Putting It On The Map
The increasing refinement and affordability of geographic information systems (GIS) is driving the technology’s penetration into the business and government sectors.
Roto-Rooter employs Gearworks’ eTrace to better manage its mobile workforce; dispatchers enter a customer’s address or ZIP code, and a map is generated showing the job site and its proximity to available Roto-Rooter technicians.
Techs are equipped with phones that display driving directions to job sites when the dispatchers assign a specific worker to a job.
Companies are also using GIS to make the most of their delivery service: UltraEx, for example, has outfitted its delivery fleet with global positioning system (GPS) receivers and wireless modems that keep track of each vehicle’s mileage and provide clients with the ability to track shipment progress.
Meanwhile, Lawrence Knafo of New York City’s Department of IT and Telecom reports that the CompStat GIS deployment, which instills policing accountability among precinct commanders, has greatly contributed to an almost 70 percent reduction in the city’s violent crime rate over the past 10 years; GIS is also being incorporated into the city’s 311 service so that callers’ addresses and cross streets can be confirmed before city workers are sent to perform nonemergency services.
Furthermore, policymakers can refine resource apportionment based on analysis of the city’s provision of services via geocoding.
Drawbacks of GIS include GPS’ inability to operate underground or inside buildings without amplification equipment. In addition, the U.S. military could decide to reduce GPS satellite accuracy so that America’s foes cannot exploit the system.
Abstracted by the National Law Enforcement and Corrections Technology Center(NLECTC) from the CIO (05/15/03) Vol. 16, No. 15, P. 114; Dragoon, Alice .
