For too long GIS has become and end unto itself spawning professions, a software industry and helping to revitalize and academic discipline. The result created a barrier to access to spatial data and tools. Expert training was required to extract the answers from complex software tools that limited [...]
Posts Tagged ‘GIS’
November 29th, 2010 - 7:25 am § in GIS
The myth about GIS accuracy
One aspect of GIS that tends to inhibit a municipality implementing a system is an over emphasis on accuracy. The thought being that your data isn’t “good enough” and you don’t want to implement a system until it is. I have frequently found this way of thinking when the k[...]
October 19th, 2010 - 1:57 pm § in GIS
Why the Finance Department should care (more) about GIS
GIS is not often thought of as something that should interest the Finance Department of a municipality beyond an operating expense line item in the annual budget. However, GIS can play a significant role in preserving a municipality's revenue and mitigating risk exposure. This article talks about [...]
April 1st, 2010 - 12:13 pm § in GIS
We Have GIS . . . Let’s Build an Inventory!
A GIS is a wonderful tool to keep track of municipal infrastructure however it is very tempting to build inventories and forget to put in place mechanisms for maintaining them. It's not long before the inventory is out-of-date and of little use. The only solution is to do it all over again. This [...]
March 4th, 2010 - 9:32 am § in GIS, Information Technology
Preventing Application Erosion: GIS Audit
Audits are a necessary process in the accounting industry to ensure integrity of accounting systems. Information technology can use audits to the same end and are an invaluable tool to prevent application erosion. GIS audits, in particular, are extremely helpful given the complexity and extent of [...]
February 11th, 2010 - 7:50 pm § in GIS, Information Technology
Focus on the Problem: Not the Solution
It's often too easy to focus on problems with technology and forget about the problem that needs solving. Understanding the problem is the key to finding the right solution which may or may not be the technology.[...]
January 29th, 2010 - 10:27 am § in GIS
GIS Certification: Do you need it?
I watched, with interest, a recent discussion on one of the GIS groups about the value of GIS professional certification. As you might expect, opinions range widely on the subject. For me, I have always viewed these types of certifications (those not backed up with a legal requirement such as e[...]
January 11th, 2010 - 2:46 pm § in General
Welcome!
Welcome to the new GarnerTechnology.ca! This site is dedicated to providing you information and resources to support managing local government information technology but with a nod to geographic information systems (GIS). Why? GIS is the fastest growing technology in local government and the o[...]
