The SCAG GIS Services Program started in the late 1980s to create
the preeminent source of information for the Southern California
region. The purpose of the program is to derive and promote a
model policy for distributing geospatial data and other
information developed and maintained at SCAG.
program goals
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Make geographic information and data more accessible.
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Partner with local governments and public agencies on
data standardization.
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Generate opportunities for local governments to find more and
diversified users for their data.
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Create cost savings for local governments by sharing data and
establishing consortiums when feasible.
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Make maintenance, updates and metadata documentation
an accepted part of the data
distribution process.
Through the GIS Services Program, SCAG offers specialized
software training and data assistance to its member
jurisdictions. The GIS Services Program promotes data sharing and
updating to enhance region-wide GIS data standardization and
helps SCAG maintain effective working relationships with its
member cities and key stakeholder agencies. Services include
training, data conversion, simple application development and
more. These resources help local agencies leverage their assets
better to become more efficient, save money, and/or provide new
services to their residents and businesses. SCAG’s conservative
estimate of savings to local participating jurisdictions is $2
million.
The SCAG GIS Services Program is available to government agencies
and private businesses free of cost to inform plans, studies,
analyses and presentations. The SCAG GIS Services Program is
supported by skilled researchers, statisticians, demographers,
economists and GIS technicians with a long history in the
industry. Since 2010, the GIS Services Program has provided data
support, day-to-day GIS problem-solving and GIS training for 79
local jurisdictions and two partner agencies.
SCAG is implementing an enterprise GIS to develop and
disseminate information to interested parties. We are
completing our digital geographic databases and are focused on
data distribution and standardization.
Resources
ESRI is the world’s leading
provider of GIS technologies. Their main site allows users
to become acquainted with the benefits and capabilities of GIS.
ESRI Software
Training is available for all levels of GIS (introductory,
intermediate, advanced), oftentimes for free.
ESRI’s ArcGIS
Online allows users to build and deploy simple web-based
mapping applications at no cost.
Urban and Regional Information
Systems Association, an association for GIS professionals,
offers GIS trainings and certifications.
