Benefits of integrating engineering applications
Requirements
We've discussed the needs and benefits of integrated design and analysis, but there is still
more information needed before taking full advantage of these systems. It must be said (i.e.
stressed) that you need the data to support the intended application. That is, you can't do
engineering analysis on data that only has size and material attributes. Data quality must be
re-evaluated to ensure supporting attributes are available and network modeling considers the
state of the system.
Network connectivity is something of an expectation in the digital world. But connectivity
must be defined and the network must be built upon a model that will support continuous
connectivity. Valves and switches must be able to operate and change the network structure
to mimic real-life conditions. Taps must break into the source and be recognized as a
change to the network as well. The system should support a trace function that identifies all
connected facilities, while ignoring those features disconnected from the system.
GIS data that is intended to support design and analysis applications require a greater level of
attribute information. This may require extending the data model to provide placeholders for
the information. For example, the data model used for conversion tasks may not support
design tasks, as it doesn't consider compatible unit information. Every utility has some level
of attribute data. The question is what do you need, and what do you have. Sometimes the
two don't match up, and field surveys need to be under taken, or default information used.
Another solution to the "missing data syndrome" is supplemental data tables in the GIS.
These tables may contain library/catalogue type of information without the need to have this
data stored redundantly in all of your facility records.
Load information is necessary to properly design a subdivision. This information can be set
up as a default, but when you want to do a full engineering analysis, actual load is desirable.
Since we're talking about a corporate repository for data, why not include load? Ties to
Customer Information Systems provide load information accurate to the last meter reading.
Seasonal peaks can also be accessed from this system. The GIS data model can accept this
information on a periodic basis or via a real-time link, providing accurate information to
users without suffering any performance penalties trying to figure out the load.
Engineering characteristics are also necessary when doing analysis. This information can be
obtained from external look-up tables, but must be developed to provide information specific
to the utility. Wire impedances, pipe roughness coefficients, etc., can all be obtained from
manufacturer tables or as in most cases, are being used for manual calculations and can be
readily brought into the system.
Compatible unit information must be available and can be accessed directly from the work
management system or from interface tables, or even down loaded into the GIS. The method
for accessing this information depends on the system architecture and particular work
management system. Compatible unit information is used to provide material lists, cost
estimates and design rules to expedite the overall design process.
Security issues must be taken into consideration as well when you open up corporate data to
the masses. Who should have access to look at the data, compared to who needs to be able to
add as well as delete information in order to keep it up to date. Security can also involve
quality control measures to ensure the integrity is not compromised with the additional use,
but with this comes a process change to communicate user responsibilities.
If designers are now maintaining the GIS, they need to understand that every feature they
place within the system will be considered part of the network. External systems, such as
work management and outage systems will be getting some of their information from the GIS
so it must be accurate. Many users have typically done designs in a graphic system, but
never considered the data impact, as they were meant for hard copy, then the digital version
is thrown away. Integrating design and analysis into the GIS means that the work being done
is not "throw away". It is building the corporate database, not just the graphic picture, and
care must be taken to ensure a viable data source is continually being built.
