Come join us for a series of Local Government GIS Seminars to be held in Jonesborough, Crossville, Columbia, Germantown (MAGIC Conference), and Jackson, Tennessee.  

Lunch is on us after the Seminar!

QR Code Generator

QR Codes give you quick access to data via a mobile “QR code/barcode scanning app.”  But unlike standard barcodes, they provide much more data than your basic RFID.  So how can QR Codes be implemented to provide relevant geospatial information?   QR Codes must be linked to some type of data like text, video, a phone number, or url.  Mobile friendly websites could be linked to a QR Code to provide people with geospatial information.   For instance, you could scan a QR Code in downtown Chicago that takes you to an interactive map where you could see the closest bus stops and when that bus is arriving.  QR Codes can provide you with access to websites quickly while you are out in the field enabling you to receive real-time mapping data throughout the day.  It is important to have a web based map viewing platform such as Google Maps, Bing Maps or GeoPowered that will support locational data.  QR Codes help facilitate the lengthy and frustrating process of searching for information on the web through a mobile device.

QR CODES AND UTILITIES

A QR Code on each utility infrastructure would provide extremely fast infrastructure identification that could deliver more data than a barcode.  As the shift in tablet field computers and broadband internet access continues, more utility personnel will receive real-time mapping updates.  Instead of scanning a barcode that gives you a number to identify the infrastructure, you could scan a QR Code using a “QR Code Scanning” application that ties into the web based map and enables you to view all of the attributes about the infrastructure.

GEOExplorer 6000 Series

Can you currently use QR Codes and Trimble Equipment for utility identification?  I downloaded a few code scanning apps for the Trimble GeoXH 6000 but to no avail.  However, I receieved this email from their product management department, “Technically, our camera is already capable of reading 2D and/or QR codes.  As Eric found, there are third party applications for Windows Mobile that allow these barcode formats to be read.  I have found some that do work on the Geo6000, but the workflow is usually clunky – most are optimized for capturing URLs or phone numbers, and will only ever automatically launch the browser or trial to dial a phone number… not particularly useful for data collection. i-nigma, BeeTagg and NeoReader are all freely available on the internet, and all work to varying extents with the GeoExplorer 6000 camera – capturing barcodes and launching internet explorer.”

THE FUTURE OF GEO-LOCATION AND MARKETING TECHNOLOGIES

QR Codes were supposed to create a storm in the United States this year.  They have made a major splash in marketing and advertising but have not been used for many other purposes.   I firmly believe that as real-world object recognition applications and near field communication becomes more advanced we will quickly see QR Codes disappear.  Unless, the QR Code becomes the standard “sign” for AR’s object recognition (just a thought for an easy transition into new technology recognition).

The annual TNGIC conference is upon us.  GEO-Jobe GIS will be exhibiting again and presenting on several occasions, as well as assisting with the GeoCache event on Monday.

Throughout the conference, during breaks, we’ll have live demos of the latest internet mapping apps, ArcGIS demos, and Trimble gear.

This year we feature our Field to Finish solution which makes collecting and managing utility infrastructure a breeze.

Also, ask us about our Enterprise GIS solutions using full data replication.

For more info on the conference, click HERE.  We’ll see you there.

The City of Jackson, TN is the latest GEO-Jobe GIS Geopowered site to go live.  This new site is part of a bigger project GEO-Jobe is involved in with Jackson to develop an Enterprise GIS.  Utilizing ESRI ArcGIS server technology, several city agencies, including planning and police, will begin sharing data between eachother and with Madison County agencies, like the Assessor’s office.  One of the big goals of this project is to reduce costs by eliminating data duplication. Many times cities and counties have data that could be shared, but are limited by connectivity or technology.  GEO-Jobe is helping Jackson and Madison County remain current while making the best use of tax-payer dollars.  With budgets being reduced in nearly every community in the US, using tax dollars wisely is at the forefront many city leaders minds.

Please visit the City of Jackson Geopowered site and take it for a spin.

GEO-Jobe GIS is pleased to call Putnam County, TN our newest GEOpowered interactive mapping client.  Rhonda Chaffin, Putnam County Assessor of Property, and her staff provided us with their requirements and data and the development team at GEO-Jobe went to work.  The result is a very fast and efficient web-based alternative to calling or visiting the Assessor’s office for basic property related information.  On the Putnam County GEOpowered site you’ll be able to search via the interactive map using standard tools like zoom and pan, plus you’ll have full text search capabilities of Parcel ID, Owner Name, Address, Subdivision, and more.

The beauty of GEOpowered is in its non-GIS approach from a user’s perspective.  Most people accessing our GEOpowered client sites are non-GIS professionals who only want to get in and get out with up to date property information.  This makes GEOpowered a superior decision support tool.  With more to do and less people to do it within the Putnam County Assessor’s office, this means fewer office requests for basic information, freeing up Putnam County staff to stay focused on appraisals and administration of property data.  Plus, GEO-Jobe is implementing geodatabase data replication between the county and our secure data center making the update process seamless and automated on a nightly basis.

The GEO-Jobe staff are very professional. We have found turn around time on questions or data change request is very fast and effecient. They have been most helpful in explaining “computer-gis” talk to us in terms we can use and understand. I am very proud to be working with them.  – Rhonda L. Chaffin, Putnam County TN Assessor of Property

Putnam County, with its seat in Cookeville, TN, has a population of over 45,000 and manages over 35,000 parcels.

SERUG is well underway here in Jacksonville. Wakeup temps are cooler than normal for this part of the country. Ate lunch in the Landing yesterday. About 650 people are here. Had a great opening social here in the conference exhibit area last night. Today is packed with sessions of all kinds. The only shocker was arriving to find out that booth tables and chairs are extra this year and are not cheap. This will be my only negative feedback for the conference as an exhibitor. Otherwise, everything is excellent. There is talk that maybe next year’s SERUG conference will be in our very own Nashville.

Oh yeah.  Don’t forget to get your taxes in by the end of today.

The City of Lebanon is now live with their very own GEOpowered Interactive Mapping site. Lebanon is the latest Wilson County city to come online with city-specific data in addition to Wilson County basemap data. This site will make it very easy for residents and city officials to quickly find useful city and property information with just a couple of clicks.

Want to find out when the next Mosquito spraying will occur in your neighborhood? How about when the next pickup and chipper service will be driving through? Interested in the zoning code for your property? You can find that and more with a visit to the Lebanon GEOpowered Interactive Mapping site.

In an effort to update their online mapping experience and the technology that goes with it, the City of Decatur and Morgan County AL Revenue Commissioner, through a joint venture, have partnered with GEO-Jobe GIS to provide GEOpowered Interactive Mapping technology to their internal users and constituents.

We are really excited here at GEO-Jobe because this is our first Alabama GEOpowered client. But more importantly, we are thrilled to be serving the people of Decatur and Morgan County with a simple, easy to use, and super fast interactive mapping website.

The GEOpowered site, found at http://al.decatur.geopowered.com, has been running for a short time while we got the kinks out. Today marks the official launch with a press release in the city papers. We are planning to hold an open house in the near future with the folks at Decatur and Morgan County. But for now, enjoy the site. We look forward to serving you for a long time.

Vanderbilt University, a long time client of GEO-Jobe GIS, has recently upgraded its emergency alert system to a new system developed by Gallatin based W.A.R.N. (Wide Area Rapid Notification). The W.A.R.N. system provides multiple format rapid alerts to student and faculty in response to threats from tornados and other dangers via alerting mechanisms like email, text, SMS, phone, and signage on campus. GEO-Jobe is the GIS provider for W.A.R.N. and has developed several map-based interfaces including a GEOpowered W.A.R.N. interface as well as extensions within ArcGIS. These tools provide spatial interactivity to the response. GEO-Jobe has mapped the entire campus right down to each of the individual utility systems, pedestrian paths, dorm locations, and major buildings.

You can read the article and see a video from Channel 5′s coverage here.

W.A.R.N. also provides solutions for EMA, E911, and other agencies which require rapid response to threats. In addition, W.A.R.N. has developed coordinated and integrated solutions for creating Emergency Operations Plans, Passive Biometric ID Cards, Disaster Resource and Recovery applications, Secure Offsite Storage, Desktop Alerting and more.

The Chattanooga Times Free Press today released a nice article about McMinn’s new GEOpowered site. One of the interviewees in the article said it best.

Athens surveyor Christian Medders said the new site has made his job easier. “It’s one of the best in the state,” Mr. Medders said.

Are you GEOpowered? Call us at 615-883-0085 to learn how easy it is get your GIS data online.