Starting on the late 70's, GIS was used for simple applications such as address systems, geocoding, billing and address matching with census information.

In the 80's, more value was seen in GIS as it began to meet digital data needs and was used for data conversion as many as 50 people at one time were employed in the sewage drainage mapping project, for example.

More recent trends include data development (not just data conversion), and was done by GIS analysts and GIS programmers. This data development helped prove the worth of the GIS investment as more and more sophisticated queries lead to more complex data analysis.

The late 90's have seen a switch to web delivery, both in terms of Internet applications and, more significantly, in house intranet applications within communities and business.

Integrating data conversion with other applications across departments, through various interfaces, is crucial. In this way, citywide needs as security, public utility management, supervisory control, and data operation can all be, for example, integrated using GIS tools.

Typical analyses include economic and financial analysis; infrastructure management; public safety and crime analysis; urban planning; transit planning, and traffic planning. Network Analyst and Spatial Analyst are used for project management in these areas. Thus GIS has moved into the big systems IT realm, with address as a key functionality.

The key now is building small applications, productivity tools, and customized Arc/View interfaces. Databases have also been redesigned using Visio Case tool, embedding code into databases and building in relational data. There has also been work on various web based.

Background GIS information is on an Access database, and used to create custom maps, data editing (and on line interactive modeling), data maintenance, customized data analysis, comprehensive plan support analysis and growth monitoring analysis. Current tools include: SPIDR, tract mapper, 3 D Analyst, Java Script, XML, SVG.

Skill students seeking these kinds of positions should develop: GIS analysis skills; any engineering skills you can pick up (because GIS analysts work a lot with engineers), courses in public affairs, urban planning, quantitative skills and census geography. A blend of CAD and GIS skills is an especially attractive package. Any programming language (web based probably being increasingly crucial) is OK people aren't hired for their skill in a particular programming language, but, rather, for their proven ability to become skilled at whatever they have been exposed to and are familiar with.

Writing and speaking skills are critical in helping to identify customer needs. (Customers are quite vaned: the City Attorney; the Mayor's Office; the City Council; office of Neighborhood Planning; Public Library; Public utilities; consultants; contractors, developers, university professors, architects, environmental consultants, engineers, layers, surveyors, etc.) Writing skills are also crucial in the key project management roles.

Other, "softer" but crucial skills include: troubleshooting, team building, empathy & motivational; listening and caring; knowing how to persuade people without alienating them or seeming arrogant, knowing how to compromise, coping, creativity, flexibility, patience & persistence, and being able to plan and prioritize.