Data Conversion: We Have Come a Long Way and There Is More to Go

In the past year, there has been an elevation of data conversion RFPs and resulting contracts in the streets. Two factors contribute to this surge:

1. GIS users have matured and come to the realization that the data they have been using are not so good after all
2. Due to storm water and 911 applications, there is now revenue to be generated by jumping on the GIS bandwagon.

The new data conversion proposals/contracts, in general, are in a triangle form. The organization receiving data, the data conversion company, and a third, either a GIS/engineering consulting or a auality control/quality assessment company. The authors represent two corners of this triangleÑthe receiving organization and the consulting firm. The paper will provide a summary of experiences from clients addressing the first factor (i.e., owners of "not so good" data) to the number two group, as well as reviewing items that should be addressed in an RFP to improve the existing database or creating a new database. The paper will discuss three of our clients that are in various levels of the data conversion process, identifying the pressures to both provide the data and also to maintain standards for the database being developed.

Marina Havan-Orumieh
PlanGraphics, Inc.
1300 Spring St., Suite 306
Silver Spring, MD 20910
Telephone: 301-588-8535
Fax: 301-588-5979

Jim Cannistra
PlanGraphics, Inc.
1300 Spring St., Suite 306
Silver Spring, MD 20910
Telephone: 301-588-8535
Fax: 301-588-5979