GIS Initiatives In GIS Initiatives In Central RegionCentral Region

Kris LanderKris LanderCentral Region HQCentral Region HQ

RFC GIS WorkshopRFC GIS WorkshopJuly 2007July 2007

OverviewOverview

CR GIS Software and HardwareCR GIS Software and Hardware CR GIS Team ActivitiesCR GIS Team Activities NWS GIS Resource PageNWS GIS Resource Page GIS Policy/Hardware/Software GIS Policy/Hardware/Software

Recommendations to CR Senior StaffRecommendations to CR Senior Staff

CR GIS Licenses & CR GIS Licenses & InfrastructureInfrastructure

ESRI Concurrent LicensesESRI Concurrent Licenses 8 Concurrent ArcGIS licenses8 Concurrent ArcGIS licenses 8 Spatial Analyst8 Spatial Analyst 1 3D Analyst1 3D Analyst 1 Tracking Analyst1 Tracking Analyst 1 Interoperability1 Interoperability

Currently Acquiring Additional Licenses:Currently Acquiring Additional Licenses: 1 ArcGIS1 ArcGIS 1 3D Analyst1 3D Analyst 1 Geostatistical Analyst1 Geostatistical Analyst

Inter-Regional Inter-Regional ArcView License SharingArcView License Sharing

WR, ER and SR are in the process of WR, ER and SR are in the process of acquiring licenses and are sharingacquiring licenses and are sharing

CR on hold until CR IT Chief approvesCR on hold until CR IT Chief approves AdvantagesAdvantages

Many more licenses available…Many more licenses available… Supported 24x7Supported 24x7

ChallengesChallenges License Management and policing License Management and policing

licenses becomes a bigger tasklicenses becomes a bigger task

Server GIS Server GIS

Current InstallCurrent Install ArcServer 9.2 Standard EnterpriseArcServer 9.2 Standard Enterprise ArcIMS 9.2ArcIMS 9.2

Future InstallFuture Install ArcServer 9.2 Advanced EnterpriseArcServer 9.2 Advanced Enterprise

HardwareHardware Two 4 CPU DELL serversTwo 4 CPU DELL servers

ArcServer Pilot ProjectArcServer Pilot Project

Regional Operations Center (ROC) Pilot Regional Operations Center (ROC) Pilot project to demonstrate the utility of project to demonstrate the utility of Server GIS to CR Management.Server GIS to CR Management.

Intent is to generate interest, ideas and Intent is to generate interest, ideas and support for GIS in CRsupport for GIS in CR

Brings a number of web content to a Brings a number of web content to a single GIS based interface in a thin clientsingle GIS based interface in a thin client

Management or ROC staffers can view Management or ROC staffers can view multiple layers and run queries as a multiple layers and run queries as a situation assessment tool situation assessment tool

Jack’s Vision (modified)Jack’s Vision (modified)

Central Region GIS TeamCentral Region GIS Team

MissionMission Promote NWS GIS resources.Promote NWS GIS resources. Communicate application development Communicate application development

activities and training opportunities.activities and training opportunities. Investigate new GIS software and Investigate new GIS software and

technologies to support NWS services.technologies to support NWS services. Make recommendations to CRH on how Make recommendations to CRH on how

to capitalize on GIS technological to capitalize on GIS technological advances to add value and enhance our advances to add value and enhance our products and services. products and services.

CR GIS Team MembersCR GIS Team MembersFacilitatoFacilitatorr Wendy PearsonCRHWendy PearsonCRHTeam LeaderTeam Leader Becky Griffis, OAXBecky Griffis, OAXTeam MembersTeam Members Mike McLane, JKLMike McLane, JKL Andy Foster, SGFAndy Foster, SGF Scott Watson, SGFScott Watson, SGF Marian Baker, DMXMarian Baker, DMX Kris Lander, CRHKris Lander, CRH Mike Urban, ICT Mike Urban, ICT Richard Sloan, DDCRichard Sloan, DDC Daniel Nietfeld, OAX Daniel Nietfeld, OAX

Web Master Web Master Jim Husaby, NCRFCJim Husaby, NCRFC Ancillary MembersAncillary Members Eric Lenning, LSX -Google Eric Lenning, LSX -Google

Earth Pro Earth Pro John Lhotak, NCRFC -John Lhotak, NCRFC -

Hydro Apps Hydro Apps Teresa Murphy, MBRFC -Teresa Murphy, MBRFC -

Hydro AppsHydro Apps

CR GIS Team CR GIS Team NWS GIS Resource NWS GIS Resource

WebpageWebpage http://http://gis.crh.noaa.govgis.crh.noaa.gov// NWS CR GIS Page grown into a NWS GIS NWS CR GIS Page grown into a NWS GIS

Resource Resource GIS Skills MatrixGIS Skills Matrix

Develop a network of experts by recording Develop a network of experts by recording skill sets and skill levels of GIS Usersskill sets and skill levels of GIS Users

Updated AnnuallyUpdated Annually Projects DatabaseProjects Database

A searchable project DB to leverage existing A searchable project DB to leverage existing GIS projects and knowledge across the NWSGIS projects and knowledge across the NWS

CR GIS ReportCR GIS Report Presentations, Team Charter, Map Presentations, Team Charter, Map

Gallery, Links, Tutorials….Gallery, Links, Tutorials….

National Weather Service National Weather Service Central Region Central Region

Geographic Information Geographic Information System Policy and System Policy and Architecture Team Architecture Team RecommendationsRecommendations

NIAB GIS ReportNIAB GIS Report

March 2007March 2007

Team MembersTeam Members Dan Arnold, CRHDan Arnold, CRH Mike Callahan, LMKMike Callahan, LMK Andy Rost, NOHRSCAndy Rost, NOHRSC Rebecca Griffis, OAXRebecca Griffis, OAX Kris Lander, CRHKris Lander, CRH Teresa Murphy, MBRFCTeresa Murphy, MBRFC Carrie Olheiser, NOHRSCCarrie Olheiser, NOHRSC Wendy Pearson, CRHWendy Pearson, CRH Andy Rost, NOHRSCAndy Rost, NOHRSC Scott Watson, EAXScott Watson, EAX

MotivationMotivation The use of a Geographic Information System (GIS) in The use of a Geographic Information System (GIS) in

the National Weather Service has been sporadic and the National Weather Service has been sporadic and lacked organization. lacked organization.

There has been a collection of "grass roots" efforts There has been a collection of "grass roots" efforts from field and headquarters offices to develop some from field and headquarters offices to develop some GIS applications. GIS applications.

Examples include regional verification of NDFD grids, Examples include regional verification of NDFD grids, conversion of NWS short-fused warnings into GIS conversion of NWS short-fused warnings into GIS data sets, and plotting of spotter locations, to name data sets, and plotting of spotter locations, to name just a few. just a few.

The power of GIS analysis has not been tapped and The power of GIS analysis has not been tapped and the agency has fallen behind other federal agencies, the agency has fallen behind other federal agencies, both within NOAA and beyond, in taking advantage of both within NOAA and beyond, in taking advantage of GIS. GIS.

NOAA NWS customers and partners continue to NOAA NWS customers and partners continue to request data in GIS formats.request data in GIS formats.

Formulating the Formulating the RequirementsRequirements

NWS Strategic Plan GIS NWS Strategic Plan GIS GoalsGoals The National Weather Service Strategic Plan The National Weather Service Strategic Plan

2005-2010 states:2005-2010 states: "We will work with the weather, water, and "We will work with the weather, water, and

climate enterprise to investigate, develop, climate enterprise to investigate, develop, and expand the use of new technologies in and expand the use of new technologies in data management and information systems, data management and information systems, such as new internet-based standards and such as new internet-based standards and Geographic Information Systems (GIS), to Geographic Information Systems (GIS), to accelerate development and implementation accelerate development and implementation of appropriate NWS and NOAA products and of appropriate NWS and NOAA products and services and to integrate these services in services and to integrate these services in ways that are meaningful to our customers."ways that are meaningful to our customers."

Requirements for a GISRequirements for a GIS In order to meet the NWS Strategic Plan In order to meet the NWS Strategic Plan

goal the following NWS GIS capabilities goal the following NWS GIS capabilities are required: are required: NWS data and forecasts in GIS-compatible NWS data and forecasts in GIS-compatible

formatsformats GIS software and hardware infrastructure for GIS software and hardware infrastructure for

preparing and analyzing GIS data setspreparing and analyzing GIS data sets Training in the use of GIS softwareTraining in the use of GIS software Web technologies which allow interactive Web technologies which allow interactive

viewing of NWS GIS dataviewing of NWS GIS data Dedicated NWS staff to manage GIS in the Dedicated NWS staff to manage GIS in the

NWSNWS

CharterCharter

NWS and CRH lacks a formal mechanism NWS and CRH lacks a formal mechanism by which to accomplish GIS tasks and by which to accomplish GIS tasks and lacks a consistent set of tools by which to lacks a consistent set of tools by which to complete those taskscomplete those tasks

GIS challengesGIS challenges Software packages are expensiveSoftware packages are expensive Open Source solutions are challenging Open Source solutions are challenging GIS web applications can quickly become GIS web applications can quickly become

taxing on current NWS servers and taxing on current NWS servers and infrastructure infrastructure

Team ObjectiveTeam Objective

Provide recommendations for the Provide recommendations for the use of GIS in delivering NWS use of GIS in delivering NWS information:information: ContentContent PlatformPlatform HardwareHardware

GIS Implementation GIS Implementation StrategyStrategy

GIS Implementation Strategy

Phase IGIS Management

Phase IIIData Dissemination

Phase IVApplications Development

Customized Applications

Web GISSoftware & Hardware

Policy and Procedures

Phase IIData Organization

Budget

Training

Geo-database Software & Hardware

Desktop GISSoftware & Hardware

GIS Client Viewers

Mobile GIS

Schedule and CostsSchedule and Costs

Four Phase Implementation Four Phase Implementation StrategyStrategy

Phase I - GIS ManagementPhase I - GIS Management Determine GIS Management, Staffing, and BudgetDetermine GIS Management, Staffing, and Budget

Phase II – GIS Data OrganizationPhase II – GIS Data Organization NWS Geo-database Design, Development, and NWS Geo-database Design, Development, and

ImplementationImplementation Desktop GIS Software and Hardware EnhancementsDesktop GIS Software and Hardware Enhancements

Phase III – GIS Data DisseminationPhase III – GIS Data Dissemination Web GIS Software and HardwareWeb GIS Software and Hardware GIS Client ViewersGIS Client Viewers Mobile GISMobile GIS

Phase IV – Custom GIS Application DevelopmentPhase IV – Custom GIS Application Development Develop a GIS application requirements process for Develop a GIS application requirements process for

future development future development

Phase I Management, Phase I Management, Staffing, Budget & Training Staffing, Budget & Training ManagementManagement ITEM 1.ITEM 1. Obtain a contract GIS Manager/GIS System Obtain a contract GIS Manager/GIS System

Administrator Administrator Ensure successful implementation and maintenance of a GIS in Ensure successful implementation and maintenance of a GIS in

CR. CR. Collect and prioritize GIS application requirements on an Collect and prioritize GIS application requirements on an

annual basis, annual basis, Ensure All GIS projects should follow the CRH Project Planning Ensure All GIS projects should follow the CRH Project Planning

Procedures for thorough project planning, concept and design Procedures for thorough project planning, concept and design research, testing and implementation research, testing and implementation

Oversee GIS planning, design, testing, implementation, & Oversee GIS planning, design, testing, implementation, & maintenance maintenance

Ensure 24 hour, 7 day a week support for GIS hardware, Ensure 24 hour, 7 day a week support for GIS hardware, software, GIS license manager, and GIS database management software, GIS license manager, and GIS database management

Propose GIS policies related to GIS data access, GIS data Propose GIS policies related to GIS data access, GIS data quality control, GIS training, datums, and metadata.quality control, GIS training, datums, and metadata.

Phase I Phase I (continued)(continued)

BudgetBudget ITEM 2.ITEM 2. Provide an annual GIS funding Provide an annual GIS funding

allocationallocation ITEM 3.ITEM 3. CRH should consider a contract with CRH should consider a contract with

NOHRSC NOHRSC

TrainingTraining ITEM 4.ITEM 4. Provide funding for GIS training Provide funding for GIS training

Phase II Phase II GIS Data OrganizationGIS Data Organization

GIS DatabaseGIS Database ITEM 5.ITEM 5. CRH should design and implement a CRH should design and implement a

spatially referenced Geo-database using ESRI spatially referenced Geo-database using ESRI ArcServerArcServer

GIS Desktop SoftwareGIS Desktop Software ITEM 6.ITEM 6. Continue to fund ESRI ArcGIS annual Continue to fund ESRI ArcGIS annual

license maintenance license maintenance ITEM 7.ITEM 7. Support sharing ESRI ArcGIS ArcView Support sharing ESRI ArcGIS ArcView

licenses across NWS Regional boundaries. licenses across NWS Regional boundaries.

Desktop HardwareDesktop Hardware ITEM 8.ITEM 8. CRH should invest in New GIS PCs for CRH should invest in New GIS PCs for

field officesfield offices..

Phase III Phase III GIS Data DistributionGIS Data Distribution

Web GISWeb GIS ITEM 9.ITEM 9. Conduct a one year pilot scale Conduct a one year pilot scale

evaluation of two Web software solution evaluation of two Web software solution alternatives: alternatives: ArcServerArcServer, and , and MapserverMapserver. .

ITEM 10.ITEM 10. CRH should share/take over ESRI CRH should share/take over ESRI ArcIMS/ArcServer/ArcInfo annual license ArcIMS/ArcServer/ArcInfo annual license maintenance fees ($12K/yr) from OHD AHPS maintenance fees ($12K/yr) from OHD AHPS funding to allow for the expansion of the usage of funding to allow for the expansion of the usage of this software and hardware.this software and hardware.

ITEMITEM 11.11. CRH should begin a CRH should begin a Pilot Scale Front Pilot Scale Front End Web GIS Hardware Implementation.End Web GIS Hardware Implementation.

ITEM 12.ITEM 12. CRH should work with SRH to provide CRH should work with SRH to provide NWS data in GIS standard format (.kml NWS data in GIS standard format (.kml and .kmz) for customer viewing and download and .kmz) for customer viewing and download via the web.via the web.

Phase III Phase III GIS Data Distribution GIS Data Distribution

(continued)(continued)GIS Client ViewerGIS Client Viewer ITEM 13.ITEM 13. Google Earth Pro is the recommended Google Earth Pro is the recommended

solution.solution.

NWS and NOAA CIONWS and NOAA CIO ITEMITEM 14.14. CR Senior Staff should write a memo to the CR Senior Staff should write a memo to the

NWS and NOAA CIO, supporting NOAA procurement NWS and NOAA CIO, supporting NOAA procurement of ESRI Enterprise licensing and Google Earth of ESRI Enterprise licensing and Google Earth Professional and Google Maps Enterprise licensing.Professional and Google Maps Enterprise licensing.

Mobile GISMobile GIS ITEM 15.ITEM 15. Support continued research on the Support continued research on the

Magellan Mobile Mapper CE GPS unit Magellan Mobile Mapper CE GPS unit ITEM 16.ITEM 16. Support purchase and implementation Support purchase and implementation

(including on-site training) of handheld GPS/PDA (including on-site training) of handheld GPS/PDA unitsunits

Phase IVPhase IVGIS Custom Applications GIS Custom Applications

Requirements ProcessRequirements Process ITEM 17.ITEM 17. CRH should develop a GIS customized CRH should develop a GIS customized

application requirements process for future application requirements process for future developmentdevelopment..

Back End HardwareBack End Hardware

Questions?Questions?

kris.lander@noaa.govkris.lander@noaa.gov

(816)-268-3124(816)-268-3124