Adding Spectrum Spatial data to maps

With Buzzy, you work with geographic data using layers. Layers are collections of geographic data that are used to create maps and are also used for geographic analysis. For example, a point of interest layer could represent a collection of useful and interesting locations. These locations include attributes that describe each POI’s properties, such as the name of the POI and what type of POI it is, and other potential attributes.

The following are the types of layers you can add to an Advanced Map as an item:

1. Existing App - An existing Microapp that has a Location Field

2. Spectrum Spatial - An exising layer published on an instance of Spectrum Spatial

3. Tile - Square bitmap graphics displayed in a grid arrangement to show a map provided by a geographic tile server

To add a Spectrum Spatial layer, you must first configure the server. The Advanced Map settings page allows you to enter server and credentials:

1. Spectrum API Server - The URL for the spectrum server: https://server:port

2. Spectrum API Login - The login name for the qualified user

3. Spectrum API Password - The password for the qualified user

Once the credentials have been established, a layer can be added in the Settings / Layers tab by selecting Spectrum Spatial from the data source dropdown. Begin typing the name of the layer and then select it.

Performance considerations

Users demand reasonable performance when working with maps. Network bandwidth, screen size and storage are important considerations when designing a map. Buzzy creates a local cache for layers used in the Advanced Map. Vector data transfer should be minimized using zoom layering. Try to use Tile layers whenever possible. Optimize has more tips for managing spatial data.

Spectrum Roles

Adding Spectrum layers to a map uses various APIs including an internal REST API called the Named Resource REST API, which is the same API used by Spectrum Spatial Manager. This service is intended for management of the Spatial repository and therefore has access restrictions which have been enhanced in Spectrum version 2019.1 onwards

From version 2019.1 of Spectrum this API is only available to users who are members of one of these predefined roles; admin , spatial-admin and spatial-sub-admin . Other users who use this API will receive an unauthorised error. In order to access and describe layers, the user account entered for a Spectrum Spatial service needs to be a member of one of these 3 admin roles.

Admin and spatial-admin roles can see and describe all the available layers in Spectrum Spatial.

Spatial-sub-admins however are further restricted. They can only see and describe layers in repository folders where they have folder permissions. By using folder permissions admins can grant management access to sub-admins for certain parts of the repository while keeping the remainder secure. If using an account that is a spatial-sub-admin, an admin or spatial-admin must first grant folder READ or folder WRITE permissions to the repository folders that contain the layers and tables this user can access.

For further background information on security in Spectrum Spatial please review the documentation here:

The available pre-defined roles and their purpose

The different types of permissions including folder ACL

Services and activities that users with different roles and permissions can access

How to grant folder permissions to users in Spatial Manager

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