IU team recognized for GIS technology services
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 25, 2009
BLOOMINGTON, Ind. -- When it comes to geographic information systems (GIS), Indiana University is definitely on the map. So says the Indiana Geographic Information Council (IGIC), which presented a group of IU researchers from University Information Technology Services (UITS) and the IU Pervasive Technology Institute (PTI) with the David C. Ford award for exemplary service, dedication, and accomplishment in coordinating Indiana GIS.
The IGIC recognized UITS for providing free online access to more than 17 terabytes of geospatial data to GIS professionals and the general public through the Indiana Spatial Data Portal (ISDP) and online map services.
John Samuel, Stephanie Snider, Anna Radue, Craig Stewart, Phil Worrall (of IGIC)
In coordination with the IGIC and the Indiana Department of Homeland Security, IU researchers from UITS and PTI provide spatial data download and image mapping services used by university faculty, state agencies, county governments, and Indiana businesses to support a variety of endeavors including environmental research, emergency management, economic development, and other business and government applications.
The ISDP is a data archive used to store and preserve for future generations Indiana's orthophotography—aerial photographs that have been modified to provide accurate measures of distance, similar to maps—and other important spatial datasets. The team developed the ISDP Multi-File Download Tool that allows users an easy-to-navigate interface to select files from a geographic area of interest, view file information such as size and format, and download one or more files quickly. The ISDP has seen a growing number of users each month from the GIS community and the general public. In 2008, users downloaded over 15 terabytes of geospatial data.
For those who don't have the time or disk space to download that much data, the ISDP online map services provide online viewing access to aerial photos and topographic maps of Indiana. This system uses high-end database and server technology to output spatial data to a variety of GIS software and web browsing clients. These online map services rely on support and service from IU's high performance computing and network infrastructure and highly trained technology staff.
UITS and PTI staff who contributed to the winning projects includes: Stephanie Burks, Nancy Long, John Samuel, David Heald, Anna Radue, Kurt Seiffert, Stephanie Snider, Rich Knepper, Collin Gayde, and Joseph Rinkovsky. Michael Mannion, of Mannion Geosystems LLC, provided additional outside support.
IU offers both courses and certification programs in GIS technology for undergraduate and graduate students in multiple curricula and departments. Forty IU departments and 23 research centers use GIS to support their research and academic activities. IU's Facilities Information Management System uses GIS to manage facilities on all eight Indiana University campuses.
The David C. Ford award is presented by the IGIC to "an individual or organization for exemplary service, dedication, and accomplishment in coordinating Indiana GIS through dissemination of data and data products, education and outreach, adoption of standards, building partnerships, and advancing the IndianaMap project." The award is named in honor of Indiana State Senator David C. Ford (1949-2008), a recognized leader and supporter of GIS technology and legislation within the state of Indiana.
