Local Government GIS Demonstration Grant - NCGIA Buffalo

Manager's Overview 15
GIS Database Construction
Database construction (sometimes referred to as "database conversion") is the process of
buildingthe digital database from the source data - maps and tabular files. This
process would have beenplanned during the previous activity and the main emphasis here is
management of the activity andquality assurance/quality control of the converted data. The
conversion process is often "contracted-out" and involves large quantities of source maps and
documents. Close and effective managementis the critical factor in successful data conversion.
GIS System Integration
Unlike many other computer applications, a GIS is not a "plug and play" type system. The
severalcomponents of a GIS must be acquired according to well documented specifications. The
databasemust be created in a careful and organized manner. Once all the individual
components have beenacquired, they must be integrated and tested. Users must be introduced to
the system, trained asnecessary, and provided with adequate assistance to begin use of the GIS.
Parts of the GIS which may appear to work fine individually may not work properly when
puttogether. The GIS system staff must resolve all the problems before users can access the GIS.
GIS Application Development
"Application" is a general term covering all things that "go on" in a GIS. First,
there are "databaseapplications." These are all the functions needed to create, edit, build, and
maintain the database,and are usually carried out by the GIS systems staff. Some users may have
responsibility forupdating selected parts of the GIS database, however the entire database should
be under the controlof a "database administrator." Other applications are termed "user
applications." ContemporaryGISs provide many simple applications as part of the initial
software package (e.g., map display,query, etc.). More complex applications, or ones
unique to a particular user, must be developedusing a macro-programming language.
Most GISs have a macro-programming language for thispurpose (e.g., Arc Macro Language
(AML) in ARC/INFO. and Avenue in ArcView). Theapplications needing development by
the GIS systems staff will have been described during theNeeds Assessment on the GIS
Application forms.
GIS System Use And Maintenance
After having described the rather large task of creating a GIS, we can now say that use
andmaintenance of the GIS and its database will likely require as much attention as was needed to
initiallybuild it. Most GIS databases are very dynamic, changing almost daily, and users will
immediatelythink of additional applications that they would like to have developed. Formal
procedures forall the maintenance and updating activities need to be created and followed by the
GIS system staffand by all users to ensure continued successful operation of the GIS.