What is AIMS?

AIMS stands for Automated Information Mapping System and is a group in the Department of Technology & Innovation (DTI) within Johnson County government. AIMS was initiated by the Board of County Commissioners in the mid-1980s. The major reason for establishing AIMS was to enable the county to meet the rigorous mapping and documentation requirements of the complete property reappraisal mandated by the Kansas State Legislature. AIMS has since grown into a highly integrated support and service group within the county.

AIMS is also a Geographic Information System, or GIS. A GIS is a computerized system for managing large amounts of information that is geographically referenced or related to a location. In other words, a GIS is a smart map. By combining locational information with tabular information, GIS provides users the ability to make informed decisions with improved efficiency at less cost. AIMS enhances this ability by making the county's maps and data available online. GIS is used in many arenas including emergency management and response, property appraisal, public works, health services, and economic development. To learn more about GIS, visit the GIS.com website.

The mission of AIMS is to provide open, efficient, and enterprise access to spatial data at a reasonable cost to aid stakeholders in making more efficient and effective decisions. Ultimately, these decisions add value to the quality of life that our stakeholders have come to expect. To accomplish this mission, AIMS applies sound GIS principles with quality spatial data and effective distribution technologies to put AIMS services at the disposal of our stakeholders.

Awards and Recognition

AIMS has been presented with many prestigious awards including:

• Environmental System Research Institutes' (ESRI) Special Achievement in GIS - 2013
• National Association of Counties (NACO) Achievement Award for Location Maps and Information - Making Data Accessible - 2013
• National Association of Counties (NACO) Achievement Award for My Resource Connection - Collaborating for Success - 2013
• Public Technology Institute (PTI) Solutions Award for My Resource Connection - Collaborating for Success - 2012/13
• Urban and Regional Information Systems Association (URISA) Exemplary Systems in Government - 2006
• National Association of Counties (NACO) Best of Category Award for Implementation of Web Portal for Promoting GIS Collaboration - 2006
• National Association of County Information Officers (NACIO) Meritorious Award - 2002
• National Assocation of Counties Achievement Award Winner - 2001
• Environmental System Research Institutes' (ESRI) Special Achievement in GIS - 1998
• MidAmerica GIS Consortium, Ltd. (MAGIC) Special Recognition in GIT: County and Municipal Government - 1998
• National Assocation of Counties Achievement Award Winner - 1998