Katalog joins Esri Startup Program to simplify local government data for residents

Katalog has joined the Esri Partner Network’s Startup Program to expand a mobile app that turns local GIS data into simple maps for residents. The company says the tool can help cities and counties answer routine questions faster and reduce calls to government offices.

Why it matters: - Local governments handle the same resident questions repeatedly, from zoning to voting locations to city limits. - Katalog’s app is designed to give residents direct answers through maps instead of requiring staff time. - The company is targeting smaller cities and counties that may not have room in the budget for more complex GIS deployments.

What happened: - Katalog announced its acceptance into the Esri Partner Network Startup Program as a startup partner. - The company builds a mobile app that uses local government mapping data already stored in Esri systems. - The app presents that information as simple maps powered by ArcGIS location services. - Katalog said the platform is based in Billings, Montana.

The details: - The app connects to data many local governments already maintain in Esri, including addresses, parcels and zoning districts. - Each map is built to answer one specific question. - The app can explain a map in a short how-to of just a few sentences. - Residents can use the app to check permitted uses on a parcel, find a ward or polling place, see whether an address is inside city limits, or look up flood zones. - Residents can do that in a few taps without calling city or county offices. - Katalog’s setup process involves configuring a few tables. - The more layers a government configures, the more maps residents can use. - For governments using Esri, Katalog can connect to Citizen Problem Reporter, an ArcGIS-based tool for submitting and tracking 24/7 non-emergency community issues. - That connection lets residents report public works and other concerns from the app. - The company said a year of service for a smaller community costs less than 10 hours of consultant work. - Katalog says its mission is to provide an affordable, focused, use-case-driven GIS solution for local governments.

Between the lines: - The product is aimed at reducing friction between residents and local offices by packaging complex GIS data into narrow, task-specific tools. - Katalog is leaning on Esri’s installed base, which could make adoption easier for cities and counties already using ArcGIS. - The pricing pitch suggests Katalog is competing on simplicity and cost rather than broad enterprise feature sets.

What's next: - Katalog says cities and counties that subscribe will appear in the app. - Residents will be able to tap their location and see the maps that jurisdiction has set up. - The company is inviting prospective customers to learn more or request a demo at katalogmaps.com. - Katalog also provided its LinkedIn presence at LinkedIn.