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Spatial Data

SQL Server 2008 Spatial Data

Overview

Microsoft SQL Server 2008 delivers comprehensive spatial support that enables organizations to seamlessly consume, use, and extend location-based data through spatial-enabled applications which ultimately helps end users make better decisions.

Top New Features

  • Use the new geography data type to store geodetic spatial data and perform operations on it

  • Use the new geometry data type to store planar spatial data and perform operations on it

  • Take advantage of new spatial indexes for high performance queries

  • Use the new spatial results tab to quickly and easily view spatial query results directly from within Management Studio

  • Extend spatial data capabilities by building or integrating location-enabled applications through support for spatial standards and specifications

Make better decisions with SQL Server 2008 spatial support

Visual analysis of location data

Geographical Factors in Decision-Making and Analysis

The spatial support in Microsoft SQL Server 2008 can help you make better decisions through visual analysis of location data.

Make better decisions

Visual analysis of location data in scenarios such as:

  • Consumer-focused location-based information

  • Customer-base management and development

  • Environmental-related data impact, analysis, and planning

  • Financial and economic analysis in communities

  • Government-based planning and development analysis

  • Market segmentation and analysis

  • Scientific research study design and analysis

  • Real-estate development and analysis

Geodetic Model

Geodetic Model

 

Planar Model

Planar Model

Comprehensive Spatial Support

Build spatial capabilities into your applications by using the support for spatial data in SQL Server 2008.

Work with geodetic data

  • Implement Round Earth solutions with the geography data type. Use latitude and longitude coordinates to define areas on the Earth’s surface

  • Associate geographical data with industry standard ellipsoids, such as WGS84, which is used in GPS-enabled solutions worldwide

Work with planar data

  • Implement Flat Earth solutions with the geometry data type.

  • Store polygons, points, and lines that are associated with projected planar surfaces and naturally planar data, such as interior spaces

Build on industry standards

  • Import and export spatial data in industry-standard formats, such as Well Known Text, Well Known Binary, and Geographic Markup Language (GML)

  • Take advantage of geometry data type compatibility with Open Geospatial Consortium (OGC) standards for geometric data types

Perform spatial operations

  • Use the methods provided by SQL Server 2008 spatial data types to write Transact-SQL code that performs operations on spatial data, such as finding intersections between geospatial objects and distances between locations

Spatial Results Tab

Spatial Results Tab

High Performance Spatial Data Capabilities

Achieve high performance spatial capabilities with SQL Server 2008

Store large and complex spatial objects

  • Use the spatial types in SQL Server 2008 to accommodate spatial objects, regardless of whether the objects are simple or very complex

Build high-performance solutions with spatial data indexing

  • Enhance query performance by using indexes for spatial data that are integrated into the SQL Server database engine

  • Take advantage of accurate query optimizer cost assessment for spatial queries that can determine the optimal query plan and identify appropriate index selection

View results directly from within Management Studio

  • Use the new spatial results tab to easily view spatial query results directly from within SQL Server Management Studio

  • Simple projection and zoom/pan capabilities for quick investigation

Consolidate relational and spatial data in business applications

  • Use the native support for spatial data types in SQL Server 2008 to seamlessly incorporate spatial data into line-of-business applications

  • Avoid the performance and manageability issues associated with a dedicated spatial data store

Virtual Earth SDK

Virtual Earth SDK

Geospatial Application Extensibility

Extend spatial support by integrating spatial data in SQL Server 2008 with location-enabled applications and services.

Build spatial solutions of any scale

  • Take advantage of spatial support in multiple editions of SQL Server 2008, from SQL Server Express to SQL Server Enterprise Edition

Use spatial standards support to integrate applications

  • Leverage a .NET-based geometry library that supports OGC standards. Build applications that consume and manipulate spatial data

  • Integrate with geospatial services, such as Microsoft Virtual Earth, to build comprehensive location-enabled solutions that render your spatial data for display

Benefit from spatial community support

  • Take advantage of spatial products and services offered by Microsoft partners that integrate with SQL Server 2008

  • Microsoft partners with the leading GIS application providers and a range of spatial community organizations, integrators, and ISVs that support SQL Server 2008

 

Additional Resources

Member of:

Member of the Open Geospatial Consortium, Inc.

Related Sites

News and Reviews

 

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