Resources and Links

For Geographic Information Systems to continue to be used more widely, there must be an open and free exchange of information and ideas. This page is meant to be a dynamic list of resource. Wwe will add to it as often as possible so check back frequently. Contact us if you have special questions or are looking for a public data set and need some direction.

Recommended ESRI Transformations

When bringing together various datasets from different organizations, it is important to pay attention to how ArcGIS is handling the differnet coordinate systems. The advent of "reproject on the fly" technology is great for being able to quickly create rough visualizations, but often reprojection requires subtle tweaks depending on where in the world the data is located. These tweaks are called transformations and they are often overlooked, leading to data inaccuracies. Fortunately, ESRI has published a look up table of recommended transformations. Click here to download the table.

Welcome to Beyond Maps.org

Our work is in consultation, research, teaching, and communication in the areas of Geographic Information Systems, archaeology, cultural resource protection and management, and organizational dynamics.

We have helped civic, tribal, and private organizations effectively translate real world data into geographic information systems in areas such as cultural resource management, historic property survey, and archaeological investigation. We have provided support to government and private sector cultural resource management specialists through consultation regarding writing specifications of work to be performed, design of projects to facilitate total accounting of final data, and merging data into existing municipal GIS.

In our work we have also helped businesses and other types of organizations re-think and reconstruct human/technological systems in order to reach higher efficiencies while remaining relevant and sustainable in our rapidly changing world. We have over 25 years experience managing and consulting with large and small companies undergoing significant transition. We are experts at designing and redesigning production systems as well as coaching all levels of individual members of organizations to reach their highest potential.

How We Help Clients

The use of Geographic Information Systems (GIS) has received widespread attention over the past 10 years as a powerful new tool for Cultural Resource Management (CRM). It is not surprising that the use of GIS in Cultural Resource Management has grown exponentially. GIS is a natural fit for the various disciplines that are used in CRM, For example, archaeological and historic architecture surveys produce large amounts of spatially-distributed data and GIS provides an efficient and effective way to manage, analyze, and present that data. In addition, CRM companies are increasingly expected to deliver their reports and data in a form that allows for it to be easily assimilated into existing corporate and municipal Geographic Information Systems. Companies that understand GIS and can “speak GIS” to their clients have a competitive edge in winning contracts.

The Problem

Unfortunately, for typical CRM organizations, there are significant obstacles preventing them from making the most efficient and cost-effective use of GIS, or from using GIS at all. Some of the obstacles might include:

• GIS software has a steep learning curve. Even when existing office personnel do learn to use GIS, they rarely can devote the time and resources necessary to achieve the level of competence needed to significantly improve the efficiency of or the breadth of services offered by the company.
  
  
• Hiring a GIS specialist is expensive. One might conclude that the answer to the steep learning curve would be to hire a specialist. Most organizations maintain profitability by having few permanent employees and contract specialists on an as-needed basis. Hiring a GIS specialist on a full time basis simply does not fit that business model.
  
  
• GIS doesn’t seem to offer any benefits over manual data collection and hand-drawn maps. Virtually all CRM firms and organizations have always used basic mapping and cartography skills. On the surface, it may seem that GIS is simply a computer-based way of performing those same tasks, and therefore would not bring any new marketable services, or allow the organization to penetrate any new markets. However, some of the most powerful and marketable analysis functions of GIS are known only to GIS professionals experienced in the applications of GIS in Cultural Resource Management.
  
  
• GIS professionals know nothing about CRM, so working with them is cumbersome, slow, and ineffective.

The Solution

Let me, Mark Neal, and Beyond Maps be your GIS department. I am a CRM professional and trained archaeologist with both Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in Anthropology. I have been trained in the construction, use, and maintenance of geographic information systems at the University of California Santa Barbara — one of the most respected university GIS departments in the world. Many organizations have found this combination of skills to be uniquely suited to their needs. I have worked with CRM firms, institutions, municipal, state, federal, and tribal governments to provide state-of-the-art GIS services. I can make this powerful technology available to you instantly and seamlessly because I understand your business and your customer’s needs.

Some of the Services that Beyond Maps has Provided to Organizations:

• Conversion of GPS data.
  
  
• Creation of clear, legible, and professional looking maps ready for importing onto your documents.
  
  
• Density and cluster analysis.
  
  
• Predictive modeling.
  
  
• Conversion of historic paper maps into GIS.
  
  
• Planning of survey reports and data collection to integrate seamlessly with your customer’s GIS.
  
  
• Quality analysis of historic survey data.
  
  
• Creation of GIS layers from field maps.

How to get started with Beyond Maps

Call me to 805-300-4927 and we can explore the ways that I can be of service to you and your organization. I would love to meet with you and your staff to share knowledge and ideas. I am flexible and open to creating a working relationship that best meets your organization’s needs and offers the greatest degree of support for your goals and growth expectations. Let’s work together to create a solution that is perfect for you.

For more information contact Mark Neal - mark@beyondmaps.org

We are always in the process of expanding and developing new content for our website.

Check back often.