The new system provides users with GIS redlining capability for correcting maps.
For the past three years, field workers have been equipped with Panasonic Toughbook computers loaded with the software, which puts the entire GIS at their fingertips. Field crews have immediate access to computerized mapping data of the entire water infrastructure, including more than 30 distribution maps, 48,000 valve drawings and detailed field notes using a mobile GIS interface.
Users can search, pan and view up-to-date utility data for a particular area, as well as click on a specific asset to see attribute information such as pipe size, material, condition, and more.
"Putting our entire database of valve drawings, field notes, maps and asset information at our field workers' fingertips has increased our productivity and customer service immensely," said Scardina. "It's the difference between spending half the day guessing where a pipe is located and knowing exactly where to find it, then moving on to the next job."
The new system also provides users with GIS redlining capability for map corrections. Redlining makes it easy to suggest corrections in sketches on the mobile device, for example when an asset has been moved or replaced, or when a field worker identifies a discrepancy on a map. The correction can then be routed to GIS personnel or simply shared by other Fieldport users in the field.
"The redlining capabilities are crucial in order to continually maintain an accurate depiction of the company's assets," said Dina Knight, GIS coordinator at Baton Rouge Water Company. "Now, a field worker initiates a redlining session and submits it electronically. I update the data layer in the GIS, and the field worker will see the changes the next time Fieldport synchronizes to the enterprise database."
Faster Repairs
The system also saves BRWC a significant amount of time and money when it comes to repairing water main breaks. With the entire water infrastructure viewable in the GIS, workers can quickly see which valves shut down a particular segment of pipe. The software's valve isolation tracing functionality automatically shows which valves need to be shut off to isolate a specific segment of pipe so repairs can be made.
Mobile workers can also access a customized inspection form using their laptops in the field. Once the form is complete, the field worker can check it into Fieldport to be stored in the GIS, thereby creating a history of asset inspection data.
New Uses for New Technology
As anticipated, soon after implementing the initial mapping and GIS system BRWC managers began looking for ways to increase their use of the technology to streamline additional tasks.
"We definitely optimized our processes for locating assets, updating maps and drawings, sharing information and handling repairs using mobile GIS," said Scardina. "Having access to the GIS has become an integral part of our field workers' jobs right away, and we were eager to find even more ways to use the technology throughout the organization."
Now, BRWC is in the process of integrating the software for work order management and asset management integration, which will allow field workers to complete electronic engineering reports based on regularly scheduled well tests.
"We're still conducting our weekly and bi-annual well inspections manually, and now it's more obvious to us than ever before how time consuming and error prone those hand-written notes can be," said Roger Simmons, CFO of BRWC.
Once the new functionality is fully integrated, BRWC field workers will be able to access electronic forms that replicate the paper forms they've used for years. In-depth, bi-annual inspections will be completed using the Fieldport software on the laptops in the field, and the faster weekly inspections will be done using the new Trimble Field Inspector software on rugged Trimble handheld computers.
The new functionality will also include enhanced capabilities for work order management, with the long-term goal of managing all repair, installation and service work orders through the system.
"We fully anticipate that moving to an electronic system of data collection on our well inspections will allow us to make better decisions on capital improvements and be more proactive at assessing our system of wells," said Simmons. "This technology is without a doubt saving us time, money, and enabling us to work more efficiently. To us, that means providing better customer service, which is really what we're all about."
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