Our EXPERTISE

The Sault Ste. Marie Innovation Centre was conceived by municipal leaders in 1999 as a means to diversify a resource-based economy. The goal was to create a shift towards growing the city’s knowledge-based economy. Born from this effort was SSMIC’s first market development project - the Community Geomatics Centre (CGC), a data-smart city solution that leverages a shared service Geographic Information System (GIS) and multi-enterprise data to benefit the community. The CGC was rebranded as Acorn Information Solutions (Acorn) in January 2018.  Over the past 20+ years, Acorn Information Solutions has become a global leader and expert in the following areas: 

For detailed information about Acorn's model, check out our case study Building Data-Smart City Solutions (English version) (version française).

DATA Analysis and VISUALIZATION

Acorn Information Solutions creates visual representations of data that communicate relationships between represented data and viewers.  

"We’ve seen improved service delivery to the public through the creation of asset map products that support stakeholder engagement, service planning and optimization. So, using maps to identify things like alcohol swamps, food deserts, and tobacco cessation support are visually compelling and we find that
they’re a helpful tool to bring stakeholders together to work on solutions for common problems. As soon as people visualize the issue it’s very compelling.” Dr. Jennifer Loo, Associate Medical Officer of Health, Algoma Public Health. 
SEE AN EXAMPLE

GIS Solutions

Acorn Information Solutions is a pioneer in Location Intelligence and GIS projects providing analytical and operational solutions across organizations.


"Acorn Information Solutions has compiled one of the most comprehensive and intelligent utilities infrastructure databases in the world. ” Doug Girvin, Stantive Technologies Group, Buffalo, NY

LEARN MORE

DATA SMART CITY SOLUTIONS

Acorn is dedicated to promoting and establishing the means to share data, knowledge and tools among organizations to create healthier, safer and more prosperous communities. In 2006,

the Canadian Urban Institute recognized Sault Ste. Marie as the first Community Information Utility (CIU) – a community-based organization, governed by a public board, that provides essential information products and services to the public and other public service agencies. Acorn is the driving force that enables Sault Ste. Marie to become one of the world’s smartest cities by leveraging public data for public good. 

SEE AN EXAMPLE

LOCATION INTELLIGENCE

Acorn Information Solutions is a leader in developing meaningful insights from geo-spatial data, in order to solve problems. 

“Over the past decade, the SSM CIU has been leading the country in respect to the novel application of the use of spatial data with advances in transportation management, natural resource management, economic development, municipal governance and management, but, also, for the purpose of improving health and social services.” CFN Consultants Inc., Nova Scotia. 
SEE AN EXAMPLE

HEALTH & HUMAN SERVICES

Acorn Information Solutions provides data-oriented and fact-based solutions benefiting the public. Typical customers include health and social service agencies/providers, municipalities, public utility services, economic development agencies, and non-profit organizations in communities of all sizes. 

"The Vulnerable Person's Registry gives a new meaning to public services accessibility and efficiency." - Alex Miller, President Esri Canada. 
LEARN MORE

CONNECT WITH A TEAM MEMBER

Fill out the form below to be connected with a team member to discuss how we can help you reach your goals.

ACORN Project Contact Request