Delivering GIS to the field
Voluminous Matming and Attribute Information
The compression process of the extracted data produced better than expected results. The
rate of compression averaged approximately 3:1. In addition, the facility and land
information was partitioned based upon Wisconsin Gas’s sixteen district office service
territories which are spread across the state. However; the southeast service territory which is
20 times the size of the largest district office territory could not be divided. As proof of
concept a smaller district office service territory was translated, compressed and then loaded
into the field mapping product. The concept proved to be successful. This first service
territory being used in the field mapping product meet the majority of the fictional
requirements for the application. Surprisingly, internal Wisconsin Gas clients for the field
application were also impressed and satisfied with the progress being made and the
functionality provided by field mapping product. The next major hurdle would be the
translation, compression, and loading of the large southeast service territory. Up to this point
only estimates and guesses had been made on the final disk space requirements for the
southeast region. The same 3:1 compression rate needed to be achieved on the southeast data
for it to be feasible to load the entire southeast service territory on a laptop. The same
compression rate was achieved as indicated by the graphs below.
Updatirw the Information
The last obstacle to overcome was the ability to quickly and easily update the mapping
information on the laptops. Wisconsin Gas does not have a wide area network in place to
connect its southeast operations with it sixteen district office operations. Therefore, using a
network as a means for update distribution was not possible. Placing the data on CD-ROM
turned out to be the chosen means to distribute updates. This proved to be an economical
and successfi.d way to distribute the map updates. Wisconsin Gas purchased the required
hardware and software to produce the CD-ROM’s in-house. The majority of field personnel
already had access to an external CD drive which could be connected to their laptop. A few
additional external CD drives were purchased for those employees who did not have access to
a CD drive. The Engineering Systems department wrote an application which then updated
the laptop from the CD-ROM. CD-ROM’s proved not only to be good means for update
distribution, but also for running the application. As additional Wisconsin Gas employees
have begun to use the mapping application some have newer laptops with integrated CD
drives. The mapping application can be configured to read the information directly from the
CD-ROM, eliminating the need for additional hard drive space for the application. Wisconsin
Gas’s entire service territory can be placed on one CD-ROM.
Integration with other Applications
Part of Marketing’s original request was the ability to query the map for additional facility and
customer information. The customer information is stored in Wisconsin Gas’s mainframe CIS
system; however, through keyed database tables a tie with the GIS system is maintained. As
part of the translation process this customer information is extracted in and joined with the
GIS data. In the final field application a client can now query any service and retrieve both
facility and customer information. This functionality does not exist in the office GIS where
only facility information is stored.
Wisconsin Gas’s new field service application is written in poplar workgroup/workflow forms
application. The marketing representative fills out the digital service application form in the
field. Then through “replication” and an underlying programmed workflow the application is
routed to the proper areas to get the service installed; i.e., permitting, engineering,
construction, inspection, and record keeping. Part of this process requires the Marketing
representative to create a sketch of the proposed service and an exhibit of the existing area.
In the past the marketing representative used a simple drawing application to sketch the
proposed service, For the exhibit, a survey map or hard copy print from the GIS was scanned
and then attached to the application as another digital form. Now, using the mapping
application’s markup tools the Marketing representative can sketch the proposed service
directly on the map. Then since both the mapping application and the new service application
are windows based, this area of the map can be cut and pasted onto the service application
form. This cut and pasted map now serves the purpose of the exhibit and the sketch and
displays all our existing facilities.
Maintaining a link with the office>
With all this facility and land information out in the field, the systems department recognized
the need for field personal to clearly communicate any errors or changes to the information
725?back to the ofllce personal who maintained the information. To solve the problem the systems
staff leveraged the infrastructure and software in place for the field new service application
process. The new service application process routes information from the field to various
different areas of the company using messaging and worktlow software and LAN and dial-up
connections. A new application was written using this software to provide a connection
between the field and office for the facility and land information. This application is loaded on
any laptop or field PC which has the mapping application.
If someone in the field, working with the mapping application, finds an error or a change they
do the following. In the new field mapping correctiotichange application they fill out a digital
correction/change form. On this form several fields are filled into indicate the location of the
problem. A description of the problem or change being requested is also entered. In addition
the area of the map in question is cut and pasted onto the correctiotichange form. Then when
the field person “replicates” this application either through the LAN or across a telephone line
it is automatically routed to a work list which is monitored by the office staff who maintain the
company GIS. Using the information on the correction/change form the office staff is able to
make the required changes and update the GIS. The next time the field person updates their
there field mapping data the correction or change will be visible.
Conclusion
Currently, over 140 people at Wisconsin Gas are using the field mapping application. The
application is being used in the following areas of the company:
It also being used by external Wisconsin Gas construction contractors and the Wisconsin
Public Service Commission. The field mapping application not only helped stream line the
new service application process for Marketing but has provided other areas of the company
easy access to facility and land information. In addition in emergency situations the
application provides quick, current information to make prudent and informed decisions.
