• Most systems that provide database cartography began as GIS systems. The cartography functionality was added later. axpand started as a cartography system and is specifically designed the production of maps from beginning to end.

• axpand is the ONLY system on the market today that covers the entire production process in one system.

• axpand is available as an onsite installation and as axpand on Demand – a Software as a Service solution.

What is the advantage to axpand on Demand – Software as a Service?

• axpand on Demand is an economically interesting option for several reasons.

• People can be using axpand on Demand productively within days – there is no long system integration phase

• axpand on Demand allows for integration of the entire ‘ecosystem’, including outsourcing partners and end-users. This is not possible with in-house systems.

• It is possible to provide customers with maps on demand and high levels of customization in short amounts of time.

• axpand on Demand allows for instant, continuous quality assurance.

• All existing ‘capital’ in the form of GIS or graphic data can be migrated to axpand easily.

• Use your existing client hardware, no further infrastructure investments necessary. axpand on Demand is accessed over the internet on any Windows PC, MAC or Linux client through a Browser.

What can I do with axpand?

With axpand, you can
-    migrate data from several different sources including Illustrator and Freehand
-    create signatures
-    create style sheets for different types of maps
-    create different maps of various scales using the same, seamless data base
-    digitize and edit in a high-quality WYSIWYG editing window
-    set up print layouts
-    configure color separation
-    perform automatic generalization
-    automatically place text
-    automatically generate and label grids
-    automatically clean up the edges of your maps
-    automatically create indices

Do I need another system for print set-up?

No. You can set up layouts, color separation, and produce plots directly in axpand. PostScript or .pdf files can be sent directly to a printer.

Do I need separate data bases for different map scales?

No. All map scales and data models in axpand are managed in the same data base. You can move between map scales by viewing the data through different style sheets.

What happens when I edit my data and then print the map? Does the data leave the system?

Editing in axpand means that the geo-data is being edited, not just the graphic. Once geo-data has been edited, it is saved in the data base. The edits are preserved and not lost when the map is sent off for printing.

Text placement is usually quite time-consuming. How does axpand manage text placement?

axpand Label allows you to configure automatic text placement for different scales or map types. When the text placement functionality is run, the text is automatically placed according to the rules you have set up in the configuration file.

What is automated generalization good for?

Generalization includes all of the steps that cartographers take to make maps more readable. This can be as simple as straightening out lines to make them smoother or as complex as aggregating, simplifying and displacing buildings.

There are two levels of automated generalization in axpand. axpand Genesys allows for cartographic generalization according to a list of jobs that makes the map easier to read.

axpand ng is a more complex, fully automated generalization program that uses workflows to carry out both model and cartographic generalization.

What is Software as a Service?

Software as a Service is a new way of providing software applications to users. The software application is made available over the internet and can be accesssed once the user has been given access rights.

Why is Software as a Service new?

In recent years, the reliability, security and speed of the internet has increased massively. New technologies have made it possible to take software applications that were traditionally installed on physical hardware at the customer’s site and make them available over the internet.

What is the advantage to using Software as a Service?

axpand on Demand has all of the functionality of a normal axpand application, but is  Software as a Service. axpand on Demand is available as different packages.

The main advantage is that it is possible to connect everyone who plays a role in creating or using your maps. Content and service providers, users and quality assurance controllers can access the data base and defined application functionality if you give them permission.

Another advantage is that there are no investment costs for hardware, usually servers. The user can simply log on to a dedicated server over the internet. The user doesn’t notice the difference between logging on to an application that is installed physically in the customers’ environment and a SaaS application.

Another advantage is that the user does not have to invest in hardware or software maintenance. The software is maintained by the vendor. In the case of axpand, Axes Systems takes the responsibility of maintaining the software and the installation. The user no longer has to install upgrades and error management is faster since software developer fixes errors directly in the application.

Why is allowing access to other people so important?

Because the data base is installed on a dedicated server and accessible over the internet, the customer can allow access to his data to other people.

This is a major breakthrough in the business of map-making.

Not only can a map-maker – a publisher, data provider or mapping agency – work on their maps by doing their set-up, editing and print preparation over the internet, they can allow their partners to do the same. This is the most economical way to integrate external service providers, end consumers and customers into the process.

Maps can be customized to an extent that is currently not possible with other applications. The map-maker's customers can easily access and use their maps at any time.

Is axpand on Demand expensive?

No. Maintenance costs are lower and there is no investment in server hardware. There are no software licenses. axpand on Demand is available as a subscription.

Who sets everything up?

New axpand on Demand users are provided with a default data base and a set of symbols and signatures. The users themselves are trained and can make changes to these default versions for their own needs. Axes Systems also offers this as an additional service.

Changing the symbols and signatures in axpand is easy. This is important since custom maps can be created rapidly.

How does axpand on Demand work in reality?

Imagine the following scenario: a publisher has a series of tourist maps. These can be street maps, city maps, biking maps, etc. These maps can be at different scales and have different style sheets.

The publisher owns the maps and the data, but depends on other companies to help in the production process. Cartographic editing, for example, may be taken care of by a company outside of the publishing company.

The publisher gives permission for their partners to log-on to their server and assigns tasks to the external partner. An example – an external partner is assigned the task of customizing a series of city maps for a specific travel agency. The publisher can define which maps can be accessed and which style sheets the external company can use to do the customizing work.

Doesn’t this get complicated with all the data going back and forth?

No. This is one of the benefits of making maps using a data base. Instead of sending files back and forth, editing takes place through a ‘window’ to the data base. The data never ‘leaves’ the data base.

If it is possible to grant access to many different people, isn't everybody changing the same stuff at the same time?

No. First of all, tasks are assigned to each person who is working on the maps. For example, Jane will be working on the streets in a city map of Zürich. Sam is working on the buildings in a city map of Geneva.

Or in the case where both Jane and Sam are working on the same map, if Jane has selected a street and is making edits, this street is ‘locked’ and cannot be edited by another user.

So what happens to all of the changes everybody is making in the same data base?

The changes that are made are saved to the data base. It is possible to set up so-called ‘representations’ that hold different kinds of maps that draw from the same data. The changes can be made universally so that they exist in every representation or the changes can be made and assigned to a specific scale, map or group of maps.

Is it secure? Can someone steal my data?

Customer data bases are stored on dedicated servers. This minimizes the risk of exposing data to other users. While there are always security risks when using the internet, these are calculated and do not present a high security threat.