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Data Distribution
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Out of the black (box) and into the blue (sky)
- Field Hardware
Field hardware costs remain stable and system performance continues to increase. All field PCs can now
be purchased with a minimum operating speed of 133MHz. Additionally, field PCs can be ruggedized
to provide insurance against damage and to preserve longevity. ASI's field inventory staff chooses
standard (non-ruggedized) field PCs. A common system has the following specifications:
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Fujitsu 1200 Pentium 120 MHz
- 1.6 gig hard drive
- 48 Mb RAM
Systems similar to this one provide substantial performance at lower cost than many of the ruggedized
field systems.
While the easiest logistical component to solve, hardware is often the preventative component for field
deployment. The cost associated with equipping field staff with PCs can be substantial. To compound
this hurdle, the industry has done little to determine the return on investment of field deployable
technology. Field PCs do represent an additional cost, but they are only a fraction of the complete cost
of field staff, field equipment and office GIS technology. GISproductivity increases are filly realized
only when engineers and customer representatives have access to the data. Moreover, many GIS
development difficulties would be overcome if field access to digital data was available.
- Application Software
The use and selection of application software depends on the primary applications sought by the utility.
As in most software applications one size does not fit all. Specific system applications must be
determined in advance of the field deployment. The software used in the field can vary depending on the
specific field task. Additionally, the utility may deploy several field applications as required to improve a
strategic competitive position or business process.
The use of graphics in the field is essential for advanced field deployment methods. Providing the field
engineer with data relationships and allowing for in-field data manipulation provides the greatest
potential for the return on investment. The graphic user interface, however, increases the technical
challenges of system deployment.
Graphic access can be accomplished using either a CD-ROM viewing system or direct loading through
system hard wire or Internet tools. The choice in this technology will be influenced by process
compatibility, which is discussed below.
Additionally, the graphic user interface can view "live" digital data with full access to the graphic and
non-graphic data or provide a GIS "light" application that limits access to certain data structures in the
GIS. The latter are defined as viewing packages. Graphics viewing packages provide the field engineer
with accelerated access and ease of use. Most of the major GIS software companies have view software.
In addition, several 31dparty software packages facilitate field applications for any software type.
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