The Shapefile (.shp extension) is the world's most popular geospatial vector data file format. Originally developed by Esri, it has become the de facto standard for exchanging geographic information between different software systems.
A "Shapefile" is actually not a single file, but a set of them (.shp, .shx, .dbf) that store the geometry (the shape on the map) and attributes (the data table associated with each shape).
The importance of data ownership
When a municipality tenders a service, it should require that the final inventory be delivered in open or standard formats like Shapefile, not in closed proprietary formats that force continued license payments. Requesting the inventory in Shapefile guarantees technological sovereignty: you'll be able to open your data with any GIS software on the market (QGIS, ArcGIS, gvSIG) today and 20 years from now.
Import and Export in Maptainer
At Maptainer, we believe that data belongs to the client. That's why our platform is not a cage:
- Import: Already have an old inventory in Shapefile? You can upload it to Maptainer and visualize it in the cloud in minutes.
- Export: Need to deliver a report to the Urban Planning department? You can download your updated inventory or your incidents in Shapefile format with a single click, ready to be integrated into the municipal corporate GIS.