- GIS Data Compilation and Editing
- Map Query and Visualization
- Data Modeling and Analysis
- Google Maps
- Web-based Database-driven Applications
Custom Application Solutions
Often, out-of-the-box utilities and functions of a software package do not meet project or organizational needs. The necessary capabilities are usually in the software, but the required tasks and analysis capabilities may involve lengthy, repetitive tasks. This is where a custom application may come in handy.
For example, if your organization routinely needs to link a database to a GIS for displaying current information, it would be convenient to automate this task. Or, if you find yourself clicking on the same series of buttons and menu items repetitively, it would be useful to integrate these commands into a single button click. Also, many powerful application functions are actually available only through writing some custom code.
DTM is well-versed in creating custom GIS and database applications that relieve the user from performing repetitive tasks or allow them to access program utilities that are generally kept “under the hood.”
We use a variety of development environments depending on the client and project needs. These include .NET, Visual Basic, ASP, HTML, DHTML, JAVA, VBA, and other scripting languages.
Examples of Custom Applications
Agricultural Productivity. Montana Department of Revenue. Montana has about 50 million acres of privately owned land in agricultural production. Land use on these lands ranges from irrigated crop land, to grazing land, to summer fallow crop land. Due to the extreme climatic variability and soil types across the state, the actual productivity from any given parcel and land use will vary. This variability in production leads to challenges in assessing property value for taxation. The Montana Department of Revenue (DOR) is responsible for appraising agricultural land use and productivity, as well as establishing productivity values for all agricultural land across the state. The next DOR reappraisal will occur on January 1, 2009. With over 250,000 individual parcels in agricultural production, the DOR needed a consistent and equitable system for determining the taxable value of a parcel. To support this effort, the DOR contracted DTM Consulting, Inc. to help develop a suite of GIS and database tools for analyzing and reporting land use and productivity values for every agricultural parcel in the state. The tools integrate both GIS and database technologies to generate productivity values for all agricultural lands. Information from cadastral, agriculture and forest land use, SSURGO soils and NASIS datasets are merged to calculate a productivity value for each parcel/land use/soil combination. These records output to an external database where queries adjust and summarize the data according to a defined set of rules. In the end, over 250,000 individual maps will be produced and mailed for landowner review. The final values will be imported into the State?s new property valuation software, Orion.
Water Rights Mapping. Montana DNRC. The Water Rights Mapper project (WRMapper) was created with the Helena, Montana Water Resources Regional Office of the Department of Natural Resources and Conservation to assist in mapping Claimed and Examined Water Rights throughout the state of Montana. Currently, water rights information are stored in two places, a database and individual water right files. The database contains table-based information associated with the claimed right, but has no spatial component other than a PLSS legal description (Township, Range, Section). The water right file contains all paperwork, maps, and communication regarding the water right. As part of the adjudication process for a basin, a water rights specialist must reconcile the ?claimed? place of use with the actual ?examined? place of use. This was traditionally done through mylar overlays on photographs. WRMapper was created to streamline this process within a GIS environment, ensuring that the all spatial data associated with a water right is stored electronically in a robust and interactive environment, with links to the detailed water rights database.
Sediment Transport Modeling. Metropolitan Milwaukee Sewerage District. In 2001 DTM Consulting (acting as a sub-contractor) started working with MMSD to compile spatial and modeling data from the ongoing sediment transport modeling efforts into a consistent GIS-based environment. These efforts included developing a mapping application for exploring and displaying data from the studies (modeling results, cross sections, photographs, field conditions, etc.). Over the three phases of the project, the application has evolved from ArcView 3.x desktop application, to ArcGIS Desktop, to a web-based tool utilizing the Google Maps interface. The current application provides users with detailed information from the existing three sediment transport studies (Menomonee River, Root River, and Kinnickinnic River). The applicaiton is scalable to allow for additional studies and information to be included as they become available.
310 Permit Database. Montana DNRC. The 310 Permit Database is designed to provide an intuitive, centralized database for Montana 310 permit information. These permits are administered by the local Conservation District offices. Each office is in charge of maintaining its own system for tracking and archiving the permit applications. As such, there is no standard for maintaining this information, or making it available to other land use managers. The goal of the 310 Permit Database system is to standardize the basics of storing and retrieving 310 permit information. It relies on a centralized database for archiving permit information such as location, applicant, type, dimensions, etc. Additionally, it provides a system for storing digital photos and other scanned image materials such as maps or historical photos. The interface is Web-based, so no specialized software is required.
Water Sentinel. Cascade Earth Sciences. DTM developed a robust Internet-based database application to assist farmers and food processors track process water application to agricultural fields. The application has a secure interface allowing managers to input, track, report and graph water application rates, chemistry, water quality and compliance with regulatory requirements. On-line reports are formatted to meet state reporting requirements. The system is flexible and can be adapted to numerous scenarios.
GPS Animal Location Tracking Database. USGS. DTM personnel have been involved in an ongoing project for tracking and analyzing GPS derived locations of animals. The database has modules for importing and processing raw GPS location files and formatting them for incorporation in a Geographic Information System. The associated GIS application is linked to the database and has modules for importing, displaying and analyzing animal locations.
