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M. M. Yagoub
Department of Geography
Faculty of Humanities & Social Science
UAE University.
myagoub@uaeu.ac.ae
Mohsin A. Abbasi
Department of Geography
Faculty of Humanities & Social Science
UAE University.
mabbasi@uaeu.ac.ae
Abstract
The Campus Development Department (CDD) at the UAE University (UAEU) is responsible for daily maintenance of the infrastructures in the university. This department has various drawings of assets in hardcopy and some in AutoCAD format. These drawings are static and do not help its engineers and staff in dynamic way. In the present system, if there is a fault in the electric cable, water pipe leakage or pipe burst or some excavation work is to be carried out in the area where underground facilities are present, then, a request is made from the website or by a phone to CDD and it is submitted to the concerned department for its rectification. In this case there is no integration of the work order request with the online system as GIS, where the concerned engineering department and staff can get online status of the problems in a particular area in the university campus, get spatial as well as attribute details, like online dynamic map of the area with pan, zoom, query and other details of a particular asset by the click of a mouse and can also update their asset maintenance records and drawings from time to time.
This paper presents the use of GIS technology for managing assets at CDD in UAEU by giving some examples of GIS being used for asset management technology in different parts of the world. It discusses the key application of GIS in asset management, reviews the present system of managing assets at UAEU and proposes methods for integrating GIS with asset management for its use in the university.
1.0 Asset Management
Asset management is the collection, processing, analysis and maintenance of extensive information about various types of assets such as equipment, facilities and other resources to plan work to be executed to maintain these assets at an operational level in the most cost-effective fashion possible. In terms of public-works infrastructure, asset management is the process of keeping track of and deploying the public’s capital. The priority of asset management in this context is making decisions about the effective and efficient development, use, maintenance, repair, and retirement or replacement of utility lines, highways, street furniture, and other public infrastructure. The goal of asset management therefore is to achieve the best possible return on the investments made by the public in infrastructural development. While this may not be the view of many, it is an essential ingredient if the objectives of asset management are to be met.
2.0 GIS and its Capabilities
According to (Longley et al., 2001), Geographic Information Systems handle locational data. These are information systems of hardware, software, and procedures designed to support the capture, management, manipulation, analysis, modeling and display of spatially referenced data for solving complex planning and management problems. Detailed discussions on GIS may be found in (Berhansen, 1998; Burrough and McDonnell, 1998; DeMers, 1997; Longley et al., 2001).
GIS can easily display map-based information graphically on a computer.
Pipeline facilities, land features, and geopolitical boundaries are represented by an accurate, digital “intelligent” model in an easy to use, map-based application. These items are organized by separate groups, or “layers”, which allows the user to view only those items desired for a specific task.
GIS can view and analyze data geographically. The System also contains descriptive information tied to these facilities with a database. This means the user can display, for example, all sleeves on the pipeline in a given area of interest, and then look at descriptive information tied to those specific sleeves, (Johnson, 2001).
3.0 Applications of GIS in Asset Management
Although GIS is a nascent technology, it has been successfully used in various aspects of asset management. In North America and Europe, GIS in asset management is becoming a standard approach. Many researchers have described approaches for designing and developing asset management systems based on GIS (Brun et al., 1999; Lubeley and Bishop, 2001; Peng and Tsou, 2003; Schurle et al., 1998; Theirren, 1996; Vanier, 2001; Vanier and Danylo, 1998).
The broad area where GIS can be applied for assets are:
Data Collection: Conventionally data for any asset, to take an example of waterline network were collected and stored in paper format. This is less effective, labor intensive and error prone. With the advent of newer technologies as GPS and digital cameras data collection can be made faster and accurate and better integrated with GIS.
Data Storage: Data for assets whether it is a network component or buildings and other assets can be stored in GIS for spatial querying. If for example pipe line is taken for GIS asset management then the main data for storage will be pipe and node locations and characteristics, reservoir details, type and details of consumer locations. The data can be collected and entered by field staff in spreadsheets (MS Excel) and later imported to GIS. This helps reduce costs as technicians with minimum skills can do bulk of data handling operations. Data can be input in the GIS system by digitizing the pipelines and then attaching details of each component of pipe and valve details. The details which can be added for pipeline system can be Date of installation, maintenance history, diameter of pipe, material, pipe manufacturer, supplier etc. It depends on the records which a particular department wants to keep.
Data Mapping: Generating the mapping of assets for various criteria using GIS makes everyday querying based on specific criteria quick, easy and understandable for engineers. Basically the model presents information as on the map but it is intelligent map. In this each item is supported and described by other data that a user can access by a simple click of mouse. With maps and data in the system it is easy to view information selectively, for example with different layers switched on and off as needed. Data can also be filtered for example pipes with diameter of 300mm only to be displayed. So pipes with this diameter will be displayed and in particular color. The model output can be overlaid on satellite images or aerial photos of the area and also other details as location of consumers can be shown. Searches can be made of different criteria. Area for search can be defined by boundaries. Prints can be taken out to replicate what is on the screen (Anand and Vairavamoorthy, 2002).
GIS has been widely used around the globe for Asset Management, for example:
Developing Engineering Information System
In public works organizations the engineering function is responsible for studies and designs necessary to construct and reconstruct facilities. While duties vary, they normally include design, selection of consultants and contractors, construction supervision, maintenance of standards, project management, and record keeping. The engineering department would normally be responsible for numerous records, especially as-built drawings of newly constructed or reconstructed facilities. There is an obvious linkage with the information needs of operations and maintenance, and a common database should be available.
Inventory and Condition Assessment
The inventory and condition assessment processes are critical to maintenance management. The inventory activity is necessary to know where facilities are, what their initial characteristics were, and when should they receive attention. It is a combination of mapping and data about the facilities as they were installed, along with the maintenance history. The inventory, beginning with a map-based information system is the organizing vehicle to get all information together into one place. Information professionals immediately see the advantages of having all the information coordinated and in one system, and with current hardware and software it has become possible to achieve this goal. The inventory can be done at different levels of accuracy and sophistication. The beginning point is to have files with some maps and basic data so that the managers/engineers have some idea of where facilities are and how many there are (Grigg, 1988).
4.0 Proposed GIS for asset management at UAEU
The objective of the proposed GIS system is to design, develop and implement GIS application at UAEU which can be easily accessed by maintenance engineers and staff for Asset Management.
In the proposed system data collection will be the priority. This starts with organizing the present AutoCAD drawings both underground and over ground of different campuses in the university. The drawings not available in AutoCAD format can be scanned and digitized.
Then, a pilot study can be done by selecting a campus in the university such as Maqam campus (around 10000 students are enrolled in the campus). Maqam campus, have many departments, hostels for students and offices for faculty and the staff. It is having many underground and over ground utilities. Data for different assets of Maqam campus are available with the Campus Development Department in AutoCAD format and some in hardcopy. First, the data will be made available in the GIS by digitizing and scanning. Then attribute details of assets can be added in the GIS system manually by looking the data from the As-Built drawings.
Figure 1 shows the Maqam Area of UAEU with some utilities and buildings with their details. Once the data is added in the GIS system then it can be used to integrate with other software to make work order system.
Figure 1: UAE University- Al Maqam Campus
Source: http://faculty.uaeu.ac.ae/myagoub
The GIS system can be made by using ArcGIS software or other GIS system. The data, both spatial and attribute; can be stored in Oracle with ESRI ArcSDE as the middle ware. The data can be viewed by Campus Development Department staff by using Internet GIS software such as, ArcIMS and integrating it with Datastream 7i software for work order management. ArcIMS can be used for both internet and intranet purpose. This integration of assets with GIS for Campus Development Department can provide a customized browser based view of all the data required for the maintenance. Figure 2 shows the present system and Figure 3 shows the proposed system.
The present online work order system at the UAEU (Figure 2) does not integrate spatial and attribute data in the work order system, while the proposed system, does integrate spatial and attribute data with work order system (Figure 3).
Figure 2: UAE University’s current asset management system.
Source: http://www.uaeu.ac.ae/cdd/maintenance_form.asp
Figure 3: Proposed system for UAE University’s asset management.
Source: http://www.datastream.net/products/datastream7i.asp
5.0 Methodology
To start a GIS work data collection and its organization should be given the priority. Data required for this work will be detailed plans (maps) for the five UAEU campuses. Attribute data (Statistical and descriptive information) about UAEU facilities will be keyed-in and the data available in the excel sheet can be joined to the layer attribute table. Palm computer with Global Positioning System (GPS) will also be used for data collection. All infrastructure drawings in AutoCAD format will be converted to shapefile format of ESRI. If the drawings are not available in AutoCAD then those drawings will be scanned and digitized to make a vector data. Attributes will be added to the features where they are required. This can be done by adding data directly to the attribute table of ArcMap or by integrating with ArcSDE and data to be kept in the server in Oracle. A GIS data will be made in ArcGIS and the same data can be integrated with ArcIMS to make it work online. After completion of GIS data and its Integration with ArcIMS, work order request can also be integrated with the GIS system to take work order online and simultaneously submitting the request to the concerned section of the CDD. This can be done by using software such as Datastream7i.
Once the GIS system is ready with its integration with work order system then, a simple maintenance complain to the CDD can be worked on in the following order. A work order will begin when a person calls at CDD and CDD representative listens to the concern-pothole’s location, for example. The CDD representative requests street location information (street address or location), geocodes and zooms the map display to the pothole’s location. The CDD representative clicks the centerline of pothole to access the GIS record which is linked to the corresponding asset. He then, adds comments, a problem code and the complainant’s name and phone number for the follow-up. After the work order is created, it is automatically written to the asset management system using a web service call. Next, the work order is automatically e-mailed to the supervisor’s inbox, which shows new work order and existing work in progress. The supervisor selects the new map, views the map to identify a problem location within service district and assigns a crew. After work is performed, paper work is returned, hours and materials are recorded and a job is closed.
6.0 Benefits and Limitations of the GIS System
The advantage of integrating GIS with Asset Management at UAEU is that it will help in the coordination and exchange of information within the UAEU and proper management of university’s resources. This system will also help in avoiding duplication of efforts in terms of buying data, hardware and software and this will lead to cost reduction. Historically, the UAEU is the first University in the UAE and it is anticipated that the university must lead and become the pioneer in new areas such as IT and GIS. The potential beneficiaries of this system will be the UAE University’s, CDD staff as well as UAEU family as a whole. The CDD staff can use this system to monitor maintenance, renovation, or rehabilitation program. They can use the system to retrieve detailed information like tables, graphs and maps about any facility in the campus.
This integration of assets with GIS will provide CDD staff a customized browser based view of all the data needed to assist a complaint (Sherman, 2005).
Asset management systems also help in creating a better image for the organization by improving the communication between it and customers. The improvements in asset management lead to greater safety and reduce the organization’s exposure to liability and criticism (Greene, 2000; Lang, 1999; O’Looney, 2000).
This system may be both expensive and technically challenging and may require expensive expertise to design and develop the system. Another major hurdle may be the cost of collecting and inputting the spatial and descriptive data to the asset management system. Unknown locations of underground facilities such as pipeline and telephone lines may require use of magnetic locator that is very expensive. These costs may be very high depending on the types of assets that are being mapped. The time taken to input data may also extend to many years, leading to a possible loss of funding because benefits are not immediately realized by the organization (http://www.apett.org/pubs_journal.php).
Conclusion
Asset management is systematic process of maintaining, upgrading and operating physical assets. The key advantage is that it enhances the knowledge of engineers of various assets and their details, helps in logical decision making process; it acts as a framework that provides a measure of performance and links it to both short term and long term planning and optimal improvement of assets at least cost.
The GIS asset management system helps in time minimization, labor reduction, accuracy improvement, increases efficiency, improves customer services and is of high cost/benefit ratio.
References
http://www.apett.org/pubs_journal.php
(Accessed on 16 November 2006)
http://www.datastream.net/products/datastream7i.asp
(Accessed on 16 November 2006)
http://faculty.uaeu.ac.ae/myagoub
(Accessed on 16 November 2006)
http://irc.nrc-cnrc.gc.ca/fulltext/apwa/2001kyle.pdf
(Accessed on 13 December 2006)
http://www.uaeu.ac.ae/cdd/maintenance_form.asp
(Accessed on 13 November 2006)
GIS for Asset Management at the United Arab Emirates University
M. M. Yagoub
Department of Geography
Faculty of Humanities & Social Science
UAE University.
myagoub@uaeu.ac.ae
Mohsin A. Abbasi
Department of Geography
Faculty of Humanities & Social Science
UAE University.
mabbasi@uaeu.ac.ae
Abstract
The Campus Development Department (CDD) at the UAE University (UAEU) is responsible for daily maintenance of the infrastructures in the university. This department has various drawings of assets in hardcopy and some in AutoCAD format. These drawings are static and do not help its engineers and staff in dynamic way. In the present system, if there is a fault in the electric cable, water pipe leakage or pipe burst or some excavation work is to be carried out in the area where underground facilities are present, then, a request is made from the website or by a phone to CDD and it is submitted to the concerned department for its rectification. In this case there is no integration of the work order request with the online system as GIS, where the concerned engineering department and staff can get online status of the problems in a particular area in the university campus, get spatial as well as attribute details, like online dynamic map of the area with pan, zoom, query and other details of a particular asset by the click of a mouse and can also update their asset maintenance records and drawings from time to time.
This paper presents the use of GIS technology for managing assets at CDD in UAEU by giving some examples of GIS being used for asset management technology in different parts of the world. It discusses the key application of GIS in asset management, reviews the present system of managing assets at UAEU and proposes methods for integrating GIS with asset management for its use in the university.
1.0 Asset Management
Asset management is the collection, processing, analysis and maintenance of extensive information about various types of assets such as equipment, facilities and other resources to plan work to be executed to maintain these assets at an operational level in the most cost-effective fashion possible. In terms of public-works infrastructure, asset management is the process of keeping track of and deploying the public’s capital. The priority of asset management in this context is making decisions about the effective and efficient development, use, maintenance, repair, and retirement or replacement of utility lines, highways, street furniture, and other public infrastructure. The goal of asset management therefore is to achieve the best possible return on the investments made by the public in infrastructural development. While this may not be the view of many, it is an essential ingredient if the objectives of asset management are to be met.
2.0 GIS and its Capabilities
According to (Longley et al., 2001), Geographic Information Systems handle locational data. These are information systems of hardware, software, and procedures designed to support the capture, management, manipulation, analysis, modeling and display of spatially referenced data for solving complex planning and management problems. Detailed discussions on GIS may be found in (Berhansen, 1998; Burrough and McDonnell, 1998; DeMers, 1997; Longley et al., 2001).
GIS can easily display map-based information graphically on a computer.
Pipeline facilities, land features, and geopolitical boundaries are represented by an accurate, digital “intelligent” model in an easy to use, map-based application. These items are organized by separate groups, or “layers”, which allows the user to view only those items desired for a specific task.
GIS can view and analyze data geographically. The System also contains descriptive information tied to these facilities with a database. This means the user can display, for example, all sleeves on the pipeline in a given area of interest, and then look at descriptive information tied to those specific sleeves, (Johnson, 2001).
3.0 Applications of GIS in Asset Management
Although GIS is a nascent technology, it has been successfully used in various aspects of asset management. In North America and Europe, GIS in asset management is becoming a standard approach. Many researchers have described approaches for designing and developing asset management systems based on GIS (Brun et al., 1999; Lubeley and Bishop, 2001; Peng and Tsou, 2003; Schurle et al., 1998; Theirren, 1996; Vanier, 2001; Vanier and Danylo, 1998).
The broad area where GIS can be applied for assets are:
Data Collection: Conventionally data for any asset, to take an example of waterline network were collected and stored in paper format. This is less effective, labor intensive and error prone. With the advent of newer technologies as GPS and digital cameras data collection can be made faster and accurate and better integrated with GIS.
Data Storage: Data for assets whether it is a network component or buildings and other assets can be stored in GIS for spatial querying. If for example pipe line is taken for GIS asset management then the main data for storage will be pipe and node locations and characteristics, reservoir details, type and details of consumer locations. The data can be collected and entered by field staff in spreadsheets (MS Excel) and later imported to GIS. This helps reduce costs as technicians with minimum skills can do bulk of data handling operations. Data can be input in the GIS system by digitizing the pipelines and then attaching details of each component of pipe and valve details. The details which can be added for pipeline system can be Date of installation, maintenance history, diameter of pipe, material, pipe manufacturer, supplier etc. It depends on the records which a particular department wants to keep.
Data Mapping: Generating the mapping of assets for various criteria using GIS makes everyday querying based on specific criteria quick, easy and understandable for engineers. Basically the model presents information as on the map but it is intelligent map. In this each item is supported and described by other data that a user can access by a simple click of mouse. With maps and data in the system it is easy to view information selectively, for example with different layers switched on and off as needed. Data can also be filtered for example pipes with diameter of 300mm only to be displayed. So pipes with this diameter will be displayed and in particular color. The model output can be overlaid on satellite images or aerial photos of the area and also other details as location of consumers can be shown. Searches can be made of different criteria. Area for search can be defined by boundaries. Prints can be taken out to replicate what is on the screen (Anand and Vairavamoorthy, 2002).
GIS has been widely used around the globe for Asset Management, for example:
- Greensboro "North Carolina" simplifies access to city services with GIS and new one-call system (Sherman, 2005).
- Integrating GIS and Asset Management at Greater Cincinnati Water Works (Bryan, 2005).
- Asset Management Using GIS for Sewerage System of Mumbai (Vidyadhar et al., 2005).
- Fort Worth’s Asset Management Solution, Maintenance Management Integration with GIS, (Randy and Timothy, 2005).
- Integrating GIS, Computerized Maintenance Managements Systems (CMMS), and Asset Management (James and Derold, 2002).
- Integrated Approach to Asset and Work Management Using GIS (Elizabeth, 2003).
- Maximizing GIS Investments through Optimal Enterprise Asset Management Integration (Blake et al., 2002).
Developing Engineering Information System
In public works organizations the engineering function is responsible for studies and designs necessary to construct and reconstruct facilities. While duties vary, they normally include design, selection of consultants and contractors, construction supervision, maintenance of standards, project management, and record keeping. The engineering department would normally be responsible for numerous records, especially as-built drawings of newly constructed or reconstructed facilities. There is an obvious linkage with the information needs of operations and maintenance, and a common database should be available.
Inventory and Condition Assessment
The inventory and condition assessment processes are critical to maintenance management. The inventory activity is necessary to know where facilities are, what their initial characteristics were, and when should they receive attention. It is a combination of mapping and data about the facilities as they were installed, along with the maintenance history. The inventory, beginning with a map-based information system is the organizing vehicle to get all information together into one place. Information professionals immediately see the advantages of having all the information coordinated and in one system, and with current hardware and software it has become possible to achieve this goal. The inventory can be done at different levels of accuracy and sophistication. The beginning point is to have files with some maps and basic data so that the managers/engineers have some idea of where facilities are and how many there are (Grigg, 1988).
4.0 Proposed GIS for asset management at UAEU
The objective of the proposed GIS system is to design, develop and implement GIS application at UAEU which can be easily accessed by maintenance engineers and staff for Asset Management.
In the proposed system data collection will be the priority. This starts with organizing the present AutoCAD drawings both underground and over ground of different campuses in the university. The drawings not available in AutoCAD format can be scanned and digitized.
Then, a pilot study can be done by selecting a campus in the university such as Maqam campus (around 10000 students are enrolled in the campus). Maqam campus, have many departments, hostels for students and offices for faculty and the staff. It is having many underground and over ground utilities. Data for different assets of Maqam campus are available with the Campus Development Department in AutoCAD format and some in hardcopy. First, the data will be made available in the GIS by digitizing and scanning. Then attribute details of assets can be added in the GIS system manually by looking the data from the As-Built drawings.
Figure 1 shows the Maqam Area of UAEU with some utilities and buildings with their details. Once the data is added in the GIS system then it can be used to integrate with other software to make work order system.
Figure 1: UAE University- Al Maqam Campus
Source: http://faculty.uaeu.ac.ae/myagoub
The GIS system can be made by using ArcGIS software or other GIS system. The data, both spatial and attribute; can be stored in Oracle with ESRI ArcSDE as the middle ware. The data can be viewed by Campus Development Department staff by using Internet GIS software such as, ArcIMS and integrating it with Datastream 7i software for work order management. ArcIMS can be used for both internet and intranet purpose. This integration of assets with GIS for Campus Development Department can provide a customized browser based view of all the data required for the maintenance. Figure 2 shows the present system and Figure 3 shows the proposed system.
The present online work order system at the UAEU (Figure 2) does not integrate spatial and attribute data in the work order system, while the proposed system, does integrate spatial and attribute data with work order system (Figure 3).
Figure 2: UAE University’s current asset management system.
Source: http://www.uaeu.ac.ae/cdd/maintenance_form.asp
Figure 3: Proposed system for UAE University’s asset management.
Source: http://www.datastream.net/products/datastream7i.asp
5.0 Methodology
To start a GIS work data collection and its organization should be given the priority. Data required for this work will be detailed plans (maps) for the five UAEU campuses. Attribute data (Statistical and descriptive information) about UAEU facilities will be keyed-in and the data available in the excel sheet can be joined to the layer attribute table. Palm computer with Global Positioning System (GPS) will also be used for data collection. All infrastructure drawings in AutoCAD format will be converted to shapefile format of ESRI. If the drawings are not available in AutoCAD then those drawings will be scanned and digitized to make a vector data. Attributes will be added to the features where they are required. This can be done by adding data directly to the attribute table of ArcMap or by integrating with ArcSDE and data to be kept in the server in Oracle. A GIS data will be made in ArcGIS and the same data can be integrated with ArcIMS to make it work online. After completion of GIS data and its Integration with ArcIMS, work order request can also be integrated with the GIS system to take work order online and simultaneously submitting the request to the concerned section of the CDD. This can be done by using software such as Datastream7i.
Once the GIS system is ready with its integration with work order system then, a simple maintenance complain to the CDD can be worked on in the following order. A work order will begin when a person calls at CDD and CDD representative listens to the concern-pothole’s location, for example. The CDD representative requests street location information (street address or location), geocodes and zooms the map display to the pothole’s location. The CDD representative clicks the centerline of pothole to access the GIS record which is linked to the corresponding asset. He then, adds comments, a problem code and the complainant’s name and phone number for the follow-up. After the work order is created, it is automatically written to the asset management system using a web service call. Next, the work order is automatically e-mailed to the supervisor’s inbox, which shows new work order and existing work in progress. The supervisor selects the new map, views the map to identify a problem location within service district and assigns a crew. After work is performed, paper work is returned, hours and materials are recorded and a job is closed.
6.0 Benefits and Limitations of the GIS System
The advantage of integrating GIS with Asset Management at UAEU is that it will help in the coordination and exchange of information within the UAEU and proper management of university’s resources. This system will also help in avoiding duplication of efforts in terms of buying data, hardware and software and this will lead to cost reduction. Historically, the UAEU is the first University in the UAE and it is anticipated that the university must lead and become the pioneer in new areas such as IT and GIS. The potential beneficiaries of this system will be the UAE University’s, CDD staff as well as UAEU family as a whole. The CDD staff can use this system to monitor maintenance, renovation, or rehabilitation program. They can use the system to retrieve detailed information like tables, graphs and maps about any facility in the campus.
This integration of assets with GIS will provide CDD staff a customized browser based view of all the data needed to assist a complaint (Sherman, 2005).
Asset management systems also help in creating a better image for the organization by improving the communication between it and customers. The improvements in asset management lead to greater safety and reduce the organization’s exposure to liability and criticism (Greene, 2000; Lang, 1999; O’Looney, 2000).
This system may be both expensive and technically challenging and may require expensive expertise to design and develop the system. Another major hurdle may be the cost of collecting and inputting the spatial and descriptive data to the asset management system. Unknown locations of underground facilities such as pipeline and telephone lines may require use of magnetic locator that is very expensive. These costs may be very high depending on the types of assets that are being mapped. The time taken to input data may also extend to many years, leading to a possible loss of funding because benefits are not immediately realized by the organization (http://www.apett.org/pubs_journal.php).
Conclusion
Asset management is systematic process of maintaining, upgrading and operating physical assets. The key advantage is that it enhances the knowledge of engineers of various assets and their details, helps in logical decision making process; it acts as a framework that provides a measure of performance and links it to both short term and long term planning and optimal improvement of assets at least cost.
The GIS asset management system helps in time minimization, labor reduction, accuracy improvement, increases efficiency, improves customer services and is of high cost/benefit ratio.
References
- Anand, Suchith and Vairavamoorthy, Kalanithy. (2002). GIS in Design and Asset Management of Intermittent Water Distribution Systems. (http://www.gisdevelopment.net/technology/gis/techgi0064.htm) (Accessed on 6 December 2006)
- Berhansen T. (1998). Geographic Information Systems, Viak IT, Norway, pg.318.
- Blake Wiggins, Peter Manos and Chris Steely. (2002). Maximizing GIS Investments through Optimal Enterprise Asset Management Integration. Proceedings of the Twenty-Second Annual ESRI User Conference, SanDiago, California. http://training.esri.com/campus/library/index.cfm?CFID=204974&CFTOKEN=97741625&jsessionid=c230b913349c70112e5b (Accessed on 6 December 2006)
- Brun, F., Fitzgerald, F., Ferrell, J., Pittman, S., Graves, S., Butts, G. and Carter, J. (1999). Facilities management: a case study in data management and information. URISA Annual Conference Proceedings, Chicago, Illinois, pg.1-10.
- Bryan May. Integrating GIS and Asset Management at Greater Cincinnati Water Works. (2005). Proceedings of the Twenty-Fifth Annual ESRI User Conference, SanDiago, California.http://training.esri.com/campus/library/index.cfm?CFID=204974&CFTOKEN=97741625&jsessionid=c230b913349c70112e5b (Accessed on 6 December 2006)
- Burrough, P.A. and McDonnell, R.A. (1998). Principles of Geographical Information Systems, Oxford University Press, Oxford, pg.333.
- DeMers, M. (1997). Fundamentals of Geographic Information Systems, Wiley, New York, pg.486.
- Elizabeth Mueller. (2003). Integrated Approach to Asset and Work Management Using GIS. Proceedings of the Twenty-Third Annual ESRI User Conference, SanDiago, California.http://training.esri.com/campus/library/index.cfm?CFID=204974&CFTOKEN=97741625&jsessionid=c230b913349c70112e5b (Accessed on 6 December 2006)
- Greene, R.W. (2000). GIS in Public Policy. Using Geographic Information for More Effective Government, ESRI Press, California, pg.100.
- Grigg, Neil S. (1988). Infrastructure Engineering and Management. A Wiley-Interscience Publication, USA, pg 238-249.
- James McKibben and Derold Davis. (2002). Integrating GIS, Computerized Maintenance Managements Systems (CMMS), and Asset Management. Proceedings of the Twenty-Second Annual ESRI User Conference, SanDiago,California.http://training.esri.com/campus/library/index.cfm?CFID=204974&CFTOKEN=97741625&jsessionid=c230b913349c70112e5b (Accessed on 6 December 2006).
- Johnson, Jay A. (2001). The Operations based GIS implementation, GISdevelopment.net-GIS for Oil & Gas proceedings. http://www.gisdevelopment.net/proceedings/gita/oil_gas2001/papers/gita.asp (Accessed on 16 November 2006)
- Lang, L. (1999). Transportation GIS, ESRI Press, California, pg.118.
- Longley P, Goodchild M, Maguire R, Rhind D. (2001). Geographic Information Systems and Science, London, Wiley, West Sussex, pg.454.
- Lubeley, L and Bishop, L. (2001). Water/wastewater data development and asset management at city. URISA Annual Conference Proceedings, California, pg.1-5.
- O’Looney, J. (2000). Beyond Maps: GIS and Decision Making in Local Government, ESRI Press, California, pg.225.
- Peng, Z. and Tsou, M. (2003). Internet GIS: Distributed Geographic Information Services for the Internet and Wireless Networks, Wiley, New Jersey, pg.679.
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