The Communicator - Volume 1, Issue 3 - (Page 8)

Enhance your association asset management by taking advantage of GPS satellite mapping technology. Sky By Richard Reasoner 8 • The Communicator Eyes in the RECENT REVOLUTIONS IN TECHNOLOGY have finally made the benefits of GPS and GIS available to the general public! Undoubtedly you are familiar with GPS (Global Positioning Systems), perhaps you have used MapQuestTM, GoogleTM or any of the other online mapping programs, or you may even have a GPS system in your car. It’s simple … type in a city, address and any other information and the program instantly takes you there, displaying aerial photos and turn-by-turn details. The information you view is provided by a GIS (Geographic Information System), a database containing the coordinates of your location and graphic representations of them. In short, GPS gets you to the location, and GIS provides the visual representation. But what you may not know is these systems can actually translate into savings for associations. The detailed information produced by these systems can be utilized to create clearer presentations, instructions and record-keeping for association owners, employees, vendors and management personnel, minimizing confusion, miscommunications and duplication. ASSET MANAGEMENT GPS is used to identify asset locations at a homeowner’s association, and creates an association GIS for documenting those assets to better track, analyze and manage them. Assets include, but are not limited to: trees, irrigation systems, outdoor lighting, roof, siding and fence-material types, underground water, sewer and electrical lines, and much more. Association landscape asset management focuses on gaining a higher return on invested dollars, and provides additional functions of a GIS, which we will discuss here. First, we must assume that the association values its landscape asset and differentiates between landscape maintenance (task oriented) and landscape management (goal oriented). Landscape maintenance generally focuses on getting the lowest bid for tasks – often to the detriment of the association landscape asset (i.e., enjoyment of the property by the residents and eventual resale value of the unit). Landscape management, on the other hand, takes a more global view, considering multiple factors, such as property usability, esthetics and landscape inventory. Further, it provides GIS images are commonplace these days thanks to Mapquest, Google and the like, but the technology can serve an association as well, saving significantly on landscape maintenance and usage costs.

Table of Contents Feed for the Digital Edition of The Communicator - Volume 1, Issue 3

The Communicator - Volume 1, Issue 3 Contents President's Message Eyes in the Sky Down to the Last Drop Ask the Experts - Budget Your Water Usage 2008 Events & Educational Calendar Welcome to CAI BayCen Index to Advertisers

The Communicator - Volume 1, Issue 3

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