Wireless GIS - Reasons and methods to create general access to enterprise GIS for field workers
Choosing the Right Hardware
An important element of the system is the mobile device hardware. Choosing the right hardware for the
application can be difficult. The key issues to consider in deciding what device to use are:
- What applications will be used on the device?
- Are the graphics capabilities of the device important?
- Will the information viewed be primarily textual?
- What are the environmental conditions under which the device will
be used?
- Will it be used in wet, extreme cold and/or hot environments?
- Does the device need to be ruggedized?
Devices, such as Symbol Technologies’ ruggedized mobile computing
devices have a long expected life cycle because they can withstand rain,
severe temperature and a high environmental particulate (dust) density. The
device also allows for attachments, such as a GPS receiver, to be attached
allowing the device to be used in a wide variety of applications. (higher
resolution picture of device w/ GPS) Ruggedized computing devices are
more expensive (approximately $1,000), because of the engineering required
to meet the specifications of challenging environments, but very often the
added initial expense is reasonable when compared to the cost of frequently
replacing non-ruggedized equipment.
If, however, it is expected that the user population will be using the mobile computing device
under “normal” conditions, many less expensive alternatives exist. The most popular devices
for non-rugged environments are from Palm (III, V, VII, 500, 505…), using the Palm
operating system (OS), and Compaq (iPaq) , using the Windows CE OS. Again, the features
and cost of these devices vary. Deciding which device to use should be driven by the
requirements of the applications to be deployed. Devices using the more
robust operating system, Windows CE, are more expensive, but very often the
less dynamic and less expensive Palm devices provide more than enough
functionality for the requirements of the application.
Wireless: Only a Feature of Mobile Data
One of the greatest hurdles in initiating a mobile data solution comes from the perception that the system
needs to incorporate wireless communications. In fact, this feature should not be incorporated until much
later in the deployment of the system. This is because the wireless data communications element is often
not a cost efficient component of the system. The equipment and service costs of adding wide area
network (WAN) wireless data access significantly impacts the rate of return on investment and should be
evaluated after the initial mobile solution is implemented. It is true that certain features of a mGIS are best
served by a wireless connection such as emergency work order delivery, field worker location
identification and alerts of newly identified hazards. Most of the information that mobile workers require
while in the field, however is data that can be downloaded to a mobile device from a wired connection.
Just as information is printed in anticipation of its use in the field, the same information should be
transferred in a digital format to mobile devices.
Determining mGIS Value
Individuals responsible for determining the value of instituting a mGIS might ask whether merely making
data mobile provides any value if the two way exchange of information is not real-time dependent? In
answer to this question the institution should consider that the value in having data stored and exchanged
via mobile computing devices comes from several efficiencies. The most obvious savings comes from the
fact that information that frequently changes no longer requires repeated reprinting and redistribution.
Additionally, the data acquired in the field, such as changes to the location of assets or outside plant
infrastructure, are digital. The new information is automatically inserted into the system, rather than being
input by data entry personnel, speeding the distribution and decreasing the cost of acquiring the
information.
There is significant value in creating a digital document trail other than decreasing the cost of printing and
distribution. Many municipalities around the world are looking to decrease the amount of time it takes to
process information in an effort to reduce costs. A good example of this can be found in some of the
processes the city of New York is looking to mobilize. Several of the city’s agencies have people working
in the field, such as buildings, health and fire inspectors. Many of the inspections they perform are in
response to public complaints. Until recently, field inspectors have worked with paper inspection reports
which are, in turn, handed to data entry clerks who manually input the data into the city’s information
system. Because of the backlog of inspection forms to be processed, the results of an inspection will often
not be entered into the city’s information system for as long as a month after the inspection. Because of
this delay, some inspections are repeated. Furthermore, these inspectors often require more information
while at an inspection site than the paperwork they carry with them into the field each day can provide.
Because of this, they often are unable to complete their work in one visit due to a lack of access to
information in the field. Much larger volumes of information can be carried into the field because of the
compact nature of information stored on mobile computing devices. Buildings inspectors can’t be
expected to carry an entire copy of the city’s buildings codes and regulations as well as inspection
manuals and other relevant documents as well. The information can, however, be readily available if
stored in electronic format on a mobile device. With the volumes of information available in this format,
fewer mistakes are made because the exact regulations are available.
