GeoEngineers helps build award-winning application

The Washington State Department of Archeology and Historic Preservation (DAHP) and Washington State Department of Information Services recently received the American Council for Technology’s 2010 Intergovernmental Solutions Award (ISA) for their Washington Information System for Architectural and Archaeological Records Data (WISAARD) application. The competition focused on applications that addressed three priority areas—transparency, participation, and collaboration—in President Obama’s Open Government Initiative.

The WISAARD application is a searchable database that classifies sensitive archeological areas using an innovative combination of statistical methods, database tools and archaeological research. By identifying potential sites in advance, planners are able to prioritize their efforts, reduce the risk to cultural resources, and simplify regulatory processes. GeoEngineers’ Applied Technology Group laid the groundwork for this system by developing all of the data displayed for historical properties, scanned images, and archaeological sites. 

 “Our unique statewide archaeological predictive model provided a strong data foundation for this progressive application,” commented Joanne Markert, GeoEngineers’ Project Manager. “We are very proud of our role as technical advisor and trusted partner with this important client.” 

“[GeoEngineers’ GIS team] is responsive and always finishes their contracts with a product that is a national example” added Dr. Allyson Brooks, DAHP Director. 

GeoEngineers has also been awarded a contract to work with the City of Seattle on its data-sharing initiatives. “Data sharing for better collaboration is a very hot topic right now, and I’m pleased our group has been providing leadership through a variety of innovative approaches,” commented Scot McQueen, Managing Principal of the Applied Technology Group. “DAHP’s award is great recognition of our commitment to ‘find a better way’, whether for public agencies or private organizations.”

The Applied Technology Group within GeoEngineers is a leading provider of GIS/IT strategic planning, information architecture, database design, and business solutions developed across multiple platforms. GeoEngineers has twice been the recipient of ESRI’s Business Partner of the Year award.