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Why use GeoExpress as your archival and master storage engine?

  • Writer: Anvita Shrivastava
    Anvita Shrivastava
  • 19 hours ago
  • 3 min read

GeoExpress is a top-class tool that helps users to compress, manage, and deliver raster data through MrSID. It supports large volumes of geospatial data while still enabling high-quality imagery.


What makes GeoExpress so important goes beyond compression. It also serves as a high-performance master storage engine and the foundation for a scalable geospatial infrastructure.


For a 1 TB high-resolution imagery project, using GeoExpress (MrSID) can reduce your annual storage costs by approximately 85% compared to Cloud Optimized GeoTIFF (COG). While COGs are favored for modern cloud-native accessibility, their lower compression efficiency leads to significantly higher data volumes and costs at scale.



Key Reasons to Use GeoExpress for Archival Storage


  1. High-quality compression of files


GeoExpress offers users the following benefits when compressing image files:


  • Users can decrease storage space by 85% to 95%.

  • The quality of compressed images can be lost visually, but not mathematically. Or vice versa.

  • Users can optimize storage usage without sacrificing accuracy.


Using GeoExpress's technology also makes it an optimal choice for archiving long-term (with data fidelity).


  1. Access to extremely large datasets is much faster.


Unlike standard formats for storing files, the GeoExpress application allows users to select the data they want to access.


  • Users can access only the data they require.

  • Users can avoid opening a large file into memory.

  • Users can speed up their performance on GIS and Remote Sensing.


All of these capabilities greatly improve the speed and productivity of users analyzing complex and large datasets.


  1. Create scalable storage systems that can grow.


As your geospatial datasets continue to grow over time, GeoExpress expands to meet your storage requirements at the same time.


  • Work with images that are 1 terabyte to 1 petabyte in size.

  • Seamlessly integrate with enterprise storage systems.

  • Work efficiently in the cloud and with your current on-premise infrastructure.


GeoExpress is simply the best product to meet your long-term data storage needs, as your data storage will continue to be efficient as time goes by.


  1. Long-Term Preservation with Reliable Archival


Archival storage needs to be long-lasting and consistent in how it will be used. This is what GeoExpress does:


  • MrSID is a widely accepted, stable format.

  • Has Good Metadata Support

  • Is Readable and Compatible for Many Years [or: Will have the ability to be Readable and Compatible for Years]


  1. Optimized for Streaming and Distribution


GeoExpress stores information, but also delivers information quickly.


  • Can stream imagery over the internet with great speed

  • Can visualize images quickly using the web or desktop [or: Using Web or Desktop can visualize quickly to have the swiftest the fastest images possible]

  • Can reduce the consumption of Bandwidth


Because GeoExpress will be able to serve as both your Archival and Distribution Equipment, you will be able to run systems in an environment where both exist.


  1. Fits Seamlessly into Existing Geospatial Workflows


GeoExpress fits naturally in every GIS Ecosystem.


  • Will work with ALL Major GIS Software Platforms

  • Will accept every major GIS Data Form and Projection

  • Will use existing Automation Processing Pipelines easily


The above will result in a minimal interruption to operations and will expedite the adoption of systems across your entire organisation.


2026 Storage Cost Comparison (Estimated)


Estimates based on 10 TB of raw data stored in AWS S3 Standard ($0.023/GB/month).


Format

Avg. Compression

Final Size

Annual Storage Cost

MrSID (GeoExpress)

20:1

0.5 TB

$141

JPEG 2000

10:1

1.0 TB

$282

COG

3:1

3.3 TB

$942


Why GeoExpress Wins on Cost-Benefit


  • Reduced "Data Sprawl": By achieving much higher compression ratios, GeoExpress minimizes the sheer number of objects and volume of data you need to manage, which is a primary challenge in storage optimization.

  • Lower Bandwidth Costs: Smaller file sizes translate directly to lower data egress and transfer fees when moving imagery between local and cloud environments.

  • Infrastructure Efficiency: Storing less data reduces the physical hardware footprint (number of disks/chassis) and the associated energy and cooling costs.


Use GeoExpress as your archival and master storage engine. Compress and store your “gold master” datasets at ratios of 20:1 or higher using MrSID, and deliver only the exact subsets needed—on demand—without maintaining parallel formats or redundant copies. This keeps your storage lean, consistent, and optimized across the entire library.


Completely avoid formats like JPEG2000 and Zarr in your workflow—they introduce unnecessary storage overhead, duplication, and operational complexity without delivering the same level of efficiency and scalability for large imagery archives.


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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