Day: August 25, 2009

Washington Department of Ecology Takes Geospatial Services to the Next Level

/ Matt Artz

The Washington Department of Ecology and ESRI signed a comprehensive enterprise license agreement (ELA) in June. The ELA provides the department with access to all required ESRI ArcGIS software and builds on a strong, longtime relationship between ESRI and the department, which is aiming to strengthen program delivery by extending the functionality of the ArcGIS platform throughout the entire organization at a time when resources are limited.

The ELA enables the Department of Ecology to continue to build its enterprise services within existing budget constraints. It will also help the department save time on procurement and applications development, release, and deployment. The agency uses geographic information system (GIS) tools and procedures as aids in accomplishing its mission of protecting the land, air, and waters of the state and supporting its geographic approach to environmental management.

“For more than 20 years, ESRI has been our partner in the delivery of geospatial solutions,” says Dan Saul, GIS manager for the agency. “The ELA takes our partnership to the next level and will allow our agency to concentrate more on the delivery of geospatial services to our customers and spend less time on administrative overhead.”

The Washington Department of Ecology has been a leader in the state for building GIS services such as Location Finder, a Web service for geoprocessing to assist applicants for environmental permits. The ELA will enable the agency to expand application development in asset management and operational awareness with a focus on providing agency staff and the public with access to more relevant geospatial information.

“The Washington Department of Ecology has been at the forefront of GIS technology utilization, with its sustainable vision, active executive leadership, and dynamic organizational structure,” says Dr. Robin Smith, ESRI manager for environment, marine, and coast. “We are confident that what has been done here is a replicable model for other environmental organizations in reaching their goals through a geographic approach.”

According to the terms of the ELA, the department can deploy ESRI’s ArcGIS platform of desktop, server, Web, and mobile solutions as required to meet their needs. Also included in the ELA are subscriptions to the ESRI Enterprise Advantage Program (EEAP), the ESRI Developer Network (EDN), training and support, and complimentary registrations to the ESRI International User Conference.

The EEAP subscription will support the Department of Ecology with an assigned technical advisor, an annual GIS strategy and account review, and learning and services credits for general consulting work and training.

ESRI has a New Home for its Learning Center

/ Matt Artz / 1 Comment

…from the Redlands Daily Facts…
“One of Redlands’ largest employers just put a new face on an old building that’s now ready for business.

“Environmental Systems Research Institute (ESRI) opened the doors recently of its new Learning Center. Architects renovated a building more than half a century old and transformed it into a modern facility where ESRI customers can go to learn to use the software the company develops.”

ESRI Software Users Invited to Tell Their GIS Story at 2010 International User Conference

/ Matt Artz

Deadline for User Presentation Abstract Submissions Is October 16, 2009

Professionals using ESRI’s GIS technology are encouraged to submit an abstract for possible presentation at the 30th Annual ESRI International User Conference (ESRI UC) next July. ESRI invites users to tell their GIS story by sharing their experiences with GIS and presenting during a moderated session. The ESRI UC is the world’s largest GIS conference, providing the best forum for the global ESRI user community to communicate their innovative projects. The deadline for abstract submissions is October 16, 2009.

“Being a presenter means conveying valuable information to your peers; it’s almost like becoming colleagues,” says ESRI president Jack Dangermond. “The sharing of best practices, lessons learned, and advice—the discussion and collaboration that take place during these sessions—gives others a chance to learn from your challenges and successes. Be influential, build your network, become partners, and great things will stem from your conference experience.”

The overarching user session categories of industry, science and modeling, and technology contain tracks relevant to both the public and private sectors such as business GIS, education, transportation, health and human services, climate change, ecology and conservation, system implementation, technology integration, and data publishing, to name a few. The wide range of presentation topics each year attracts users from across the globe who want to gain specific, real-world GIS knowledge and skills.

From presentation room equipment and Internet access to the on-site Speaker Coaching Lab, ESRI also offers tools and resources for presenters to have a successful presentation. Matt Keeling, a GIS analyst from the City of Riverside, California, says, “Presenting was very memorable. And it was great to have help from the Speaker Coaching Lab.”

The 2010 ESRI UC will be held July 12–16 at the San Diego Convention Center in California. Authors submitting an abstract are asked to choose a session track that best fits their presentation; visit our Web site to learn more and view the submission guidelines. Abstracts can be submitted at www.esri.com/ucpapers.