EGUG 2002 Presentations

The 2002 EGUG Presentations is a compilation of professional papers delivered
October 8–1, 2002, in Coeur d'Alene, Idaho. ESRI users contributed a fundamental part to the conference by submitting and presenting their presentations on a diverse collection of GIS applications. The proceeds promote GIS application by stimulating users to share their experiences and knowledge.

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Plenary Session

Welcome Session
(not currently available)
—Ted Wadzinski, David Miller, and Curt Kirkeby—EGUG Officers

Keynote Address [PDF-259 KB, 10 pages]
—Roger Woodworth, Vice President of Operations, Avista Utilities

ESRI Technical Update View Presentation [PDF-3.77 MB, 69 pages] —Sud Menon, ESRI: ESRI welcomes users to EGUG with a video from Jack Dangermond, followed by a review of our new technology, upcoming releases, and development plans-highlighting those topics of significant interest to our electric and gas users.
Developing and Sustaining Your Enterprise GIS Architecture Design View Presentation [PDF-1.28 MB, 52 pages] —Dave Peters, ESRI: Managing technology change is a critical component of successful and sustainable enterprise GIS environments. Most effective enterprise business operations are established through an evolutionary process, supporting incremental annual improvements to production operations that continually improve return on investment. Infrastructure planning is becoming a more critical component of effective decision making, as the amount of technology change continues to grow each year. ESRI shares its strategy for supporting successful enterprise GIS deployments and helping these users manage technology change.
Generating Automatic Representations of Your Network Data View Presentation [PDF-58 KB, 24 pages] —Patrick Dolémieux, ESRI: Producing accurate schemas of the network is essential for efficiently managing utilities. Network operators are now able to automatically generate diagrams of network data stored in the geodatabase using ArcGIS Schematics. ArcGIS Schematics is a convenient solution for utility companies responsible for transmission as well as distribution. This ArcGIS extension directly connects to descriptive geodatabases to create up-to-date schemas of network information, including inside and outside plant, enabling network management through discerning logical displays of the network.
Annotation, Labeling and Maplex View Presentation [PDF-1.20 MB] —Matt English, ESRI: An overview of ESRI product offerings of annotation, labeling and Maplex, describing the similarities and differences.

Paper Presentations

Using GIS for Managing Gas Facilities and Code Required Inspections and Maintenance (not currently available) —Ted Wadzinski, Alliant Energy

Alliant Energy has developed its GIS system to work with its gas inspections and maintenance management system, which includes the management of periodic inspections for services, valves, stations, and mains; cathodic protection zones; exposed steel pipe inspections; and emergency shutdown zone. This has allowed Alliant Energy to utilize the facility maintenance process in GIS to identify changes in inspection requirements and to allow GIS to be used to analyze inspection results for improved maintenance and capital planning. This presentation will show how these applications work together and how Alliant Energy is using them to improve regulatory compliance and system reliability.

Collaborative Data Migration View Presentation [PDF-181 KB, 26 pages] —Ian Martin, Analytical Surveys, Inc. —Bhima Bongu, Logica, Inc.

A partnership between clients and vendors is key to the successful implementation of any GIT project. In the case of a data migration, this is especially true since the client and the vendor must work closely to create a solution that maximizes the client's investment in its legacy data and achieves its goals for the GIT project within the constraints of the project schedule and budget.

This case study shares how Atlanta Gas Light Resources (AGLR) worked with Logica, Inc., and Analytical Surveys, Inc., to maximize AGLR's investment in quality data, applications, and decision support tools.

Easing Version Management Through Customization View Presentation [PDF-579 KB, 23 pages] —Ian Fitzgerald, Truckee Donner PUD

It's important for inexperienced users to easily enter a defined workspace based on their task at hand as well as create or select versions without understanding the details of the underlying technology. Share Truckee Donner, with support from POWER Engineers, was able to decrease training and project setup time and provide excellent management of versions with the fully automated Login/Version Manager tool.

Mobile Workforce Management 101 (not currently available) —Jim Nelson, MDSI Mobile Data Solutions Inc.

Today's utility markets demand an efficient and effective workforce to counteract competitive threats, manage rising customer expectations, operate with reduced operational budgets and staff, and meet the requirements established by governing utilities commissions. Pressures from every side are driving utilities to do more with less. Learn the basics of mobile workforce management to help address these issues

Understanding all the components of a WFM system
Building the business case-overview of key benefits and associated ROI measures
Why integrate with other enterprise applications: in one implementation a utility can wirelessly enable multiple systems with one solution
Deciding on wireless networks and devices: network coverage studies, benefits of various devices, and network options
Implementation strategies: pitfalls to avoid and strategies that work
Ongoing performance measurements and system optimization

Enterprise Wide Use of GIS Data to Improve Business Processes View Presentation [PDF-4.08 MB, 26 pages] —Dennis J. Carter, Consumers Energy

Consumers Energy (CE) has completed a migration of all gas record data into an enterprisewide GIS with all data residing in an ArcSDE database. CE is now in the process of developing applications to support multiple business processes. These applications include code compliance processes such as leak survey, cathodic protection, and regulator inspection as well as system planning and emergency dispatch. Users will access the applications remotely using a Citrix server or the company Internet. This presentation will provide an overview of the applications and some insight to implementation.

GIS for Joint-Use Field Data Collection (not currently available) —Rob Kolosvary, Portland General Electric dba Utility Asset Management

Utility Asset Management (UAM) manages more than 230,000 joint-use poles with more than 60 licensees for Portland General Electric and also offers joint-use and GIS services for outside clients. This presentation will explore the benefits and challenges of using a handheld GIS device for field data collection. UAM has developed a field data collection application using ESRI ArcPad on the Compaq iPAQ. The application features pulldown menus that validate and track new safety and NESC code violations, pole loading and structural analysis criteria, and audit data used in joint-use management. Topics covered will include building geodatabases, checking out and integrating field data back into the GIS system, and storing and tracking digital photos.

Using GIS and Integrated Systems to Track Outage Response and Improve Restoration View Presentation [PDF-1.34 MB, 39 pages] —Ken Simmons, Lee County Electric Cooperative

In the past five years, Lee County Electric Cooperative (LCEC) has migrated from a paper-based, manual operation to an ESRI software-based GIS with functionality that touches all areas of daily operation. The 160,000-member co?op has automated both its field engineering processes and outage response to better serve customers.

LCEC has also implemented a comprehensive response tracking system using its outage management software and reporting modules. Join in the overview of how the co-op is tracking past outage duration and response times to better manage future restoration efforts.

Enterprise GIS: Realizing a Return on Investment View Presentation [PDF-2.47 MB, 31 pages] —Erik Potter, Landmark Geographic Services, Inc.

The maintenance and success rate of GIS in distribution utilities has been an uphill battle. Nearly all of these utilities are reworking or completely reinvesting in map and GIS technologies every five years because planning, systems, processes, and overall vision were not established and integrated into the long-term thinking of the utility. Ideally, the goal is a return on investment (ROI) to every department in the utility, providing returns in the areas of general management, operational management, facilities management, finance and accounting, engineering, customer service, and safety.

This presentation will focus specifically on how to create a company-wide culture that understands and embraces the geographic information system for an ROI business model. ROI areas will be covered providing the attending utilities with a set of tools with specific goals and processes to implement upon returning to their utilities.

Implementing ArcGIS Schematics: A Case Study at Westar Energy View Presentation [PDF-1.17 MB, 32 pages] —Gregg Noland, Westar Energy —Sharon A. Allpress, KEMA Consulting

This presentation will discuss the successes and challenges of implementing ArcGIS Schematics at Westar Energy. ArcGIS Schematics is the automatic schematic generation tool that integrates with ArcGIS 8 to produce schematic layouts of a network. Prior to implementing ArcGIS Schematics, Westar Energy manually drafted the switching-circuit schematics of its electric network. The ArcGIS Schematics application will replace this task by automatically generating the schematics from network data maintained in Westar Energy's GIS. The presentation will conclude with a discussion on developing the business case for ArcGIS Schematics and the benefits gained by Westar Energy.

Implementing ArcFM and Designer at South Carolina Electric & Gas View Presentation [PDF-2.77 MB, 49 pages] —John Alsup, South Carolina Electric & Gas

This presentation will provide insight into the overall design and implementation of ArcFM and Designer at South Carolina Electric & Gas (SCE&G). SCE&G will share its experience with this implementation including challenges such as the effects of network performance, the use of compatible units and their relationship to features, long transactions, and user acceptance.

Enhanced Reporting and Management Using Integrated Web-Modules (not currently available) —Kyle Baggett, Cullman Electric Cooperative

Cullman Electric Cooperative (CEC) is actively using integrated Web-modules to enhance its ability to serve customers better and respond faster to outage situations. Customer Service Representatives (CSRs) can access up-to-date GIS customer and facility information from their desktops via a Web browser. Customer inquiries concerning work order status, billing, or other matters can more quickly be answered by the first CSR taking the call. Outage calls can be automatically entered into the CEC Outage Management System by CSRs in the co-op's administrative headquarters and instantly displayed for dispatchers in the operations and engineering building. Web-enabled reporting also gives managers instant access to the data and historical information needed to analyze work practices, crew performance, and budgetary compliance.

Automated Vehicle Tracking Systems: Why Utilities Need Them View Presentation [PDF-2.72 MB, 25 pages] —Ryan Smith, Landmark Geographic Services, Inc.

Many utilities can expedite services, govern safety, and boost productivity with the use of automated vehicle location (AVL) systems. With the use of AVL systems, utility fleets can respond to emergency situations with greater ease and safety. AVL systems can track and locate the nearest vehicles to an emergency situation as an emergency develops. This is turn can lead to improved safety among field technicians and greater customer satisfaction where and when emergencies occur.

This presentation will help outline how AVL systems can ensure least-cost routing, quicker response times, driver and crew safety, accountability, and message capabilities. AVL is a real-time tool that can help utility managers better allocate resources and actively manage the utility resources.

Mobile GIS With ArcGIS 8 View Presentation [PDF-6.01 MB, 42 pages] —Ted Wadzinski, Alliant Energy —Ruth Hands, Alliant Energy —Jason Linley, Tadpole-Cartesia —John Selkirk, Tadpole-Cartesia —Noam Arbel, Miner & Miner, Consulting Engineers, Inc.

Alliant Energy has been using mobile GIS in vehicles for several years. As part of its corporate merger and consolidation of GIS systems, the company is expanding this program, upgrading to ArcGIS 8, and improving how the applications are used in the field. One of the significant improvements involves the methods used to keep the mobile data in sync with the central Spatial Database Engine (SDE) geodatabase and to provide the ability to edit data in the field. Alliant Energy is working with Tadpole-Cartesia to implement its GeoSync tools. The GeoSync application provides two-way synchronization between SDE and personal geodatabases. This presentation will provide an overview of the technology and show how Alliant Energy is using it.

A Pilot Project for Alignment of Facility Data to Improved LandBase (not currently available) —Dave Magee, Tele Atlas (GDT)

This presentation examines data modeling, topological maintenance, and alignment of multiple spatial data sets in a project for Atlanta Gas Light Company (AGL). Processes include

Conflation of public vector data with Tele Atlas (GDT)'s addressed street centerline
Horizontal realignment of the resulting street network using aerial imagery
Autocorrelation of AGL's street centerline to the improved land base
Repositioning of AGL's boundaries, point data, facilities, and other data layers to the improved geometry

Successfully Implementing GIS in a Multi-Departmental Utility Setting View Presentation [PDF-1.20 MB, 47 pages] —Chester Richey, City of Florence Utilities

In June of 2002, Florence Utilities, located in Florence, Alabama, unveiled its comprehensive ESRI software-based GIS encompassing data from the city's electric, water, wastewater, and gas departments. Using GIS students from a local university, Florence accurately mapped its entire utility service area (more than 95,000 total meters) before implementing AM/FM/GIS software to bring functionality to the electronic system model.

As one of the first systems in the country to implement a multidepartmental system, Florence faced the challenge of ensuring that all systems were fully integrated and accessible by appropriate personnel within each department. Florence uses its GIS for daily facilities maintenance and electronic staking as well as outage management. Integrated systems include an AS/400 CIS and Centurion IVR. The utility is also making use of Web-enabling modules to push information across departmental lines to employees throughout the utility.

Fast Track Conversion From ArcInfo 7 (MMPowerTools) to ArcGIS 8 and ArcFM 8 View Presentation [PDF-823 KB, 26 pages] —Tom Taber, Miner & Miner, Consulting Engineers, Inc.

This presentation will review Colorado Springs Utilities' seven-month conversion process from ARC/INFO 7.2/MMPowerTools/ARC/INFO Librarian to an ArcGIS 8/ArcFM 8/SDE implementation. The project was implemented in three stages known as Design, Develop, and Deploy.

The Design stage took the standard ESRI Electric Distribution Data Model and modified it to meet the requirements of Colorado Springs Utilities. The Develop stage consisted of creating data conversion scripts, intermediate coverages, geodatabase configuration, feature-linked annotation, symbology, and ArcFM software-specific properties. The Deploy stage consisted of a final data conversion that was loaded onto the production server.

The final portion of the presentation will discuss the successes and challenges of the project including annotation, feeder management configuration, versioning strategies, performance tuning, schedule compliance, client/consultant team cooperation, lack of fatal project flaws, editor productivity, and user acceptance.

Overcoming Challenging CAD Conversion Issues at Gulf View Presentation [PDF-839 KB, 28 pages] —Jack Hierholzer, Southern Company Services —Kathy Bryce, SAFE Software, Inc.

Gulf Power is using the Florida Automated Mapping System (FAMS), which runs on AutoCAD Release 12 in a DOS environment. Faced with rewriting the code to use AutoCAD Release 13 technology or switching to an ESRI GIS solution, Gulf opted for the latter. Thus began a long process of automating the capture of information from the FAMS system to put into a geodatabase. Along the way, serious issues were encountered: symbol insertion points differing from their intended location, deciphering of the CAD layer codes, stitching together more than 650 tiles, closing gaps in the lines, setting symbol rotations, matching text to the correct graphical elements, and so on. Using the tools in SAFE's Feature Manipulation Engine (FME), Southern Company Services was able to dramatically reduce the amount of manual cleanup required for conversion and to successfully produce both bank and unit records with attributes from the graphical information in FAMS.

Thrills and Chills of Implementing an Enterprise GIS View Presentation [PDF-1.23 MB, 29 pages] —Jeff Myerson, CenterPoint Energy

Enterprise GIS is a great idea for today's utility, but the road to get there is much more twisted than you might expect. What should you expect during your journey? Where are the bumps, the roadblocks, the highs, and the lows? How should you pack for your trip? What tools should you carry with you and who should you take with you? This presentation will provide a firsthand look at the road and include road signs, hazard warnings, recommended rest stops, and turns to avoid.

Integrating AMR Technology With a Comprehensive GIS (not currently available) —Joe Johnson, UAI

In the mid-1990s, White River Valley EC (WRVEC) began the process of establishing an ESRI software-based geographic information system. The co-op implemented a full suite of AM/FM/GIS applications designed for operations, facilities and outage management. WRVEC also integrated existing third party systems for CIS, WMS, and other systems while also implementing Web modules to expand user access to vital information.

WRVEC is continuing to push the envelope of GIS technology by integrating Automatic Meter Reading (AMR) with its existing system. This integration will greatly enhance WRVEC's ability to monitor usage, power quality, and service status while flowing data from the AMR unit directly into existing third party systems and the central GIS.

This presentation will review WRVEC's current strategy to integrate its GIS with AMR and provide an overview of the benefits and system enhancements to be achieved.

Connecting ESRI to Anything—EAI Solutions View Presentation [PDF-598 KB, 37 pages] —Frank Weiss, KEMA Consulting —Sharon Allpress, KEMA Consulting

Enterprise Application Integration (EAI) links a company's existing systems together in support of its business processes. These links can be created using point-to-point interfaces or by using a class of software called middleware. This paper reviews some of the EAI basics and discusses several ESRI software-supported middleware communication mechanisms.

Ten Tips to Ensure Optimal Geodatabase/Oracle Performance View Presentation [PDF-58 KB, 17 pages] —John Alsup, South Carolina Electric & Gas —Tom Brown, ESRI

Is your organization's Oracle/geodatabase performance a concern or a problem? Even if it is not, join this session to hear about ten key tips to help ensure your database performs at its best. All users, not just DBAs, will benefit from this educational session. Learn how South Carolina Electric & Gas implemented a few of these tips and what resulting performance improvements were gained.

ArcGIS Pipeline Data Model Overview View Presentation [PDF-806 KB, 20 pages] —Peter Veenstra, M.J. Harden

The ArcGIS Pipeline Data Model provides a mechanism for the organization and management of geographic data pertaining to the operation of a large-scale transmission pipeline. The model is comprised of feature classes and relationships between features including facilities, operations, encroachments, integrity, inspections, and the underlying land base. The model provides mechanisms for companies to locate and place features along (or offset from) a centerline according to both absolute positioning (x,y,z) and relative positioning (station series and stationing). The model provides an easy target for migration from both the Industry Spatial Analysis Techniques (ISAT) and Pipeline Open Data System (PODS) models. An overview of the main structures within the model will be provided including an explanation of how the model takes advantage of ESRI's linear referencing and geometric network constructs within the geodatabase. The presentation will also discuss the process of creating a model using UML and offers some tips and tricks on how to effectively use UML within Visio to build geodatabases.

PSE &G OMS Data Capture & Delivery Project (not currently available) —Mark Brule, Coherent Networks (An Osmose Company)

PSE&G had implemented an outage management system (OMS) and found that at the circuit, section, and branch levels the OMS was 76 percent accurate and the legacy mainframe system was 42 percent accurate. At the transformer level, only 31 percent of the customers in the OMS were connected to the exact transformer. Consequently, the company needed to significantly improve the customer-to-transformer relationship in the OMS system and reduce the workload placed on operations personnel as a result of grouping problems caused by customer connectivity errors.

This paper presentation will describe the project and results to date. The FastGate Customer-to-Transformer Linkage process integrates minimal field-collected data with data from existing sources (ESRI, CIS, and meter data), then creates the linkage information and outputs it to the Miner & Miner ArcFM format.

Utility Meter Route Management and Optimization Using GIS View Presentation [PDF-1.21 MB, 16 pages] —Bradford A. Cox, RouteSmart Technologies, Inc.

This presentation explores issues associated with and presents techniques for applying GIS technology to managing and optimizing utility meter reading routes. The paper outlines and examines both technical GIS issues, such as spatial and operational data requirements that need to be considered, and non-technical issues commonly encountered in applying GIS to the unique utility industry route management problem. In addition to reviewing and presenting fundamental operations research techniques relating to meter route optimization, the paper also presents practical business issues that must be taken into consideration when re-planning meter reading routes. Project profiles documenting the results of several utilities that have applied GIS technology to the management and optimization of their meter route operations are presented.

The 100-Year Storm and the Birth of an ArcGIS Outage Management System View Presentation [PDF-6.62 MB, 40 pages] —Betsy Rush, Avista Utilities —Ron Riel, Avista Utilities —Allen Cousins, Avista Utilities

In response to a 100-year weather event in 1996, Avista recognized the need for better systems to manage large and small outages. The GIS team stepped up to the challenge and rapidly designed an application using existing geographic and customer data to create electronic maps showing customers without power. This initial effort made clear the value GIS could have for Avista's customers and provided the impetus for an ArcGIS project. The project scope included capturing all the facility data for Avista's 26,000-square-mile service territory and creating a world-class outage management system to derive competitive advantage from that data.

Projection System Basics—Only You Can Prevent Computational Errors View Presentation [PDF-1.59 MB, 45 pages] —Frank B. Weiss, P.E., KEMA Consulting

Converting data from one projection system to another can result in unanticipated effects. This presentation covers the experience of a post-merger utility that combined data from three different GIS systems (with different projection systems) into one. The results were perceived problems, lack of end user confidence, and extra work for the GIS team.

This case study will go over the analysis process used to evaluate the problem and present some basic concepts of projection systems. The attendee will come away with a grasp of these concepts as well as an understanding of how misreading data can lead one down the wrong path.

Data Modeling Projects View Presentation [PDF-271 KB, 19 pages] —Steve Grise, ESRI

A technical update on data modeling in upcoming product releases, as well as status on models from other industries - linked to utilities—like Land and Parcels.

Review of ArcGIS Object Modeling and UML View Presentation [PDF-351 KB, 38 pages] —Ed Blair, Miner & Miner, Consulting Engineers, Inc.

An overview of the object modeling process, UML constructs and UML conventions that are the foundation of understanding the ArcGIS Energy Data models.