The following is a Case Study examining a collaboration with Esri Partners GEO Jobe and OHM Advisors.
In November 2024, OHM Advisors partnered with GEO Jobe to modernize its internal ArcGIS Enterprise environment. While OHM had a strong GIS foundation, growing multi-office operations and evolving client needs required a more scalable, high-performance solution. What began as a strategic assessment quickly became a hands-on collaboration, with GEO Jobe guiding OHM through technical decisions, system deployment, and operational best practices—demonstrating the true spirit of “Partners Helping Partners.”
Understanding the Business and the Technology
OHM Advisors and GEO Jobe are both longstanding members of the Esri Partner Network, with OHM holding Gold status and GEO Jobe Platinum, as well as State and Local Government Specialties, respectively. This shared background created a foundation of trust and technical understanding, enabling both teams to work efficiently and strategically.
Through a series of workshops and working sessions, the two organizations assessed OHM’s existing GIS footprint, clarified business drivers, and identified pain points affecting system performance and collaboration. As both organizations are active Esri partners, these discussions were grounded in a shared understanding of Esri best practices, product roadmaps, and modern Web GIS architecture.
This mutual exchange of knowledge and expertise exemplifies how partner organizations can elevate one another, resulting in solutions that are stronger than any one team could achieve alone.
Building a Future-Ready ArcGIS Enterprise
At the time of engagement, OHM Advisors was utilizing both ArcGIS Online and an on-premises ArcGIS Enterprise deployment. The Nashville office primarily relied on ArcGIS Online, while the Michigan office hosted an ArcGIS Enterprise 10.9.1 environment that provided access to data, maps, and applications for employees and third-party contractors. This Enterprise deployment served as the foundation for OHM Advisors’ web and mobile GIS workflows.
GEO Jobe guided OHM through the evaluation of options to modernize this environment, including enhancements to on-premises infrastructure and cloud-based alternatives. Together, the teams agreed that deploying ArcGIS Enterprise 11.5 in Microsoft Azure would provide the best balance of scalability, performance, and operational flexibility. GEO Jobe provided detailed specifications, checklists, and step-by-step guidance on server setup, firewall configurations, and portal deployment, ensuring a smooth and efficient rollout.
GEO Jobe worked closely with OHM Advisors’ internal GIS team to implement the core pillars of ESRI’s recommended ArcGIS Enterprise system architecture. This included guidance on server configuration, deployment workflows, portal setup, firewall management, and data hosting practices. By applying these standards internally, OHM Advisors ensured its GIS environment is robust, scalable, and aligned with best practices. This collaboration strengthened internal operations, improved system reliability, and positioned OHM to consistently deliver high-quality GIS services to clients.
“Working with OHM Advisors was a true example of what the Esri Partner Network is all about. Because we share a deep understanding of ArcGIS Enterprise and Esri best practices, we were able to move quickly from strategy to execution and deliver a modern, cloud-ready solution that supports both their internal operations and long-term growth.”
– Randee Miller, Director of GIS Services, GEO Jobe
Impact: Strengthening OHM Advisors and Clients Alike
The partnership delivered more than a technical upgrade; it strengthened OHM Advisors’ internal operations and its ability to serve clients. Key benefits include:
- Performance & Reliability: Reduced latency and centralized cloud-based infrastructure enable faster access to GIS data and applications across offices.
- Scalability: Azure deployment supports future growth, making it easier to onboard new offices and expand GIS capabilities.
- Collaboration: Virtual workstations allow ArcGIS Pro users to access high-performance resources remotely, enhancing teamwork across distributed teams.
- Client Value: Modernized GIS operations enable OHM Advisors to deliver reliable, high-quality solutions to infrastructure, environmental, and planning clients.
A Model for “Partners Helping Partners”
This project demonstrates how two Esri partners can collaborate to strengthen not only their own GIS operations, but also the broader Esri ecosystems. GEO Jobe’s expertise helped OHM Advisors advance its technical capabilities, while OHM’s operational insight ensured solutions aligned with real-world business and client needs. Together, they created a cloud-based ArcGIS Enterprise environment that expands GIS use across the organization, enhances performance, and maximizes the GIS investment—an embodiment of the “Partners Helping Partners” philosophy.
“Working with GEO Jobe was a true partner-to-partner collaboration. Their guidance helped us implement ESRI’s recommended ArcGIS Enterprise architecture internally in a scalable, reliable, and operationally sound way. This deployment strengthens our internal GIS foundation and directly benefits our clients by enabling consistent performance, improved collaboration, and a platform we can confidently extend to support complex, multi-office projects.”
– Mike Cousins, Practice Leader – GIS, OHM Advisors
Want to explore ways GEO Jobe could partner with your organization? Reach out to us today via connect@geo-jobe.com.
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About OHM Advisors
OHM Advisors is known as the community advancement firm, designing award-winning work across the architecture, engineering and planning spheres. Founded in 1962, we believe in the power of multidisciplinary teamwork to find ideas that aren’t just different—they are better. Recognized as an Engineering News-Record (ENR) Top 500 Design Firm, our 800+ person team operates from offices in multiple states throughout the U.S., partnering with leaders at all government levels, school districts, developers, universities and private companies to create great places for people.
About Our Company
GEO Jobe is a leading GIS software and geospatial solutions provider, serving over 10,000 organizations globally. GEO Jobe is best known for developing the most popular applications in the ArcGIS Marketplace, including Admin Tools for ArcGIS, Backup My Org, Clean My Org, Manage My Attachments, and Symphony for ArcGIS.
GEO Jobe offers U.S.-based 24/7 Support solutions for organizations using Esri’s ArcGIS© System. GEO Jobe also offers professional services focused on Esri’s ArcGIS© System, including custom software development, enterprise solution implementation, data science and UAV data collection.
Founded in 1999, GEO Jobe is in its 25th year of operation, has been an Esri business partner since 2002 and is currently a Platinum Partner.
