Staffing solutions

The foundation of the GIS Consortium is its innovative staffing approach.  The members recognize that the success of a GIS program relates directly to the level of staffing expertise.

GIS is an information technology that requires multiple skills. Without staff specialization, programs are exposed to unwanted risk.  Affording effective staffing requires small- and medium-size communities to be creative.  Many communities face the challenge of requiring this technology while lacking a viable staffing solution.

To address this, the GIS Consortium outsources staffing and shares these resources among the members.  This approach enables any community, regardless of size, to gain access to the necessary staffing resources to be successful—with competitive rates negotiated through GISC's collective bargaining power.

Staffing is the most expensive component of any information technology, including GIS.  Like any investment, it requires balancing cost and risk while providing efficiency and solutions. With many local governments facing the challenge of affording the necessary human resources to be successful, the GIS Consortium provides a unique alternative.

Specialization

GIS is an information technology that requires specialization. Highly trained and diversified staff is necessary to keep pace with rapidly changing systems and capabilities.  Successful information technology programs require effective staffing.  The most recognized programs in the country share this characteristic.

Redundancy

Programs that have appropriate staffing face a different challenge—attrition.  Even aggressively staffed programs do not fund redundant resources to safeguard against vacancies.  Single professional programs are particularly at risk.  These programs tend to lose continuity when replacement staff wants to restart the program.  Many Programs that are not staffed sufficiently has been a common pitfall in the GIS industry.

Long-term considerations

Today, outsourcing is a necessary business alternative for every organization.  As human resource costs continue to rise, communities are increasingly looking for innovative ways to reduce costs.  Balancing options with the core requirements of local government requires careful consideration.  Members of the GIS Consortium recognize that GIS is a vital component of a community's information system solution. They further agree that local governments should be users, not enablers, of this technology.

An important cost advantage

The GIS Consortium uses a unique outsourcing model that provides its members the most competitive rates in the industry.  Most organizations lack buying power when purchasing independently.  In the GIS Consortium model, rates are negotiated based on the collective size of the organization.  These rates can significantly reduce community costs.  The estimated member cost-savings is nearly 40%.

GIS Consortium members are confident in their programs.  By shifting the responsibility onto the private sector, the community can focus on core business objectives and leave the GIS-building to highly trained and accountable professionals.