PlanGraphics, Inc. has completed an assignment that dramatically speeds up the process of updating parcel data for the City of Rocky River, Ohio. PlanGraphics accomplished this task by developing and implementing an automation program to import digital County Auditor parcel data into Rocky River’s working GIS system.
The City uses ArcView software from ESRI for its GIS and mapping needs. The City receives an update of its MetroScan software and data from TransAmerica Intellitech, Inc., once a month The MetroScan software is both an application and data warehouse of County Auditor data. The software allows the City to access up-to-date digital parcel information for the City of Rocky River. The City’s original process was to update the GIS parcel data by dictating the information from the MetroScan software and manually updating the GIS data within ArcView. This process occurred monthly and took staff approximately two to three days to complete. PlanGraphics developed an automation program within ArcView that imports the digital MetroScan data into the City’s GIS system and automatically updates the parcel data. The new program reduces the time required to update the parcel data to approximately one staff hour, and the program itself can be run in non-working hours. The program also minimizes the induction of errors into the data. Andrew Faley, PlanGraphics’ project manager, noted that the resulting productivity enhancements would deliver a return on investment (ROI) of more than 200 percent over three years. PlanGraphics also enhanced the GIS graphical user interface being used by the staff, including the development of a search, query and display tool of the updated parcel data. This initial implementation is intended to be a catalyst within the City as it continues to move forward in developing an enterprisewide GIS.
