A comprehensive service provider

SpatialDev is a professional services firm focused on the delivery of spatial data and technology. We are designed as a one-stop source for spatial needs for a variety of industry sectors. While focused on technical applications and end-user delivery, SpatialDev serves the entire lifecycle from conception to implementation to sustainment. With this holistic view, we can package the right people, data, technology and approach to meet your needs.

GIS Software Development

Spatial Software Development is the focus of SpatialDev's business. Our organization, processes and tools are focused around delivering successful software development projects. Our software development capabilities are strong both on the ESRI™ platform and the OpenGeo™ platform and we often blend the two.

Our developers have extensive experience with a variety of programming frameworks, languages and APIs. Below is a representative list of our capabilities:

Enterprise GIS Design and Implementation

The individuals working at SpatialDev have broad expertise in implementing GIS server on both ESRI and OpenGeo™ platforms. Our team takes a holistic view of GIS server implementation, one that considers the fit, interface and integration requirements within the enterprise infrastructure and other relevant applications. It is a view that looks backward and forwards to both consider legacy issues and requirements as well as the best means to "future proof" the implementation such that ownership costs are minimized and product roadmaps (to the extent known) are considered.

Our approach may include the following aspects:

• Critical Delivery Competencies
  • Requirements Analysis
  • Configuration Management
  • Decision Analysis and Technology Selection
• Server Infrastructure
  • Infrastructure design, procurement, configuration and commissioning.
  • Database technology selection, installation and tuning.
  • Security Integration
• Database Implementation
  • Database modeling, design and schema implementation.
  • Extract, Transform and Load (ETL) Design and Implementation
  • SDE implementation strategy and construction

GIS Analysis

Our staff has background in analytical applications of GIS in a variety of industry sectors. We can produce innovative one-off analyses and instantiate frequently performed analytical tasks into re-usable tools delivered as extensions to COTS desktop software or via the web.

The team is familiar with both raster and vector data types, and choosing between the two to enable specific types of analyses. Beyond common geospatial operators (such as overlay, intersect, etc.) the team is expert at data and topological modeling to optimize analytical operations. The team also brings unique experience around network analysis (both in terms of transportation and water systems modeling), analytical process automation using spatial extract, transform and load (ETL) tools such as FME™, and extending analytical capabilities by utilizing external (third party) web services for common tasks such as geostatistics and geocoding.

SpatialDev is very interested in creating analytical processes and tools that are efficient, repeatable and high value. To that end, we approach frequently repeated analytical tasks programmatically and develop re-usable tools using model builder, database stored procedures, and other programming environments such as the aforementioned FME™.

In addition to core ESRI competency the team has experience with Open Source desktop tools including gvSIG, QGIS, and uDIG. We have found that these tools can be enormously valuable for quick, one-off analyses or when ESRI products are unavailable.

Spatial Database Design & Implementation

Our approach to database design is to strive for simplicity and performance. The database design should be recognizable to the users it is intended to serve, meaning that the "nouns" in the database should be described with terms that are used in the business and should not require a dictionary or thesaurus to decode. Our team often uses modeling tools to assist with design. For us, this is typically VISIO™ or OmniGraffle™. We find that visually modeling the database speeds up the design process and helps to quickly validate the design. These models are both used to create the database (sometimes in an automated fashion) and as living documents to reflect tweaks and extensions made during the maintenance process.

Databases exist to support the work of an organization. They should be unobtrusive and just plain perform. Our approach to maintenance is to keep quality and performance at the forefront. This may mean compromising an elegantly conceived schema or inserting approaches that might break conventions but allow the database to scale and improve overall performance. While we are always willing to consider structural revisions in database maintenance, we make sure that the typical measures such as tuning and indexing are enlisted as well.

Mobile

We consider multiple mobile form factors when designing our software. We develop both in HTML5 and to native iOS and Android platforms. Our intent is to bring a consistent experience to the end user whether they are sitting at desk or tromping around in a field with their mobile. To fully realize this, we design with touch-interaction in mind, not as an afterthought. Every one of our web projects translates well to the tablet form factor and our apps targeted for the smart phone perform well by simply enabling core functions.

User Experience Design

The SpatialDev Team includes an Interactive Art Director (IAD) who provides UI/UX design on each of our projects. Our IAD has extensive experience in all aspects of visual communication. She manages all creative needs of a project from graphic design to information architecture to user experience design to product marketing and launch strategy. She works flexibly with a variety of software and visual tools including the Adobe Creative Suite, design comps (wireframes, mock-ups) and many other tips and tricks that give clients a result that stands out and provides them advantage. In addition, we create functional prototypes to support usability testing.

Program and Project Management

Our project managers are versed in the PMBOK and have received extensive training on the CH2M HILL Project Delivery System. In addition, our team uses AGILE methodology for IT project delivery and has been trained by Construx Corporation on techniques specific to AGILE and successful IT projects. Our preference is for the SCRUM flavor of AGILE.

Some of the tools we use to manage projects effectively and maintain visibility for our clients are:

• Project Chartering
• Top Ten Risks List
• Division of Responsibility Matrices
• Communications Plan
• Detailed Project Planning
  • Work breakdown structures
  • Resource loaded schedules
  • Clearly defined deliverables and acceptance criteria

We often find ourselves managing distributed and co-located project teams. We have selected a standard toolset for our business designed to empower the team wherever they sit and enable effective collaboration over space. The graphic below illustrates our standard suite of project management and collaboration tools.

Strategic Assistance

Our approach to Strategic Planning ensures that it doesn't occur in a vacuum, detached from the larger mission, goals, objectives and values of the organization. The approach is adaptable. Whether the plan needs to be exceptionally visionary or strongly grounded in pragmatism or somewhere in between, the plan needs to be usable and attainable. That is what we deliver.

The ultimate purpose of an IT strategic plan is to determine how IT should be used in support of an enterprise's mission, vision, goals, and objectives. Other benefits of the IT strategic planning process include establishing a path forward and priorities for the use of IT and creating an organization-wide understanding of IT challenges and initiatives.

The approach is rooted in a strong baseline of existing information on the data, applications, infrastructure and organization the plan seeks to address. It acknowledges that the organization holds the experts and tribal knowledge to inform an accurate baseline and balances these sources with the value of an outside perspective a consultant can bring.

Our approach provides a business-focused roadmap for IT investment over the planning horizon. Building consensus among the IT department's customers and stakeholders is a special focus of the approach. Major activities involved in the approach include the following:

• Documentation and cataloging of existing applications that are core to the business
• Identification of gaps and opportunities that represent needs and potential projects
• Identification of critical strategic themes that provide a project prioritization framework
• Development of a Strategic Plan that presents a synthesis of recommendations
• Assessment of the IT infrastructure and development of the Infrastructure Plan

Our approach utilizes decision models to align the IT function with the organization's overall mission, goals and objectives. Through interviews with leadership and staff, we are able to identify changes and projects that would improve the organization's ability to support priorities, focus on primary IT activities in support of other functions, manage IT resources effectively and efficiently, and ultimately provide improved customer service.