Mayor George Ferguson and Jim Wickson, president, Intergraph Canada, recently announced a partnership between the City of Abbotsford and Intergraph Mapping and GIS Solutions that will substantially enhance city services on the Internet. Using Intergraph's 'GeoMedia' WebMap technology, an immense database of geographic information is being made available to Abbotsford citizens and customers seven days a week, 24 hours per day, over the Internet.

Mayor Ferguson stated, "Abbotsford's e-government strategy will alter the way we deliver city services in the future. Our e-government goals are clear: create a user-friendly, interactive website; use leading-edge services and business applications GeoMedia WebMap technology; provide enhanced city services for citizens and customers; and position Abbotsford as an attractive, high quality place to live and do business. Clearly our partnership with Intergraph, and the implementation of their Web mapping technology, will help us achieve these goals."

"We applaud the City of Abbotsford for their vision and commitment to improving customer service and the quality of life for citizens," said Jim Wickson, president, Intergraph Canada. "Web mapping technology such as GeoMedia WebMap is modernising how city government communicates and shares critical data with employees, customers, and citizens. We look forward to continuing this partnership in support of the city's e-government initiative."

Web facilitates information access

City staff worked closely with Intergraph to customise an attractive, easy-to-use mapping interface for the city's website. Using a Web browser, customers can read or download mapping information about a particular property or area of the city. Features important to the development industry, such as land use and zoning, city utility services, contours, and aerial photos, will also be available. Local citizens can also benefit from the new website. They will have access to basic parcel information such as street addresses, plan numbers, and zoning. They will also have the functionality to search for the location of parks, schools, and facilities.

"The development of our Web mapping product was approached with the end user in mind," said Vic Morcom, manager of Information Services (Abbotsford). "Initial feedback from industry focus groups indicates that electronic access to key City information will save our customers time and money and reduce the demands on our staff. We foresee customer service and staff productivity substantially improving as a result."

Integraph Systems Southern Africa

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