Geog. 377: Introduction to GIS - Lecture 27 Overheads 1 1. Aspects of setting up a GIS operation 2. General steps in setting up a GIS operation Topics: Lecture 27: Developing A Sustainable GIS Operation Readings on the topics Chapter 8 in Aronoff (1993) Chapter 8 in Aronoff (1993) Other readings Chapter 17, Longley et al. (2005)

Geog. 377: Introduction to GIS - Lecture 27 Overheads 2 1. Aspects (issues) of setting up a GIS site: 1.1 Organizational needs Different organizations have different needs For examples natural resource inventory agencies utility firms mineral exploration companies transportation commissions 1.2 Kind of users and user requirements Proficiency User tasks Which groups in the organization will benefit from GIS? How are they benefited from it? Outlines

Geog. 377: Introduction to GIS - Lecture 27 Overheads 3 1. Aspects (issues) of setting up a GIS site: (continued…) 1.3 Technical issues data models raster vs. vector vector: network focused vs. general vector software choice software complexity vs. user friendliness hardware choice House power: mainframe, workstations, desktops single vs. multiple standalone vs. networking various kinds of input, output, storage devices expandability, transferability

Geog. 377: Introduction to GIS - Lecture 27 Overheads 4 1. Aspects (issues) of setting up a GIS site: (continued…) 1.4 Personnel issues managing person in charge of entire GIS operations technical support person in charge of hardware and software components GIS specialist in charge of GIS software applications GIS users people using GIS techniques in their problem solving 1.5 Financial issues initial investment maintenance costs hardware and software upgrades license costs repair/support personnel costs (training)

Geog. 377: Introduction to GIS - Lecture 27 Overheads 5 2. General steps in setting up a GIS site: There are two basic approaches: hire a consultant do it yourself 2.1 Defining organizational needs 1) Inventory of the existing tasks and defining immediate needs 2) Assessing future needs 2.2 Defining of the type and size of this GIS site 1) Type of data model and analytical capability 2) Tasks to be solved 3) Number of GIS stations needed 4) Sorting out personnel requirements 5) Getting some basic idea about the financial support (cost-benefit analysis). 2.3 Defining and setting up the organizational structure 1) Defining the organizational structure 2) Acquiring the necessary personnel

Geog. 377: Introduction to GIS - Lecture 27 Overheads 6 2. General steps in setting up a GIS site: (continued…) 2.4 Identifying hardware and software options 1) Identifying suppliers 2) Evaluation hardware and software (benchmark testing) capability in meeting the needs user friendliness technical support initial and maintenance costs 2.5 Entering the bidding process 1) Putting together a desired hardware and software package 2) Having the suppliers bid 2.6 Final purchasing 1) Evaluating the result from the bidding process 2) Making a purchase 2.7 Input the GIS into action 1) Setting up 2) Getting users properly trained 3) Managing it properly

Geog. 377: Introduction to GIS - Lecture 27 Overheads 7 Questions: 1. What are the essential aspects one must consider in developing a sustainable GIS operation? 2. What are the general steps in setting up such a GIS operation? 3. In your mind, what is the most important thing (besides money) that will make a GIS operation sustainable? why?