existing databases. The management office is still essential, but can operate with 4-7 persons. 
Significant computing capacity is needed, particularly for reformatting. 
4.3 - Configuration C: ISPRS-IRS / RESORS combination 
In view of the interest shown by the Canadian Remote Sensing Center for better dissemination of its 
database, collaboration should be considered. Configuration B would be selected (entirely or totally) for 
the generation of the ISPRS-IRS database, and a merged file would be input to the ESA-IRS database 
after initial reformatting (total or partial) of the RESORS data. To facilitate reformatting, the ISPRS-IRS 
format would have to be similar to that used by RESORS. A second reformat would permit the ISPRS- 
IRS part to be sent to RESORS for input in Canada. The management office would have an important 
role under such a configuration, and temporary support would be needed to reformat the substantial 
existing stock of 60,000 records. The indexing thesaurus would also have to be similar to that of the 
RESORS dictionary. 
Here, we approach the limits of what is feasible in terms of reformatting, but this could be achieved by a 
competent and highly methodical group. If reformatted PASCAL and GEOBASE data were input to the 
ISPRS-IRS database itself, it would be difficult to achieve a coordinated indexing thesaurus for three 
different databases. The configuration is very tempting since it comes close to the ideal (configuration 
A), yet is probably feasible. However, we should be warned by the difficulties encountered by IFREMER- 
DOCOCEAN in this type of work. An example of configuration C is shown below: 
Members] | ..... Il] ... 10] +. PASCAL GEOB 2 OTHER 
Nina 
See X Reformatting 
rot p 
| ISPRS - IRS 
EUROPEAN HOST 
Lin 
Reformatting 
| + 
( RESORS 
CANADIAN HOST 
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
4.4 - Configuration D: ISPRS-IRS network provides input to existing database 
This minimum solution is probably the simplest and thus the easiest to implement. After agreement on 
who provides what, the network members would input documentary forms, for records in their 
possession, to a database (to be determined). Entry of the forms could be done by the database 
producer or by the network members using a software format compatible with the database receiving the 
input. Centers could thus manage their resources independently on microcomputers. The remote 
sensing and photogrammetry content of the growing database would thus increase. An example of 
configuration D is shown below: 
36