One big problem for GIS departments is the control of information, i.e., map documents, layers, data sets and features. In a perfect world there would be a cooperative document or journal as a list or database where all changes, additions, and delections would be recorded with the responsible party denoted. This database could be filtered and queried to determine useful data. We have analyzed this problem and come up with the structure of a possible journal and the tools necessary to populate the journal (or analysis systems). A list of attributes that might possible be associated with such a journal are as follows:

• Person performing entry.
• Date-Time of Entry.
• Description of Object, i.e., Pad, Well, Map, Survey, etc.
• Location-Object of updating data.
• Description of Update.

Our tools scan your drive systems to perform the following:

• Scans folders for Map Documents (MapDocs, MXDs or APRXs), SDEs, FGDBs, PGDBs, and SHPs.
• The MapDocs are examined for Layers, DataSources, Visibility, and Existence.
• The SDEs, FGDBs, and PGDBs are examined for Features.

More specifically, resultant data from the scans produces these products in lists, databases or spreadsheets:

• MapDocs Spreadsheet (or Database or Sharepoint List).
• Layers Spreadsheet from the MapDocs Files.
• SDE Enterprise Dataset Spreadsheet of all SDE Features.
• FGDB File Geodatabase DataSet Spreadsheet of all FGDB folders found.
• PGDB Personal Geodatabase Spreadsheet of all PGDB Mdb's found.
• SHP Spreadsheet of all Shapefiles found.

Some uses of the routinely generated items or products:

• Identify MapDocs that are the currently useful templates.
• Determine the Visible Layers that exist and are visible.
• Inventory the Layers that are used most.
• Review the Current Data Structure from MapDocs and Layers and determine possible New Data Structures

What are some other Uses and Workflows that would use these Spreadsheet Inventories?

• Construction of new storage structures.
• Move objects to new structures.
• Automated cleanup of MDs.
• Create a periodic Snapshot of the Inventory.
• Calculate Useful Statistics of Objects, Growth, etc. for Management.