In this article, you’ll learn how GIS Infrastructure Layers and External Map Data work in Digtix and how they help bring critical geospatial information directly into the application. These layers allow administrators to import or connect external GIS data, such as utilities, pipelines, fiber routes, or weather services, so locate requests can be viewed in a proper geographic context.

This feature is designed for Digtix administrators and GIS/IT teams who manage infrastructure data. By visualizing internal and external GIS layers within Digtix, organizations can improve situational awareness, increase accuracy, and make more informed operational decisions.

Create or Edit an Infrastructure Layer

1. Go to Administration > Infrastructures.
2. Click Create to add a new layer, or select an existing layer and click Edit.
   
3. Configure the infrastructure layer settings, ensuring the required items are included.
4. Click Save Changes.

Import GIS Data (Manual)

1. If using an ESRI Shapefile, ensure all four required files (.shp, .shx, .dbf, .prj) are present and zipped together.
2. Edit or create an infrastructure layer.
3. In the File (Upload) field, click Browse… and select the KML/KMZ file or zipped Shapefile.
   
4. Click Save Changes to upload and process the data.

NOTE: Geodatabase (GDB) files and files larger than 64 MB are not supported via the UI.

Import GIS Data (Automatic – Enterprise)

1. Generate an SSH key pair and provide the public key to the Digix team.
   Generating an SSH key pair is a common and quick (~5 minutes) IT process. If you're unsure how to do this, please work with your IT department. Here are instructions on how to generate an SSH key pair on Windows and shell scripting environments:
   https://www.ssh.com/ssh/putty/windows/puttygen
   https://www.ssh.com/ssh/keygen/
2. Once access is granted, connect to sftp.digtix.com using your private key.
3. Upload GIS files to the appropriate server folder:
   • Shapefiles: upload individual files (not zipped), all with the same name.
   • GDB: place in a Digtix.gdb folder, zip it as Digtix.gdb.zip.
4. Digtix automatically processes files on a scheduled interval (typically overnight).
5. Existing layers are updated by name; new layers may be created if no match exists.

View External Map Data (WMS/WFS – Enterprise)

1. Go to Administration > External Map Sources.
2. Click Create and configure the source, ensuring all required items are present.
   
3. Click Save Changes to save the configuration.
4. Open a map view, select the Show Facilities icon, and toggle the desired layers on or off.
   

IMPORTANT: Users must have network access to the external service endpoints. WMS/WFS layers do not support proximity calculations in Digtix.

Q: Why does my GIS data appear in the wrong location?
A: The data may be using a projected coordinate system instead of a geographic (latitude/longitude) system like WGS84.

Q: Why can’t I upload my GIS file through the UI?
A: The file may exceed the 64 MB limit or be in an unsupported format (such as GDB). Use automatic SFTP import instead.

Q: Why do I see an error when viewing WMS layers?
A: The external service may be behind a firewall or require network authentication. Users must have access to the service endpoint.