3-GIS, a GIS software development company and Gas Technology Institute (GTI), a research, development and training organization for the natural gas industry and energy markets, have partnered to develop an Android and iPad application for the gas pipeline and distribution industries.
3-GIS, developer of the Express Solution, the latest ArcGIS Server web-based and mobile mapping tool software, is using leading-edge technology to leverage the benefits of electronic data capture – improved data quality, reduced data management costs, enhanced data availability for analysis, and improved regulatory compliance documentation.
Gas corrosion and engineering departments need a consistent and easy way to collect test point readings and facility locations. This field application provides a simple data collection interface using new consumer technologies that are becoming more prevalent in progressive companies’ computing infrastructure. The application will initially assist in field data collection for Cathodic Protection (CP) test point readings and marker ball locations.
This new solution includes a web-based platform in which GIS data can be used to perform inspection and maintenance activities. The personnel in the office can utilize the 3-GIS Network Express web application in order to query and identify facilities in need of inspections while the field personnel can collect the inspection information with the mobile device and post the data directly back into the corporate database without the need of an office clerk to re-enter the collected information. Users can also collect information about assets in the field, such as mapping of marker balls, High Consequence (HCA) buildings, or other critical infrastructure in order to improve efficiency and accuracy of the company’s tracking data.
“It’s about accessibility and information,” says Bill Gale, Delivery Sector Senior Engineer at GTI. “Field data collection for inspection is essential in addressing the integrity of pipelines and facilities.” He added, “Having the ability to precisely document the location of assets using a map display of the utility’s assets, then integrating that data directly into an asset’s feature class within the GIS using cloud computing is a valuable process. It eliminates many of the data management steps associated with data processing and transfer and allows for more accurate tracking.”
GTI recently demonstrated the application at the AGA Operations Conference in Nashville, TN and 3-GIS will be demonstrating the application again at the upcoming ESRI International Users Conference in San Diego, CA in July.
