Government Technology - January 2008 - (Page 20)

More Than a Map For years, GIS existed as a tool for only technically skilled users. This was largely because most people couldn’t tell what the heck these maps were supposed to depict. Companies such as ESRI and CARIS produced powerful mapping software that has been used for everything from wildlife management to sales and marketing; generally these products appealed only to a small community of experts. Furthermore, GIS software was standalone and ran on large, high-end systems that could process the thousands of data points and layers needed to produce, say, a map of a suburban housing tract being developed in a floodplain. It was incredibly useful for a select number of people — but nevertheless, GIS wasn’t much more than a complicated-looking map on a computer. For millions of people today, the Web is as vital a utility as electricity or water. As technology is wont to do, GIS has not only adapted to the changing marketplace; it has also expanded beyond its traditional realm. GIS applications have transformed into simpler, user-friendly tools with mass appeal and — most important — they live entirely on the Web. Today, location data powers all kinds of programs, including many in government. “Over the last several years, we’ve seen a move toward Web enabling many of our traditional GIS technologies, which has taken JAN_08 or some sort of new hybrid depends on the individual application and whether you care about the distinction. In Utah, for example, traditional GIS tools exist side-by-side with Google Earth. The state built mapping tools that do everything from helping anglers find the best fishing to pinpointing all of the state’s mining sites. Utah’s state Web site is home to a huge library of maps created with both traditional GIS applications and tools from Google. In fact, Utah Deputy CIO Dave Fletcher said the state keeps all of its geographic information databases online, giving Utah citizens an impressive resource at their fingertips. One new Web site, mapserv.utah.gov, hosts interactive maps on the ArcGIS server. Self-Serve Mapping In Park City, Utah, citizens can input a “We’re also starting to create Web servariety of variables to generate an environvices that can be used within other peoples’ mental data map. This map shows lots in applications to provide geo-coded results,” Park City that are either in compliance Fletcher said. “We’ve created some things, with local soil contamination ordinances, our geo-sites using Google Earth, where it’s sort those that are not, and those that are of targeted at the student population, where progressing toward compliance. they can basically do virtual flyovers over a lot of our geologic sites throughout the state.” us into some really different opportunities Utah’s Mapserv site is a great place to to apply applications, which I think has start for anyone seeking examples of how dramatically changed the landscape for us,” traditional GIS tools and newer “GIS-lite” explained John Olesak, vice president of applications can be used to produce comNorthrop Grumman’s Geospatial Intelli- pelling, useful maps. Mapserv hosts a variety gence Operating Unit. Olesak has more than of maps, including sex offender addresses, 30 years of GIS experience under his belt, sites designated for historic preservation including work with the National Geospa- — even fueling locations for government tial-Intelligence Agency. fleet vehicles. “So if you think back a number of years According to Fletcher, the state is doing ago to the geographic information systems everything it can to improve the pubbeing a boutique-type of capability, you lic’s access to GIS and other related data really had to be a computer scientist, photo- because the state believes the data improves grametrist or geodesist to really take advan- people’s experience with government and tage of it,” he said. also strengthens government operations. “Now we can deliver those Furthermore, Fletcher said new applications into the hands of manifestations of location data — many more users at a variety of difsuch as Google Earth and WikiMaferent levels. All with the simplicity pia — don’t diminish the traditional of the tool to help us in decisionGIS market, but instead foster more making, whether that’s personal interest in it. or from a business or homeland “I think it significantly expands Easy Access security perspective.” interest in [GIS], and I think some of You could throw a dart at the Utah’s State the other products are trying now to map of the United States and Geographic compete and enhance what they do Information probably hit a city or state that’s — where before they were generally Database data doing something clever with loca- viewer gives Web client-server applications,” Fletcher tion data. Whether it’s “true GIS” users access to said. “They’ve seen what people have 45 layers of GIS information. 20 http://mapserv.utah.gov http://www.govtech.com

Table of Contents Feed for the Digital Edition of Government Technology - January 2008

Government Technology - January 2008 Contents Point of View Big Picture The Last Mile On the Scene CIO Sightings Four Questions for... Spectrum Location, Location, Location Digital Governor Back to the Drawing Board Waukesha Goes Green Collaring Dangerous Dogs Public Sector Goes Web 2.0 Bounce Back SACWIS Rollout Simple Strategy Products Personal Computing How It Works signal:noise

Government Technology - January 2008

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