The following are some of the projects and activities undertaken by Spatial Data Systems Consulting and its associates:

Municipal Related

• GIS/LIS Municipal Management Action Plan
  The design, structuring, and preparation of the Initial Management Action Plan to allow the Town of Slave Lake to undertake Geographic or Land Information Systems activities. The intent was to provide a management and technical plan that would allow the client to undertake and implement a GIS program, taking into account provincial government activities, minimizing cost and risk.

• Project for Address Coordination in Edmonton (PACE+)
  Project Analysis using formal methodology -- investigation of current system and users; definition of system context, objectives, and concepts; formal data modeling of spatial data; formal process modeling; system alternatives; costs; recommendations; schedules. CASE tools were used. Primary concept is of addresses as a database verification and cross-reference tool, geocoding mechanism, and street topology linkage device. Municipal addresses form one important component of a municipality's overall Land Information System.

• Systems analysis, design, and implementation for the City of Edmonton Geographic Based Information System (GBIS) Project. This project involves computerized cadastral and utility mapping.

Provincial and National Systems

• Cadastral Intelligent Data System (CIDS)
  Evaluation, conceptual design, and subsequent report of digital mapping alternatives incorporating map topology to allow GIS or structured information capability within the Land Related Information System (LRIS) Alberta Bureau of Surveying and Mapping. Formal project methodology was used.

• Geographic Map Standards
  Enhancement to Cadastral Intelligent Data System (CIDS) -- design and development of geographic standards and automatic text placement standards and specifications for map topology purposes (Alberta Bureau of Surveys and Mapping).

• B.C. Aboriginal Affairs Data Management Project: Broad scope data management/architecture project for British Columbia Ministry of Aboriginal Affairs.

• Singapore Land Data Project
  Advisor to the Government of the Republic of Singapore/United Nations Development Programme. This project involved the preparation of a review of interim progress on the Land Data Network previously installed as well as proposals for further system development. This was follow-up to our project that defined and implemented a comprehensive land data sharing system coordinating the efforts and technologies of a broad range of government agencies with responsibilities for various land and land related data in the Republic. Assessment led to the acquisition and implementation of an Intergraph GIS system and Informix database.

• Government of Jamaica National Land Information System
  This project entailed working with a broad spectrum of the Jamaican Civil Service to prepare a strategy for the development of a national land information system as well as recommendations for implementation. Needs assessment led to the acquisition of ESRI GIS software with Oracle database.

Natural Resources

• Land Suitability Rating System
  Evaluation and recommendations for GIS processing of soils information to produce and Land Suitability Ratings coverage for the white area of Alberta. Consideration for internet delivery of data.

• Agricultural Region of Alberta Soil Inventory Database (AGRASID) data distribution project. Feasibility study to determine alternatives (including Internet based) for distribution of Alberta Soils map and attribute information to the public and subsequent Implementation project. Project involved functional analysis, requirements, technology recommendations; data conversions and database design; CD-ROM solution involved ESRI MapObjects and Delphi development environment. Coordination and liaison with multiple clients and staff. Project prepared for Alberta Agriculture and Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada.

• GIS component of environmental impact study for BHP Mining. Analyze, design, develop, implement GIS-related system to be used for Traditional Ecological/Environmental Knowledge (TEK) component of environmental impact statement by BHP for Lac La Gras diamond mine venture in the North West Territories. Technology involved various vendor systems and data sources.

• GIS and Archaeology. External review of GIS User Needs Assessment for Archaeology Section, Alberta Culture. ESRI ArcInfo mapping and GIS product was used in the initial assessment project prototype.

• GIS Land Use Information System -- modeling and analysis. Project to determine recreation suitability for the white areas of Alberta. Involved digital map data extraction and integration from numerous government agencies; the use and integration of multiple GIS systems: a raster-based GIS and a vector-based GIS's. Activities included system management, system design, and software design (Terrain Sciences, Alberta Research Council; Forestry, Lands and Wildlife). Technology involved Compugrid, ESRI ArcInfo, and GeoBased Strings.

• System architecture and design specification. Geo-spatial computerized Weather Radar Image System: system architecture and design specification - study, conceptual architecture and design. (Atmospheric Sciences, Alberta Research Council). Technology involved proprietary in-house system.

• Digital Automated Mapping and GIS project for gas pipeline utility purposes. Design and implementation of a digital mapping and information system. Included the design and specification of both computer and manual processes. Technology involved Intergraph based mapping and database software. Project involved the training, management, and supervision of several staff members (Gas Distribution Branch, Utilities and Telecommunications).

• Data Visualization System. Conceptual design and subsequent implementation of a computer data visualization system for oil sands modeling and data display using colour animation. Allowed for real-time visualization of modeled and sampled spatial data (Oil Sands Technology).

First Nations

Many activities related to GIS and First Nations. 

• First Nations GIS-Based Asset Management System.
  Western Cree Tribal Council GIS-based Asset Management System - evaluation and design. Business function evaluation, recommendations, and preliminary design for a GIS-based system to store and manage assets. Special consideration for diverse data sets and Internet-based delivery of data.

• BC Aboriginal Affairs Strategic Information Project.
  Strategic information project for British Columbia Ministry of Aboriginal Affairs. Strategic plan stressing business functions for the Information Provision Branch of the Ministry of Aboriginal Affairs.

• GIS-based analysis of traditional knowledge. Used successfully as legal support by Yellowknifes Dene.

• GIS-based analysis and mapping used for boundary negotiations by Dehcho First Nations and Wrigley Dene Band.

• GIS-based analysis and mapping used to produce educational and training materials for Dogrib Tribal Council.

• Mapping assistance and data conversion and provision to Sahtu Renewable Resources Board and Gwich'n Renewable Resources Board to be used for environmental planning.

• Technical evaluation and recommendations for Land Information System with emphasis on Native concerns and resources (Dene/Metis Negotiations Secretariat, N.W.T.).

• GIS consultation to All-Nations Services. Consulting business specializing in, and extensive experience with, First Nations issues.

GIS Technology, Software Architecture and Development

• Spatial Data Management and Architecture
  Ministry of Aboriginal Affairs Data Management Project (referenced above) involved significant review, analysis,  and evaluation of Ministry data handling and architecture. This project was driven by business function analysis. Project involved:
  • project scoping and background
  • business overview and analysis
  • analysis of data sources, types, and data management practices
  • issues identifications workshops
  • solutions identification workshops
  • analysis and options
  • recommendations and implementation plan

• Decision Support Systems
  • Department of Fisheries and Oceans (DFO) GIS-based Herring modeling and decision support system. Assist in design and implementation of fish modeling/decision support system. Technology involved raster-based GIS; various data sources and data types; custom functionality implemented using C/C++ development tools.
  • LSRS 2.2 -- Land Suitability Rating System - implementation of complex suitability model incorporating crop characteristics, soil information, and climatic information.

• GIS/Spatial Data - manipulation/standards
  • Involvement/participation with Canadian General Standards Board - National Geomatics Standards Technical Working Committee dealing with GIS data exchange (feature identification, geometry, and topology).
  • Organizing and chairing MACDIF (Map And Chart Data Interchange Format) data exchange workshop (participants from across Canada).
  • Participation in national geomatics data exchange workshops and seminars.
  • Technical studies and evaluation of GIS data exchange formats, practices, and standards.
  • Extensive work involving digital map data processing and data exchange using various systems in various environments.

• GIS Technology
  • Research and report of current GIS technology: the vendors and suppliers of GIS, GIS functional characteristics, GIS user profiles, and study of user applications (Alberta Research Council).
  • Evaluation of various systems for GIS and mapping purposes.

Internet/Web Development and Information Delivery

• Alberta Agriculture (the following were developed using ESRI's ArcIMS and Moximedia's IMF)
  • web-based delivery of soil information (AGRASID).
  • web-based decision support for crop suitability (large number of crops over a large geographic area).

• British Columbia Soil Information Project (BCSIP).
  Design and implementation of Internet based distribution of soils data; both map based and non-map based for the B.C. Ministry of Agriculture.

Educational/Instructional

• Various presentations at workshops, seminars, and conferences.

• Instruction of GIS principles and concepts for URISA (Urban & Regional Information Systems Association).

• Design, preparation, and delivery of courses for Department of Computing Science, University of Alberta.