New License Agreement Helps Small Governments Deploy Enterprise-wide GIS with Ease

Small governments in the United States range greatly in size, organizational structure, and resources. Some employ very few people who wear many hats, while others have a wide range of well-staffed departments to provide services to citizens.

With ArcGIS software and LGdispatch, a computer-aided dispatch mapping interface from Esri business partner Geographic Technologies Group, emergency responders in St. Mary's County, Maryland can quickly see the location of an emergency and the closest available unit that can respond.

But despite the differences, these city and county governments—most serving fewer than 100,000 people—constantly face budget constraints, with employees working hard to make resources go as far as possible.

In these environments, software requests typically fall to the bottom of priority lists. Ironically, it is this software that can help government do more with less. Government employees end up waiting a long time to receive the software they need to do their jobs more effectively.

To help governments get the GIS technology they need, Esri has launched the Small Municipal and County Government Enterprise License Agreement (ELA) Program. This new licensing program allows unlimited deployments of Esri ArcGIS software to municipalities and counties in the United States with populations of 100,000 or less including those that are not currently Esri customers. With this agreement, governments won't have to pay for each seat of software. Instead they can deliver the power of GIS to employees throughout the enterprise at one time. The program provides access to Esri's latest software releases with a straightforward, three-tiered pricing schedule based on population figures.

"The ability to deploy GIS technology to any worker in an organization will enable a small government to achieve an organization-wide GIS at a much faster rate," said Jack Dangermond, Esri president. "We are pleased to do our part to help municipal and county governments develop GIS that can save them time and money, make them more efficient, and advance their missions."

ArcGIS software is a complete system to author, serve, and use geographic information. The technology gets geographic information to those who need it including analysts, decision makers, field staff, and the public. Updated versions of ArcGIS software provide a consistent platform across an organization and can be deployed to desktops, servers, and mobile devices.

"Small governments now have a way to deliver this valuable technology throughout the enterprise, which improves operational efficiency and service," said Christopher Thomas, Esri Government Industry Solutions manager. "Instead of concentrating resources on securing GIS software, a government can rapidly access the GIS tools it requires to develop a robust GIS foundation and focus its energy on implementing departmental and discipline-specific solutions. This also eliminates the need to make tough decisions about whether it can incorporate new GIS technology such as GIS server-based software."

Small governments that take advantage of this program will be able to improve GIS and IT consolidation initiatives, establish internal standards, and integrate Esri business partner solutions. Incorporating GIS into mission-critical applications and workflows will give staff throughout the enterprise the geographic advantage they need for better problem solving. GIS technology also strengthens communication and data sharing within an organization and with other jurisdictions, especially in the emergency management arena. Additionally, GIS helps governments secure accurate demographic, voter registration, and street centerline data.

For details about the program, contact your Esri United States regional office (more information is available at www.esri.com/usalocations), or call 800-447-9778.