Infrastructure and Asset Management using Mobile Technology
Raymond D. Thierrin, P.E.
Vice-President, Geo Informational Services
100 Corporate Drive, Suite 205
Lebanon, New Jersey 08833 United States
Introduction
Public works departments, public utilities and private corporations are becoming more and more
reliant on automated processes and computer based decision support. Asset management
technologies such as geographic information systems (GIS) and relational database management
systems (RDBMS) are gaining widespread approval, due both to the rapidly declining costs of
enabling technologies and the desire to remain competitive. The large growth in the
implementation of infrastructure and asset management systems over the past few years has
created a compelling need for current and accurate data to base those decisions on. This data is
best maintained directly in the field, at the "point of contact". Pen-based and handheld
computers show significant appeal as the platform of choice for these field data collection and
management applications due to their ease of use and widespread availability.
Enabling Technologies
The development of hand held and pen based computer applications for asset inventory data
collection and mapping, field engineering, infrastructure management, and construction
inspection is made possible through the integration of a variety of enabling technologies. The
integration of enabling technologies such as mobile computing platforms, speech to data capture
engines, handwriting recognition, freehand sketching and signat~e capture, digital imaging)
GPS/GIS mapping and wireless data communication is made easier through the use of a variety
of software applications and rapid application development software tools.
Computing Hardware
A discussion of the myriad of computing solutions available for use in the field could easily
occupy the entirety of this paper. Most of the vendors that deal with global positioning system
(GPS) and survey data collection devices have single focus handheld data collection hardware
that work well in the field based on small screen text only input. In order to focus on business
standard software applications, the discussion on hardware will be largely bounded to hardware
designed to support graphical user interfaces (GUI) that enable end users to readily assimilate
information, such as those based on variants of the Windows operating system environment. In
addition, these devices support a variety of technical and business applications, which allow
them to be considered as true business decision support tools.
There are several hardware vendors that produce high quality and robust field platforms that
readily support a variety of applications. These platforms can be divided into two major
categories, notebooks and pen tablets. Notebooks have become the staple of the mobile business
traveler, running Windows 95, Windows 98 and Windows NT. However, most notebook
computers cannot take the daily rigors of the typical field worker. Several vendors such as
Telxon and Panasonic, among numerous others, have developed ruggedized notebook computers
that have such features as magnesium screen cases and shock mounted hard drives. These types
of devices have found increasing acceptance in utility companies and in public safety
applications. One of the practical issues with notebook computers is that the majority of them
come with color screens, usually active matrix. Most people who have attempted to take a color
laptop computer in the field know how difficult it is to see the screen in bright sunlight. Some
vendors have developed anti-glare coatings for the color screens that mitigate some of these
issues. Color screens also tend to have higher power consumption, a major drawback in a mobile
environment.
The pen tablet has been a significant component of field automation technology over the past
few years. The concept of the pen tablet is simple, take the concept of a pen and paper and make
it digital. The pen tablet has been able to remove some of the difficulties in having a casual
computer user deal with a computing device, a keyboard and a mouse. The pen stylus becomes
the main program navigation tool and input device. Most of the platforms do allow typing
through the use of an on-screen or virtual keyboard, as well as always improving handwriting
recognition tools. The nature of the pen interface allows for other data capture tools, such as pen
freehand sketching and redlining as well as signature capture. Vendors such as Fujitsu,
MicroSlate and Hammerhead have been producing pen tablet systems for several years, with
both monochrome and color screens available. The best screen technology for outdoor use is
currently the monochrome transflective variety, however by the time this paper is presented,
several vendors will likely be delivering color transflective units. This technology will bring a
larger audience to pen based computers. In addition, support of industry standard operating
systems like Windows, including Windows NT makes these systems compliant with many
organizations' information technology (IT) strategies.
It becomes difficult to review field computer technology without some discussion on handheld
computers. The recent advances in handheld computer technologies, with such platforms as the
pen-enabled 3Com's Palm Pilot and the Microsoft Windows CE based HPCS and palm-size PCs,
has enabled enterprise data to be distributed to the mobile work force. Because of the small form
factor, these types of computers can be put into a shirt or jacket pocket and taken out when
needed to review, enter and modify data. The Palm Pilot has been the market's leader since its
inception, even with a proprietary operating system. Undoubtedly, Microsoft's decision to enter
the market was based on their vision that Windows functionality is desirable across all
computing platforms. The initial release of Windows CE, with vendors like Sharp, HP and
