2017 URISA Exemplary Systems in Government Award Recipients Announced

URISA Is pleased to announce the recipients of 2017 Exemplary Systems in Government (ESIG) Awards. Since 1980, URISA's ESIG Awards have recognized extraordinary achievements in the use of geospatial information technology that have improved the delivery and quality of government services. The award competition is open to all public agencies at the federal, state/provincial, regional and local levels. Applications were submitted within Enterprise and Single Process System categories.

ENTERPRISE SYSTEM CATEGORY - Systems in this category are outstanding and working examples of using information systems technology in a multi-department environment as part of an integrated process. These systems exemplify effective use of technology yielding widespread improvements in the process(es) and/or service(s) involved and/or cost savings to the organization.

This year, there are two exemplary and one distinguished system awards in this category:

 The 2017 Enterprise System Category Winner is IndyVitals submitted by Sharon Kandris, Associate Director for The Polis Center at IUPUI, in Indianapolis, Indiana.

System Summary: The Polis Center at Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis’ (IUPUI) project “IndyVitals” is a solution created to support the City’s 2020 bicentennial plan. IndyVitals provides organizations involved in quality of life, social services and economic development with a common geographical tool which tells stories about the community. IndyVitals is a thoughtful, deliberate and intentional data mash-up product, combined with high ease of use and an attractive visual appeal, that makes it an excellent urban planning and neighborhood assessment tool. Because of the impact the IndyVitals project has had on the City of Indianapolis, it is deserving of the 2017 Enterprise Exemplary Systems in Government Award.

The  2017 Enterprise System Category Winner is Racine County Land Records Management submitted by Tyson Fettes, Register of Deeds for Racine County, Wisconsin.

System Summary: Racine County’s Land Records Management System is one that was motivated by the need to replace outdated and inefficient legacy systems and processes. County staff recognized the issue with the legacy systems, and when the opportunity presented itself to modernize the data and information workflows while enhancing public services, they embraced the opportunity. By leveraging a Local Government Information Model combined with local government solution templates from Esri, a small team was able to make dramatic and sustainable changes. The changes have impacted the entire organization and the community of Racine County. Racine County’s Land Records Management system’s ongoing impact to improving public service delivery is what make this system deserving of the 2017 Enterprise Exemplary Systems in Government Award.

Distinguished Enterprise System: Maintenance IQ

Submitted by: Shawn Crane, Section Chief, Maintenance Systems and Reporting, Pennsylvania Department of Transportation, Harrisburg, Pennsylvania

SINGLE PROCESS SYSTEM CATEGORY - Systems in this category are outstanding and working examples of applying information system technology to automate a specific SINGLE process or operation involving one department or sub-unit of an agency. The system application results in extended and/or improved government services that are more efficient and/or save money.

There are one exemplary and two distinguished system awards in this category:

The 2017 Single Process System Category Winner is GIS in the Emergency Operations Center (EOC)submitted by Langdon Sanders, GIS Analyst II, Information Technology for the City of Sandy Springs (GA) Public Works.

System Summary: The City of Sandy Springs GIS in the Emergency Operations Center (EOC) project is a solution that is triggered into action at a time of critical community need. In times of crisis, getting access to data and information within agencies and between agencies can be critical to saving lives. The GIS in the EOC project delivers on this need by providing access to a combination of live and static data which enables information to be useful for specific needs and for multiple response agencies. The system supports timely intra- and inter-agency communication which is critical to the success of an effective emergency response. Because of the successful collaboration in the implementation and ongoing use of this system, the City of Sandy Springs should be commended for its efforts in keeping its community safe. For that reason and many others, this system is deserving of the 2017 Single Process Exemplary Systems in Government Award.

Distinguished Single Process System: City of New Bern NC - Finding New Homes for Abandoned Properties 

Submitted by: Alice C. Wilson, AICP, GISP, GIS Coordinator, City of New Bern, New Bern, NC

Distinguished Single Process System:  Geographic Information Gateway (Gateway)

Submitted by: Jeffrey L. Herter, Gateway Project Manager, New York Department of State, Albany, NY

The accomplishments will be recognized during the Awards Ceremony at GIS-Pro 2017 in Jacksonville, Florida, October 23-26, 2017. The recognized systems in each category will be discussed in featured sessions during the conference. In addition, each system may be highlighted in an upcoming URISA webinar series.

To review the winning submissions for this year’s ESIG Awards, visit http://www.urisa.org/awards/exemplary-systems-in-government/.