Issue link: https://read.dmtmag.com/i/29869
and had to reduce many permanent positions. Today, existing building inspectors are faced with yet another challenge: covering the county’s same 859 square miles and providing the same level of service with far fewer resources. The hurricane and economic crisis demonstrated the necessity of streamlining and automating the county’s approaches to building inspections—with GIS at the forefront. The county now is embarking on an approach built around three pillars: 1. Deploying an automated GIS-centric permitting system that integrates with the county’s existing Esri ArcGIS technology and data. 2. Incorporating geographic assignment and routing capabilities to map out jobs based on worker exper- tise, appointment time and shortest distance—and to provide optimized routes and turn-by-turn directions to inspectors who now have greater territories to cover. 3. Equipping staff with a complete mobile office in the field—including access to all department data, reports, maps and photos—to maximize efficiency and reduce return trips to the office. The GIS-infused Mobile Office product will link to the county’s backend Accela Automation enterprise software, a fully automated, Web-based system. This structure allows inspectors and other field staff, who now are covering large geographic areas, to optimize routes to conserve fuel and maximize efficiencies. The system also provides directions for inspectors covering territories that are new to them. Inspectors will be able to record, modify and share data from the inspection site, reducing time spent on office paperwork. And in the event of any future hur- ricanes or natural disasters, Charlotte County will have the tools and technology to quickly assess the dam- age, using maps to identify parcels, lot lines and owner Mobility/GPS Special Issue A P R I L 2 O 1 1 / W W W . G E O P L A C E . C O M 27