Enterprise wide decision support system for the city of San Diego water department
Tides: Objectives
Also, in the strategic planning process set of simplified objectives to support were developed to support the
mission of providing timely information. As the various components of TIDES have been developed the
need to focus on cost/ benefits became evident. The objectives have been revised to include and address
the need to link investment in technology to improved business performance.
- to provide automation that is capable of supporting and enhancing the operating
performance and customer service mission of the sponsoring Water Department program or
section.
- to create cost-effective Enterprise Wide integration planning for networks, databases,
computer applications to facilitate better information building methods.
- to implement proven cost-effective data management techniques to increase the accuracy
and timeliness of data contained within the TIDES databases.
- to use automation to support an increase in worker knowledge, skills and abilities for
understanding and completing job assignments in a manner that adds value to the business.
Tides: Water Department Computer System Applications
The strategic planning process identified department computer system applications that support the data
management for the business operating processes. In TIDES, these computer applications are divided into
the four following data management categories:
Simulation Systems, which provide the information required to confirm design and operational
scenarios, such as emergencies, low pressure system response, unexpected drought strains, and
main breaks. The sub-system includes the following applications:
The Water Model and Sewer Capacity Model
The Water Quality Model
The Distribution and Collection Optimization Models
The Energy Management and Disaster Recovery Models
The CIP Cash Flow Model
Operations Systems, which process transactions immediate to the daily operations of the business
and provide the data required to support the Production and Distribution Systems operation and
maintenance and infrastructure repair. This sub-system includes the following applications:
The Water Quality Laboratory Information Management system
The Treatment Plant Morning Reports
The Telemetry / SCADA System
The Tool Room Inventory Management System (TRIM)
The Sewer and Water Infrastructure Management System (SWIM)
The Automated Mapping (SPLASH) System
The Aerials / Photogrammerty System
The Treatment Plant Processing Control System
External Systems, which are owned by other departments in the City Enterprise and provide
information to the Water Department sections for use by the Business Operations and Simulation
Systems. The sub-system includes the following City-wide applications:
The Building Permit Inspection System (BPIS)
The Regional and Urban Information System (RUIS)
The Financial Management Budget System (FMBS)
The Accounting Management Information System (AMRIS)
The Fixed Assets Management Information System (Inventory-FAMIS)
The Payroll and Personnel (CAPPS) System
Support Systems, which provide engineering and administrative information to the business
operations and simulations systems which provide data required to fulfill design, construction,
financial services, human services, customer service. This sub-system includes the following
applications:
The Computer Aided Design and Drafting (CADD) System
The Water Conservation Management (MARSI) System
The Project Management (WINGS) System
The Design Specification System
The Cost Estimating System
The CIP Financial Tracking (CIPRES) System
The Installation Order System
The Customer Information System
The Meter Reading / Routing System
The Automated Time & Attendance (ATA) System
The eight technology components of Tides
TIDES is composed of eight technology components that combine to create workstations, databases and
computer applications that are accessed by the users to update and retrieve information. These eight
components are summarized briefly below.
Enterprise Wide Management System Practice
To accomplish integrating the various computer applications an “Enterprise Wide” view has been used to
develop and implement TIDES over a five year period. Consideration was given to the overall City
Enterprise and how each City wide computer application is incorporated for use by TIDES. This
enterprise-wide concept addresses the business operations of the programs and sections required to acquire,
treat, store, and distribute, water to the customer, including CIP engineering and associated service
operations as they participate as an operating department of the municipal enterprise.
