Fredericton, NB, Canada – July 18, 2012 – CARIS, the world's leading marine GIS organization, has released its first open source API. CARIS OSCAR-js, a JavaScript Map API, allows you to create and embed custom web maps on your website.

The API was created to help shape CARIS Spatial Fusion Enterprise and includes tools for navigation, measurement, and download, as well as providing a means for developers to create their own custom tools and extensions. OSCAR-js extends the very popular OpenLayers library and utilizes jQueryUI and YUI to help create a feature rich mapping experience.

The API is designed around the creation of map themes. Map themes consist of thematic maps along with optional functionality such as selection, data download or more. OSCAR-js supports the use of Open Geospatial Consortium (OGC) web services including Web Map Service (WMS), Web Map Tile Service (WMTS), Web Feature Service (WFS) and Web Coverage Service (WCS) for creating these map themes.

In addition to supporting OGC web services, OSCAR-js can connect to CARIS Spatial Fusion Viewer to load map configurations. This allows for centralized site management for your web map infrastructure.

The source code for the API is available on  GitHub under the  Apache License 2.0. This will enable the development community to make their own development branches for customization or as a way to contribute code to the project. Building your own distribution is done easily using  Maven 3.

To get started, visit the OSCAR-js website. Users will find helpful API documentation, code examples, as well as a blog to hear the latest information about OSCAR-js.

About CARIS

Established in 1979, CARIS is a leading developer of geospatial software. The CARIS Ping-to-Chart™ product line delivers an integrated software solution for the entire workflow of hydrographic information from the echosounder "ping" through to the production and distribution of the "chart". CARIS products are continually selected by hydrographic offices, military agencies, survey contractors, ports and harbours, municipalities, land administrators and academia among others. In addition to its Canadian headquarters, CARIS has offices in The Netherlands, United States, Australia and United Kingdom. There are also more than 20 resellers bringing sales and support of CARIS brand software to more than 85 countries.

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For more information or to arrange an interview:
Call Erin Roberts, Marketing Coordinator +1 (506) 458-8533, Email Contact