City of Helena Public Works – ArcGIS Cloud Migration and Production Support

Overview

Geographic Communication Systems (GCS) partnered with the City of Helena, Montana Public Works Department to modernize their GIS environment. The project involved migrating ArcGIS Enterprise from aging on-premises servers to the AWS cloud, and establishing a secure, scalable foundation for daily operations including water, sewer, and meter services.

Logo of the City of Helena, Montana, featuring a water tower and the text 'City of Helena' along with 'Est. 1881' within a circular design.

This initiative ensures the City has a reliable platform that supports current needs and prepares for future growth.

The Challenge

Helena’s on-premises infrastructure limited the ability to upgrade ArcGIS Enterprise and integrate with Cityworks. System instability was affecting critical services such as water and sewer operations. The City needed a modern cloud platform with high availability, strong security, and minimal disruption during transition.

Graphic promoting ArcGIS Cloud Services with imagery of clouds, a globe, and location icons, accompanied by the text 'Unlock the full potential of cloud-based GIS with GCS'.

The Solution

GCS designed and delivered a complete cloud migration using Amazon Web Services (AWS).

Key elements included:

  • Deployment of ArcGIS Enterprise in AWS
  • Hosting the enterprise geodatabase on Amazon RDS with SQL Server and Multi-AZ redundancy
  • Migration of GIS data and existing map services with minimal downtime
  • Role-based access controls and Active Directory integration for secure authentication
  • Automated cloud backups and disaster recovery configuration

The solution provided the City with a modern, secure, and cost-efficient environment while ensuring smooth future integration with Cityworks.

Migration Process and Deliverables

  1. Cloud Hosting Assessment and Setup
    Provisioned AWS infrastructure, configured security, and delivered hosting recommendation report.
  2. ArcGIS Enterprise Deployment
    Installed and configured Portal, Server, Data Store, and Web Adaptor. Delivered a fully deployed ArcGIS Enterprise system.
  3. Data and Database Migration
    Migrated GIS database to Amazon RDS, validated consistency, and prepared environment for Cityworks installation.
  4. Testing and Backup Strategy
    Conducted load testing, optimization, and configured automated backup and disaster recovery. Delivered performance and optimization report.

Outcomes

The City of Helena now has a secure and reliable GIS platform in the cloud. With ArcGIS Enterprise deployed, services run smoothly and staff have confidence in long-term system stability. The solution lays the foundation for Cityworks integration and ensures ongoing scalability.

Why GCS?

  • Proven GIS Cloud Expertise – Over 20 years of ArcGIS Enterprise and government GIS solutions.
  • Reliable and Secure Solutions – Deep specialization in AWS, Azure, and Esri Managed Cloud Services.
  • Ongoing Partnership – Flexible support options to ensure system health and long-term value.

Phone 406-274-6694
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