GeoFile Services

GDR's core service is its Geofile service, a proprietary mapping solution and data model that provides a multi-sourced, quality controlled and custom-built street network and centerline data, combined with industry-specific data in a singular map file—a Geofile. GDR leverages the GeoServices Engine (GSE), a set of GIS scripting algorithms built by GDR that query a customer's GIS on over 30 parameters to check for errors, consistency and quality, to enable the greatest amount of accuracy and fastest delivery of GIS datasets unavailable in off-the-shelf maps.

GDR can build customer's geofiles from the ground up, or can offer enhancement services for the improvement of existing data. Whether your organization has no existing GIS data or a robust dataset, GDR's Geofile Services can help detect and fix errors or add new data layers to the file.

With Geofile Services you get:

• 1 singular map dataset file from multiple data sources
• Extreme accuracy in spatial contexts, aerial/satellite imagery, topography, geocoding hit rates, addressing ranges, routing attributes
• Quick error identification and correction
• Fast turn around
• “A la carte” GIS data layers, customized for your needs
• Quick response customer service
• Projects delivered on or before deadlines
• Public safety and Computer Aided Dispatch (CAD) experience and knowledge

Not only are the geofiles designed by GDR effective for CAD applications, the same data sets are commonly used in the below applications as well, by being shared throughout the enterprise.

• Crime Mapping
• Geocoding Solutions
• Fire and Natural Disaster Mapping
• Incident Response and Event Monitoring
• In-Vehicle Mapping/Navigation
• Airport CAD and Mapping

In addition to providing GIS services, GDR is also an ESRI Business Partner/Reseller and partners with Aerials Express and Pictometry for the delivery of aerial orthogonal and oblique imagery, and with Digital Globe for the delivery of satellite imagery.  All of GDR's data solutions can plug directly into your agency's existing map display software applications. GDR has first-hand experience working with CAD and Public Safety Mapping application providers including, but not limited to: CML, Compudyne (Tiburon), Cyrun, Intergraph, Logisys, Motorola, New World, Northrop Grumman, Plant Equipment, Positron, Spillman, the Omega Group, TriTech, Versaterm, and VisionAir. 

How Do Geofile Services Work?

Prior to the commencement of a project, GDR offers customers a Data Review (Request more information on how to obtain a data review!) of their existing geofile or GIS data, if it exists.

This Data Review is provided by running a customer's data through the application that GDR has developed. This application, the GeoServices Engine (GSE), is a proprietary piece of software and associated GIS scripting algorithms that query a customer's geofile on over 30 parameters to check for errors, consistency and quality.  The GSE will check for spatial resolution, anomalies, address range and naming convention errors, and polygon attribution, to name a few.  Once this query and subsequent statistics are produced, GDR will provide a 25-30 page executive summary of the results (with summary statistics of any errors identified), a couple of screen shots of recognized errors in the dataset (if they exist) and some recommendations for improvement on the dataset with the applicable services that GDR can provide to accomplish your agency's goals.

After GDR performs the Data Review and the project begins, GDR's Geofile Service solution will then perform any data format conversions necessary (Autodesk, Microstation, etc.) to prepare for scrubbing the addressing attributes that will eliminate errors. The Geofile Service then verifies addresses and standardizes the entire file with consistent addressing methodology and naming conventions. At this point, the geofile is commonly run and compared against the Master Street Address Guide (MSAG) to ensure that all known addresses match up and correspond to the geofile.

The most commonly requested layers that GDR provides Geofile Services for are:

• Street Centerlines with or without Routing Attributes
• Addresspoints
• Parcels
• Building Footprints
• Hydrants
• City/County Boundaries
• Police, Fire, Tow and EMS Beats
• Mile Markers/Exits/Overpasses
• Common Place Locations
• Interstates/Freeways/Highways
• Water Polygons
• Rivers
• Imagery
• Railroads

Once all identified errors have been corrected, GDR will commonly add new data layers and fix all spatial inaccuracies identified in the file.

In addition to spatial enhancements, GDR will also create new data layers such as response area polygons for Police, Fire and EMS reporting districts as well as the addition of Addresspoints.

Finally, after all services are performed, GDR offers optional Maintenance and Update plans for continual service to the customer to provide on-going assistance to keep the file up-to-date over time as changes to the street network occur.

What are the Benefits from Geofile Services?

• Reduced Response Times
• Integration with existing map layers and leveraging of current data
• Avoiding misrouting to an emergency location
• Precise, accurate address matches and dispatch
• No requirement for in-house GIS expertise.
• Reduced liability exposure
• Timeliness of data delivery with high quality standards

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