speed access to the PRONET service. Users can
make use of this LAN access by physically visiting an
ASP providers premises.
e ISDN Access: Each ASP operator will provide the in-
frastructure for PRONET service access via local
ISDN connections (intra-country). These connections
can be established at any one of the major validation
sites. A Euro-ISDN connection will be established
between the CEO premises (lspra, Italy) and the ITC
ASP site (Enschede, The Netherlands).
e Internet Access: Each ASP operator will provide
Internet access to the PRONET service. Users may
use personal workstations (appropriately equipped)
and basic Internet services in order to access the
PRONET service.
It is obvious that the above methods offer different band-
width to the end user. This in turn, influences the quality
of service provided to the end-user. E.g., the tutoring
service on the LAN access method (or ISDN access
method) will be based on video conferencing whereas the
tutoring service on the Internet access method will con-
sist of white-board technology and email.
The PRONET service is composed of the following
functionalities:
e Multimedia computer aided learning sessions
(estimated 10 hours per professional user group for a
total of 30 hours). These sessions will be based on
existing material appropriately adapted in order to be
compatible with the PRONET specifications. Use of
latest state of the art multimedia system development
tools will assist in this matter.
e Tutoring support where users completing the above
training sessions may request real time or deferred
time assistance (depending on access method and
time). Video/audio conferencing hardware/software,
white-board software, and electronic mail systems will
be used (depending on available access bandwidth).
e Information database access allowing professionals
to access data that is relevant to their field. This data
includes technical reports, training availability, legal
issues, professional bodies, etc. RDBMS software will
assist in this matter.
e Special Interest Group support where users can ex-
change messages and attend on-line text conferenc-
ing. RDBMS software and applications will support this
function.
e Service administration support where ASP operators
can add PRONET users to the user database, add new
training sessions and new professional groups. Billing
and security issues are also addressed here.
3.1 Tutoring Support
The tutoring support service refers to the need to com-
plement the training activities with real-time or deferred
time assistance. This tutoring is not intended to replace
the multimedia training sessions. In fact the tutoring sup-
port intends to clarify any problems or questions arising
76
from the viewing of the training material. This service may
include any combination of the following:
Electronic mail tutoring (deferred time, low bandwidth),
White board tutoring (real time, low bandwidth),
Audio conferencing (real time, medium bandwidth), or
Video conferencing (real time, high bandwidth).
All the above approaches will be available and demon-
strated during the validation of the PRONET service.
3.2 Information Database Access
The PRONET service includes access to customized in-
formation database systems. These systems must sup-
port the basic access retrieval capabilities provided by
most database systems. We assume that data stored in
these database systems include different media types.
3.2.1 Remote Sensing Database: The purpose of
this information database is to support the users with up-
to-date information on the development of GIS and remote
sensing technology and their applications in environ-
mental study. The contents will include:
e courses offered by other universities or training cen-
ters in Europe in the related fields.
e aclearing house for job announcements. This informa-
tion can be added by environmental, GIS and remote
sensing organizations and ITC will act as a center for
distributing their announcements.
e up-coming conferences in the related fields. The
library of ITC is currently building this information
database and it can be linked to the PRONET informa-
tion database directly.
e list of literature references and contents of the litera-
ture when possible. The library of ITC can also be one
of the main sources for this information.
e digital spatial and attribute data. This information
database will serve as a point to indicate to the users
who has what data (in digital form) in Europe.
e Major GIS and remote sensing software, suppliers,
and functional comparisons. This information data-
base has already been built by some other
organizations, such as NexpRl at the University of
Utrecht, The Netherlands. ITC can act as a link to
these services.
e Major GIS, remote sensing and environmental
(research) projects in Europe. The information can be
obtained from various newsletters and research re-
ports.
3.2.2: Medical Information Database: The infor-
mation base for medical specialists will include topics
such as :
e Scientific/Professional organizations of medical
physics (MP) and biomedical engineering (BME).
e. European universities offering courses and programs
in MP and BME.
International Archives of Photogrammetry and Remote Sensing. Vol. XXXI, Part B6. Vienna 1996
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