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GIS Innovation Stories

Description Efficiency/Saving
GIS Department Training

By conducting custom training in-house with the GIS Department staff, in the Information Resources Department computer training facilities.

Savings of $ 7,000 per training week.

End User GIS Training

Train the trainer approach for end-user GIS training courses.

Total Savings $ 6,500/day.

HP Color Laser Printer Savings of $ 3.70 per copy.
Digital Orthophoto

1.) Digital Contours (result of digital orthophoto), original cost was 14k to create.

The digital contours were used in 5 capital projects:

- Bear Creek Corridor

- ASP East

- ASP West

- Storm Master Plan

- Snow Storage Facility Project

Total cost based on project usage if a consultant was to collect data = $62k+.

 

2.) Digital Orthophotos, original cost was 72k to create.

The digital orthophotos have been used in the following capital/operating projects:

- Parks Master Plan

- ASP East

- ASP West

- Transportation Master Plan

- Bear Creek Corridor

- Cemetary Expansion

- Visitor Centre 2000

- Soccer Facility Project

- Storm Master Plan

- Snow Storage Facility

- 68 Avenue Extension Project

Total cost based on project usage if a consultant was to collect data = $95k+.

 

These are only hard costs, there are many soft costs that could be demonstrated by the individual business units, that are a result of efficiencies within their jobs.

 

In addition, data collection projects such as the digitizing of building footprints could not have realized the same cost benefits, if this orthophoto product was not available.

 

Total value of data for indicated projects to-date = $157k+.

Total cost of data acquisition = $86k.

Total savings to City = 71k + 100% ROI on original data costs. ($86k).

Copier/Scanner Hardware $ 650.00 savings for the Development Services Department, per sign, by in-house printing of site specific signs related to public notices and information on Development issues.

Videoconferencing Technology

 

(Conducting Remote Employment Interviews)

Below is a comparison of costs that were realized for one-hour interviews, and the airfares are based on a 3 day advance purchase, and not staying overnight.  Taxes are not included in any of the quotations.

 

Grande Prairie to Edmonton, AB:

- Videoconferencing costs = $ 375.48

- Return airfare (expenses not included) = $ 521.00

Savings of $ 145.52, not including expenses.

 

Grande Prairie to Revelstoke, BC:

- Videoconferencing costs = $341.99

- Return airfare (expenses not included) = $ 1,353.00

Savings of $ 1,011.01, not including expenses.

 

Grande Prairie to Yellowknife, NWT:

- Videoconferencing costs = $516.05

- Return airfare (expenses not included) = $ 1,319.00

Savings of $ 802.95, not including expenses.

Employment Advertising

The cost to advertise in the newspapers is extremely expensive, so we submit a "condensed" version of the posting to the newspapers and within this version, is a pointer to the City's Employment Opportunities Web page (URL).

 

The cost savings for taking this route are:

Paper Name        Full Size Ad Cost Condensed Ad Cost Saving

DHT                       $    385.54             $   274.88

Calgary Herald        $ 3,360.00             $ 2,016.00

Edmonton Journal   $ 2,217.60              $   902.29

AUMA                    FREE                      FREE

(Fax Distribution)

Total Cost              $ 5,963.14              $ 3,193.17             $ 2 ,769.97