The GIS system is able to be shared among city/county departments that want to access and create GIS information and applications. This system also provides security and access to authorized users of the data as determined by the individual department(s) responsible for their data layer(s). The system also contains the ability to view and query updated information in a timely and efficient manner without adversely affecting departments not in need of GIS information.

The GIS Department has implemented a centralized database architecture which allows GIS desktop applications to be supported on user workstations located on the central Local Area Network (LAN), each with access to central GIS data sources. Data sources can include GIS file servers, ArcSDE database servers, Raster Image servers, ArcIMS Intranet and Internet servers, and related attribute data sources. One central repository serving GIS data allows the GIS department to implement the necessary security procedures and allows the simplification of the necessary backup requirements of such vast systems.

 Currently the GIS department manages over 550GB of data.  Daily and monthly backups are done with  additional backups being stored offsite for disaster recovery purposes.