GIS in Action 2026

The ability to “animate” a City’s GIS with real-time IoT data has long been a goal for organizations managing complex infrastructure. Transforming a static map into a living operations dashboard enables teams to make decisions based on current conditions rather than yesterday’s reports. However, many critical data feeds originate from sensitive systems such as SCADA, where security and reliability concerns can make integration difficult—or seem impossible. This session will showcase how the City of Salem successfully bridged secure operational technology systems to create Geospatial Live, a real-time operational platform supporting utilities and public works. Attendees will gain practical insights into the system architecture, integration strategies, security considerations, and workflows that make real-time GIS an increasing important component of the City's GIS portfolio. Whether you are beginning your real-time GIS journey or advancing an existing deployment, this session provides actionable lessons learned, key technical decisions, and implementation strategies from a municipal government perspective.