To recognize this passionate approach to applying GIS solutions, ESRI presented the organization with the Special Achievement in GIS (SAG) Award on August 6, 2008, at the 28th Annual ESRI International User Conference (ESRI UC) in San Diego, California, USA. This award is given to ESRI user sites around the world in recognition of their outstanding work in the GIS field.  SSGC was selected to receive this prize from over 100,000 user sites worldwide.
 
 The SSGC uses an enterprise GIS for the planning, development, and management of its gas transmission and distribution pipeline networks. With ArcGIS technology, the utility makes continuous seamless updates to its pipeline networks. Using ArcGIS Server, the SSGC shares data throughout the company for improved customer service and informed engineering decisions. 
 
 "At ESRI, we are always deeply impressed by the innovation of our users," says Jack Dangermond, ESRI president. "We want to recognize the efforts of these individuals with our Special Achievement in GIS Award. This recognition is well deserved for how they've applied geospatial technology to address the needs of their industries and communities. They are defining GIS best practices."
 
 GIS combines computer hardware, software, and data to create a tool for capturing, managing, analyzing, and displaying all forms of geographic information. Virtually any information can be linked to a geographic location, allowing users to see that information as part of a complete picture to be analyzed and applied to a problem or issue. With GIS, people can see firsthand how the world works and changes, view and manage information about locations, analyze spatial relationships, and visualize processes. From underground mine modeling to air traffic control, more than 300,000 organizations worldwide rely on GIS to better analyze their environments and make smarter decisions.
 
 It is a matter of great pleasure for me to congratulate our entire GIS team on receiving 2008 SAG Award. Over the years, SSGC has shown commendable growth and proficiency especially in the field of IT and SSGC is indeed proud and privileged by recognizing as the flagship in Pakistan for utility services, says Zuhair Siddiqui, SGM (MS) at SSGC.
 
 This award is given to SSGC on the development of web base application “SSGC's 119 Service Vehicle Emergency Response System - Find Shortest Route”, says Syed Ali Naqi, Project Manager for GIS at SSGC. This web based application is helpful to find shortest possible route for better emergency response in case of gas leakages, customer complaint etc. It will also provide emergency vehicle tracking facility in future.
 
 This is the second time, we have received SAG Award from ESRI and I am proud of my GIS team who have developed this wonderful and one of the best web based applications completely in-house, says Irfan Zafar, GM (IT) at SSGC.
 
 Founded in 1969, ESRI has been giving customers around the world the power to think and plan geographically. The market leader in GIS, ESRI software is used in more than 300,000 organizations worldwide including each of the 200 largest cities in the United States, most national governments, more than two-thirds of Fortune 500 companies, and more than 7,000 colleges and universities.  Pakistan Resource and Development Services (PRDS) is sole distributor of ESRI products in Pakistan. ESRI’s goal is to develop comprehensive tools that enable users to efficiently manage, use, and serve geographic information to make a difference in the world around them. ESRI also provides consulting, implementation, and technical support services. ESRI can be found on the Web at www.esri.com