The business of local government requires public officials to have access to many complex streams of interconnected data, and to efficiently transform information into meaningful solutions for the citizens they serve. Internet portals provide an easy way to bring together and explore information from many sources within the familiar context of a web browser. Users can customize these data streams into “channels” to enhance the way content is presented to them, focusing information in a personalized fashion to support their individual workflows. Web-based GIS applications built in this browser-based environment elegantly integrate information from a mixture of disparate systems, using the common link of geography to communicate data associations using dynamic, online maps. This presentation will focus on how local governments can use web-based portals to support day-to-day business processes, provide enhanced public access to information, and get the most out of their GIS data by using it to support critical government workflow.
Erik Hetzel serves ESRI’s county and local government customers across the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, helping them to design and implement GIS solutions with ESRI software. Prior to joining ESRI, Erik spent twelve years working for Weston Solutions, Inc. in West Chester, PA as GIS Technical Manager. Erik was inspired to learn GIS while earning his Bachelor’s degree in Geography and Planning at West Chester University in West Chester, PA. He continued to apply his knowledge of GIS in support of engineering projects at Weston, while also pursuing his Master of Regional Planning degree from the University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia, PA. Soon after graduation, Erik attained his planning certification from the American Institute of Certified Planners (AICP), and joined ESRI in June, 2003. Erik currently lives near Philadelphia, PA. He has applied his planning expertise in the local community while serving as a volunteer on numerous boards and commissions, including the East Whiteland Township Planning Commission and Environmental Advisory Council, the West Whiteland Township Planning Commission, and the West Chester Regional Planning Commission.