Data Management in the Cloud

About the Program

Category: Information Technology (Best in Category)

Year: 2012

Gypsy Moth and Mosquito Control staff provide gypsy moth, mosquito, and fall cankerworm monitoring and control services throughout Prince William County. Over the past several years, there has been an effort to provide a more systematic approach to monitoring and treatment. The old system of collecting data on paper forms, followed by entries into multiple databases, was becoming inefficient and ineffective. The volume of paperwork and the inability to monitor program activities in real-time resulted in program goals not being met. After analyzing the data collection process, staff determined that an electronic data entry device (with some additional features such as GPS, Internet capability, and camera) that stored data on a server in the Cloud would be able to resolve many of the problems associated with data entry and reconciliation. The iPad 2 tablet computer was chosen as the device and customized forms were developed for use. In the first year of implementation, there has been a marked decline in the number of data entry errors. Time spent conducting surveys has been reduced, which has resulted in increased staff productivity. The ability to monitor activities in real-time has allowed management to utilize resources more efficiently. Importantly, just as paper usage has declined resulting in less “paperwork” staff morale has ticked upwards.