Data can be incredibly valuable; but like most things that are worth a lot, it needs to be maintained. That’s certainly true of 911 data. Ask anyone who oversees the geographic information system (GIS) data for a city, county or state, and you’ll get an earful about just how tough this can be.

People move around, as do businesses and institutions. Cities and towns grow and shrink. Boundaries and jurisdictions shift over time. It’s the job of emergency communications to stay current on these changes so that when you dial 9-1-1, first responders know where to find you as quickly as possible.

This is why Intrado created a complete suite of GIS solutions – the Geospatial Technology portfolio. The suite enables customers to maintain their 911 location data in an efficient, timely and accurate manner in real time, and better leverage that same data through a powerful map-based incident response solution.

GIS Data: A Big Problem to Solve

For many years, the public safety industry has had to update location data through a process that takes a long time, involves many steps and uses tools that aren’t integrated with one another. It’s definitely not ideal.

Agencies know that to move their organization – and by extension, their community – to NG911 and a more reliable, efficient and effective public safety system, one of their first tasks will be getting their GIS house in order.

“Though many people don’t know this, Intrado is the largest provider of GIS technology to Emergency Communications Center (ECC) in the U.S.,” says Elliott Cox, who leads geospatial technology product management at Intrado, noting the company’s long history in the safety field. “Now we’re evolving the whole process even more, making data management as smooth and efficient as possible.”

Of course, not every agency has the same needs when it comes to updating their GIS data and keeping it current over time. Similarly, resources vary; a small, rural county won’t have the same funding as a big metropolitan area.

“That’s why we created solutions for each use case,” Cox explains. “Every solution is aimed at the same end goal, which is maintaining accurate and up-to-date data, but each solution accomplishes that in a slightly way.”

From the ECC with a GIS expert on staff to those that are complete novices when it comes to location data, there’s a wide range of options.

What all Intrado’s customers have in common, though, is that they’re striving to adhere to the industry standards or Next Generation 911 (NG911) GIS data for location validation and routing. This standard defines specific GIS data layers in PSAP and response agency-mapping applications for handling and responding to 911 calls.

There are four critical parts of NG911, an ESInet (Emergency Services Internet Protocol Network), NCGS (Next-Generation Core Services), NG911 call-taking equipment and your GIS. If you already have an ESInet, there’s a good chance it’s from Intrado; Intrado powers 40% of the ESInets in the United States.

“There are definitely counties and towns that do not even have geospatial data. It’s very prevalent, more than you’d think,” says Cox. “So we start with creating data and making sure it’s accurate. And once you’ve got your data layers for your city, state or county, you’ve got to maintain it. Our customers are all across that spectrum.”

GIS Solutions that Meet You Where You’re At

Knowing that one agency’s needs may be profoundly different from another’s, Intrado created a suite of solutions that allow customers to easily get and pay only for what they need. “Regardless of size, expertise or where you’re at in your NG911 journey, we have a GIS solution,” Cox says.

Here’s an overview of the Intrado Geospatial Portfolio:

PSAP Incident Mapping

Spatial Command & Control: This browser-based map display shows real-time, highly accurate and actionable data for 911 calls. Not only can telecommunicators use Spatial Command & Control to provide first responders with exceptional situational awareness, but this technology consolidates a variety of data sources and call-handling into a single powerful display, with a single display that includes aerial and indoor map views, advanced search functionality and real time data (i.e. caller and incident locations, available responding unites, traffic information with estimated arrival times, etc.). Spatial Command & Control also works with any CAD or CPE.

GIS Data Editing Tools

Spatial Manager: Once your GIS data is cleaned and updated, it must be maintained and supported over time—that’s the role of Spatial Manager, to keep location data highly accurate. This data-editing tool is a good choice for mid-sized and large ECC with some in-house GIS expertise but who don’t want to administer the database management work and editing themselves.

Spatial Verify: Small ECC with little or no GIS staff or experience can use Spatial Verify to update their data. You simply suggest changes, which are then reviewed and made by Intrado GIS technicians.

Spatial Pro: Formerly known as Intrado MapSAG, this solution is a good choice for ECC with a GIS professional on staff (even if the call center doesn’t have an ESInet in place) including large ECC at the county or state level and coalitions. Spatial Pro gives you full control of data validation, editing and reporting features within ArcGIS Desktop.

Additional GIS Services

Spatial Engine: Intrado’s Spatial Interface is where the data magic happens. The Spatial Engine processes and prepares GIS data for industry standard compliance, aka a NG911 environment. With Spatial Engine, you can easily share your existing GIS data with Intrado and begin the process of bringing it up to the highest standard of accuracy. In short, Spatial Engine validates and provisions GIS data, which allows for the all-important process of geospatial routing of calls and data. It’s worth noting that if you’re a current Intrado customer, you likely already have Spatial Engine, as well as easy access to the full suite of Intrado’s GIS technology.

Spatial Services: If you’re a smaller ECC without a GIS professional on staff to keep your data current, you can send your updates to Intrado to make them for you. Spatial Services is a completely customizable solution to fit your specific needs.

Spatial Insight: This software uses the Spatial Command & Control interface to display data provided by Intrado’s Emergency Data Broker, which connects the dots between the Internet of Things (IoT) – meaning physical objects like smart cars, connected buildings, healthcare wearables, alarm sensors and more – and PSAPs. Spatial Insight is available at no additional cost to every Intrado customer.

Intrado: Guiding You to GIS Success

Whether at a state or local level, regardless of expertise, and no matter where you’re at in your GIS process, Intrado has a solution that can help you get where you need to go. Their experts are available to help you navigate your GIS data journey and reach a successful outcome. Visit insights.intrado.com/gis to learn more and get started!