We are starting to scope out what we may need to do to implement GDA2020 once the coordinate system has been defined and the NTv2 grids become available at the beginning of 2017. I have only touched the surface of this – but was hoping for a quick reality check on some of my initial thoughts.
As far as ArcMap goes – it all looks reasonably clear. Once registered with the EPSG and included with the software at some later release, once I upgrade ArcMap, it is just another projection and coordinate system. Just an ArcMap upgrade to support a new coordinate system and transform.
It is not entirely clear to me what is going on with server (both ArcSDE and Server [Publishing]). I suspect the new coordinate system and transform forms part of the server software – so if I want my ArcSDE data or my published services to support GDA2020 – I will need to do server upgrades. Is this the case?
What I was hoping for was to use some ArcSDE magic and ST_GEOM sql to just say : upgrade <feature_class> transform GEOM to GDA2020. (you get the drift). Then all the feature classes just become GDA2020. Magic.
What I am thinking is it will not be that easy. I think I am going to have to run a tool that transforms the data into a new feature class. This has some interesting challenges in relation to:
- Versioned editing:
- Archives :
- Relationship classes :
- Topologies:
- …
So … to the heart of the matter:
If I have to export all the feature classes to transform them, and I have to upgrade the servers to support the new coordinate system – then for all intents and purposes – I am looking at a complete system rebuild – all new data on all new servers, with the additional challenges of moving complex data structures.
Is this correct, or am I just missing something really obvious?
Cheers,
Mark
