Geographic Information Systems are designed to put a disparate set of data, such as maps, pictures, and raw data, into a cohesive package that allows the user to view the data in different ways. In order to maximize the improvements in productivity that a GIS can bring, it is essential to disseminate information to the users within an organization that need it. Some agencies have a GIS “department” churn out maps for people who need them without allowing the end users of the information to actually manipulate the information themselves. This problem is mainly a function of the high learning curve that most GIS applications have that makes the manipulation of the data sets available only to a specially trained few. This is unfortunate, because in many cases the GIS/IT staff are not always the people within an organization that are in tune with the actual needs of a water or sewer utility. If the goal is to maximize the return on the investment (ROI) into a GIS, it is important to select a GIS viewing application that is full featured AND easy to learn. GIS data must also be immediately accessible to everyone within the organization. Once the application is selected, it must be deployed to as many people as possible in the organization. The ability for staff to immediately respond to emergencies, such as a water main break, can save a utility hours in response time and thousands, even millions, of dollars. An application service provider (ASP) is an excellent way to deploy data and applications to a virtually unlimited number of users at an extremely low cost. Using advanced thin client technology and ultra secure Internet connections, the power of GIS can be accessed by any authorized user, from any Internet enabled computer. This allows users to get the answers to mission-critical questions from the office, at home, or even in a truck.
Lou Rodriguez is the Business Development Manager for Nobel Systems Inc., an international GIS consulting firm. His primary responsibilities are to oversee business development and project management for operations within the Mid-Atlantic Region. Lou brings more than 14 years of utility and local government industry experience involving: capital program management, stormwater cost allocation, permit tracking, work order management, illicit connection testing, and utility billing collection. Lou has a unique combination of hands-on public and private sector geographic information systems (GIS) and information technology (IT) experience related to municipal government and utility asset management. Prior to joining Nobel he founded and ran a successful GIS/IT company that was based in Philadelphia, PA. Rodriguez was the first GIS Manager for the Philadelphia Water Department and successfully managed the City of Philadelphia’s aerial photography and base mapping project from 1996-1996 under Mayor Ed Rendell. He was also responsible for developing the Philadelphia Water Department’s GIS Strategic Plan and the City of Philadelphia’s current 5-year IT Strategic Plan. Lou is also a licensed professional engineer that has designed and coordinated over 10 miles of water main relay, sewer reconstruction, and stream bank improvement capital projects in the City of Philadelphia.