Carrie Morrell
Carrie, who has been with ADC since 2003, is the GIS Division Manager at ADC. She is extremely talented and knowledgeable about GIS and map book production and has created award-winning plat books for ADC's clients. Carrie loves spending time outdoors and being with her family.
Dave Peterson
David has been with ADC for over 11 years and is currently ADC's Web Administration Division Manager. He is a GISP and holds degrees in computer operations and GIS from CVTC. Dave is an Eau Claire native and is married with two beautiful daughters.
Success Stories
Our clients are as diverse as the services we offer. We are proud to have delivered GIS and web solutions for everything from providing phone book delivery routes, to managing turkey waste, to helping businesses with relocation tools.
Here is a sampling of our success stories:
System Integration
PROBLEM
Douglas County, Nebraska, which includes the city of Omaha, has over 190,000 parcels. Each parcel has an assessment value assigned to it by the County Tax Assessor. The County Assessor was determined to distribute this information to the public as efficiently as possible.
SOLUTION
The main goal of the project was to provide automated access within an ArcIMS GIS environment, to both tabular and image information related to assessment and ownership information of each parcel. By searching from the tax assessment web site, the GIS assessment website or selecting a parcel on the GIS web map, a link is established with the tax assessment database, and users can then view ownership information for the parcel, including data such as owner name and address and assessment values, as well as digital images of the lot and structures.
Development of Assessor Web Pages includes:
- WebGUIDE3 Implementation;
- Development and testing of parcel and sales search web pages;
- Development of a hot update web page for instant name removal;
- Development of an automated weekly data upload program; and
- Integration of static web pages including support for periodic revisions
RESULTS
A land owner, realtor, banker or anyone else can now use the GIS Web interface to determine not only the value of a parcel, but also how that value was determined. The County Assessment office no longer has to take time to answer parcel assessment values over the phone or face-to-face. The public also has the ability to calculate sales comparisons using numerous search criteria.
"We have received a lot of good comments from the public....and I know we will get more compliments as the new changes are found out about. I think it is one of the best websites I have seen....Great Job Everyone!"
Daniel Silvis - Geographic Information System Manager, Douglas County, NE
Problem
The United States Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) requested solution to help manage activities at the 19,800-acre Former Sioux Army Depot (FSAD) facility located in Sydney, Neb. In addition to standard geographic information systems (GIS) tools and functionality, there were two key areas that were emphasized in the development of the Facility Management (FM) system. The first was the ability to enter, query and view collected environmental data from soil, groundwater and surface samplings. The second was to locate, enter and display locations of unexploded ordinance (UXO).
Solution
The project began with the development of a detailed GIS System Design document that outlined the structure, data and functionality of the final system. After the implementation plan was complete, ADC began the conversion of data provided by the USACE and USACE contractors to a format that would be compatible with the GIS. Data conversion included reprojecting vector and raster data, georeferencing CADD files, generating contours from point data, heads up digitizing, registering and rectifying aerial photography and renaming and organizing non-spatial data such as oblique photos, text documents, pdfs and scanned images. The spatial data was organized using the data structure and naming conventions specified in the SDSFIE. FGDC compliant metadata was developed for each layer.
ADC worked with the USACE to determine the best database format for the environmental sampling data. The EDMS light database structure in MS Access was selected and modified to include additional tables required for tracking UXO and photography. ADC worked with USACE personnel to determine what functionality would be most important for their facility management interface. The interface functionality included general navigation tools, a data loader to find and load data by geographic reference areas, advanced measuring tools, mapping tools and automated map generation, buffering tool, and tools to return information about a specified location.
Results
Users can view environmental sampling locations in the view and select a location to see sampling information. The environmental database can be queried and users can enter new sampling information into the database. Users can also display, enter and query UXO locations. To accommodate the number of photos collected on site, a photo loader tool was developed to work users through assigning photos to locations on the base and automatically filing the photos and associated information in the database. Users can search the photo database for specific photos and view the photos in the photo viewer.
Problem
The Central Nebraska Public Power and Irrigation District (CNPPID) is responsible for providing irrigation water to over 105,000 acres, electricity generation, flood control, recreational services on more than 26 lakes and providing and maintaining the lakeshores for over 1,100 private homes and cabins on six lakes. The CNPPID has a wide range of customers from irrigation customers to cabin owners. To better manage its services, the CNPPID wanted to integrate its current accounting system with a newly designed GIS database and to link both databases to their spatial data through an ArcView interface.
Solution
ADC designed and created a GIS database in SQLServer to hold a variety of spatial information about land parcels, permits, violations, and other information necessary for state required reports. The GIS data was structured and organized to allow for both the GIS and accounting databases to be accessed via the GIS interface.
The complexity of the accounting system, in which one person might have different types of accounts, had to be accessible in many different ways.
Results
ADC designed the system to provide information from both databases by simply clicking on a spatial feature, such as a parcel or a boat ramp. The user could also enter such information as a customer name or parcel id to automatically zoom to the location within the district and view all available spatial information. The CNPPID is now able to quickly access the information through the GIS system.
Problem
The Burnett County Land & Water Conservation Department has a number of lake watershed management projects designed to evaluate the pollutant loads to the lakes and determine best management practices (BMPs) which help to reduce those pollutant loads. As with most lake projects, phosphorus delivery is considered one of the most important issues facing lakes in Burnett County.
ADC was selected by the county to evaluate the current and future impact of phosphorus delivery to lakes in Burnett County. The project included an evaluation of available models, development of lake and land use maps for the project areas, development of a GIS user interface to run the model, and an evaluation of model results.
Solution
For this project, the US-EPA Phosphorus Coefficient Model was selected. The model was fully integrated into ArcView to provide a simple, visual interface for model operation. Lake drainage areas were derived from USGS 1:24000 topographic maps, and land use data was created using existing county orthophotography. An ArcView graphical user interface was then developed which makes use of this digital data as well as user input values for remaining model parameters.
Results
The interface allows users to change land use values within the drainage area and immediately calculate the resulting estimated phosphorus delivery. In addition, model runs can be sent to an ArcView layout and printed for future reference or planning.
Problem
The Barron County Land Information Office has been actively following a program of land records modernization and GIS integration. ADC has worked with the county from the start, providing a variety of GIS related services from needs assessment to application and data development. Some townships within the county were previously mapped using CAD software and ADC was asked to convert these drawings into shapefiles, attributed with parcel number, which could be linked to the counties tax and assessment database.
Solution:
ADC created parcel shapefiles and CAD drawings for approximately half the county using COGO and available information from the counties tax database, CSM’s, deeds, plats, and other legal documents. Parcel creation was based upon section corner data provided by the county, in Barron County coordinates. This data is used on an almost daily basis by a variety of departments within the county.
In addition to development of a digital parcel layer, ADC has assisted the county in a number of other areas such as projection and processing of all USGS DRG’s to the Barron County coordinate system and development of automated tools to simplify interaction between the digital parcel data and the counties tax and assessment database. ADC also constructed an end user tool for evaluation of existing dxf files and automated updates to shapefiles. The tool assesses the location of potential problems within the dxf files and creates an index coverage to assist with locating these problems. Once all problems have been corrected, the tool retrieves the parcel shapefile and automatically updates the layer based upon changes in the dxf file.
Results
ADC has provided Barron County with several new tools to help them streamline and manage the work flow of several departments within the county.
Problem
Washington County, Neb. was seeking to modernize and implement a geographic information system (GIS) to provide better inter-government collaboration. In addition, converting and creating parcels was needed to provide accurate and updated layers for the new system. Officials with the county looked to Applied Data Consultants, Inc. to help provide by solutions.
Solution
ADC converted the County’s parcels from AutoCAD files. Parcels from the City of Blair were available in GIS format and were incorporated into the Washington County system. The remainder of the County’s parcels were scanned and digitized from provided plat maps or COGOed from legal descriptions.
ADC worked closely with Washington County to develop a PIN attribution and Parcel Maintenance procedures and tools. In addition, ADC, in conjunction with the County, worked to assess the work process and develop layers and tools that assist users in the completion of their daily tasks. ADC also linked the attributed parcel layer to the County Assessor’s TerraScan database.
Further, ADC developed and integrated basic GIS layers into a preliminary GIS system for use throughout the County’s departments. These basic layers include road centerlines, hydrology, registered wells, fire districts, school districts and SID’s. These layers have been procured from outside sources where possible and generated by ADC where needed.
Results
Washington County now has a current and robust GIS system that allows for inter-departmental collaboration and communication. Throughout the project, ADC worked closely with the County to ensure that they remained informed and comfortable with the progression of the work. This close working relationship between ADC and Washington County, along with the in-depth training that was also provided, ensured Washington County’s full ownership of their GIS system.
Tracking/Routing
Problem
The ability to effectively track delivery of products in a cost efficient manner is a pressure that many logistics based companies face on a daily basis. Elite Logistics, a driver staffing firm headquartered in Denver, Colo., was no different. They enlisted the help of Applied Data Consultants, Inc. (ADC) to develop an affordable solution for real-time tracking and routing of deliveries. While there were other commercial solutions available, they were cumbersome to use and were cost prohibitive for this small, but growing firm.
SOLUTION
With input from Elite Logistics and other driver staffing firms, ADC developed Elite EXTRA, a web-based, interactive delivery tracking system, utilizing the latest technology in web based applications.
Several processes can be utilized to realize time sensitive delivery of products. Through cell phone or other GPS device interaction, the EXTRA system allows the realization of a real-time tracking application. State of the art algorithms can also be utilized to allow efficient time estimations of product delivery.
EXTRA provides a real-time visual display of all routes – active and inactive, planned and unplanned, and allows dispatchers to not only manually set the stop order, but also add pick ups or deliveries after a route has commenced.
Some unique attributes of the EXTRA system include:
- Responsive Dispatch and Tracking – view driver location and pickup and delivery details instantly from route tracking screens.
- Fewer Dispatchers – One dispatcher can easily manage additional vehicles over multiple locations with the easy-to-use dashboard.
- Easy Communication – Communicate with drivers via web-enabled cell phones that display daily route manifests after a simple log-in.
- Real-Time Supply – Pickup and delivery orders are entered into the delivery routing system and immediately queued for assignment and delivery.
- Order/Delivery Status Web Interface – In contrast to most product tracking systems, not only can end-customers view their delivery status; e.g. Order Received, Order In Route, but they can also view an Estimated Time of Arrival, or ETA, in real-time.
RESULTS
The EXTRA system has reduced the number of drivers and dispatchers needed for deliveries, and has allowed customers the ability to track their parts in real time, saving time and money for all parties.
The EXTRA model, though developed for the automotive parts delivery industry, can easily be tailored to any delivery industry.
PROBLEM
Innovative Software Solutions (ISS) was seeking an automated system to streamline routes for greenhouse deliveries, but wanted a system that would easily integrate into their existing workflow.
TripBuilder is an ArcView 3.x extension that Applied Data Consultants (ADC) built for ISS to complement ISS’ suite of applications, PICAS, written for greenhouse operators. TripBuilder integrates fully with the Progress database that PICAS is built upon allowing users to enter data in their PICAS’ system and retrieve it in TripBuilder.
SOLUTION
TripBuilder is used by the greenhouse supply companies to use a map to interactively build efficient routes that take mileage, proximity, truck capacity, delivery dates, and special needs into consideration. Optimal delivery sequence and routing are taken into consideration but with the option, at the user’s discretion, to customize any route to their specific requirements.
Enhancements such as address-level locations, allowing for drop shipping, and delivery to nationwide delivery vendors such as FedEx or UPS are available to TripBuilder users on an optional basis.
The Tripbuilder system in designed so the greenhouse supply company can customize it to work within their workflow. Orders can be processed based on any grouping of time, region, and order type that they specify. There are various options on what rules to apply while routing orders such as using round-trip or one-way mileage calculations or to start the delivery sequence at either the nearest or furthest order on the route. The user can also customize their working environment, choosing what data they want to see, various options on how to display orders, and how orders should be grouped.
RESULTS
ISS has streamlined its business with a fully automated workflow system that is customized to their work environment. They have had no disruption of their work flow, and have reported that their delivery time has decreased, while customer satisfaction has increased.
PROBLEM
Sales staff at Iowa’s largest local cooperative, Farmer’s Cooperative Corporation (FC), wanted the ability to deliver fertilizer, seed and pesticides more efficiently to farmers across Iowa. The FC looked to ADC to help them to spatially enable their work order system to improve efficiency.
SOLUTION
Using ESRI’s ArcGIS Server, ADC created a browser-based intranet application for managing the geographical features associated with a farm cooperative’s agricultural products and services work order system. The custom application is accessed using a terminal services protocol from 48 branch offices spread over a 150 square mile area. With the system, work order managers in the company can quickly and easily generate a spatial record of the order details, delivery information and application areas for their products. The interface also offers drive routing functionality for delivery planning and management.
RESULTS
By implementing this GIS-centric order and delivery routing system, the business is now serving its clients in a more effective and efficient manner.
PROBLEM
Executives at one of the world’s leading distributors of telephone books needed accurate and efficient routes. Some people were not receiving telephone books, while others were getting duplicates. This route inefficiency was costing them time and money.
SOLUTION
Applied Data Consultants, Inc. (ADC) developed a customized routing program called Automated Delivery Zone Mapping and Routing (ADZMAR). Under ADZMAR, customer records are geo-coded to data separated by ZIP codes and run through a complex program to create delivery routes. Project sizes range from 1,100 records to over 4 million records.
Route maps with corresponding route reports, a series of master reports outlining data and statistics for the delivery project, and a wall map displaying the entire project area and the location of all the routes for the project are provided.
RESULTS
Over 100 million telephone books will be distributed this year to homes and businesses throughout the United States and Canada in an efficient, timely manner from the routes created by ADC.
"We have been working with ADC for the past 4 years and have consistently been impressed with the professionalism and dedication to our projects. We frequently have last minute requests and process changes that are thrust upon them and they have always met them head on and helped us meet our deadlines… ADC has made a great contribution to the improvement of our process and I have enjoyed working with them every step of the way."
Kurt Pletcher - Information Technology Manager, Directory Distributing Assoc.
Problem
ADC is responsible for creating delivery routes for the largest distributor of telephone books in the U.S. ADC receives phone customer data from their clients for over 500 delivery areas annually, geo-codes the addresses, and creates routes through an automated suite of programs called ADZMAR (Automated Delivery Zone Mapping and Routing).
Recently, the client expressed interest in placing a new form of delivery validation in place to track the efficiency of deliveries. This needed to be a method of validation that displayed the actual deliveries on a map. ADC’s solution was a GPS delivery validation application.
Solution
Each delivery driver is given a small hand-held GPS “datalogger” that collects waypoints at the click of a button, and “mouse tracks” indicating the course traveled. ADC developed an open source JAVA application, designed to extract delivery data from multiple sources, convert them to KML files readable in Google Earth, and spawn Google Earth for visual validation and delivery confirmation.
Once a datalogger is returned from a delivery, it is connected to any PC with the application installed via a USB connection. The JAVA application is then launched, and all the waypoints and mouse tracks from the datalogger are extracted. If multiple dataloggers were used on a single delivery, the user is prompted to connect the second and third device. Once all of the GPS data has been extracted, it is converted into a KML file, which can be viewed in Google Earth. The application also converts the selected routes streets, which are stored on the PC, from a shapefile into KML.
Once completed, the application spawns Google Earth, which then zooms to the selected delivery route and displays the route streets, waypoints, and mouse tracks over the imagery. The user can then quickly view the distribution of GPS data with the aid of the route streets and buildings on the imagery and validate if the route had been delivered in full.
Results
With the public’s continuing transition from traditional telephones to cellular phones, the client needed to improve its delivery verification process. With this application, they are able to verify if the deliveries have been made and identify potential problems long before they are reported to their clients.
Enterprise GIS
Problem
Monroe County, Wisconsin had several departments using a variety of GIS data formats (e.g. shapefiles, coverages, geodatabases, and CAD). There were often several copies of the same or similar datasets being stored and maintained by different departments within the County. This made it difficult for county staff to know which data sets were the most current and who needed updated copies. Also, because many of these GIS datasets were either outdated or duplicates that were stored on the same dedicated server, it was less efficient for the County’s IT Department to maintain and administer GIS data backups.
Solution
The project consisted of: installing ArcSDE on a county server with Microsoft SQL Server 2005; mosaicing and loading county-wide black and white TIF images from the County’s 2005 digital orthophotography project; setting up the ArcSDE geodatabase schema; loading the county’s parcel data, base planimetric data, rural addressing and related emergency response data; and, a variety of land conservation project data.
The project also involved an initial setup of GIS users allowing several levels of data access and editing rights. ADC also provided basic ArcSDE maintenance and administration training, ArcSDE database tuning, customized scripts to automate some database administration and backup tasks, assistance with the connection of the ArcSDE/SQL server to the County’s network, as well as follow-up trouble shooting and support.
Results
By implementing an ArcSDE enterprise GIS, Monroe County now has a centralized and efficient GIS data management system from which all GIS users within the County access and maintain the County’s essential GIS data.
PROBLEM
The mission of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) Omaha District involves Civil, Military and Environmental Projects. Geographic Information Systems (GIS) is a tool to facilitate the USACE missions in a cost-effective and intelligent manner. Government personnel and contractors involved in the USACE GIS mission are to support and coordinate all automated data activities involving GIS, Remote Sensing, Document Management, and analyze spatial data for the USACE user community in developing, testing, implementing, maintaining, and managing different Automated Data processing (ADP) applications which support the organizational mission related goals. The USACE needed additional support and expertise to carry out its mission for the support center.
Solution
ADC’s staff is responsible for maintaining the districts Enterprise GIS through on-site and off-site support. ADC employees provide expertise in the application of GIS to Corps of Engineers missions including but not limited to assisting USACE personnel in deploying and utilizing GIS technology, script writing, analysis and development of applications documentation, creation of maps, reports, tables and summary abstracts. ADC has a strong presence in developing data access via Intranet and Internet. Duties also include custom programming in both GIS and non-GIS languages, maintaining and expanding a multi-terabyte GIS system and interfaces.
The GSC is also charged with researching new GIS technology and providing informed recommendations for future migration paths. With well over 250 users, such migration must be well planned and cost effective. ADC employees take advantage of the main Eau Claire office’s GIS Technology Division that is devoted to their responsibility for ensuring ADC follows sound, economical and effective technical directions in the arena of developing technology.
Results
ADC continues to support the GIS Service Center, providing a wide range of both GIS expertise and experience with each specific departmental area. While many of the support calls to the GSC are software or data related in nature, the GSC personnel are also used as a resource for the District personnel who are interested in expanding the use of GIS in their projects or applications. ADC reviews their requirements and then assists them in developing GIS tools applications that will meet their needs.
PROBLEM
A nationwide provider of crop insurance for farmers and land owners wanted to streamline policy information for their agents, providing them with technology and training to simplify the pricing, execution and submission of policies to their clients.
SOLUTION
Using ArcObjects, Applied Data Consultants, Inc. (ADC) developed and continues to enhance an ArcGIS Desktop extension that integrates digital imagery, public land survey and USDA FSA data from an ArcSDE geodatabase during the farm field creation process.
With the extension, users generate insured fields by digitizing boundaries or importing predefined fields from FSA Common Land Unit layers compiled in ArcSDE. Users can query the company’s corporate Oracle database to confirm and apply policy-related properties as new fields are created, assuring the complex nature of ‘multiple shares in common ground’ is accurately represented and managed in the geodatabase.
More importantly, the desktop extension provides a series of tools for exporting image snapshots of the insured fields and associated reference layers, organized by geography and policy, which are later integrated in a bound ‘map book’ with a policy information report, then printed and provided to the insured. The printed map books are a critical component of the company’s acreage reporting process, as each farmer and their agent reference the book in deciding and verifying the fields and acreage to be insured for a forthcoming crop cycle.
RESULTS
The ADC solution has resulted in increased data accuracy and productivity for company‘s insurance agents. In particular, the task of reissuing a policy’s “Schedule of Insurance,” required when changes are made to a policy, have been dramatically reduced, resulting in savings of both staff time and mailing costs.
Moreover, with the customized extension, the staff levels necessary to create and maintain the company’s enterprise geodatabase has remained steady despite the three-fold increase in the amount of mapped policy land.
Additionally, ADC is currently assisting the company in implementing a similar toolset for deployment in ArcGIS Server, allowing policy-field management at the local agent level.
PROBLEM
With thousands of employees serving students in Wisconsin’s largest city, Milwaukee Public Schools (MPS) looked to present data in a user-friendly and cost-effective manner.
The broad goal of the MPS program was to make GIS data, and specifically, focused map layers and digital cartographic products, available to administrators and other MPS decision makers in a simple and easy-to-use manner. To support this objective, they sought to broaden their small-scale implementation of ESRI GIS technology to be a more robust and organized system that would serve personnel organization wide.
SOLUTION
With ADC staff support, MPS implemented an ArcGIS Server (AGS) solution that consisted of an Enterprise Geodatabase using ArcSDE technology within a Microsoft SQL Server database, and then spatial data services and applications using AGS and the available Web Application Development Framework.
ADC was heavily involved in the design and implementation of the MPS Geodatabase, which included many ArcSDE Spatial Views to allow incorporation of a large amount of data residing in non-GIS databases into GIS presentation and analysis. ADC staff also guided the design, installation, and configuration of AGS on MPS servers and trained MPS staff on proper management and administration of the software.
RESULTS
MPS staff are currently using the AGS applications as the central component for a series of internal profession development training sessions on decision-making and GIS. Based upon feedback from the current session trainees and other MPS GIS staff, MPS plans to contract with ADC again this fall for additional AGS customization and consulting services.
Custom Applications
PROBLEM
A nationwide provider of crop insurance for farmers and land owners wanted to streamline policy information for their agents, providing them with technology and training to simplify the pricing, execution and submission of policies to their clients.
SOLUTION
Using ArcObjects, Applied Data Consultants, Inc. (ADC) developed and continues to enhance an ArcGIS Desktop extension that integrates digital imagery, public land survey and USDA FSA data from an ArcSDE geodatabase during the farm field creation process.
With the extension, users generate insured fields by digitizing boundaries or importing predefined fields from FSA Common Land Unit layers compiled in ArcSDE. Users can query the company’s corporate Oracle database to confirm and apply policy-related properties as new fields are created, assuring the complex nature of ‘multiple shares in common ground’ is accurately represented and managed in the geodatabase.
More importantly, the desktop extension provides a series of tools for exporting image snapshots of the insured fields and associated reference layers, organized by geography and policy, which are later integrated in a bound ‘map book’ with a policy information report, then printed and provided to the insured. The printed map books are a critical component of the company’s acreage reporting process, as each farmer and their agent reference the book in deciding and verifying the fields and acreage to be insured for a forthcoming crop cycle.
RESULTS
The ADC solution has resulted in increased data accuracy and productivity for company‘s insurance agents. In particular, the task of reissuing a policy’s “Schedule of Insurance,” required when changes are made to a policy, have been dramatically reduced, resulting in savings of both staff time and mailing costs.
Moreover, with the customized extension, the staff levels necessary to create and maintain the company’s enterprise geodatabase has remained steady despite the three-fold increase in the amount of mapped policy land.
Additionally, ADC is currently assisting the company in implementing a similar toolset for deployment in ArcGIS Server, allowing policy-field management at the local agent level.
PROBLEM
Sales staff at Iowa’s largest local cooperative, Farmer’s Cooperative Corporation (FC), wanted the ability to deliver fertilizer, seed and pesticides more efficiently to farmers across Iowa. The FC looked to ADC to help them to spatially enable their work order system to improve efficiency.
SOLUTION
Using ESRI’s ArcGIS Server, ADC created a browser-based intranet application for managing the geographical features associated with a farm cooperative’s agricultural products and services work order system. The custom application is accessed using a terminal services protocol from 48 branch offices spread over a 150 square mile area. With the system, work order managers in the company can quickly and easily generate a spatial record of the order details, delivery information and application areas for their products. The interface also offers drive routing functionality for delivery planning and management.
RESULTS
By implementing this GIS-centric order and delivery routing system, the business is now serving its clients in a more effective and efficient manner.
PROBLEM
The Central Platte Natural Resource District (CPNRD) is responsible for managing the natural resources within the Platte River Basin from Kearney, NE, in the west, to Columbus, NE, to the east. Part of their mission is the management of ground and surface water usage within the river basin. With over 2 million acres of land within their boundaries, the CPNRD ground and surface water was determined to be fully appropriated. That is, all available ground and surface water available for irrigation within their district was being consumed and a moratorium on new wells and irrigated acres was put in place. In order to continue to allow the land owners within their boundaries to irrigate their land as needed, the CPNRD realized that they needed to develop a system for managing these resources. Water Right Banking was that solution.
SOLUTION
Water Right Banking, at its core, is very similar to financial banking. Every irrigated acre in the district was certified by the CPNRD which established a baseline account balance of water rights “owned” by the land owners within the district. This baseline defined the total amount of water being consumed within the CPNRD. At any given moment, the water usage in the district cannot exceed this balance. In order to manage this accounting system, the CPNRD contracted with ADC to develop a complex system of GIS layers and non-spatial Microsoft SQL tables to track and manage the water. The solution developed by ADC is accessed through a desktop extension for ArcGIS ArcInfo that provides a simple user interface which leverages the full power of the relational database within ESRI’s file Geodatabase and Microsoft SQL Express. The extension allows for on the fly calculation of water usage for given field selected from the GIS layers, owner information management, and crop type definition as well as tracking of the movement of water rights from field to field within the district. Because of the extensive transaction tracking built into the extension, CPNRD staff can query the history of how a water right came to be or ceased to exist at anytime; now and years into the future.
RESULTS
By utilizing the Water Right Banking extension developed by ADC, the CPNRD is able to accurately and easily manage the ground and surface water resources for the entire district. With over half of the more than 2 million acres within the CPNRD being certified as irrigated agricultural land, the benefit of these resource management efforts will be long lasting and far reaching; allowing future generations to continue to benefit from the natural resources within the Central Platte Natural Resource District.
Problem
Real Estate Database, Inc. (REDI) provides services such as design, hosting, and administering of custom databases for the use of sharing, marketing, and researching large selections of real estate information. One of REDI’s database subscription services, Appraisal Data Network, Inc. (ADN), provides commercial comparisons for eight counties in the Minneapolis/St. Paul area and select areas in adjacent states. To stay competitive in the marketplace, REDI needed a web mapping tool that would allow users to view the properties spatially along with the natural and man-made areas surrounding the searched parcels. The user can search for parcels using PIN numbers, county information, addresses and zip codes and view them on a map. REDI came to Applied Data Consultants, Inc. (ADC) to develop the new application.
Solution
REDI can now add web mapping to its list of services. ADC developed a custom application that gives ADN customers the ability to visualize the location of the property they are searching in relationship to the knowledge they have, making their searches quicker and more efficient. Comparisons between properties now take into consideration the lay of the land on where the property is located.
ADC employed a number of technologies to develop the new tool: Open Layers JavaScript Library was used to handle most of the user interactions with the map in the browser. Open Layers has extensive vector support for quickly adding markup, highlighting, and selecting features that all runs within the browser. Google Base Maps are used and provide road and city data along with aerial imagery with a WMS (Web Mapping Service) parcel layer overlaid.
Geoserver is being used to serve the parcels WMS layer, which was provided by REDI. Geoserver also works to add watermarks that are visible at a certain extent. Tile data is cached for quick loading in the browser.
PostGIS/PostgreSQL is used which allows for the storing and querying of map data in a spatial database.
Results
REDI/ADN customers now have the power to add more relevant information to their comparison appraisals than what can be found in a tabular database. The mapping component has allowed the user to incorporate a breadth of spatial data that is very relevant to the values of the parcels. Every appraisal that is performed needs a map for the subject property and all related comparables. Ideally the user will create one map showing all parcels that is dependent on location of parcels, etc. By having the mapping service the customers have a tool to design a map or maps to accompany their reports.
PROBLEM
Retailers across the nation wanted better tools to determine the best locations to expand their franchises. Existing statistical demographic tools were not adequate to forecast the success or profitability of potential new stores.
SOLUTION
Applied Data Consultants, Inc. (ADC) developed a market analysis application to help store chains choose locations. This tool is used to create precise market demographic profiles and accurate sales forecasts for potential store locations.
Statistical modeling that uses several components: census data; competitor locations; customer locations; existing franchise locations; existing franchise sales data and other GIS data layers are used in customized models for each retailer. Actual sales data from existing stores with similar demographics are used to predict sales for a new site.
A market optimization routine allows retailers to model the optimal set of stores to fill out a market area while still protecting the sales of existing stores.
In addition, users can run their model on existing stores to determine which are underachieving in sales.
RESULTS
ADC’s solution is now used to evaluate the profitability of current and potential store locations for more than ten nationwide clients, including Sears, Trek, Ace Hardware, J Crew, and others.
PROBLEM
Management at Jennie-O Turkey Store was seeking an efficient and environmentally sound GIS solution to help them manage animal (turkey) waste from their barns and feedlots in Barron, Wis. to farm fields in the surrounding 15-county area. Their current system was inefficient and labor-intensive.
SOLUTION
Applied Data Consultants, Inc. (ADC) helped Jennie-O Turkey Store implement an ArcView GIS from ESRI to improve their Soil Enrichment Program (SEP). The primary role of the SEP is to manage animal waste going to farm fields, where it is used to enhance soil quality and improve crop yields. Stringent environmental discharge permit laws also must be followed.
ADC developed an ArcView extension that allowed SEP staff to determine how much waste could be applied to a specific field, and at what rate, given the field’s proximity to water, the general depth to groundwater and bedrock across the field, and the porosity of the soils within the field. Field slope and the proximity to private wells were also incorporated to determine the capability of the field and surrounding areas to handle the nutrient application.
ADC also created a geodatabase for Jennie-O, compiling the necessary base map data for the coverage area, as well as digitizing over 3,500 farm field boundaries.
RESULTS
Environmental regulations are consistently met, nutrients are spread on farm fields in an efficient, environmentally sound method, and staff time is reduced by eliminating the need for manual reports and maps.
Problem
The Barron County Forest and Recreation Department had been using an outdated Foxpro-based system to manage timber sales on the county-owned forest land. However, due to the software platform and unavailability of someone to maintain the software, the county was no longer able to effectively use the system. There is a system, developed by the Wisconsin DNR, available for timber sale management, but it required a connection to the state’s internal network, which was not available to the Forest and Recreation Department. The county needed a standalone application that could manage the timber sales, receipts, and various reports.
Solution
Applied Data Consultants, Inc. (ADC) was contracted by the county to develop the application and provide data migration and training. With input and testing from the county, ADC was able to develop a robust and full featured application.
The software is a custom, JAVA-based desktop application with a single MS-Access database. It was designed so that multiple users could simultaneously enter/edit timber sales data. Attributes were collected for everything needed to track the sale of timber including sale date, time, total board feet or pulp, sawmill, dollar value, etc. There is a single administration login for creating reports, invoices, history, and user account management.
Results
The software was installed on several desktops at the department office, with the database residing on a single, networked server. The software enabled county staff to more efficiently manage timber sales within the county.
Map Books
Problem
The 4-H Leaders Association and Land Information office of Lincoln County Wisconsin wanted to create a plat book that would give them the capability to have copyright access and the functionality to create the books in-house in the future if they so desired. They also wanted the option to have ADC do the future updates for a fraction of the cost if they found they didn’t have the time to make the updates in-house. Unlike traditional plat books, which were hand drawn maps, they wanted a more accurate and specialized book using county-maintained GIS files.
Solution
Using GIS as a means to develop the plat book rather than traditional hand-drawn maps allowed ADC to set up the plat book page layouts in easy-to-maintain files. The parcel layer was linked to the tax roll data to populate the parcel polygons with owner names. Using MapLogic and ArcGIS annotation capabilities the names and acreages were placed for optimal legibility. The county and 4-H Leaders were allowed to choose a custom layout style with fonts, pictures and colors being exactly what they wanted rather than having to settle for a predetermined layout style. An Aerial photo background was used for the second map page with the roads being depicted over the aerial photo. A local printer was selected to do the book printing.
Updates to the map pages could be made by comparing current ownership and parcel polygons with past ownership and parcel polygons. Just the parcels that needed updating could be highlighted and changed, thus reducing the need to review every parcel to determine if a change was made. No additional work was needed to set up the layout pages for subsequent books.
Results
The first plat book was a great success. The book was awarded first place in the plat book competition at the Wisconsin Land Information Association annual conference. Accuracy was greatly improved and people responded favorably to the book. After evaluating their staffing levels, Lincoln County chose the option to have ADC do the book update for the second edition. ADC was able to utilize the power of GIS and the existing layouts and produce a second edition saving Lincoln county 45% on development costs. Lincoln County still has the option to take over the files and maintaining the book in-house at any time in the future should they choose to do so. ADC releases all GIS files and image files to the county with no copyright restrictions.
"ADC has assisted Lincoln County in parcel mapping, the creation of GIS tools, a county-wide addressing project, and the creation of our 2008 plat book… The ADC staff has been extremely professional, thorough and knowledgeable and has built a trusted working relationship with the Lincoln County staff."
Diane Hanson - Conservationist, Lincoln County, WI
PROBLEM
Life or death situations can sometimes be determined in minutes, if not seconds, from how quickly or slowly an emergency response team arrives on the scene. Emergency service providers in Eau Claire County, Wis. wanted their responders to be able to react to emergencies as quickly as possible, and needed help creating an emergency service atlas to provide detailed information so they could better plan their approach to emergencies.
SOLUTION
Applied Data Consultants, Inc. (ADC) developed the “Eau Claire County Emergency Service Atlas” to help responders coordinate activities and respond to emergencies. It incorporates GIS data layers to provide responders with the information they need to quickly assess a situation and determine the best routes.
The atlas includes a detailed table of contents, road index, emergency service zone index, emergency zones, address points, named roads, driveways, surface water, address grid, hydrant locations, rural water sources, boat landings, and other geographic layers.
RESULTS
A picture is worth a thousand words. In times of chaos, it is helpful to have all response team members looking at the same set of information, rather than using verbal descriptions with no point of reference. With all responders having the same atlas, discussion is minimized, response time is reduced, and lives and property are better protected.
Web Design
PROBLEM
Beaver Creek Reserve and the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) turned to Applied Data Consultants, Inc’s. (ADC’s) web development team in 2007 to improve their biological mapping web application. Their web site, a biodiversity survey program that allows citizens, school groups, and professionals to enter their wildlife observations into a statewide database in a map-centric interface, was in need to modernization. Functional, performance as well aesthetic upgrades were deemed necessary to meet the usability and speed expectations of today’s web map user.
SOLUTION
The ADC-driven upgrade employs a set of open source geospatial technologies to leverage the power of GIS spatial and analytical reasoning in the application workflow. PostGIS, a spatial adapter for the PostgreSQL relational database, serves as the data storage backend for the geometric and tabular observations entered by the NatureMappers. Map data is prepared for web presentation using the standards-compliant GeoServer image server engine. The web site itself utilizes the OpenLayers JavaScript library for displaying a combination of GoogleMaps base layers and NatureMapping specific geographic data. A set of simple, easy to use navigation controls, along with a collection of feature creation and editing tools, allow the NatureMapper to record the wildlife observations in a streamlined, efficient manner. The Web Feature Service - Transactional 2.0 specification support of GeoServer is employed to allow adding, deleting and updating of the geographic features across the internet to a centralized database.
RESULTS
By collecting and recording wildlife observations, NatureMappers become more aware of their surroundings, deepen their sense of place, and strengthen their connection to the natural world. The observations are then used for natural resource management, scientific studies and environmental education, and have been included in the Wisconsin Wildlife Action Plan.
"Switching to ADC was a logical choice due to the fact that ADC is a local business with employees who are also passionate about Wisconsin wildlife and able to provide Wisconsin NatureMapping with better tech support and development advice."
Sarah Braun - CSC Director, Beaver Creek Reserve
PROBLEM
Douglas County, Nebraska, which includes the city of Omaha, has over 190,000 parcels. Each parcel has an assessment value assigned to it by the County Tax Assessor. The County Assessor was determined to distribute this information to the public as efficiently as possible.
SOLUTION
The main goal of the project was to provide automated access within an ArcIMS GIS environment, to both tabular and image information related to assessment and ownership information of each parcel. By searching from the tax assessment web site, the GIS assessment website or selecting a parcel on the GIS web map, a link is established with the tax assessment database, and users can then view ownership information for the parcel, including data such as owner name and address and assessment values, as well as digital images of the lot and structures.
Development of Assessor Web Pages includes:
- WebGUIDE3 Implementation;
- Development and testing of parcel and sales search web pages;
- Development of a hot update web page for instant name removal;
- Development of an automated weekly data upload program; and
- Integration of static web pages including support for periodic revisions
RESULTS
A land owner, realtor, banker or anyone else can now use the GIS Web interface to determine not only the value of a parcel, but also how that value was determined. The County Assessment office no longer has to take time to answer parcel assessment values over the phone or face-to-face. The public also has the ability to calculate sales comparisons using numerous search criteria.
"We have received a lot of good comments from the public....and I know we will get more compliments as the new changes are found out about. I think it is one of the best websites I have seen....Great Job Everyone!"
Daniel Silvis - Geographic Information System Manager, Douglas County, NE
PROBLEM
In the world of retail real estate brokering, both sides spend an inordinate amount of the time trying to identify agent-offered properties that meet the specific needs of the potential corporate buyers. The real estate agents compile volumes of property leads and forward them on, generally via email, to acquisition managers in their established contact network, which could easily approach hundreds in number. The corporate acquisition managers receive hundreds and hundreds of proposed property leads that must be sorted, categorized and evaluated, requiring many hours to complete. The alternative is to hurriedly discard submissions and run the risk of neglecting potentially valuable properties.
SOLUTION
Applied Data Consultants, Inc. (ADC) collaborated with a business intelligence and real estate planning partner to implement a web application that applies custom sales forecasting models to rank property submissions based upon the specific development criteria of retail corporations. The models employ various geospatial measures of a property, such as sales potential given surrounding demographic socioeconomic characteristics, proximity to other retailers and relative location to sister stores, to rank property submissions for each corporate retailer. The corporate managers can then focus their attention on highly ranked properties, confident that their time is spent reviewing potentially fruitful leads, while non-applicable submissions are discarded.
The web application, which is trademarked and owned by the customer, is a three-tier system. It includes a property submission component to allow agents to geo-locate and submit properties. The model evaluates and ranks each property in light of each subscribed corporate client’s development specifications. Corporate acquisition managers are provided with a leads dashboard and can further investigate properties of their choosing.
The application and associated modeling engine employ modern, open source web presentation, geospatial and database technologies to offer revolutionary functionality in an intelligent yet simple interface. Advanced geospatial tools, such as PostGIS, GeoServer and OpenLayers, combined with base data and geocoding services from the GoogleMapsAPI provide the site’s foundational elements, while modern web presentation JavaScript toolkits such as JQuery offer the rich, contemporary user interface.
RESULTS
In the brief time that the application has been online, there have been 1,397 sites submitted and 9,726 submissions sent to corporate clients for review. There are currently 13 nationwide corporations that are screening potential sites with this tool, with more being signed on every day.
ADC programmed the innovative application under an extremely tight deadline, and it’s performing all of the functions that it was designed to perform. (This is a proprietary application. Please let us know if you have an interest in this program and we’ll forward your name onto the company that trademarked it.)
PROBLEM
The Eau Claire Area Economic Development Corporation (EDC) recognized that young professional people are leaving Western Wisconsin and heading to larger cities in neighboring states. With the economy depending on this talent pool of high technology graduates, they were seeking to develop a web portal that reached out to this talent pool and kept them connected to the region.
SOLUTION
The EDC contracted with ADC to develop the SMARTT NetworkTM, a website that connects people to career, technology, and business opportunities in Western Wisconsin. ADC not only programmed the innovative on-line tool, we are also hosting it at our new facility in Eau Claire, Wis.
The SMARTT Network (a Strategy for Marketing and Recruiting Top Talent) is focused on creating a candidate pool that has connections to a specific geographic region. It was developed in conjunction with the EDC and funding from the State of Wisconsin.
It is based on a fee-for-service model, and requires advanced database features, including e-commerce functions and security, reporting features to clients, integration into CRM software for electronic mailing campaigns, forums, and ability for streaming videos. The site, which went live in November 2008, is administered by EDC staff with limited web programming experience using content management systems.
The SMARTT Network also provides numerous technologies that are available for licensing, as well as a section for listing/viewing business opportunities, such as franchises and new/next generation ownership. These tools are designed to spur growth of early-stage and existing companies in the region.
ADC continues to perform enhancements on the site, and the EDC is seeking to sell the SMARTT Network to other economic development corporations throughout Wisconsin.
RESULTS
Nearly 1,000 young professionals from throughout the nation have already joined the site, and area employers now have a larger pool of talent to fill high technology jobs.
"Working with Applied Data Consultants on the SMARTT Network has been a very positive experience. All of the staff were so easy to work with and went out of their way to create a quality website for us. ADC’s service and expertise in developing this complex database-driven site was top notch, and we have been very happy with the results."
Erin Trowbridge - Former Marketing Director, Eau Claire Area Economic Develop. Corp.
PROBLEM
The Bloomer Rod and Gun Club is a non-profit club managed by a volunteer board. The board members change every two years with new elections held annually. With no permanent central control it was difficult for the club membership of 600+ to keep informed of events and activities available with their membership. There was no permanent point of contact for news, events and information. The main information tool used was a monthly newsletter that was often published prior to the submission of event details. The one-page newsletter also had limited space available so items such as Range Rules or Calendar of Events were usually omitted or only published once.
SOLUTION
Applied Data Consultant, Inc. (ADC) created a content managed website for the Rod and Gun to provide a source of up-to-date information for the members. This site includes all the membership details so that it does not matter what time of the year a new member joins, they have access to all relevant information about the facilities.
An event calendar was integrated into the website along with the member option of receiving automatic email notifications of upcoming events. The photo gallery allows new and old members alike a chance to view a sampling of the club activities and gives them an opportunity to share their own outdoor sports’ activities with other members.
All board members are listed and have email addresses available so that if a member has any questions, a solution just a mouse click away.
ADC also helped the Rod and Gun submit a location correction to Google and integrated a map so that there are no problems finding the rural location of the club house.
ADC provided content management training and provides site analysis reports to help the club track the value of their pages for the different activities available throughout the year.
RESULTS
Membership participation in club activities has nearly doubled and the website has drawn new members from as far away as adjacent states. Existing members have embraced the availability of newsletters online along with the website as a source of current available volunteer and community involvement projects.
“The new Rod & Gun website designed by Applied Data Consultants has been a tremendous asset to the club in just the short time it has gone live. We have decreased our mailing costs for the monthly newsletter with the online and email options available and at our most recent Outdoor 3-D archery shoot we increased participation by 25%.”
Clem Goettl - Board Member, Bloomer Rod & Gun Club
PROBLEM
infoUSA© is a provider of both business and consumer information and marketing lists. As with most modern companies, they have transitioned to selling their data products via custom internet commerce sites. Their principal product is called the Sales Lead, a potential client contact defined by industry, demographic and consumer expenditure indicators, among other characteristics. In addition to these defining properties, Sales Lead lists are also scoped by geography to narrow down and focus the purchase. Geographies such as state and county boundaries, Metropolitan Statistical Areas, and postal ZIP Codes and Carrier Routes can be applied to select Leads. infoUSA found, however, that the methods implemented on their web commerce site for geography selection were inefficient and very inflexible. Selection was list-based and non-graphical, requiring the user to know which geography they wanted, and was limited to a single geography selection type at a time.
SOLUTION
A team comprised of infoUSA developers and ADC software engineers designed and implemented a map-based web component that provided graphical, robust methods for searching and selecting Sales Leads to purchase. The component integrates into infoUSA’s existing commerce site and is comprised of both ADC-hosted and infoUSA-based elements that work in conjunction during execution.
The selection mapping interface allows users to navigate nationwide and drill down as far as street level. Once at the desired scale, predefined geographies, such as Area Codes, ZIP Codes and counties, can be chosen and used to select any Leads located within them. And, most importantly, the user can define custom-drawn geographic features, which are then likewise used to select underlying Leads.
The web map component is implemented using the open source geospatial tools GeoServer and OpenLayers, in addition to the GoogleMaps API. Beyond the custom selection tools, it offers advanced, dynamic thematic and point density mapping, and is load-tested to accommodate approximately 4 million page hit per year.
RESULTS
With an easy to use, visual and flexible method for data selection, infoUSA gained a competitive edge over rivals and enhanced their effort to increase share of the data list market. Further, through ADC’s implementation of open source technologies, infoUSA realized critical savings on software purchase and yearly licensing fees.
“ADC possesses a team of talented, knowledgeable and business focused professionals who have worked with infoUSA group very closely in devising some of our successful online mapping products. It has been a pleasure working with this team and I wish ADC all the success going forward.”
Saby Panda - Former VP, Product Integration & Services, infoUSA
PROBLEM
The DSMOA (Defense/State Memorandum of Agreement) system is mandated by an Act of Congress. It is a process by which states and the military can coordinate their efforts in the clean up of wastes created or left behind by military operations. The goal is to protect human health and the environment.
Previously, the DSMOA agreements, budget estimates, coordination, and approval process was done on paper forms. This process was time consuming, involved excessive numbers or personnel, and was prone to problems in communication and coordination. There are thousands of military installations, and many different sources of funding. Funding sources must be matched to installations. Funding must be approved. Money must get to the states in a timely manner.
SOLUTION
Applied Data Consultants, Inc. (ADC) created the DSMOA web site to provide a central portal for all communications and education in the DSMOA process. The DotNetNuke portal technology was chosen because of its ease-of-use, its power and extensibility, and its security.
ADC’s role was to create a DotNetNuke module or modules that automated the previous paper process. ADC duplicated the paper process on-line, and eliminated most of the time delays and communication problems inherent in the paper process.
Sources of funding are now pre-matched to military installations, which makes it clear to the users what funding sources are available. Applications involving invalid funding sources were eliminated.
Communications are encouraged and facilitated by ready access to e-mail addresses and telephone numbers of all points of contact involved in any Cooperative Agreement and any military installation.
RESULTS
Customer response (from state and military users) have been positive, primarily in savings of time and work, and in ease of communication. The entire process is “transparent” to all users. Every state can see what other states are doing, and every military branch can see what other branches are doing.
PROBLEM
The Chippewa County Economic Development Corporation (CCEDC) did not have a GIS map and property inventory system that could be utilized not only by site selectors but by our Accidental Entrepreneur Program. The Accidental Entrepreneur Program identifies talented entrepreneurs that have experienced downsizing due to the recession. This program assists them in identifying the right location or establishing their own business while gathering important demographic information to be utilized in their due diligence and business plan development.
SOLUTION
Knowing that the best way to reach a wide audience is via the web, the CCEDC worked with Applied Data Consultants (ADC) staff to design and develop a GIS map and property inventory application to embed within the CCEDC website. The GIS application, EAGL-i (Economic Advantage Geo Locator interface), incorporates an interactive map with query and selection options, GIS analysis of integrated data, static reference pages and the ability to develop print-ready reports. EAGL-i’s streamlined approach provides an easy-to-use interface that allows viewers to quickly access the property information without leaving the CCEDC website. In addition to common data from the US Census Bureau and national marketing data resellers EAGL-i incorporates local data such as industrial parks and TIFF zones.
RESULTS
The CCEDC has an outstanding dual use GIS website that not only satisfies site selector’s needs but helps with entrepreneurial business establishment locations. Working with ADC enabled the CCEDC to develop a tool for the county that allows this small economic region to play a part in the national GIS arena at an affordable price.
"It is all done by ADC on time and under budget."
Charlie Walker - President/CEO, Chippewa County Economic Development Corporation
Data Development
PROBLEM
The Ho Chunk Nation is confronted with the challenge of managing existing tribal lands interspersed within a 15 county area in central and southwestern Wisconsin as well as making informed decisions about new land acquisitions. Managers recognized the difficulties in managing these lands and turned to GIS more than a decade ago in an attempt to better manage their properties.
SOLUTION
Progress was initially slow, however since ADC’s involvement the Nation has made great progress in significantly improving the storage, maintenance, and retrieval of information. The Nation developed a GIS department within the Heritage Preservation - Division of Natural Resources.
GIS staff were aware of the size and scope of a large 15-county project, and asked ADC to help improve their GIS. ADC developed initial base layers of the public land survey, roads, and helped organize land records from many sources for the 15 counties. The information was then projected into a common coordinate system and we provided on-site training and assistance. On-site services provided an opportunity for Ho-Chunk staff to sit with ADC staff, and get hands-on experience in development and management of GIS data. Much of the lands data was combined from Bureau of Indian Affairs, State of Wisconsin, county, and Ho-Chunk records. The primary goal of the on-site training was to get GIS staff familiar with the use of ArcInfo and develop a set of procedures for continued improvements of the lands database.
RESULTS
Currently, the Nation is using the GIS system for some of its daily activities and are presently involved in projects that map a myriad of Ho-Chunk interests. Examples of some of the mapping projects include cultural features, wolf territories, comprehensive lands inventory, casino promotional program customer ranges, surface water quality monitoring, Ho-Chunk housing sites, Nation business economic impacts, and business development. The Nation is continuing to expand upon the number of available data layers as the use of the GIS grows.
PROBLEM
Officials at the State of North Dakota had multiple railroad centerline datasets that were incomplete, unaligned to imagery and missing attributes, such as names and ownership information. This created problems for railroad employees who were tasked with planning duties. Officials at the North Dakota Railroad looked to Applied Data Consultants, Inc. to help clean up their data and imagery to help make their system run more efficiently.
SOLUTION
Within an ArcMap editing environment, a master railroad centerline dataset was created for the state. Multiple centerline sources were used as a starting point for spatial reference and for attribution. The new centerlines were digitized and adjusted at a scale of 1:4,000 feet using orthorectified imagery as a backdrop. Missing attributes were populated and any naming conflicts (ie. spelling or different names from different sources) were resolved by further analysis and generation of reports.
RESULTS
The State of North Dakota now has a complete and spatially accurate railroad centerline dataset. They have since decided to have ADC further refine this data to ensure there is greater detail at intersections, railroad sidings and in urban areas where higher resolution imagery is available. This data is used for state web mapping applications, for planners and counties, and is accessed by the National Guard.
"Applied Data Consultants have been great to work with. They are very responsive to our requests and they get things done when they say they will or sooner."
Bob Nutsch - GIS Coordinator, State of North Dakota
Problem
Pepin County is a small, rural county, located in Western Wisconsin. Because of its size, funding to develop and implement a GIS system was limited. However, entities like this can generally realize an even greater benefit from a simple GIS. The challenge was how to cost-effectively develop and implement a GIS that met the needs of the County.
Solution
Through automation and innovative approaches, Applied Data Consultants, Inc. (ADC) worked as a partner with the County to develop a base set of layers, including public land survey information, hydrology, roads, and soils. Some information was developed from the WI-DNR Landnet, while some was available from various agencies and simply needed to be cleaned and projected to the county’s coordinate system.
ADC also developed a parcel layer for the county. Over the course of several years, ADC used a variety of ESRI software to convert CAD drawings and finish mapping the county. Once the parcels were created they could be linked to the tax and assessment data to provide valuable information in GIS format.
Aside from data development, the land information office wanted to share its digital information with other departments and the general public. The most efficient method of distribution was development of a web-based mapping site. Pepin County was the first county to implement a WebGUIDE online mapping site. The site provides access to digital data as well as a link to tie sheets and certified survey maps. Pepin was one of the first to sign on to upgrade to the latest release called WebGuide Xtreme (WGX).
Further funding from the Wisconsin Land Information program allows Pepin County to remain up-to-date with the newest technology and manage with minimal staff.
Results
Pepin County has a GIS system that is efficient, cost-effective, and meets the needs of the county and its citizens. With limited staff, the creation and maintenance of the GIS system is invaluable.
"We have been a customer of ADC for almost 10 years, from the beginning of internet GIS-based mapping in Western Wisconsin… I have come to appreciate the small company dedication of ADC while providing large company professionalism to the customer. No project is too large or too small… I would not hesitate to recommend the services of ADC to anyone that desires a first-rate, professional job in GIS-related projects."
John Egli - Land Manager Director, Pepin County, WI
Problem
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers was mandated by Congress to identify which properties in the cities of Pierre and Ft. Pierre would be at high risk for flooding due to increasing the standard release rate from the Lake Oahe Dam to generate additional electricity. Applied Data Consultants, Inc. (ADC) was called in to conduct several states of data development and modeling to determine the potential urban impact on increasing the flow from the dam.
The study was to identify which properties in the cities of Pierre and Ft. Pierre would be at high risk for flooding due to these projected increases. Using this information, the overall cost to buy out residents was determined using the land and property values, the cost of impacted utilities, and relocation and demolition costs. The initial study had to be completed within 90 days and required considerable coordination with multiple departments within the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and the cities of Pierre and Ft. Pierre.
Solution
Neither Pierre nor Ft. Pierre had a GIS system, so existing CAD and MicroStation files were obtained from the cities, local utility companies, and county sources. The entities involved sent copies of pertinent relational databases. The parcel, electrical line, gas line, sanitary sewer, storm sewer, sewer outlet, manhole cover, survey marker, and street centerline layers were in different formats and different coordinate systems. The data was converted to a GIS format, reprojected and georeferenced to generate the base data set for the study. The relevant fields from the relational databases were joined to the spatial data. Numerous discrepancies within the database were investigated and corrected. Using one-half foot orthophotography, the houses and other structures were digitized and attributed for later use in 3-D modeling.
The second phase of the project was the modeling of the 100-year and 500-year flood boundaries based on the projected releases from the dam. Over 20 different scenarios were generated and evaluated.
The third phase was the development of CEDAR (Cost Estimate for Damage After Release). This interface allowed the user to select a flooding scenario and criteria as well as the land and utilities coverage for the area. Prices were assigned to each utility (i.e. price per foot of sewer or price per manhole).
Results
Through the modeling performed by ADC, properties that would be impacted by the flood were identified and reports generated that indicated land value, relocation and demolition costs. This allowed the government to identify and buy out properties in the impacted area, and allowed additional electricity to be generated for this growing area.
Consulting/Needs Assessment
PROBLEM
To aide in a marketing campaign, a client contracted Applied Data Consultants, Inc. (ADC) to help map the membership locations for their two health clubs.
SOLUTION
The two clubs had 10,000 members between them. The clubs were 20 minutes apart and the majority of members lived within 10 miles of one of the clubs.
Membership points and club centroids were geocoded and mapped along with zip code polygons. One- to five-mile and 10- to 60-mile buffers from each centroid were created to show the number of members within these boundaries. Zip code polygons were used so that residential data by zip code could be purchased in areas that had low membership penetration.
One wall size map with buffers up to 60 miles and 40 detailed 11x17 PDF maps with buffered areas up to 20 miles were created for each club. In addition to the maps, reports were generated to show the number of members per buffer, number of members per zip code polygon, and a list of members greater than 60 miles from the club.
RESULTS
This data helped the client to spend their marketing dollars by distributing to the zip code areas with low membership. By purchasing address data, they mailed materials only where they were needed, which saved money in the long run.
Further, they used the high density maps to help them determine locations for new clubs.
PROBLEM
Ruins left in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina were unrivaled. Katrina desecrated the Gulf Coast, causing $75 billion in damage to 270 miles of coastline, heading inland as far as 103 miles. When the vastness of the Katrina damage became fully known, and the recovery effort became long-term, the US Army Corp of Engineers (USACE) needed to look outside its ranks for help. With over 10 years of providing on-site GIS support to the Omaha USACE District, Applied Data Consultants, Inc. (ADC) was contracted to provide GIS expertise to Task Force Hope in Mississippi and Louisiana beginning in May 2006.
SOLUTION
The USACE and FEMA employed GIS to visualize actual damages by analyzing collected aerial reconnaissance and ground truth data. The mission was in full swing when the first ADC personnel arrived on the Gulf Coast.
GIS was being used to document progress, aid in contracting decisions and help crews locate properties in the field. A series of maps was updated weekly for use at commander briefings and local city council meetings. The contracting office used GIS to determine the volume of debris, and set the contracting costs accordingly.
RESULTS
Using GIS, decision makers could see the spatial extent of the damage; learn who was affected by the disaster, and which resources were affected. They used this data to distribute resources and coordinate with other federal and state agencies and organizations.
PROBLEM
Sarpy County and the Cities of Bellevue, Papillion, and LaVista in Nebraska were all in the process of developing GIS data and applications for their own use. Unfortunately, this development was taking place with very little coordination between the municipalities and even between individual departments. Recognizing this, The County wanted to consolidate and coordinate the development efforts in order to eliminate duplication and provide a common set of data and applications.
SOLUTION
Applied Data Consultants, Inc. (ADC) was contracted to conduct a GIS Needs Assessment for Sarpy County, Nebraska. The scope of the assessment included the recommendations for the development of an enterprise GIS system that would integrate the data and applications from the Planning and Permitting Department, the Register of Deeds, the Surveyor’s Office, the Assessor’s Office, Emergency Management, E-911, the Sheriff’s Department, and the Election Office. In-depth interviews were conducted with members from each department to assess their current GIS capabilities and to determine their application and data needs. Existing databases were evaluated to determine the best method for linking information between departments and to allow the existing data to be linked to spatial features.
Interviews with representatives of the cities was also part of the needs assessment process and allowed Sarpy County to develop an integrated GIS that spans beyond the county government structure. The Omaha Public Power District and the Metropolitan Utilities District were interested in cost and data sharing with the county and were also interviewed to determine their role in the implementation. While this type of intergovernmental cooperation can be difficult to initiate, once in place it saves time and money for both the city and the county.
RESULTS
The results of the needs assessment were used by the Sarpy County GIS Coalition to help implement a comprehensive County GIS program. The Coalition consists of representatives from Sarpy County, the Cities of Bellevue, Gretna, LaVista, Papillion, and Springfield, and the Papio-Missouri River Natural Resource District. All Coalition members have access to the data and applications, with base portions of the data maintained by Sarpy County. This coalition and the resulting shared GIS are now a model of GIS-based interlocal cooperation for the State of Nebraska.
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