Geographic information system (GIS) technology has been in use in local government and utility organizations for decades. In most cases, the GIS started in one department (streets, water, parks) then gradually gained acceptance and was adopted in others. However, this expansion frequently resulted in isolated or, at best, loosely related departmental systems throughout the organization. Although efficiencies were gained within individual departments, the full potential of GIS to the organization as an enterprise did not materialize. Both technical and operational impediments yielded this result. Cityworks software is one of the few systems to address the technical barriers that have hampered the seamless integration of GIS throughout an organization. Advances in technology, particularly software interfaces and methods; the variety of hardware platforms (e.g., mobile devices, multicore processors); have all positively impacted the implementation of GIS as an enterprise technology. The value of a Web GIS-centric, enterprise asset inventory supports managing the assets, their associated attributes (type, condition, installation date, etc.), and the work activity and costs (equipment, labor, materials) done to care for assets. The linkage between assets and work orders is maintained such that the history of completed work orders against a specific asset is viewable and is easily retrieved and analyzed to support risk-based asset management decision making. Once a decision is made, the asset maintenance strategy can be updated and monitored in Cityworks creating a full cycle enterprise asset management solution.
Learning Objectives:
After attending this session, participants will be better able to:
- Identify the value of GIS as a fundamental tool to effectively manage their department’s activities, assets and budgets.
- Promote the use of GIS as a decision making business requirement -beyond just a mapping tool.
- Evaluate CMMS and GIS tools and apps which can leverage their GIS investment.
Contributor/Source
Christopher Thomas;Becky Tamashasky
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Proficiency Levels
Introductory
Focuses on a general or broad overview of the topic, awareness of basic factual recall. Limited experience of the subject matter is necessary to understand content areas.
Applied
Focuses on practical implementation of technical steps or strategies, some prior knowledge and experience of the topic is necessary.
Advanced
Mastery of basic concepts associated with an area has been obtained. Focuses on understanding nuances, advanced concepts, and intricacies with implementation within knowledge area. Strong understanding of how the concept impacts other factors or areas of operations.
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