Currently, more than 275 employees in all major departments and in various locations throughout the Town use GIS in their daily work. The number of users increases almost weekly. Departments use GIS for a wide variety of uses, from providing directions to analyzing changes in an area over time.

The following examples provide some insight into how various departments are using GIS to help in their daily operations as well as assist the citizens of Cary.

Planning Department
Planning staff use GIS to maintain the Town's official Town Limits Map, Zoning Map, and Land Use Plan Map. Annexation cases, rezoning cases, site and subdivision plans, and proposed land use plan amendments are tracked and reviewed using GIS software. Data layers stored in the GIS are used to create maps and perform spatial analyses in the development of plans such as the Town Center Area Plan and the Open Space & Historic Resources Plan. Population estimates and forecasts are developed using GIS data. Data layers are used to monitor land development and implement the Town's Growth Management efforts. GIS generated maps and reports are integrated into Town Council meetings to assist in decision making. Zoning Code Enforcement staff use GIS to help locate addresses where potential code violations may be occurring. Finally, addresses for sending citizen notification letters are obtained through GIS.

Engineering Department
Engineering staff use GIS to assist with storm water management, street light tracking, water/sewer system analysis, Town infrastructure project design, traffic analysis, sidewalk project evaluation, street maintenance planning, storm water management plan preparation, and easement issues. GIS is also used in the creation of maps for council presentations and staff reports, and in the preparation of citizen notifications.

Inspections and Permits Department
Inspections and Permits staff use GIS to assist with determining new street addresses, locating inspection addresses, verifying site and subdivision plans, answering citizens' questions, and updating spatial information such as subdivision, town limits, and zoning data on the Town's IBM AS400 system.

Finance Department
Finance staff use GIS to analyze and balance meter reading areas, design meter reading routes, and track and update taxes collected by the Town.

Fire Department
Fire Department staff use GIS on Mobile Data Computers in their vehicles to assist in finding locations for service calls, filling out fire reports, locating new fire stations, answering insurance related questions, answering citizen questions, assisting in the accreditation process, updating and producing 8 ½" x 11" map booklets, assisting in fire hydrant flow testing, and determining inspection areas.

Police Department
Police officers use GIS on Mobile Data Computers in their vehicles to assist in finding locations for service calls, providing maps as support in court cases, producing year-to-date crime maps, determining police beats based on calls for service, assisting robbery, vandalism, and larceny cases, answering questions for citizens, assisting in the accreditation process, and providing call assistance in E911 dispatch.

Parks, Recreation, and Cultural Resources Department
Parks, Recreation, and Cultural Resources staff use GIS in locating new parks and greenways, initial site design, creating maps for participants, and preparing for special events.

Public Works and Utilities Department
Public Works and Utilities staff use GIS to analyze where pipes need to be repaired or replaced, schedule maintenance of water and sanitary sewer lines, provide maps to operations personnel, provide data to consultants, develop sanitation and recycling routes, notify citizens on issues, update records on the Town's IBM AS400 system, assist with leaf collection, track smoke testing of the sanitary sewer system, answer citizens' questions, assist in the Town's water conservation efforts, and track and coordinate adverse weather situations.

Town Clerk's Office
Staff in the Town Clerk's office use GIS to answer questions concerning voting districts, precincts, and polling places, in addition to providing information about the Town maintained cemetery.