Des Plaines, IL (August 2, 2013) - URISA is pleased to announce the recipients of 2013 URISA Exemplary Systems in Government (ESIG) Awards. Since 1980, URISA’s ESIG Awards have recognized exceptional achievements in the application of information technology that have improved the delivery and quality of government services. URISA congratulates all of the participants in the 2013 Exemplary Systems in Government Award program. The recognized systems will be celebrated during the Awards Breakfast at GIS-Pro 2013: URISA's 51^st Annual Conference in Providence, Rhode Island.

ENTERPRISE SYSTEMS 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.

Exemplary System: The GEM Project: Bringing Information to the Emergency Operations Centre (City of Calgary)

Liz Findlay, GEM Project Sponsor & Manager and Nancy Merritt, Geospatial Consultant & GEM Project Advisor, Geospatial Business Solutions Division, Corporate Services City of Calgary, Alberta, Canada

System Summary: The Geospatial Emergency Management (GEM) Project is a large and complex undertaking by the City of Calgary to provide a common operating picture for the Calgary Emergency Management Agency (CEMA).  Using a strategic implementation in a phased approach, the GEM project now supports a population of more than 1 million and a city with 14,000+ employees. Many outside-agency data sources are connected in the GEM Project. The design of the project demonstrates success in bringing multiple business units together to achieve a common goal. The system’s implementation and interagency cooperation strategy make for a highly useful case study.   User testimonials note the impact of this project has led to better data and tools for responders along with cost savings and improved efficiencies for CEMA and the City. Considering the scope of this system, the needs it addresses and its very successful implementation, the City of Calgary’s GEM Project is the 2013 Enterprise System ESIG Award winner.

Distinguished Systems:

• Department of Homeland Security Common Operational Picture (DHS COP) David Alexander, Director, Geospatial Management Office, Department of Homeland Security, Washington, DC
• Department of Homeland Security Geospatial Information Infrastructure (GII)
• David Alexander, Director, Geospatial Management Office, Department of Homeland Security, Washington,DC
• National Capital Region Geospatial Data Exchange Robert Horne, GIS Committee Chair, Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments, Washington, DC 

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.

Exemplary System: The Transportation Investment Act (TIA) Process – Georgia Department of Transportation                   

Jane H. Smith, State Transportation Data Administrator, Georgia Department of Transportation, Chamblee, Georgia

System Summary: The Georgia Department of Transportation’s (DOT) Transportation Investment Act (TIA) Process serves state agencies, 159 counties and over 500+ cities by providing a single, accurate and up-to-date road database (55,000 miles of road centerline) covering the entire state. A primary key to the success of this project was to work with local government agencies focusing on integration methods and quality control.  The process to create one definitive transportation data set for the State of Georgia has facilitated an increase in efficiency in workflow and improved communication with a wide variety of data providers and users. User testimonials note the benefits of state-wide data coverage including increases in accuracy and availability.  Georgia DOT’s TIA project serves as a role model for interagency cooperation as well as large-scale data integration.  Considering the size of this project, the number of agencies it benefits and the product produced, the Georgia DOT’s TIA Process system is the 2013 Single Process ESIG Award winner.

Distinguished System: Show Me My House” for Snow Ordinance Searches (Des Moines, Iowa)

Anna Whipple, GISP, GIS Manager, City of Des Moines, Des Moines, Iowa

URISA congratulates all of the participants in the 2013 Exemplary Systems in Government Award program. For more information and to read each winning and distinguished system submission,  click here.

All of these systems will be celebrated during the Awards Breakfast at  GIS-Pro 2013: URISA's 51^st Annual Conference in Providence, Rhode Island on September 18. 


Contact: 

Wendy Nelson
Executive Director
URISA  
847-824-6300   
www.urisa.org    
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