I led a critical project to upgrade our Geographical Information Systems (GIS) to the latest version of ESRI's ARC software. This upgrade was essential for maintaining the accuracy and reliability of our property assessment and 911 emergency response systems.
Role and Responsibilities: As the project lead, I was responsible for:
Collaborating with the systems administrator to set up the necessary servers.
Federating the servers to ensure seamless integration and communication.
Upgrading the underlying backend systems, including SQL databases and associated websites.
Ensuring minimal downtime by working after hours and on weekends.
Coordinating with ESRI to follow the strict order of operations for the setup.
Technologies and Tools Used:
ESRI ARC software
Web server setup (IIS)
SQL Server
Licensing server setup
Server federation tools
Testing and monitoring software
Challenges and Solutions:
Critical Infrastructure: Given that the GIS system is vital for property assessment and 911 operations, any downtime had to be minimized. I scheduled the upgrade during off-hours and weekends to reduce impact and ensure continuity of services.
Strict Order of Operations: The upgrade process required following a strict sequence. I worked closely with ESRI to ensure each step was performed correctly, preventing potential issues.
Server Federation: Federating multiple servers (web, SQL, licensing) was a complex task. Through careful planning and coordination with the systems administrator, I ensured all servers were correctly federated for optimal performance and integration.
Key Outcomes:
Successful upgrade to the latest version of ESRI ARC software.
Ensured continuous operation of critical infrastructure, including 911 emergency response systems.
Improved accuracy and reliability of GIS data for property assessment and emergency services.
Enhanced system performance through upgraded backend systems and server federation.
Maintained a smooth transition with minimal downtime by working during off-hours.