What is iCommunities?
iCommunities is a fee-for-service Internet mapping service provided by NCTCOG to local governments in North Central Texas. The service combines Internet and map technology with local government planning, economic development, and geographic information systems (GIS) resources. The City of Southlake signed on as our first client in 1999. Today we have over 20 local governments under contract.
What is Internet mapping?
Examples include Google Maps, Yahoo Maps, MapBlast, and MapQuest. NCTCOG has a free Internet mapping service located at www.dfwmaps.com that is tailored to North Central Texas.
iCommunities is built off the same technology as www.dfwmaps.com, but the data are specific to the client and the application is customized to the client’s needs. The objective is to transform local governments’ web sites into information sources that are both interactive and customizable to users’ needs.
How much does it cost the first year?
Each agency has a unique set of needs therefore we offer four services.
Basic – $8,800
Basic with Economic Development – $14,000
Basic with Crime – $14,000
Basic with Economic Development and Crime - $19,200
How much does it cost each additional year?
Basic – $4,800
Basic with Economic Development – $6,000
Basic with Crime – $6,000
Basic with Economic Development and Crime - $7,200
Are there any sample web sites we can view?
Basic - http://maps.ci.rowlett.tx.us/
Economic Development - http://maps.ci.rowlett.tx.us/index.asp?mo=2
Crime - http://maps.ci.rowlett.tx.us/index.asp?mo=3
What do we get with the Economic Development mapping service?
This service is aimed to promote development by providing updated locations of commercial properties that are for sale and lease, links to detailed property reports, enhanced radius summaries of labor market and consumer expenditure data, and enhanced queries and reports of other GIS datasets important to economic development.
Note: Xceligent provides some of the data. Your agency must maintain a separate contract with Xceligent in order to map these locations.
What do we get with the Crime service?
This service is aimed to increase public awareness of crime incidents by creating thematic maps of crimes by category, advanced beat reports and queries, and mapping of sex offenders via links to the State database.
What data does a local government have to have for an iCommunites web site?
None. We can build a site only using data we maintain.
Do we have to purchase any software or hardware?
No. This is where you will experience significant cost savings. All software and personnel costs are included in the fees mentioned above.
How often are the data updated?
Most participating agencies provide us data updates on a quarterly basis, however some do it on a monthly basis. Data can be sent via CD or FTP.
Will the format of the web service match our existing web site?
Yes. The graphical content and menus will mirror your agencies homepage.
Where is the GIS data stored?
In most cases clients provide us with their data and we store it on our servers. However, if you have an existing ArcIMS mapping application using data stored at your facility, we can log into your servers remotely and provide updates.
Are the GIS data backed up?
Yes. Any data that you give us, along with any code we write, are backed up on a daily basis and stored off-site.
Do we give out the GIS data?
Any GIS data you provide us will only be used for your web site and will not be available for distribution or download.
Which agencies currently subscribe to this service and can we view their data?
Please go to http://www.nctcog.org/ris/icommunities.asp and scroll to the bottom for links to the web sites of current clients.
How many GIS layers can be display?
We will display up to 16 to 20 layers, depending upon the quality of your data. Popular layers include: parcels, land use, zoning, utilities, parks, schools, trails, police and fire stations, subdivisions, and libraries.
What data do we display for free?
Roads, city limits, county boundaries, aerial photography, rail, school districts, and political boundaries.
What are the savings?
This service has many components: servers, software, databases, programming, and personnel. All combined it would cost an agency over $100,000 a year to perform this service internally. We provide it for $8,800 to $16,800 the first year and $4,800 to $6,000 each additional year.
|
