By using geoservices, developers can build and deploy complete GIS applications with most processing done on remote systems. ESRI built a flood mapping application to help users determine the relative flood risk of a specific location. The application enables the user to enter a U.S. street address and determine if it is located in a flood hazard area. Below is a summary of the steps in this application and how they are performed by geoservices. User enters a U.S. street address through a basic Web form.
Mapping service creates a street map centered on the coordinate.
User views a map of the area and confirms the point location on the map. Query service determine the type of the flood zone. User is delivered a map report that identifies whether the location is in or near a flood hazard zone and, if so, identifies the zone type. Mapping service creates a map of the area that shows flood zones and color codes the point location based on the flood zone status. For the application described above, the developer would be responsible for defining the logic of the application, passing in the appropriate requests to the geoservices and handling the responses, and presenting the results to the user.