IrisBG : Garden Explorer

Garden Explorer

Overview

Garden Explorer is a web-based search and presentation solution for garden collections. This module can be accessed by the public using a web browser on a PC, tablet computer or Smartphone. It can also be used as a kiosk-solution in the garden.

IrisBG Garden Explorer has been designed with 3 key aspects in mind:

Usability - A person without a GIS or Computer background is able to use the Garden Explorer without difficulties.
Performance - The module is designed to perform well, even under low bandwidth conditions.
Flexibility - IrisBG Garden Explorer will adapt to the user's web browser (PC, Laptop, Tablet or Smartphone).

Try out a live installation of the Garden Explorer from the Botanical Garden of Oslo, Norway.

User experience

Here are some of the key aspects of the Garden Explorer user experience.

You can enhance the visitor experience by using QR Coded plant labels. The visitor can scan the QR code with a smartphone and Garden Explorer will show details about the taxon and other relevant information. For more details about IrisBG QR code integration, we recommend you read the article on our blog, Getting started with QR Codes in your garden.
Multiple search criteria are supported such as the scientific or common names of plants, plant family, location in the garden, country of collection and distribution.
For each taxon, information about family, distribution and flowering period is given.
The locations of a taxon in the garden are shown both on a map and in a list.
For each location, both pictures and a description of the area can be viewed.
The user interface language will adapt to the browser language of the user, or can be changed manually by the user. Currently we support English (default), French, Dutch and Norwegian. New languages will be added upon request.
To make it easier for novice users, zooming and panning in the map are not included in our installation at the Botanical Garden in Oslo. Zooming and panning can be enabled if required. Feel free to try out examples where zooming and panning is enabled.
- Zooming and panning enabled using a custom garden map (Esri ArcGis).
- Zooming and panning enabled with map provided by OpenStreetMap.

Technical features

Here are some of the key technical features of the Garden Explorer module.

The Garden Explorer is designed to work well on desktop browser, tablets as well as on modern smartphones such as iPhone and Android.
High performance.
The Garden Explorer content is designed to be indexed by internet search engines. This will enable visitors to find the plants in your collection using search engines such as Google and Bing.
The appearance of the user interface can easily be configured to appear as an integral part of your own website.
The solution is fully integrated with IrisBG for simple data management and uploading data through a web service.

Architecture and requirements

The Garden Explorer module is built with Microsoft ASP.NET 2.0 and Ajax and runs on Microsoft Internet Information Services.

Download the Garden Explorer product sheet.

Screen images from the Garden Explorer module - click for a larger image.

The Garden Explorer main screenThe Garden Explorer main screen

Using Garden Explorer with a smartphoneUsing Garden Explorer with a smartphone

The Garden Explorer location screenThe Garden Explorer location screen

“The IrisBG Garden Explorer module has been very useful in making our collection available online to the public who are able to research their interests before visiting the garden.”

Oddmund Fostad, Head Gardener, The Botanical Garden, University of Oslo, Norway