Services We Provide
Collaborative tools, business GIS applications, community mapping, and geographic analysis and products are our primary services. We also provide geodatabase design and modelling, data conversion, web mapping services, and 2D and 3D spatial analysis.
Free Computer Mapping Tools
As part of our collaborative GIS toolbox, we encourage clients and citizens to make use of the many free computer mapping tools. THere are some excellent programs out there that are available for non-commercial personal use. In the list below we cover some of the bettter ones that we recommend. There are two major categories of these mapping programs:
Desktop mapping software
This software is downloaded and installed locally and runs on your Windows based personal computer. Examples below include ArcGIS Explorer from ESRI, and Google Earth from Google. Other examples not mentioned include a free ESRI mapping applicatoin and Business Analyst Online, both are apps that run on Iphones and Ipads. ArcGIS Explorer can work with data on your local hard drive in many formats, and Google Earth wil work with local data but in fewer formats. Both benefit from an Internet connection but can run without one.
Web browser based mapping software- These mapping software packages run entirely within a common web browser such as Internet Explorer, Firefox, Chrome, etc. You need an Internet connection to run them. There is typically no software to install locally, with the exception that you sometimes have to install add on programs for your browser. An example would be mapping applicatoins that require additional Adobe that are not part of your browser by default, like a flash viewer or flex, or Microsfoft Silverlight. Normally the mapping application notifies you of that you need and where to go to download it.
- The other major distinction between web browser based mapping programs is some are general mapping programs that have some flexibility to add additional map layers (for instance the web version of ArcGIS Explorer). The other category are those that are dedicated to a single purpose such as providing property datta, wildlife data, water rights, etc. These are built by government agencies, unversities, and private companies. In most cases all the data used in any web browser mapping program resides on servers elsewhere in the world and not on your local coputer or smartphone device. Another way to say that is the data resides "on the cloud", or is a "cloud based service"
With ArcGIS Explorer Online, you can easily explore, visualize, and share GIS information. Use it to directly access basemaps and other content. You can even use it to create an interactive slideshow.
ArcGIS Explorer Online is a free online application that has a similar look and feel to the downloadable ArcGIS Explorer Desktop. It also has some of the same capabilities. ArcGIS Explorer runs in a browser and is built using Microsoft Silverlight.
http://explorer.arcgis.com/
ArcGIS Explorer Desktop
ArcGIS Explorer Desktop is a free GIS viewer that gives you an easy way to explore, visualize, and share GIS information. ArcGIS Explorer adds value to any GIS because it helps you deliver your authoritative data to a broad audience.
With ArcGIS Explorer, you can:
Access ready-to-use ArcGIS Online basemaps and layers.
Fuse your local data with map services to create custom maps.
Add photos, reports, videos, and other information to your maps.
Perform spatial analysis (e.g., visibility, modeling, proximity search).
Download and Install on your PC: http://www.esri.com/software/arcgis/explorer/download.html
Tutorial for ArcGISExplorer - ArcGIS Explorer Quick Start Tutorial. Check out the description at http://training.esri.com/acb2000/showdetl.cfm?DID=6&Product_ID=961
Introduction to ArcGIS Explorer - Introduction to ArcGIS Explorer Online. Check out the description at http://training.esri.com/acb2000/showdetl.cfm?DID=6&Product_ID=973
Google Earth
Zoom from space to street level — tour the world
Find maps, driving directions, hotels, restaurants, and more
Free Download Google Earth 6
http://www.google.com/earth/index.html
Montana Department of Commerce Broadband Mapping Project
Interactive Broadband Mapping Application
Check Broadband Availability by Address
Test Your Broadband Speed
http://www.mtbroadband.org
Montana Fish Wildlife and Parks CAPS Project
http://fwp.mt.gov/wildthings/conservationInAction/crucialAreas.html
Montana State Library Interactive Maps
Geodata Wiki
Geodata maintains a corporate wiki site hosted with Socialtext.net, one of the world leaders in enterprise scaled wiki software. Several of the wiki sites on this page require a user name and password to access. These were set up with individual clients to facilitate the management of a given project. What is a wiki? A wiki is, in essence, a web site that can be edited by its users. We use it with groups and with invividual clients to facilitate collaboration on project work. These often serve as a group notebook that all team members can access and read or update. We also have combined the wiki software with web mapping software to create a "mashup" with the ability for users to comment and contribute. It provides a living project archive that we and our clients contribute to and revisit in future projects. If you would like a demonstration of how we use wiki software, let us know and we would be glad to arrange a demonstration. Read more ... Geodata WebEx
Geodata makes significant use of WebEx Meeting Center to support client project work, training and webinar support. We can instantly communicate with clients, conduct GIS enabled WebEx sessions and conference calls, provide demonstrations and interactive GIS sessions with clients anywhere in the world in groups of up to 25 at a time. Read more ...
Custom Business Data Reports
We can develop custom demographic and business reports and maps for any location or standard geographic area in the United States, as well as custom areas of interest such as all customers within a 30 minute drive of my store. We also resell ESRI Business Analyst Online annual subscriptions for clients that are interested in generating their own demographic and economic business reports.