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San Francisco Enterprise GIS Program (SFGIS)
About Us
The City and County of San Francisco has been using GIS within individual departments to enhance both operational and analytical functions since 1994. The Department of Public Works (DPW) were the initial creators of spatial `basemap' information (essential cadastral map information that all other location-based information can be referenced to) in 1994 as well.
Over the past five years DPW has developed and maintained the City's basemap efforts. However, getting consolidated map information out to city employees and the public has been difficult. In an effort to resolve these types of issues, San Francisco's Department of Telecommuncations and Information Services (DTIS) have taken on the responsibility of developing a centralized, citywide GIS.
The full realization of the City's GIS will enable departments and the public to better use GIS data for analysis, streamline and improve planning efforts, to foster productive sharing of information between departments, and to provide the public with timely, accurate location-based information.
What is a Geographic Information System?
A Geographic Information System (`GIS') can be defined as "An organized collection of computer hardware, software, geographic data, and personnel designed to efficiently capture, store, update, manipulate, analyze, and display all forms of geographically referenced information."
Over the past 10 years, GIS has become a viable solution for government agencies in managing, organizing, and analyzing location-based information. Several large metropolitan city governments, including Los Angeles CA, Chicago IL, and Seattle WA, have seen how GIS can effectively be used to integrate previously unrelated data sets into a common citywide framework. These organizations, through the use of GIS, have not only streamlined their processes, but have ultimately increased their ability to provide essential services to their employees and the public at large.
What is Enterprise GIS?
Enterprise GIS is simply taking a complete organizational approach to sharing, using, and managing spatial information. As organizations began using GIS in the 1960's and 1970's the emphasis was on individual projects. As the private and public sectors began to realize that using location as a mechanism to data management was essential for certain functions, the concept of taking an `enterprise approach' became much more important.
Many government agencies see the necessity of consolidating spatial information into one common model. Because there is much interaction and work-flow between departments within government entities (i.e. public works, building inspection, utilities, engineering, etc.), the need for the sharing and updating of common spatial information is critical.
San Francisco recognizes this need. The result (in part) is this map portal.
For more information on Enterprise GIS strategies, please see our FAQ page.
What is Internet-based mapping?
Internet-based mapping allows the user to view dynamic map information (objects within the map have `intelligence': by selecting an object, you can retrieve information) typically thru a web browser. This form of mapping is being used by many different organizations, for a multitude of purposes. Some key advantages to this type of technology are:
The City and County of San Francisco has been using GIS within individual departments to enhance both operational and analytical functions since 1994. The Department of Public Works (DPW) were the initial creators of spatial `basemap' information (essential cadastral map information that all other location-based information can be referenced to) in 1994 as well.
Over the past five years DPW has developed and maintained the City's basemap efforts. However, getting consolidated map information out to city employees and the public has been difficult. In an effort to resolve these types of issues, San Francisco's Department of Telecommuncations and Information Services (DTIS) have taken on the responsibility of developing a centralized, citywide GIS.
The full realization of the City's GIS will enable departments and the public to better use GIS data for analysis, streamline and improve planning efforts, to foster productive sharing of information between departments, and to provide the public with timely, accurate location-based information.
What is a Geographic Information System?
A Geographic Information System (`GIS') can be defined as "An organized collection of computer hardware, software, geographic data, and personnel designed to efficiently capture, store, update, manipulate, analyze, and display all forms of geographically referenced information."
Over the past 10 years, GIS has become a viable solution for government agencies in managing, organizing, and analyzing location-based information. Several large metropolitan city governments, including Los Angeles CA, Chicago IL, and Seattle WA, have seen how GIS can effectively be used to integrate previously unrelated data sets into a common citywide framework. These organizations, through the use of GIS, have not only streamlined their processes, but have ultimately increased their ability to provide essential services to their employees and the public at large.
What is Enterprise GIS?
Enterprise GIS is simply taking a complete organizational approach to sharing, using, and managing spatial information. As organizations began using GIS in the 1960's and 1970's the emphasis was on individual projects. As the private and public sectors began to realize that using location as a mechanism to data management was essential for certain functions, the concept of taking an `enterprise approach' became much more important.
Many government agencies see the necessity of consolidating spatial information into one common model. Because there is much interaction and work-flow between departments within government entities (i.e. public works, building inspection, utilities, engineering, etc.), the need for the sharing and updating of common spatial information is critical.
San Francisco recognizes this need. The result (in part) is this map portal.
For more information on Enterprise GIS strategies, please see our FAQ page.
What is Internet-based mapping?
Internet-based mapping allows the user to view dynamic map information (objects within the map have `intelligence': by selecting an object, you can retrieve information) typically thru a web browser. This form of mapping is being used by many different organizations, for a multitude of purposes. Some key advantages to this type of technology are:
- Users have dynamic, live access to information. As information changes and is updated, users see the results immediately.
- Users can display and view multiple data sets simultaneously.
- Conducting queries for specialized information is much easier.
The City and County of San Francisco use ESRI's ArcIMS product to share map information to city employees and the public. ESRI is a partner with San Francisco, and are continuously working with staff to ensure that we efficiently and appropriately are providing information to citizens and the public at large.
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