Mapping tool will offer enhanced performance and new features for online interactive users
BOSTON – The Baker-Polito Administration announced the launch of MassMapper, a new online interactive mapping tool developed by the Executive Office of Technology Services and Security’s (EOTSS) Bureau of Geographic Information Systems (MassGIS).
This new tool will enable municipalities and private sector organizations – especially those in the land survey, engineering, and real estate industries – to better interact with the Commonwealth. MassMapper will offer an enhanced user experience for many of its primary uses like site design, land inventory, and public policy planning.
“Investing in the modernization of the Commonwealth’s information technology infrastructure remains an important priority for our administration,” said Governor Charlie Baker. “The Executive Office of Technology Services and Security was established to improve the digital government experience of Massachusetts communities through the development of IT tools such as MassMapper, and we are pleased to announce its launch.”
“Providing our municipalities and small businesses with an enhanced interactive mapping tool like MassMapper is a great example of state government responding to the needs of its constituents and businesses,” said Lt. Governor Karyn Polito. “I applaud this effort to develop this innovative digital offering developed from insights gained from user and customer feedback.”
MassMapper will replace the existing, legacy online mapping tool, OLIVER, which has been in use in its current form for over a decade. The new tool is powered by a modern, lightweight, open-source software that will offer improved performance and overall user experience, including on tablet. The upgrade to MassMapper represents one of many ongoing initiatives in the Executive Office of Technology Services and Security’s overall mission of modernizing the Commonwealth’s legacy IT and cybersecurity infrastructure to offer a more efficient, effective, and secure government to the people we serve.
In addition to offering a faster, cleaner, and more intuitive user experience, MassMapper offers a number of new features:
- Map Markup: Users now have markup capabilities to customize the map, including the ability to add text, draw boundaries, etc.
- Geo-Fencing: Ability to geofence an area by drawing a boundary to pull data from a targeted location on a map – a task that is particularly helpful when downloading data for a targeted location into Excel/CSV files.
- PDF Work Product: Users can now create a PDF of a customized map for an improved final work product for users to share with their customers.
“One of the main tenants of our mission statement is to provide top-notch digital services and tools to our customers when and where they need them,” said Secretary of Technology Services and Security Curt Wood. “We will continue to seek out innovative opportunities to enhance our digital offerings as we are today with the launch of MassMapper.”
MassMapper was developed with capital funding secured in Governor Baker’s General Governmental Bond Bill, which the Legislature passed into law in 2020 to invest in Commonwealth cybersecurity posture and IT infrastructure modernization initiatives. The interactive mapping tool’s new capabilities were developed through extensive outreach to solicit user feedback from the public and private sector, as well as thorough product testing prior to its launch. MassMapper can be accessed on any device: computer, tablet, and mobile.
MassGIS also offers Muni Mappers, a by-request, custom-built mapping service that incorporates local data provided by the municipality for a more customized mapping tool at no cost to the municipality. This service is largely leveraged by smaller municipalities in the Commonwealth with limited resources for IT services, making the procurement of expensive commercial products infeasible.
The current legacy mapping tool, OLIVER, will run concurrently with MassMapper for through the end of the calendar year to allow customers a smooth transition when migrating to the new enhanced offering.
“MassGIS and our digital offerings are utilized by organizations in both the private and public sectors,” said MassGIS Director Neil MacGaffey. “MassMapper is one of the resources available through MassGIS that make doing business in Massachusetts easier.”
To access the new MassMapper tool, click here.
For more information on MassGIS and its offerings, click here.
