What’s new in MapGuide Enterprise 2008/Topobase 2008?

MapGuide Enterprise (English) was released today. Recall that MapGuide Enterprise is “based on MapGuide Open Source…[and] harnesses the innovation of a broad community of developers, backed by commercial-grade quality assurance and support.” (press release) Here’s the list of new features, from Autodesk’s press kit:

- Enhanced functionality and performance to close the gaps with MapGuide 6.5
- FDO technology that provides access to a wide range of data formats
- Better integration with AutoCAD Map 3D and third-party applications like Google Earth
- Native support for Google Earth
  Dynamic generation of KML, KMZ based on existing map & layer definitions
  Ability to create Google Earth overlays in 3D
-Performance enhancements for:
  Map rendering
  AJAX viewer load time
  Feature joins
  Base map tile serving
- Support for pragmatic load balancing
- Improved data connectivity

As for Topobase, its technology Autodesk acquired a few years ago. It’s “built on AutoCAD Map 3D, Autodesk MapGuide Enterprise and Oracle software, ...[and] allows organizations to see the big picture and make better decisions to manage infrastructure assets more efficiently and enhance data quality.” (press release) It’s not yet available, but will be later this month, first in English, then other languages. What’s new? This list is from Autodesk’s press kit.

- Greater support for Topobase Web
  Job support: create, edit and manage jobs
  Multiple browser support
  Workflows enabled on the Web
  Logical topology
  Platform enhancement: improved speed and stability, support for load balancing and quicker   rendering
- Enhanced features for Topobase Client and Administrator:
  Jobs has been enhanced for easier job management
  Feature manipulation
  Attributive and logical topology
- New gas utilities module
  Commonly-used database structures, fields, workflows and business rules specific to gas industry requirements