Data Conversion Without Establishing an AM/FM/GIS System

Standards Requirements
All conversion projects require both graphic and database standards before work can take place. It is well known the more detailed these standards are the better it is for both the utility and the conversion vendor.

Geographic standards include items such as; geographic symbology, complete and detailed descriptions of each object with a complete library of objects. These standards should also include instructions on how to place these objects on the maps.

The first phase of building these geographic standards should be independent of any system and focus on building uniformity between new and converted maps. Most organizations have been creating manual (paper/mylar) maps for many years and often in different locations throughout the company. Conformity and uniformity will result from implementation of these standards.

A second phase of standards development comprises detailed instructions on how to interpret attribute data and what are valid entries into database tables. Again these Data Interpretation Rules should be independent of any AM/FM/GIS system and focus on rules of facility operation and maintenance. Typical code lists can be developed for many of these interpretation rules. The four key elements are:

Standards Requirements
Complete and detailed Geographic Standards;
Facility object symbology and libraries;
Facility Data Interpretation Rules;
Facility rules code lists.

A well-defined and documented set of standards will become the “Conversion Bible”. These standards will also assist in future migration to newer systems and technology.

The final phase to this standards development process should include specific information associated with the actual graphic and database structure (system) into which the facility records will be converted. For example, in the Consumers Energy project the geographic standards included information necessary for MicroStation CAD files linked to an Oracle Relational Database Management System (RDBMS).