1 Component-Based GIS Architectures: GeoMedia and Oracle Spatial as an Example Catharina Riedemann & Werner Kuhn Institute for Geoinformatics, University of Muenster, Robert-Koch-Str. 26-28 D-48194 Muenster, Germany {riedemann,kuhn}@ifgi.uni-muenster.de Abstract We report results of a course module looking at the interaction between GeoMedia Professional and Oracle Spatial. Starting from what we learnt, we present the concept for a future course tak- ing a more detailed look at the following issues of component-based GIS architectures: meta- data/interoperability, functionality and processing, and user interface. Biographies Catharina Riedemann has studied Geography and has been working as a GIS developer and con- sultant. Since 1997, she is a graduate research assistant at the Institute for Geoinformatics, Uni- versity of Muenster. There she has particularly been working in projects with state surveying and mapping authorities for building a data production environment and developing a reference model for a geospatial data infrastructure. She contributes her knowledge on data models, data- bases, and GIS clients to teaching, recently by introducing a new course on spatial databases. Currently, Catharina Riedemann is writing her PhD on data integration by web services. Dr. Werner Kuhn is a professor of Geoinformatics at the University of Muenster, Germany, where he teaches digital cartography, object-oriented modeling and programming, and research methods. His research activities are centered on the semantics of geographic information, with projects ranging from ontology-based semantic translators through the design of more meaningful 3d-interaction techniques to GIS design for transportation planning. He has been involved in set- ting up the European activities of the Open GIS Consortium, has advised OGC and ISO as well as state mapping agencies, and is an elected member of the Council of AGILE (Association of Geographic Information Laboratories in Europe) and international advisor to Canada’s GEOIDE Research Network.