Targeted approach to web mapping improves support for municipal processes, increasing productivity
VANCOUVER, Esri Canada User Conference – November 2, 2016 – For many years, the City of Coquitlam developed multi-purpose maps with the goal of serving several user groups with the same map. The City recently moved away from this one-map-fits-all approach and developed a suite of focused public works apps that are significantly improving the efficiency and productivity of City staff, both in the field and office. For its transformative approach to web mapping, Esri Canada today presented the City of Coquitlam with an Award of Excellence in geographic information systems (GIS).
“Developing and deploying highly specialized web apps represents a paradigm shift from what currently prevails in the municipal market,” said Alex Miller, president, Esri Canada. “With focused apps for processes such as pipe inspection and street light maintenance, Coquitlam is able to achieve greater efficiencies and deliver more effective services to its various stakeholders.”
An early adopter of multipurpose, multilayer online maps, the City was forced to reevaluate this approach in light of mounting technical challenges, user feedback and recent GIS developments.
As the number of internal stakeholders for the City’s previous web mapping initiative increased, the map became cluttered with custom tools which negatively impacted the user experience.
“Esri’s ArcGIS Online and Portal for ArcGIS solutions have enabled the City to quickly roll out task-specific web apps that follow the ‘less is more’ approach,” said James Andrusiw, application services manager, City of Coquitlam. “Using our new web apps, City staff can now access and share information faster than before, helping to reduce response times for urgent situations and routine requests.”
Leveraging out-of-the-box tools and templates in ArcGIS—such as Web AppBuilder for ArcGIS, an application for developing focused apps without writing code—the City has created a number of apps that are making a difference in Coquitlam:
- The Pipe Inspection Video & Report App cuts average search time for utility information from 30 minutes to less than 10 seconds, allowing work crews to get started sooner. Instead of searching through several databases in the office, they can now directly access relevant videos and reports through their tablets at a work site.
- The Engineering and Public Works Field Map features real-time updates about infrastructure assets, making it easier for office and field staff to stay on the same page, especially during a crisis. It replaces the printed maps and map books that staff formerly relied on in the field.
- The Five-Year Capital Plan App makes planning information readily accessible and provides insightful visual comparisons of City projects, supporting senior staff in their decision-making.
The new web apps are compatible with all platforms so City employees can access them from anywhere on mobile devices via ArcGIS Online and Portal for ArcGIS. The City is also implementing ArcGIS Open Data, an ArcGIS Online tool for efficiently publishing municipal information. It anticipates that the solution will help Coquitlam increase transparency, accountability and citizen engagement.
See the case study: New Web Mapping Approach Moves City of Coquitlam Towards Greater Productivity. To learn more about ArcGIS, visit esri.ca/arcgis.
About Esri Canada
Founded in 1984, Esri Canada provides enterprise geographic information system (GIS) solutions that empower businesses, governments and educational institutions to make timely, informed and mission-critical decisions by leveraging the power of geography. The company distributes the world's leading GIS software from Esri, Schneider Electric, Cityworks–Azteca Systems, LLC and other technology partners. Headquartered in Toronto, the company serves over 10,000 customers from 16 regional offices across Canada. Esri Canada joined the elite rank of Canada’s Best Managed companies in 2012 and became a Gold Standard winner in 2015. The company has also been named to the Branham300. More information can be found at
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