Diagram 1
Geospatial Requirements of the Enterprise
When referring to Diagram 1, it should be noted that systems that are more traditionally geospatial as far as content do have a “connecting” role to the previously mentioned systems. Together they form the total enterprise needs to solve most business problems and needs. When we discuss these systems we are talking beyond their reason for existence as point solution in a department or functional “silo”. We need, in today’s environment, to have these systems integrated into the whole IT enterprise-wide network in order to maximize the investment in each.
Why geospatially enabled systems and information? As a start, geospatial information provides a visual and for those that prefer, alphanumeric means to finding or locating a piece of facility plant or asset. In addition, geospatial information answers the question as to what other pieces of plant are connected (and form a network) or what on the face of the earth relates to what. Geospatial information can also help in finding a customer or a potential customer. It can also connect a customer to a facility e.g. service line, lot, cable, water main. This is especially important for code-related work, service restoration, etc. Facility information, when tied to a visual geospatial picture, enhances understanding and analysis to a host of routine and ad-hoc business problems.
