International Archives of Photogrammetry and Remote Sensing. Vol. XXXII, Part 6. Bandung-lndonesia 1999 
THE ON-LINE INTEGRATED THEMATIC DATABASE AS A TOOL FOR SHARING SPATIAL 
INFORMATION 
Dewayany Sutrisno 
Gatot H. Pramono 
Ati Rahadiati 
Niendyawaty 
ABSTRACT 
Due to the rapid thematic data information required for spatial decision making processes an on-line thematic database information 
seems needed to be developed. In this case, a model of integrated thematic database was developed in Windows NT Server by using 
various software such as Microsoft internet information server 4.0, Visual basic, Frontpages Express 98, Adobe Page Miller, Adobe 
PhotoShop or PaintshopPro ver.5.0, Microsoft Access 97, Arc/Info, and ArcView 3.1. The model of the database was created as an 
open-ended system to accommodate any changes due to the dynamic characteristic of thematic information. It is proven that the on 
line thematic database is a useable system that readily accessible to the users. Indeed, the information of the thematic map can be 
accessed by people from all over the world with internet connection. 
INTRODUCTION 
Dealing with the need to manage land resources, the 
information of the data of the earth surface becomes 
essential. As a result, the need of thematic information is 
rapidly increased. The thematic database itself can be 
either in tabular or spatial format. However, since the 
spatial format is able to illustrate the location and 
distribution of earth phenomena, the thematic spatial data 
become more demanding for the users. 
Since the advance of computer technology, there has been 
an increasing demand to develop digital spatial database. 
Therefore, maps, graphics, text material and other 
information require complex and exact standard, large 
storage capacities and immense databases. In this case, a 
model of the integrated thematic database had to be 
developed to facilitate the need. Indeed, due to the 
demand of a readily accessible product, and if desired 
allow the users direct access to an agency, the database 
model should also be available on-line. 
The objective of the study is to establish a digital 
integrated thematic database by utilising the state of the 
art of information system, so that information product is 
readily accessible to the users. The internet provides a 
way to access directly to the model. The full access to 
this thematic database is still in preparation, so the users 
may access the data through bakosurtanal homepage 
(http://www.bakosurtanal.go.id). 
METHODOLOGY 
The heart of the development of the system is 
thematic database model, that can give reliable 
information to the users. Therefore, the design of the 
thematic database is based on relational database, which 
is designed to integrate data from government institutions 
and project oriented product. The design was created 
open-ended to allow the other mapping agencies to adopt 
the model. The database should be consisting of projects, 
institutions, activities, provinces, regions, maps, themes, 
sub themes, scales, attributes and codes. The design of 
the database model is illustrated in figure 1.