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Beginner’s Guide to Express Server

  • Writer: Anvita Shrivastava
    Anvita Shrivastava
  • Dec 17, 2025
  • 2 min read

Updated: Dec 31

LizardTech Express Server is a specialized server software developed by LizardTech (a GeoWGS84 company) for efficiently distributing large, high-resolution geospatial imagery and raster datasets over networks. It’s widely used in GIS, remote sensing, and mapping workflows to serve satellite, aerial, and other large raster images to clients quickly and with minimal storage and bandwidth overhead.


Express Server
Express Server

What Is Express Server?


Express Server is an image delivery server optimized for serving large, compressed raster imagery—particularly in MrSID and JPEG 2000 formats. Unlike traditional map servers that rely heavily on pre-generated tile caches, Express Server can stream imagery directly from compressed source files. This approach significantly reduces disk space usage while still delivering fast, responsive image access to end users.


The server supports industry standards such as OGC Web Map Service (WMS) and JPIP (JPEG 2000 Interactive Protocol), making it compatible with a wide range of GIS clients, web mapping applications, and desktop software.


Key Features


  1. High-Performance Image Streaming


Express Server uses wavelet-based compression technologies to deliver only the portions of an image that a user requests. This enables fast performance even when working with huge datasets.


  1. Direct Access to Compressed Imagery


Images are served directly from compressed files without the need for tile generation or image duplication. This reduces storage costs and simplifies data management.


  1. Multi-Resolution Support


Formats like MrSID allow the server to extract different resolutions of the same image on demand, ensuring smooth zooming and panning experiences for users.


  1. Standards-Based Integration


Support for OGC standards such as WMS ensures interoperability with popular GIS platforms and mapping tools.


  1. Web-Based Administration


Express Server includes a browser-based management interface that allows administrators to configure datasets, manage services, and handle licensing efficiently.


Common Use Cases


  • Serving large satellite, aerial, or drone imagery collections to web and desktop GIS users

  • Providing fast, scalable access to raster data for government and enterprise mapping systems

  • Reducing bandwidth and storage requirements for image distribution

  • Integrating compressed imagery into enterprise GIS workflows


Licensing and Deployment


LizardTech Express Server uses a licensing model based on a locking code rather than a traditional serial number. Administrators generate this locking code from the server interface and use it to obtain a license file.

The server typically runs on 64-bit operating systems and is deployed alongside a standard web server such as Apache or IIS.


LizardTech Express Server remains a robust and efficient solution for organizations that need to distribute large geospatial imagery datasets quickly and reliably. By eliminating the need for extensive tile caching and leveraging advanced compression technologies, it provides a scalable, standards-compliant platform for modern GIS image delivery.


For more information or any questions regarding the LizardTech suite of products, please don't hesitate to contact us at:



USA (HQ): (720) 702–4849


(A GeoWGS84 Corp Company)

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