September 23, 2009 -- The Minnesota Department of Transportation (Mn/DOT) will spatially enable its Right-of-Way Electronic Acquisition and Land Management System (REALMS) using Applied Geographics’ (AppGeo) configurable web mapping and spatial content management software, GPV®.

The Web-based capability will enable Mn/DOT to spatially view REALMS entities, such as projects and parcels, and to track status, boundaries, and relationships associated with the data stored in the REALMS system. GPV data viewing, analysis, and reporting capabilities will be launched in context from the REALMS application, and the GPV will allow the user to return to the REALMS application to view tabular details of the currently selected feature.

REALMS was implemented in 2006 as Mn/DOT’s statewide all-inclusive work environment for supporting the acquisition, management, and disposal of transportation-related real estate. While the processes and workflows have been standardized using REALMS, there has not previously been a way to visualize the context of real estate entities in a map display.

“We selected AppGeo and the GPV for this Phase III development of the REALMS application because of the advantage that GPV gives us to adjust and respond to the evolving needs of REALMS users,” said Bob Brown, Mn/DOT Land Management. “Adding mapping to REALMS will improve its accessibility and usability. Users will have a more comprehensive view of our right of way, our acquisition activities and status. This will help with project management as well as right of way management.”

“Our GPV technology is a platform for linking a customer’s GIS and business data on the Web,” said Michael Terner, Executive Vice President of AppGeo. “While this project was initially envisioned as a custom application development project we found that the GPV was a perfect fit for Mn/DOT’s business requirement. Importantly, the GPV is designed so that our clients can complete the configuration themselves to create a variety of web viewers tied to various business systems. Once this project is complete, Mn/DOT will have the opportunity to link the GPV to additional business systems beyond REALMS.”

Joining AppGeo on this project are the Minnesota-based GIS consulting firms of Rowekamp Associates, Inc. , and Pro-West and Associates, Inc. These firms are supporting the design, data staging, technical support and training aspects of the project.

About the GPV®:
AppGeo created the GPV in response to client demand for an easy to deploy tool for linking datasets to map features for display and analysis on the Web. GPV allows the GIS or database technician or IT Staff to create highly‐functional web‐based spatial data viewing capabilities, and to connect those “viewers” directly to databases and applications. No programming is required to establish a viewer. The straight-forward process of configuring the GPV enables the client to adapt the functions and display capabilities of the GPV to diverse workflows, and to deploy the GPV in an “agile” or collaborative and iterative fashion. AppGeo is continuously refining and extending GPV functional capabilities based on the suggestions from its growing GPV user community, which includes Mn/DOT as well as universities, regional planning agencies, and municipal governments.

About Applied Geographics, Inc.
Applied Geographics, Inc. (AppGeo, www.appgeo.com) has been providing high quality GIS services and innovative solutions to government and private sector clients since 1991. AppGeo empowers its customers to put GIS to work through the intelligent use of geographic data and applications that improve work flows and business processes. AppGeo provides a full range of GIS consulting services: GIS strategic and implementation planning, data development, custom applications, training, cartography, implementation assistance and technical support. AppGeo services are available through a variety of state blanket contracts and nationwide through its GSA IT Schedule 70.