EGUG 2007 Presentations

The 2007 EGUG Presentations is a compilation of professional papers delivered October 8–11, 2007, in Nashville, Tennessee. 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.

ESRI is pleased to provide links to presentations from the 2007 EGUG meeting. Please note that copyright is maintained by authors. Copyright owners have given ESRI permission to publish their papers on this Web site. To re-publish any content please contact the copyright owner directly.

EGUG presentations are in Portable Document Format (PDF). To view and print PDF files, you need to download the free Acrobat Reader from Adobe.

New Attendee Orientation

New Attendee Orientation [PDF]
—Larry Wilke, EGUG 2007 President
—Roxanne Cox-Drake, ESRI

Plenary Sessions

Welcome [PDF]
—Larry Wilke, EGUG 2007 President

Keynote: GIS at NES [PDF]
—Paul H. Allen, Nashville Electric Service

GIS and the Utility of the Future [PDF]
—Bill Meehan, ESRI
—Pat Dolan, ESRI
—Cindi Salas, Centerpoint Energy

Intelligent Grid at CenterPoint Energy [PDF]
Intelligent Grid [wmv]
—Cindi Salas, Geographic Information Services

ESRI Product Update [PDF]
—Pat Dolan, Mark Midas, Jeff Rashid and Larry Young

EGUG Summary [PDF]
—Jeff Rashid–Manager Utility Team

Breakout Sessions

Show/Hide all presentation abstracts

Tuesday

Delivering GIS: Lessons Learned from the Georgia GIS Project View Presentation [PDF] —Mary Adams, Georgia Power Company —Aaron Patterson, Enspiria Solutions Inc: In 2005, Georgia Power Company (GPC) embarked on a project to replace its legacy AutoCAD system with a state-ofthe- art ESRI GIS platform. This includes a full deployment of ESRI technology utilizing Miner & Miner ArcFM and Designer products and numerous interfaces to support existing operational systems in place at GPC such as SPL’s Centricity outage management system and CYME’s CYMDIST engineering analysis software. This paper describes the steps taken prior to the project to assist in ensuring a successful project and the implementation itself. It covers the major successes of the project and the hurdles that were overcome. In conclusion, a list of lessons learned will be provided to assist other organizations who are about to embark on similar projects.
Multi-Tier Distributed Data Management View Presentation [PDF] —Brent Hart, Rappahannock Electric Cooperative —Herman Abinette, Lockheed Martin —Ian Martin, TC Technology: This presentation will discuss Rappahannock Electric Cooperative’s (REC) approach to a mobile mapping solution, which makes the most efficient use of the existing network resources while enabling more than 200 mobile and office users to get the most current mapping data from several access points throughout the organization.

Using TC Technology’s GO! Sync Mobile GIS applications to deploy existing electric facility data, REC, along with its technology partner Lockheed Martin IT & GS, was able to extend the GO! Sync application and create “staging areas” for data updates, effectively minimizing network bandwidth while being able to support secure data updates from any available network access point. This solution increases productivity of field technicians, reduces trips to the office, provides network security, and relieves users of the responsibility of version management.
State Regulators Use GIS View Presentation [PDF] —Ruth A. Rowles, Kentucky Public Service Commission: A GIS program was established eight years ago at the Kentucky Public Service Commission to provide decision support to the state regulatory agency for gas and electric utilities as well as the water, wastewater, and telecommunication utilities. The presentation will focus on the compilation of statewide GIS databases for gas and electric utility data, the distribution policy for “security-sensitive” maps and data, and the use of utility data in state government. The Public Service Commission uses GIS for general reference, as a decision support tool on cases with a geographic component, and as detailed reference information for the PSC engineers and inspectors. Working with the Commonwealth’s Office of Technology’s Division of Geographic Information, the GIS data from electric and gas utilities is also available to emergency responders through the Kentucky Event Mapping and Analysis Portal.
Integrating TVA’s Transmission, Power Quality, and Lightning Data with ArcIMS View Presentation [PDF] View Document Presentation [PDF] —Theo Laughner, Tennessee Valley Authority: TVA is a public power generation and transmission company that serves a seven state region in the southeastern United States. In the past, it has been difficult to determine the root cause of power system events due to the complexity and number of software tools needed to identify the problem.

Multiple Information Layers to Enable Solutions (MILES) uses ArcIMS as a framework to integrate a variety of disparate data sources into a common application. MILES is an intuitive, Webbased user interface designed to provide system engineers and other field technicians with access to a variety of information. Now users can quickly view maintenance history, asset (e.g., structures, lines, substations) details, lightning information, and power quality data without needing to learn multiple applications. As a result, analysis can be completed more accurately in less time.
Managing a Fiber-Optic Network with GIS View Presentation [PDF] —Dennis Peterson, Montana Dakota Utilities —Tom Taber, Telvent Miner & Miner: Montana Dakota Utilities has had a successful enterprise GIS that is used to manage their electric and gas networks for many years. Last year they implemented a system to manage their fiber-optic network within the same enterprise GIS. This presentation will discuss the benefits and challenges that have been encountered since their system went live. Some of the areas covered will be data modeling, system design, data conversion, operational benefits, and the realities of keeping up with the data maintenance.
Simplifying Your Enterprise Geodatabase(ArcSDE) Implementation View Presentation [PDF] —Angie Jennings, Kari Burge, Principals, Swova LLC: Implementing an enterprise ArcSDE geodatabase can be a cumbersome and time-consuming task. The implementation process, whether migrating from a personal geodatabase or configuring an existing ArcSDE database for optimal multiuser editing, can be streamlined with the use of design and administration toolsets. This presentation will highlight proven, streamlined methodologies used in medium- to large-scale utility implementations. These methodologies include evaluating data storage requirements, applying RDBMS and ESRI recommendations, migrating data, developing versioning structures and procedures, and performing ongoing ArcSDE/RDBMS administration and maintenance. Topics addressed in this presentation will include data migration, geodatabase design and modeling, data storage requirements, system requirements, versioning, and ArcSDE administration and maintenance.
Defining a Data Collection Project Takes Teamwork View Presentation [PDF] —Jeff Pollard, Central Rural Electric Cooperative Jeremy Sadler, Osmose Utilities Services, Inc.: Implementing a GIS usually requires some supporting work. One common task associated with a new GIS is a field inventory to make sure all the data going in reflects the current state of the system. But what data do you need to put in the GIS? A “standard” electric data model includes all sorts of features and attributes that offer some value to the user. Most utilities also choose to add data elements to support particular aspects of their business. The overload of choices leads to a series of tough decisions when defining what will be collected during an inventory.

For CREC’s inventory project, the GIS users at the co-op realized the importance of not only being realistic about what data would be used and maintained in the GIS but the importance of keeping the inventory focused on a quick and accurate outcome. Rather than try to “take one of everything,” CREC worked closely with its field inventory vendor to determine what items would create the best results and not lead to an overly complex and drawn out field project. The field vendor, Osmose, was able to translate its experiences with several similar projects (and their good and sometimes not so good outcomes) to help develop a realistic but very effective scope for the field project. We will present some of the success factors for developing a good teaming relationship with your inventory vendor. We will also offer a description of some of the tools and techniques that can guide the scope definition process.
There and Back Again, an ArcLogistics Route(r’s) Tale View Presentation [PDF] —John Savary, Nashville Electric Service: NES uses ArcLogistics Route for streetlight maintenance and disconnect routing applications. These two projects are completely different applications of the software. Streetlight maintenance work orders are low-number, low-density phenomena opposed to the high-number, high-density characteristics of the disconnect orders; therefore, different approaches had to be taken with both. Data acquisition, data processing, user interaction, routing issues, third-party plug-ins, and “what did we do before this wonderful software,” will all be discussed. Some questions this presentation will cover: 1. How did NES route orders before ArcLogistics? 2. Where does the data come from and how is it fed into ArcLogistics? 3. What is the routing process, specifically the high-number, high-density scenario (something ArcLogistics Route doesn’t like)? 4. What issues did we encounter, and how did we overcome them? 5. What benefits have we reaped from this technology?
Integrated Mapping and Outage Management Made Easy View Presentation [PDF] —Keith Brooks, Kootenai Electric Cooperative: For several years Kootenai Electric Cooperative Inc. (KEC), located in northern Idaho, has been developing and integrating its ESRI-based GIS with the company’s different business systems. With the addition of TWACS, a power line-based meter reading program, KEC has taken its homegrown outage management to a new level. TWACS enables KEC’s dispatchers to ask a meter in real time if it has power and display the results in its GIS. Within moments of a customer call to the automated outage center, KEC’s dispatchers can determine the exact location and extent of an outage. The number of customers involved and the substation, feeder, and phases impacted are recorded in the GIS for later reporting. This presentation will discuss KEC’s integrated GIS as well as demonstrate the outage management system.
Assessing and Addressing GIS Data Quality for Distribution Operating Management View Presentation [PDF] —Brittany Wall, Joel Wells, Christopher Rix, Arizona Public Service Company —Matt McCain, Laurel Hill GIS
Automated Testing: Basic Functional/Regression Test View Presentation [PDF] Listen to Presentation [WMV] —James Popp, Arizona Public Service Company: At APS we use a suite of GIS applications published to our users via Citrix.

I am presenting two components: First is the Basic Functional test that I have developed, and second is how I automated this test. The test is a simple regression test to verify the health and functionality of our GIS applications, databases, and hardware. The design is basically an oversimplified subdivision with two lots. It has worked enormously well in catching errors before handing off to our customers. The manual script is 50 lines on a spreadsheet and takes an experienced editor half a day to complete. I have automated this test to execute in about 40 minutes. The object-identifying technology used in most standard automated test tools is unsatisfactory for testing on a Citrix virtual desktop environment. I found a test tool that uses image recognition technology to identify all application objects as TIFF images.
Automating Streetlight Inspection and Maintenance View Presentation [PDF] —Larry Wilke, Burbank Water and Power: Various patrol inspections are required by the California Public Utility Commission’s (PUC) General Order 165. One in particular is the annual requirement for streetlighting. This one is unique in that it only requires a “patrol” inspection rather than a detailed or “intrusive” inspection. Streetlighting is also unique in the sense that it overlaps with customer service and safety. Using a GPS-enabled Tablet PC, coupled with a geographic inspection application, BWP created an automated system that allows staff to perform routine visual inspections without the use of paper. As a vehicle travels its route, the software application uses GPS positioning to select streetlights within range to automatically create Pass inspection records. This type of record is most common. In the event Pass isn’t acceptable, the inspector performs an interactive inspection using easy drop-downs to create a Defect and an appropriate Fix record when possible. All inspection records are automatically transferred to the enterprise database when a network connection is available. In the office, clerks can also use a similar Web application so that calls from the public regarding streetlight issues are administered and create a Defect record for the operations crews to assess. Because the records are stored in an enterprise database, reporting and analysis are easily performed. Examples include annual reporting to PUC and vendor equipment performance (bulbs, photocells, etc.).
AMI Integration With GIS View Presentation [PDF] —Beth Picardi, Unitil Service Corp.: In 2005, Unitil made the decision to deploy a systemwide gas and electric Advanced Metering Interface (AMI) that would provide automated, two-way meter reading capability for nearly 120,000 customers. Although the company justified this project primarily on the automated meter reading capability, it has gained a wealth of additional data on system performance that it hopes to leverage through integrating AMI with GIS and other company enterprise systems. Each meter, acting as an endpoint transmitter, transmits not only usage data but a variety of system data including voltage performance, outage information, and circuit equipment condition. Viewing this data in GIS has led to an intuitive understanding of system performance. Although the company has just started experimenting with the AMI/GIS combination, the possible applications appear endless.
GIS-Based Utility Vegetation Management System at NYSEG View Presentation [PDF] —Margaret Engasser, New York State Electric and Gas Company —Svetlana Khitrik, Gomez & Sullivan Engineers: New York State Electric and Gas Corporation has upgraded its Vegetation Management System (VMS) to incorporate GIS technologies to meet New York State Public Service Commission requirements. The new GIS-based application provides tools to manage all phases of right-of-way vegetation management including planning, inventory, fieldwork, review, reporting, and mapping. The VMS design facilitates the development of contract bid documents and the publication of regulatory reports and enhances the utility’s ability to track costs. VMS is designed using ESRI’s ArcGIS 9.2 geodatabase (ArcSDE/Oracle) deployed on a Citrix server. The ArcGIS VMS data model was specifically designed for this program.
AMIGO—A Friend for Compliance View Presentation [PDF] —Gathen Garcia, Ted Kircher, PNM: PNM Gas Services, a subsidiary of PNMR, has natural gas transmission pipelines and compressor stations located throughout the state of New Mexico. PNMGS operates 10,900 miles of distribution pipelines and serves 441,259 customers in 21 of New Mexico’s 33 counties. Gas utilities are responsible for reporting gas operations and asset management to the DOT and state regulatory agencies. In 2002, after reviewing methods for improving current practices and recognizing a lack of available technology, PNM Gas Services set out to develop a custom DOT compliance application. The envisioned application would fulfill the need to meet PNM’s requirements for reporting to various regulatory agencies. Creating new applications is never an easy task, especially after all the variables are addressed.

Many lessons were learned as the application was developed. The team experienced setbacks as well as successes prior to the application being presented to the field users. Routinely, as feedback continues to be provided by these users, more valuable input is incorporated into the application. This presentation will share PNM’s experiences, both good and bad, in creating a custom DOT compliance application.
Communication is the Key to Project Success View Presentation [PDF] —Mark Cook, Cumberland Electric Membership Cooperative —Michael Donegan, Osmose: Vegetation management along rights-of-way is essential for the reliability and safety of an electric distribution system. It is also among the largest ongoing operational expenses for electrical utilities. Most utilities use paper systems to track vegetation management activities and to plan future work. These paper systems are limited in the informational value they can provide, and most organizational knowledge about ROW clearing is undocumented.

With the Operations VP and ROW Supervisor planning to retire in the next several years, Habersham Electric Membership Corporation has begun using its enterprise GIS for tracking and planning the vegetation management activities performed by its contractors and in-house crews. It is also embarking on a data collection program to gather information about the vegetation and terrain along their rights-of-way to improve the planning of future line clearing. Habersham EMC uses a commercial application for data creation and reporting that runs on enterprise ArcGIS and leverages its existing electric facilities and land base data. By storing and analyzing vegetation and line-clearing data, the GIS will enable the utility to more seamlessly transfer management responsibility for ROW maintenance. With specialized reporting tools that combine geospatial and temporal analysis, Habersham EMC can evaluate the progress and cost of its lineclearing efforts against its annual goal and budget. The system also offers the potential for reducing the cost of future activities and reducing the number of vegetation-related outages.

This presentation will describe the organizational needs that moved Habersham EMC to begin its GIS-based vegetation management program. The presenters will outline the data collection requirements and methods, along with new workflows that were developed to support the initiative. We will then demonstrate the GIS reporting and analysis tools used by the utility and conclude with an overview of the utility’s plans to expand the GIS-based vegetation management program to include other maintenance and inspection functions.
Using GIS for Vegetation Management View Presentation [PDF] —Russell Bentley, Habersham EMC —Christopher Kelly, Clearion Software, LLC: Vegetation management along rights-of-way is essential for the reliability and safety of an electric distribution system. It is also among the largest ongoing operational expenses for electrical utilities. Most utilities use paper systems to track vegetation management activities and to plan future work. These paper systems are limited in the informational value they can provide, and most organizational knowledge about ROW clearing is undocumented.

With the Operations VP and ROW Supervisor planning to retire in the next several years, Habersham Electric Membership Corporation has begun using its enterprise GIS for tracking and planning the vegetation management activities performed by its contractors and in-house crews. It is also embarking on a data collection program to gather information about the vegetation and terrain along their rights-of-way to improve the planning of future line clearing. Habersham EMC uses a commercial application for data creation and reporting that runs on enterprise ArcGIS and leverages its existing electric facilities and land base data. By storing and analyzing vegetation and line-clearing data, the GIS will enable the utility to more seamlessly transfer management responsibility for ROW maintenance. With specialized reporting tools that combine geospatial and temporal analysis, Habersham EMC can evaluate the progress and cost of its lineclearing efforts against its annual goal and budget. The system also offers the potential for reducing the cost of future activities and reducing the number of vegetation-related outages.

This presentation will describe the organizational needs that moved Habersham EMC to begin its GIS-based vegetation management program. The presenters will outline the data collection requirements and methods, along with new workflows that were developed to support the initiative. We will then demonstrate the GIS reporting and analysis tools used by the utility and conclude with an overview of the utility’s plans to expand the GIS-based vegetation management program to include other maintenance and inspection functions.
SOA & GIS: Using BPEL To Extend Your GIS To the Enterprise View Presentation [PDF] —Ian Fitzgerald, Truckee Donner: BPEL (Business Process Execution Language) is a service-oriented architecture language that visually allows you to build Web services, which can extend your GIS exponentially. Truckee Donner started using BPEL as the glue for enterprise integration earlier this year and wishes to show some of the coolness this product can bring to your organization like e-mail/pager/SMS notification services based on ESRI GIS transactional/real-time processes.
Managing Assets in Your GIS: History in the Making View Presentation [PDF] —Diane Buche, NIPSCO NiSource —Skye Perry, SSP Innovations: Using a combination of unique data modeling, application customization, and a Standalone Geodatabase Editor (SAGE) Web tool, NIPSCO has enabled its GIS to track and report on the full life cycle of electric assets from purchase to retirement. Most assets are managed directly in the GIS, while the SAGE tool provides additional query and edit capabilities. The custom reporting tools provide an in-depth view of the assets at any location in the service territory and a wide variety of summary reports to facilitate asset planning, management, and federally mandated reporting. This highly automated GIS implementation uses carefully blended technologies to manage assets while providing a tangible return on investment in time savings, dollars, and efficiency. This project was implemented as a cost-shared partnership between NIPSCO and the National Renewable Energy Laboratory’s Distributed Energy and Electricity Reliability Program funded by the U.S. DOE Office of Electricity Delivery and Energy Reliability.
Utilizing GIS Data and Functionality for Emergency Preparedness and Incident Response View Presentation [PDF] View Document Presentation [PDF] —Anil Jayavarapu, Avineon, Inc.: Incidents such as 9/11 and Katrina highlight the importance for critical infrastructure protection through emergency preparedness and incident response. For many electrical and gas utilities, emergency management has transitioned from an ad hoc effort to a standardized process, requiring tools such as the Incident Command System (ICS), a management system developed by FEMA. With the adoption of an integrated response program comes a corresponding need to efficiently share GIS information among users. This presentation describes how GIS functionality and data can be used to support ICS features within an organization.
The Need for Aspirin—Data Migration Headaches View Presentation [PDF] —Gathen Garcia, Ted Kircher, PNM: After months of analysis, PNM has determined that the three existing GIS platforms—GFIS for the Texas Operations, Intergraph for New Mexico Distribution Operations, and ESRI for New Mexico Transmission Operations—effectively can be standardized on an enterprise platform—ArcFM. The methodology is to migrate the Texas Operations first and then New Mexico. It is anticipated that the Texas Operations will be in production by the end of 2007. Often data migration is not given the requisite attention. This presentation will discuss this element and the trials and tribulations experienced.
Intermountain REA ArcFM Implementation View Presentation [PDF] —Duane Holt, Intermountain REA —Ed Blair, Telvent Miner & Miner: Intermountain REA (IREA) serves a fast-growing membership of about 135,000 customers over a 5,000-square-mile service territory east, west, and south of metropolitan Denver. In 2006 IREA faced immediate business needs to provide better support of engineering analysis for new construction planning and to provide accurate, up-to-date maps to field users. IREA realized that the starting place for these and additional vital business applications was to establish a robust ArcGIS geodatabase of its electric distribution facilities. This paper describes the steps IREA completed to reach its immediate goals, identifies potential next steps, and offers a few pointers to others facing similar objectives based on the benefit of hindsight.
Delivering GIS Functionality over the Web View Presentation [PDF] —John Little, GUC —Charles Buck, Greenville Utilities: Located in eastern North Carolina, Greenville Utilities Commission (GUC) provides electric, water, sewer, and natural gas services to Pitt County with a combined total of more than 135,800 customer connections. The organization is entering a very exciting time as an increasing amount of our operations are integrating with GIS technology. GUC has focused on delivering GIS content and functionality to our users through a variety of Web applications. The Web applications are a mix of standard Web programming and utilization of ESRI’s ArcGIS Server technology. Although GUC is in the early phases of implementation, several objectives have been accomplished including the development of multiple GIS Web applications and the completion of a GIS Web hub. These lessons will help guide future development at GUC and would be valuable for any organization interested in pursuing the implementation of similar technologies.
GIS Applications in Transmission Utilities View Presentation [PDF] —Remi Myers, Jack Varner, Georgia Power Company: Since the mid-1990s GIS applications have become a significant asset for transmission utility maintenance programs. An examination of current research reveals the utility of GIS applications through a wealth of publications covering corridor mapping, schematics, inventory systems, asset management, and benchmarking. This wide range of capabilities are well within the range of modern GIS applications due to the tremendous suite of tools that are made available within the software and the dynamic user groups that make them work. The objective of this paper is to review the current GIS applications for power delivery utilities, examine shortcomings, and explore analysis capabilities and applications that will be available in the near future.
GIS Assessment of Geologic Hazards for Gas Transmission Pipelines View Presentation [PDF] —David Slayter, Christopher Hitchcock, William Lettis and Associates: Geologic hazards pose a significant threat to the integrity of existing utility pipeline infrastructure. William Lettis & Associates, Inc., has been contracted by several major utilities to conduct GIS desktop hazard assessments for gas transmission pipelines to determine the exposure to geologic hazards across the United States. WLA geologists and GIS analysts review landslide, geology, and soil data to determine the potential for landslides, corrosion, and liquefaction. Once the data is evaluated and interpreted, spatial analysis techniques are used to show the relative risk of pipeline segments to geologic hazards. Knowledge of the locations of relative risk is enabling utilities to preferentially focus resources to areas that may be more susceptible to hazardous conditions.

Wednesday

SDE, Lies, and Error Reports View Presentation [PDF] —Bill Blackmarr, Nashville Electric Service

Don’t believe your data is telling you the truth? Think that fatal “memory addressed” error message is just a little vague? Wonder how someone else handles SDE? Come hear how NES has worked with various SDE issues, while compressing nightly to a state_id of zero. See fatal errors eliminated. Witness interrogations that reveal data lies.

Considerations for Deploying ArcGIS Server Mobile View Presentation [PDF] —Eric Fulcher, 3-GIS

With the release of ArcGIS Server Mobile, ESRI has introduced a new mobile GIS platform. For this presentation, the following topics regarding ArcGIS Server Mobile will be discussed:

Architecture of the new platform
Connected and disconnected considerations
Map cache management
Version management in the Mobile environment

In addition, a live demonstration of an application based on ArcGIS Server Mobile will be provided to demonstrate the capabilities of the new technology.

Mobile GPS/GIS Mapping for Poles and Vegetation View Presentation [PDF] —Ashok Wadwani, Applied Field Data Systems, Inc.

The utility industry’s demand for land-related digital information keeps growing, and companies are struggling to collect and manage their infrastructure data (poles, transformers, conductors, etc.). Accessing this data through GIS in a timely fashion can dramatically increase operational efficiencies. More specifically, the ability to gather georeferenced digital images and three-dimensional point clouds of power poles and other related assets from a mobile collection unit allows for the data to be quickly accessed via a GIS environment. With this data, individual assets can be (1) reviewed with the existing attribute data available, (2) viewed using an actual digital photo of the pole, and (3) analyzed through a 3D point cloud allowing the user to examine the number of wires and connections at each location. The presentation will discuss the van-mounted mobile GPS system allowing for quick and efficient capture of georeferenced images and data for poles and other assets as well as vegetation.

From Filing Cabinet to Integrity Management Resource View Presentation [PDF] —Scott Twining, GeoFields

One of the biggest challenges faced today by integrity managers is not finding data but getting data into a meaningful format that supports PHMSA distribution transmission requirements. The data required for integrity management support typically is collected from a large number of departments within the organization—all with their own disparate processes, formats, and reasons for collecting the data, which do not match up with integrity management data requirements. There are now automated technologies that develop common business processes, formats, and methods across departments, allowing data to integrate into an overall integrity management plan. Field use, paper conversion, and business process logic have been combined in a unique technology to integrate data that previously never made it out of the filing cabinet. Attendees will learn to overcome the data challenges faced by pipeline operators and the methods they use to overcome them.

The Left Hand Knowing What the Right Hand Is Doing View Presentation [PDF] —Brett Beaver, Advantica

Current and future regulatory requirements are forcing the natural gas industry to find ways to integrate solutions that provide meaningful information to those making the decisions that drive the business. The pipeline integrity regulations in 2003 drove gas transmission organizations to invest in such enterprise-wide systems. With the pending distribution integrity regulations on the horizon, one would expect a similar move toward consolidating data and streamlining processes around key enterprise systems. This presentation will take a look at how GIS plays a centralized role in coordinating various processes and how third-party products can be integrated to create an efficient enterprise-wide solution.

Nashville Disaster View Presentation [PDF] —Mike Buri, NES

1994 Ice storm, 1998 & 2006 Tornadoes, 2007? Dam failure(s). NES has been through or plans to be through a number of disasters. From the 1994 Ice Storm which launched the current GIS, to the imminent potential for dam collapses which threaten Nashville today, hear how NES has used the GIS to assist in past disasters and plan for future ones. If you have been through a disaster with your GIS, come to this session to share your tale of survival.

Mobilize Your Enterprise View Presentation [PDF] —Terry Bartlett, Marshall and Associates

Throughout the years, organizations have invested a vast amount of time and resources in building corporate data systems including GIS. Many have established robust processes for maintenance and support of their information technology (IT) infrastructure. As a result, most organizations now have mature IT infrastructures to store, retrieve, and maintain their corporate data. Disseminating and providing access to crucial corporate data in the field in a highly reliable and secure manner is the next step in leveraging the investment you have made in your current information systems and the realization of the “enterprise information system.” Organizations are replacing traditional paper- and telephone- based systems with mobile and Microsoft “smart client” wireless solutions that enable access to key information directly from the field. This step is paramount to delivering a higher level of benefits and realizing the full return on investment of time and money in your information systems. Timely and accurate vital business, asset, and map information in the field allows mobile workers to be more responsive, make more informed decisions, be more productive and efficient, and thus provide better customer service. Building an enterprise that extends its reach to the people in the field is the logical next step for an organization. Technology is available to make it happen. It makes sense to use all of your assets, not just the ones within the parameters of your office. This presentation will explore the current mobile technology basics with case studies of sites that are using GeoResults Mobile to “Extend the Enterprise to the Field.”

Spatially Enabling Enterprise Asset Management (EAM) using ArcGIS Server View Presentation [PDF] —Ron Wallace, Gary Cooper, IBM Software Group

Utility customer requirements drive asset management solution providers to spatially enable their products. Spatially enabled Enterprise Asset Management (EAM) data extends its value for utilities by making accessible tabular, spatial, CAD, and multimedia data with a single point of access. Beyond visualization, the geographic context provides a framework for analysis and decision-making. IBM Maximo is able to meet the challenge with ESRI’s ArcGIS Server Java application development framework (ADF). The ADF supports integration of coarse and fine-grained ArcObjects with Maximo components. This presentation provides an overview of the business value of spatially enabling an Enterprise Asset Management System (EAM), using ArcGIS Server.

The Road to DIMP: Are We There Yet? View Presentation [PDF] —Brett Beaver, Advantica

For the past year, the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) has been working on a new set of regulations concerning distribution integrity. The much anticipated delivery of the Notice of Proposed Rule Making (NPRM) is on the horizon despite several setbacks this year. This presentation will provide an update on the progress of the DIMP regulations and details on key efforts utilities are taking in anticipation of the regulations with respect to GIS.

Applying Lessons Learned from Transmission to Distribution Integrity Management Programs View Presentation [PDF] View Document Presentation [PDF] —Gary Waters, GeoFields

With pending gas Distribution Integrity Management Program (DIMP) requirements, companies that maintain and operate gas distribution facilities are now facing many of the same additions to business processes that gas transmission companies have already faced. There are many challenges with meeting these new regulatory requirements, and they manifest themselves when attempting to establish a risk modeling algorithm and subsequent risk scores.

This presentation will focus on how risk modeling programs facilitate the fulfillment of regulatory requirements and how these requirements introduce many challenges to utility and operating companies. Learning from the experiences of people who have faced these difficult issues provides a great benefit, and this presentation will include highlights from several pipeline operating companies who have survived their audits using advanced risk modeling techniques.

Closing Sessions

EGUG 2007 Closing Session [PDF]