The GIS Consortium is an organization of Chicago-area communities unified by a common goal: to share resources, information, staffing, and technology so that municipalities can optimize the value of geographic information systems (GIS).
GIS helps communities automate and improve local government business processes, from mapping incidents to supporting infrastructure systems and projects. GIS is a visualization technology that integrates information, uncovers complex information relationships, and supports local government decision-making. GIS results in better understanding, more effective communications, and greater operational efficiencies.
The GIS Consortium creates value for its members by identifying opportunities for minimizing cost and risk. Members do not pay annual dues, but apply their entire GIS investment directly to solutions. All intellectual property developed by the GIS Consortium belongs to its members.
The GIS Consortium is a proven solution for communities who are increasingly being challenged to do more with less. Its collaborative approach reduces costs while improving public services.
To reduce the cost and risk of GIS for small- and medium-sized communities.
To create value for our membership through collaboration, sharing, and smart solutions.
In 1994, the City of Highland Park formed a GIS program based on an in-house staffing approach. Although the system achieved its early objectives, staff attrition and stagnation put the program in jeopardy.
In 1998, Municipal GIS Partners, Inc. (MGP) founder Thomas Thomey introduced a staffing concept to David Limardi, City Manager of Highland Park. This model was based on a shared-staffing approach that would provide multiple communities access to the necessary professional resources without the full-time cost. By combining staffing, communities could target their investment on data, solutions, and staff development.
The community member owns its own data.
Who owns the software applications?
Software developed for the GIS Consortium, or its community members, is owned by all member communities.
How many people does the GIS Consortium have on staff?
How often are the service providers evaluated?
All service providers are evaluated annually by the GIS Consortium Board to ensure they are offering the best value the market has to offer.
How large does the GIS Consortium plan to become?
The model was built to scale so that every additional member accrues value to the existing members. We continue to see value by continually dividing up the pie.
Each member community has one vote, regardless of their population, geographic size, or membership date. Each community owns its data and has equal rights to intellectual property. Data sharing among members is encouraged to facilitate greater efficiencies, better business processes, and mutual aid support.