Arc9 Migration: 12-22-2004 Update

"Arc" the Herald Angels Sing!

To help you all welcome in the New Year, we will be making our newly migrated ArcGIS 9 system available to REGIS users on a start-up basis starting Tuesday, January 4, 2005.

As you probably know, ESRI's ArcGIS 9 is the latest version of our shared REGIS software. Contracting through EMA of St. Paul, Minnesota, REGIS has been reframing data and revamping programs to offer our users the most up-to-date capabilities possible through this new version. Though we have faced many unexpected software, hardware and political challenges along the way, we are now ready to make the ArcGIS 9 environment available for your use.

What does this mean for you?

Power Users ("Tier 2" folks who use it often and for deeper analytical purposes), may be able to handle the new ArcView 9 application immediately, although additional training may be desired to become familiar with new or relocated tools.
Occasional Staff Users ("Tier 3" folks who interact for more routine office or counter service functions), should be able to utilize the new web-based application for simpler queries and viewing of data layers.
General Public Users ("Tier 4" users accessing REGIS data and tools via the Internet), will continue to use the same familiar tools that have been publicly available for the past several years, although the newly-reconfigured data has been available in this environment for the past few months.

All existing GIS data layers should be available as well as several new and updated layers, including the new 2003 digital orthophotography (aerial photos). Just a few things to keep in mind, however:

The parcel layer is currently being brought up-to-date by the good folks at Kent County PD&M, so the initial parcel data users will be using dates back to September.
Many users will likely want to be trained in the new environment, so with the expected "mad dash" for training, it is important to make sure classes have been scheduled for each department, agency or community.
Some of the old cryptic attribute table values have been replaced by their "English" translations in the new environment. This will hopefully make the system easier to use and understand.
While the existing REGIS ArcView 3.3 environment will remain available for the next few months, users need to consider which project files will either need to be converted or re-created in the new system. REGIS Agency staff is happy to work with any user or community on this process.

We want to thank all REGIS participants for your patience during this important system restructuring. It is our hope that as we proceed through even more complex political and organizational issues in the months ahead, that we will once again be able to express the real value gained by all participants through cooperation, coordination and a truly regional perspective.

Many thanks,
REGIS Staff