February 2025 – Maurer-Stutz

Geospatial andgt; The Layer File andgt; GIS for PLS at IPLSA in SPI

Exploring GIS at IPLSA 2025: A Look into the Future of Geospatial Technology

We covered the basic functions of GIS

Earlier this month at the 2025 Illinois Professional Land Surveyors Association (IPLSA) conference, I had the opportunity to present What is GIS? in Springfield, Illinois. The session aimed at breaking down the fundamentals of Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and showing just how much this technology does beyond simply making maps. My goal was to help attendees understand the real power of GIS in infrastructure planning, data management, and decision-making across industries.

To start, I walked through the basics of GIS—how spatial data is collected, stored, analyzed, and visualized. We covered coordinate systems, geodatabases, and why data accuracy is crucial in GIS workflows. This foundation set the stage for diving into real-world applications, where GIS helps land surveyors, civil engineers, transportation planners, and public works professionals work more efficiently.

There are 5 components to make GIS an ‘enterprise GIS’

One of the most exciting parts of the presentation was showing off how GIS is used in municipal projects, transportation networks, and utility management to improve efficiency and accuracy. It was great to see the room engage with examples of how GIS lets us visualize changes over time, analyze trends, and make better decisions—whether it’s tracking road conditions, mapping flood zones, or planning infrastructure upgrades.

We also talked about Enterprise GIS solutions and cloud-based GIS platforms, explaining how organizations use geospatial databases to streamline their operations. Cloud-based systems like ArcGIS Enterprise are game-changers, keeping data accessible and up-to-date for teams across departments.

Looking ahead, I touched on some exciting innovations in GIS, including Artificial Intelligence (AI) and machine learning in spatial analysis, real-time data integration with IoT sensors, and participatory GIS for public engagement. It’s incredible how GIS is evolving to include more automation and real-time data, making it even more valuable for decision-making.

I had some great help from ILGISA friends around the state. I spent most of the time looking at these examples.

The key takeaway from the presentation is that GIS offers a vast range of possibilities, but it also requires a deep understanding of its technical complexities. By appreciating the skill and expertise involved, professionals can develop greater respect for GIS specialists and recognize the value they bring. Ultimately, fostering collaboration rather than opposition will lead to more effective and innovative solutions in the industry.

GIS is constantly evolving, and its impact reaches far beyond mapping—it’s about making smarter, data-driven decisions that shape our communities. Presenting at IPLSA 2025 was a great opportunity to share that message and connect with others who are just as passionate about geospatial technology as I am. The presentation is Here.

Geospatial andgt; The Layer File andgt; MSGS and GEOGRAPH Partnership Announcement

Our Geospatial Services group is thrilled to announce a significant milestone—a strategic partnership with GEOGRAPH Technologies! This collaboration marks a new chapter in delivering cutting-edge geospatial solutions to the fiber broadband industry in alignment with our mission to provide innovative and impactful engineering and consulting GIS services.

Why GEOGRAPH Technologies?

GEOGRAPH Technologies is a leader in the fiber utility geospatial technology sector, known for developing CrescentLink, a powerful software add-in for ArcGIS Pro. CrescentLink is specifically designed to manage telecommunication infrastructure data, with a focus on fiber connectivity networks. Our expertise in Enterprise GIS and consultant GIS services complements their existing product offering, creating a collaboration that will amplify the value they deliver to their customers. Both Micah and Baylor were first introduced to CrescentLink and the GEOGRAPH team during they tenure in the Fiber Broadband industry, and can attest to its ease of use and robust suite of tools for managing fiber broadband connectivity information.

Shared Values and Vision

At the core of this partnership is a shared commitment to innovation, excellence, and client/customer success. Both of our teams are driven by the goal of empowering each organization with the tools and insights needed to solve real-world challenges in the telecommunications industry. GEOGRAPH views this as a “both parties forward” arrangement, with MSI/MSGS branding present on sales media and MSGS staff included in prospective customer meetings.

All work performed by MSGS on behalf of GEOGRAPH will be routed through a subconsultant Master Services Agreement between the two firms. GEOGRAPH and their team of dedicated Account Managers and Professional Services staff will continue to act as the primary point-of-contact for their customers; facilitating all customer quoting, invoicing, as well as project management. This streamlined arrangement helps us focus on delivering high quality GIS consulting services to their customers without administrative burden on either party.

ArcGIS Enterprise Base Deployment Schematic

What This Partnership Means for MSGS

Our subconsultant partnership with GEOGRAPH Technologies is mutually beneficial:

Tailored Solutions: By combining GEOGRAPH’s robust tools with our industry knowledge in Enterprise GIS, we can develop tailored solutions to meet the unique needs of their clients in the telecommunications industry and beyond!
Enterprise GIS: This collaboration will initially focus on completing Enterprise GIS Deployments for GEOGRAPH’s customers, including the implementation and integration of CrescentLink into the customer’s broader GIS/IT ecosystems. These efforts will address a strategic need for their customers, as it is a prerequisite requirement to using their CrescentLink platform.
Geospatial Solutions Plans (GSPs): In addition to our Enterprise Deployment services, GEOGARPH Customers can purchase prepaid blocks-of-hours on a subscription-based model. These flexible plans can be used for nearly any GIS consulting task, including geodatabase management, basic script development, training, and more. The GSP provides an efficient way to access expert support tailored to the customers unique geospatial consulting needs.

Looking Ahead

The entire MSGS Team is humbled by the trust and relationship that we are developing with GEOGRAPH. We’re already working closely on several smaller pilot projects, with many more in their sales funnel. Stay tuned as we share more about specific projects and successes stemming from this partnership!