Widseth Blog

THE CITY SERIES: How Well Do You Know Your Assets?

Written by Mark Reineke, CMS, GISP - Geographer, GIS Analyst | Jun 25, 2019 5:30:00 PM

Your city has thousands of assets – roads, storm sewers, manhole covers, park benches, and much more. Keeping track of your city’s myriad resources and key information for each, such as its location, condition, and expected useful life, can be daunting. What process are you currently using to manage and efficiently maintain your assets?

Geographic Information Systems (GIS) is the answer for more and more cities of all sizes. Read through the Five A’s of GIS to learn how this technology could benefit your city.

Assets: If you can see it, touch it, or use it, we can map it. Some examples of assets include street signs, sidewalks, ADA ramps, and even garbage cans. A GIS database allows you to organzie all your assets in one place.

Acquisition: WSN can acquire a wide range of information about your assets, or we can show you how to collect your own data. Acquiring the right information is critical to establishing a solid database.

Access: Whether you’re in the office, at a meeting, or in the field, you and your staff will have complete access to YOUR GIS.

Answers: Make informed decisions quickly with easily accessible data. A GIS will save you time, money, and increase your efficiency.

Affordable: You don’t need an expensive, complicated software package to access your GIS data. Many affordable options are available and can be used by anyone who knows how to navigate an internet browser!

Geospatial data infused with key attributes can help you locate signs, find addresses along a damaged utility, organize and track work orders, or even develop a Capital Improvement Plan. Every successful asset management program is directly tied to quality data, and the best way to organize that data is with a Geographic Information System.