National web access and publishing platform for Serbia’s Forest Information System.
NATIONAL FORESTRY DATA PLATFORMForestry context for the national WebFIS platform.
WebFIS — Web Portal of the Forest Information System of Serbia
A standards-based Web portal connecting distributed forestry databases, geospatial services, analytics and controlled public access.
A standards-based national forestry data platform connecting distributed systems, geospatial information and controlled public access.
National scopeRepublic of Serbia / national forestry information context
Direct clientFood and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), Regional Office for Europe and Central Asia
BeneficiaryForest Directorate, Republic of Serbia
Implementation09.2022–06.2023 · completed & accepted · operational 09.2026
Project context
One controlled access layer over a distributed forestry information environment
Serbia's forestry information environment contained operational applications, SQL Server databases and geospatial datasets maintained by different organisations. WebFIS was designed as a common national access and publishing layer that preserved those upstream systems while making validated information discoverable through a standards-based Web GIS.
Serbian Latin, Serbian Cyrillic and English.
Language-specific SQL Server WebFIS publication databases maintained through replication and transformation.
GeoNode-related containers documented in the Administration Manual.
Develop, implement and deliver a functional Forest Information System Web Portal as the general remote-access point to FIS data and services. WebFIS had to consolidate and present relevant data from existing databases, provide differentiated access for professional, institutional, educational and public users, expose standards-based geospatial services and remain extensible as additional FIS modules became available.
Create a national, standards-based web access and publishing layer over a heterogeneous and evolving forestry information environment, while protecting operational databases, serving several permission levels and preserving the ability to incorporate data from FIS modules that were not yet available during implementation.
Review source systems and available data
Prepare controlled publishing databases
Publish datasets, metadata, maps and analytical resources
Provide role-controlled professional and public access
Expose interoperable geospatial services
Administer users, data sources and published resources
Validate, deploy, train and support users
Delivered platform
The final interface is the first proof: WebFIS is an operational national information portal
The final project interface combines published forestry information, maps, datasets and analytical resources in one environment. The contractual delivery was completed and formally accepted, and WebFIS remains operational in September 2026.
Data discovery & map use
Catalogue, map interaction and feature information turn published data into an everyday working environment
WebFIS was not limited to a static map viewer. Users could discover published resources through the catalogue, switch layers, inspect spatial features and work with controlled forestry information according to their assigned privileges.
Analysis & communication
Maps, charts and GeoStories make the same managed data useful for analysis and communication
The delivered environment supported thematic mapping, statistical presentation, dashboards and narrative GeoStories. These screens show how spatial data was exposed as analytical and communication resources instead of remaining inside source databases.
Administration & governance
An administrable publishing platform — not only a public front end
Structured metadata editing and multilingual publication workflows give Forest Directorate administrators control over resources, metadata, maps, styles, GeoStories, dashboards, users and permissions. This operational role model is central to the value of the project.
Spatial and metadata workflows according to assigned privileges.
Controlled reporting and CMS access to relevant information.
Read-only access to approved content and services.
Manage users, sources, metadata, maps, styles, GeoStories and dashboards.
Architecture
Controlled publication separates web access from operational FIS workloads
Operational FIS data remains in existing source environments. Replication, transformation and denormalisation prepare controlled publishing databases, while the open-source geospatial stack publishes approved resources through role-controlled web workflows and OGC services.
Existing business databases and applications remain the source systems.
Three language-specific WebFIS publishing databases.
Containerised open-source layer for geospatial resources and web publishing.
Role-controlled access plus OGC services for external GIS clients.
Validation, training & sustainability
Delivery included testing, administrator capability, documentation and operational support
The Final Report records completed functional and concurrent-user testing with no detected issues. Separate administrator and user training, manuals, step-by-step videos, documented backup/recovery and monitoring procedures, and a dedicated helpdesk were included so the beneficiary could operate and extend the platform after delivery.
Delivered work package
From assessment and data publishing to deployment, training and support
Functional WebFIS geoportal
National forestry web portal developed, deployed and successfully tested.
Standards-based national forestry geoportalServer-side SDI backend
Data and web-service modules providing OGC standards-based FIS Spatial Data Infrastructure services.
OGC standards-based SDI servicesClient-side Web GIS
Maps, datasets, metadata, dashboards and GeoStories available through the WebFIS interface.
MapStore / GeoNode client environmentGeospatial content management
Controlled user-level access and authorised CRUD-based administration of published geospatial resources.
Role-controlled content administrationPublished FIS content
Available and relevant National Forest Inventory, forest-management, implementation, forest-health/damage/fire and other datasets published during execution.
Replication, backup and maintenance configuration
Publishing-database replication plus documented automated SQL Server backup and maintenance tasks.
Administrator and user training
Separate administrator and user training sessions completed in June 2023.
Web-based helpdesk
Dedicated user-support system deployed, tested and reported fully operational.
Web application
What this project proves
A national geospatial platform built around existing systems
WebFIS proves MapSoft can combine legacy-data integration, controlled publishing, multilingual Web GIS, interoperability and user enablement in one operational national platform.
Data Platforms & IntegrationsGeoNode / MapStoreGeoServerPostgreSQL/PostGISOGC ServicesMultilingual PublishingTraining & Support
MapSoft scope
MapSoft was the direct contractor for the WebFIS portal and its data-publishing/integration layer. Other FIS business modules were developed or upgraded by separate contractors.
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