[CANUFNET] FW: In-house Tree Management Databases and Big Cities

[Sherry Boerefyn]

Hi Meagan,

Here's an answer from The City of Edmonton.

1) We use a program called GEO Media to input data onto the City's spacial
map. GEO Media is similar to ArcView. We are just starting to use Davey
Tree Keeper as well as a work management tool.

2) GEO Media and Davey Tree Keeper were both developed by outside, but were
customized by or IT Department.

3) The attributes collected are customizable. We collect Species, location
DBH and other things last pruned date, date planted and near by utilities.
You can customize both programs to suite your needs.

4) Both programs use spatial maps and we add our aerial photos. We use
these photos to populate the tree location. We find that works as well as
GPS.

5) Our data is accessible to all GEO Media users in the city, but 311 is
not a user. It could be accessed on our Open Data site by anyone, including
the public.

6) Geo Media is accessed in the field by the Tree Inventory staff. Davey
Tree Keeper can be accessed by all City staff with wifi and a login to our
page. The Inventory team prefers a laptop and others use tablets like iPad.

7) No GPS. But you can use it for populating data if you like with GEO
Media.

8) Our IT department is responsible for all things GEO Media in Edmonton.
The areas using the program train their users. We are mandated to load all
data onto a SLIM map. We all have read access to each other's data. Davey
Tree Keeper IT dept. worked with ours to mesh up the attributes.

9) Over the past 3 years we have sometimes struggled to get our projects
done with the huge volume of work our IT dept. handles. Sometimes, what
they wanted to charge us was outside our tiny Forestry budget. But
generally out IT people work hard to get us what we need. Davey Tree Keeper
staff are very available.

The reason we are using 2 systems (data is synced each night) is for their
different abilities. GEO Media has the ability to run multiple queries of
data at the same time and you can create maps on it. Davey is more of a
work management system. They also have a new app that looks promising for
field staff.

Hope that helps.








On Mon, Apr 28, 2014 at 7:32 AM, Jeannette Wheeler <
jeannette.wheeler at edmonton.ca> wrote:

> Hi Sherry,
>
> Hope you had a good weekend, can you respond back on.
>
> Thank you
>
> Jenny Wheeler P.Biol.
> Principal of Forestry
> ISA Certified Municipal Arborist
> 780-442-0224
>
> *We Do As We Say*
>
>
>
> ---------- Forwarded message ----------
> From: Meagan Hanna, Miss <meagan.hanna at mail.mcgill.ca>
> Date: Sat, Apr 26, 2014 at 11:29 AM
> Subject: [CANUFNET] FW: In-house Tree Management Databases and Big Cities
> To: "CANUFNET at list.web.net" <CANUFNET at list.web.net>
>
>
>
>   Greetings all,
>
>  I see that Jessica Tivy had recently put out a question on tree
> inventory technology and trends in Canada. I actually have a similar
> inquiry of my own. In fact, I have a set of precise questions about tree
> inventories in large Canadian (and American, for any neighbours on the
> line) cities. I am hoping to touch base with a few
> municipal practitioners with the goal of obtaining more information on how
> large cities manage their trees.
>
>  To be brief, I would like to draw some comparisons between the City of
> Montreal's in-house, Oracle system and tree databases from other big
> cities. To achieve this, I am interested in discussing specific programs
> with you. I am on the look-out for resource people who wouldn't mind
> offering some time for an email or telephone call.
>
>  If you're feeling generous, you may contact me directly by email at
> meagan.hanna at mail.mcgill.ca. Alternatively, if you feel some of this info
> could be useful for all, feel free to share your comments with the group.
>
>  My questions are as follows :
>
>  1) What platform/system does your city use to manage its trees?
>
>  2) Is your city's tree database managed through an in-house program or
> through software developed by an external company or organization?
>
>  3) Does this program cover location, species, size class and other
> characteristics only or do you use it to manage your work orders, services
> requests and summaries of activities as well?
>
>  4)  Is there a geo-spatial component too? (ex: can you position and view
> your city's trees on a spatial database/computer-based map)?
>
>  5) Is your tree inventory kept in a stand alone program or is this
> information integrated with other programs such as your city's mapping
> data, asset management system or work management system (311 call log,
> service request follow-up etc.) ? Basically, does your tree database
> interface with other programs or is it independent from all?
>
>  6) Do your city's inspectors, arborists or foresters have access to the
> database while in the field through a portable computer, tablet or other
> device? If so, can you respond to citizen requests and generate work
> orders in the field or do you have to complete those steps and close your
> ticket once back at the office?
>
>  7) Do you use GPS equipment in the field to manage tree inspections and
> correctly position your city's trees?
>
>   If you have gotten this far, first off thank you so much!
>
>  8) Second, if your city uses software to manage its trees, I would love
> to know how your city manages this program. Which department(s) is (are)
> responsible for* training*, *troubleshooting* and *development*?
>
>  9) Are any of the three abovementioned aspects a problem in your
> municipality at the moment?
>
>  I know this email was a whopper. Thanks for taking the time to read it.
> I am looking forward to your feedback and hope to be in touch with you.
>
>  Have a wonderful weekend,
> Meg
>
>
>   Meagan Hanna
> Technical Officer - Horticulture and Arboriculture
> City of Montreal
> Work email : meagan.hanna at ville.montreal.qc.ca
> Personal email : meagan.hanna at mail.mcgill.ca
>
>


-- 
*Sherry Boerefyn, LAT*
Tree Inventory Coordinator
Forestry, Beautification & Environmental Services
(780) 496-4693

We are proud to serve the public.
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