Mark Holmes

Through the use of Geographic Information Systems (GIS), governments are able to generate, collect, manage and analyze spatially related information in order to facilitate answers to complex problems (Brown and Brudney, 1998). GIS are databases of attributes that contain geographical references in the form of coordinates.

Huxhold (1991) states that as much as 80% of local governments' service demands are spatial in nature and as such could be aided through the use of GIS (see also Budic, 1993). Huxhold also suggests that government organizations can attain increases in productivity over manual methods of up to 75%, as well as saving 50% to 100% in personnel time in some areas of the organization. In recent years, GIS has become more commonly used for replacing manual methods of map creation and data processing. The percentage of u.s. cities and counties using GIS increased from 40% in 1992 to 87% in 1997 (Esnard, 1998).

Currently the framework used within the town of Bradford is that of de-centralized data warehousing, wherein each department collects and maintains their own data with little interoffice linkages. This framework is used due to the dispersion of the various departments being located in three different buildings spread out about Bradford. The software licence currently being used solely by Bradford's engineering department is provided by their parent Regional Municipality of Simcoe County. Up-to this point, GIS has been used primarily for producing maps to be used by the Engineering, Fire and Planning departments. As of five months ago, a GIS technician was hired, and the implementation of GIS was initiated. It order to move from the basic creation of maps, the town needs to consider a few implementation techniques. The hiring of a second GIS technician or database administrator needs to be undertaken in order to facilitate a more rapid implementation of GIS within BWG. The town also needs to focus on small wins as well as the relative advantage, compatibility, trialability and observability of the system to make it successful. The town will also need to promote GIS through progress meetings, seminars, and distribution of finished products, while focussing of the needs of each departments before moving to the wants.