AfSIS uses a variety of free and open source software (FOSS) for Web-based services, data management, and statistical analysis.
Mobile Data Entry Using CyberTracker Software
A GPS-based data entry system has been developed and deployed for AfSIS sentinel landscape field surveys. This system uses CyberTracker software, which is an efficient way of gathering geo-referenced information. Field data are backed up to a field computer and external drives in field and regularly transmitted to the central AfSIS data repository at the World Agroforestry Centre (ICRAF) and the Tropical Soil Biology and Fertility Institute (TSBF), Nairobi. The data entry system includes efficient electronic workflows that are specifically adapted to the AfSIS field surveys, and have been extensively tested in field.
Publishing Geo-Spatial Data Using GeoServer
Map layers are published using Geoserver, an open source software server written in Java that allows users to share and edit geospatial data. Designed for interoperability, it publishes data from any major spatial data source using open standards.
Developing Web Map Client Using OpenLayers
The AfSIS map client was developed using OpenLayers, an Open Source Java Script Library for dynamic web mapping. Openlayers is a pure JavaScript library for displaying map data in most modern web browsers, with no server-side dependencies.
Currently, the Center for International Earth Science Information Network (CIESIN), Columbia University, is in the process of creating a customized library with convenience methods to deal with OpenLayers. The motivation for creation of these methods is primarily for code reduction, and encapsulating service locations above others.