| We are very excited about
the release of this new platform because we believe it
allows us to better serve our residents by providing them
direct access to a wealth of information whenever they
want it. We expect to reap great benefits from the standardization,
centralization and flexibility of the platform. These
benefits result in cost savings for the County, improvements
in personnel efficiencies and improved services to the
community. |
| Douglas Schuetz,
Director of GIS, Rockland County |
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|
Rockland County, New York,
GIS Portal
Over 20 years ago, Rockland County conducted one of the
first GIS needs assessments in New York. A pioneer in the
use of GIS technology in the State, the County subsequently
made investments in geospatial data to manage daily activities
more efficiently and to respond effectively to such challenges
as Hurricane Floyd and West Nile virus. These investments
gradually created a burden for the Planning Department, however,
which was charged to develop, process and distribute the information
in the form of maps, media copies of data files and interactive
web-based services. In a data-rich, application poor environment,
highly skilled personnel dedicated more time to performing
basic, administrative tasks than to the using the data for
the higher mission of public service.
In 2007 Sewall approached Rockland County to conduct an informal
needs assessment of the County’s GIS operations. A long-term
consultant of the County, Sewall proposed developing a web-based
portal solution that would centralize the County’s geospatial
information, support browser-accessed applications, and automate
data and map distribution to customers. Its implementation
would also serve as a prototype for other municipalities with
similar needs.
The Rockland County GIS Portal was successfully launched
in October 2008. Built on the Sewall GeoPower™ platform, an
ESRI-based application server, the portal enables users to
access geographic information such as parcel information,
bus routes, government facilities, parks, points of interest
and more via a standard browser and URL and to use interactive
map applications, view and download maps, and download digital
data upon request. It provides an effective, user-friendly
way for citizens, businesses and local governments to access
valuable GIS-related resources while making County operations
more efficient as well.
Visit the Rockland
County GIS Portal.
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