GITA. We Are Infrastructure.

The world of GPS/GNSS is changing...a lot. It’s not just the user equipment but the satellite systems themselves. There are new GPS satellites being launched, new GPS signals being broadcast, and more of each are planned. Adding to the complexity are the Russian GLONASS and European Galileo satellite systems. How do these changes affect GPS data collection and navigation services? Which factors should you consider when preparing your GPS capital equipment budgets in the coming year(s)?

Mobile Mapping Devices: An Embarrassment of Riches
Track: Mobile Applications
Charles Marlin, Graphic Technologies, Inc.

Learning Objectives:

Learn about the profusion of mobile mapping devices.
Appreciate the dynamic nature of the marketplace for mobile devices.
Understand the factors to weigh so you can pick the right ones.

It used to be simple to pick mobile hardware: you had a choice of rugged or non-rugged laptops. Then hand-held devices came along that were powerful enough to run mobile mapping applications. Then tablet computers were introduced. Now Smartphones. And in between phones and laptops lies a profusion of new devices with enough different features to overwhelm anyone. This presentation will try to make some sense out of today’s embarrassment of riches.

Tuesday, March 11, 10:30

Leveraging GIS to Automate Field Inspections
Track: Mobile Applications
Jon Huddleston, NW Natural

Learning Objectives:

Learn how to leverage GIS to automate field inspections.
Learn the benefits of a map-based approach to automating field inspections.
Understand today’s code compliance process at NW Natural.

There are tremendous efficiencies to be gained through successful field automation that result in decreased costs and liability and increased safety and customer service. This session will demonstrate how NW Natural leveraged their GIS and integrated several disparate legacy applications to automate the code compliance inspection process from the field. Attendees will learn how the process has improved; not only are the inspections performed quicker, but the data is more accurate and consistent—resulting in measurable ROI.
Copresenter: Jay Lasseter, MapFrame Corporation

Tuesday, March 11, 11:30

Using a Mobile Field Data Collection Approach for West Nile Virus Treatment
Track: Mobile Applications
Steve Fang, Seattle Public Utilities

Learning Objectives:

Understand the use of mobile applications in science and public health.
Plan and tracking fieldwork performed.
Synchronize data between mobile and office applications.

In the summer of 2007, Seattle Public Utilities (SPU) performed preventive treatment on each catch basin, to protect the citizens of Seattle against West Nile Virus. By applying mosquito larvicide to each catch basin, SPU hopes to minimize potential future outbreaks. Inspection and treatment information was collected in the field using ArcPad running on a pocket-PC. The approach has increased SPU’s ability to obtain, analyze, and report on current treatment efforts.

Service Resiliency: The Next Generation
Track: Operations Management & Damage Prevention
Donald J. Stinson, Intergraph Corporation

Learning Objectives:

Learn how real-time mobile technologies can drive efficiencies during storm situations.
Learn how spatially enabling the assessment process will allow the utility to make faster and better decisions.
Learn how to provide more accurate and timely information to executive management and the public on the status of a storm situation.

This presentation will focus on real-time mobile technologies that will enable utilities to streamline work processes for that critical period after a storm or major outage occurs. Being able to position crews and materials in the timeliest manner just after a storm is critical in getting your customers back in service as quickly as possible. Spatially enabling your decision process with real-time data in the field greatly impacts your efficiencies during storm situations.
Copresenter: Damon Dougherty, Intergraph Corporation

Tuesday, March 11, 2:30

Better O&M Facility Management Through Data Management and GPS Technologies
Track: Surveying
Todd Rothermel, Bentley Systems, Inc.

Learning Objectives:

Data management of geospatial engineering documents.
Understand the use of geospatial engineering documents for inspection, stakeout, and as-builts.
Update data archives using GPS Hardware and Software technologies.

Working archival systems that contain both computer-aided drafting
(CAD) data and computer-aided engineering (CAE) will be discussed in the context of the daily workings of large operations and maintenance facilities. New advances in technology will be presented that create a vendor-neutral archive of CAD/CAE information that can be used in data inspection/stakeout mode, as well as in the data update mode. GPS and total station deployment using the extracted data will be reviewed.
Copresenters: Rob Mellis, Bentley Systems, Inc.

Wake Up the Sleeping Giant! Make Your GIS Investment Pay Off Through Field Automation
Track: Return on Investment/Business Case
Charles Lang, MapFrame Corporation

Learning Objectives:

Learn business benefits and the ROI of using GIS for field automation solutions.
Learn why field workers embrace a map-based work approach.
Discover how a map-based approach brings value to the entire organization.

Organizations spend millions building and maintaining a GIS only to realize a portion of its great potential. Real return on investment from GIS can only be found when it is released from the office, extended throughout the enterprise, and leveraged to automate work processes beyond that of just map viewing. This presentation will focus on the business benefits and return on investment of using GIS as a field automation solution.

Field Data Communications: Transition to the Fat-Pipe World
Track: Mobile Applications
Mark C. Hatfield, Enspiria Solutions, Inc.

Learning Objectives:

See the benefits of high-speed data communications.
Discover what other utilities have done.
Evolve to take advantage of high-speed data.

This session will examine potential business issues and benefits for utilities to adopt “fat-pipe” communications available via the continually expanding range of commercial high-speed data networks (3G cellular, WiFi, and WiMax technologies with data speeds over 300 kbs). The presenter will show utility initiatives to date, as well as barriers that can prevent utilities from reaping the potential benefits. It discusses how utilities can upgrade technology and change business processes to take advantage of high-speed data.

Wednesday, March 12, 1:00

Google Earth Adds a New Dimension: Dynamic Time Animation
Track: Internet and Web Services
Peter van Muyden, EPCOR

Learning Objectives:

Learn how cost-effective solutions can solve location-based problems.
Understand why dynamic time animation provides a new dimension to GIS.
See why GIS is now a tool that most people can understand.

Dynamic time animation provides a significant new analytical dimension to this popular location-based Internet product. The explanation of the XML-based data storing method, which includes the time animation functionality, will be addressed at a level of technical detail that all audiences may understand. Live online examples, including an EPCOR AVL application, will be presented to demonstrate how this time animation can be used for both personal and business use.

Wednesday, March 12, 2:00

Capturing Field Data with Video: A New Approach
Track: Data Acquisition & Maintenance
David Mohammed, Osmose Utilities Services, Inc.

Learning Objectives:

Explore the advantages of collecting facility information using a digital camcorder.
Learn the logistics of extracting data from the video for use in a GIS or another database.
Examine the delivery mechanisms for video-based information.

Digital video provides a means to collect comprehensive field data and establish a reviewable, information-rich asset record. Field technicians capture outside information on a digital camcorder. Data entry personnel then “extract” information from the video. The process allows you to collect all the information that you’d collect using traditional field-survey techniques—and also provides a video record that is a valuable reference resource that can prevent the need for costly field visits.

Wednesday, March 12, 3:00

Virtual Earth-enabled Computer-aided Dispatch
Track: Critical Infrastructure Protection and Emergency Response
Brady Hustad, Idea Integration

Learning Objectives:

Learn how new technology is affecting computer-aided dispatch and emergency routing.
Understand integration of multiple technologies with Web-based analysis.
Discover the applications of Virtual Earth for emergency response.

Recent natural and political events have put pressure on small and large municipalities to implement effective computer-aided dispatch (CAD) and emergency routing systems. New technologies, including Microsoft’s Virtual Earth, are opening up methods for cost-effective solutions for municipalities. This presentation is designed to investigate methods for implementing these systems in a way that is cost effective and useful for municipalities. The solution will include integrating varied technologies for a cohesive result.