Geocortex REST Dynamic Service Layers

 Most users can work with 15 or few layers at a time.  However, as they use your site, frequent questions come up:

Can I add data from this other agency's site? 

Can I see data from other business areas? 

Or when the boss says - why do we need to have so many applications?  We should just have one.

I would like to see Geocortex bridge the gap of the polar expanse between the two worlds of "Many Simple Apps"  and "One Stop Shop".  This could be done by developing the ability to use dynamic service layers.

Enabling the user to dynamically add a layer from a service  is a much needed function that would enrich the user experience of being able to relate several data slices with the data already in the viewer application.  It embraces both worlds by keeping the simple apps lite but yet allowing a user to dig deeper and find more spatial discoveries.  Enabling the user to dynamically add a cluster of data on an as-needed basis will improve viewer load performance and expand data accessibility opportunities. This will help reduce the user’s need to switch from one application to another because they can’t bring in data from other services.

For a conceptual look, please review the following pdf:

/Data/Sites/1/userfiles/1486/dynamicservicelayers2011.pdf

As you read through the forum threads, this request comes up frequently.  It also indirectly addresses load issues and provides the solution for agencies that feel the gravity of both worlds.

Sonia Dickerson