Client: Montana Department of Administration, Architecture & Engineering Division (A&E)
Sector: State Government / Facilities Management
Services: ArcGIS Pro, Experience Builder, Geodatabase Design, Spatial Analysis, Workflow Automation
Project Overview
The Montana Department of Administration (DOA), Architecture & Engineering Division (A&E), partnered with GCS to modernize its statewide inventory of insured buildings. The goal was to develop a scalable, GIS-based system aligned with Montana Spatial Data Infrastructure (MSDI) standards to support data verification, spatial analysis, and long-term facility management.
Scope of Work
GCS delivered a comprehensive, Esri-based solution using an iterative approach centered around geospatial integrity and stakeholder collaboration:
Geospatial Database Design & Geocoding:
GCS developed an MSDI-compliant geodatabase using building asset data from the Risk Management & Tort Defense Division (RMTD). A full geocoding process was executed in ArcGIS Pro to spatially locate all state-owned buildings.
Footprint Identification Using Existing Data Layers:
Using the Montana State Library’s lidar-derived building footprints as the primary source—and augmenting with Overture data where lidar was unavailable—GCS identified buildings corresponding to geocoded locations.
Experience Builder for Validation:
A customized ArcGIS Experience Builder app enabled manual review and correction of unresolved cases by A&E staff. This included:
- Identifying geocoded points with no associated building footprint.
- Resolving one-to-many conflicts where multiple points fell within a single building.
- General validation and data cleanup.
Automated Workflow Support:
A custom geoprocessing tool streamlined data updates for the Experience Builder app, allowing for ongoing corrections and efficient data management.
Training, Documentation & Support:
GCS provided training and documentation to support adoption and empower A&E staff to maintain the system over time.
Outcome
The project delivered a robust building inventory modernization solution that supports:
- Centralized geospatial management of insured buildings,
- Accurate spatial validation of facility records,
- Scalable workflows that support future integration of leased assets and additional datasets.
By eliminating unnecessary field collection efforts and focusing on intelligent spatial analysis and user-driven QA/QC, GCS helped A&E achieve greater efficiency and long-term sustainability.
Why GCS
With more than two decades of experience delivering ArcGIS-based solutions across Montana, GCS brought deep technical knowledge and standards expertise to this engagement. Past successes like the Montana Control Point Database and the Montana Administrative Boundaries Automation (MABA) project underscore GCS’s commitment to MSDI alignment and practical geospatial innovation.
As an Esri Gold Partner and Esri Cornerstone Partner, GCS remains a trusted contributor to Montana’s digital government transformation—delivering high-impact, standards-aligned geospatial solutions that empower state agencies with smarter, spatially driven decision-making.
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