Leveraging the Power of GIS Technology for Public UtilitiesMike SchnetzerGIS Technical ManagerUlteig Engineers701-355-2358Mike.Schnetzer@Ulteig.com

October 2nd, 2014

Mueller Installed 1989Open Drain920 G.P.M. Last Maintained 9-2-2007

Class 4-40Wood MaterialInstalled 1991Phase CBell Manufacture

Today’s Agenda

I. Why did Princeton Invest in GIS?

II. How did Princeton get Started?

III. Solution and Results

IV. Re-evaluation/ArcGIS Online

V. Demo

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Why GIS? Difficult or impossible to access data in the field

Maintenance records difficult to track

Locates were difficult if not impossible

Why GIS?The one and only Electrical Map

Why GIS?

Maps out of date and difficult to use

Why GIS?

CHALLENGES

Maps out of date and

difficult to use

Maintenance records

difficult to track

Locates difficult if to

impossible

Too much dependency on

institutional knowledge

Keeping up with the times

Princeton Public Utilities

GOALS

Accurate & complete inventory of utilities

Improve access to data in the field

Enable for efficient locates

Ability to keep data current

Efficiently protect their assets

Level of GIS?

What are the true costs?

What data do I collect?

What softwareis the right fit?

What is the right hardware

solution?

What are the key

workflows?

What staffing & skillsets do I

need?

What training is required?

How do I maintain my

data?

…Planning answers the tough questions

How do I start?

Planning to Succeed

• On-site Interviews

• User Requirements

• Data Management Plan

• data collection

• database design

• Hardware/software

• IT

• Staff Assessment

• GIS CIP

Clear Expectations

Minimizes Risk

Gives Ownership

to users

Water - 2,732 features• Hydrants• Valves• Curb Stops• Manholes

Street Lights - 356 features• Poles• Controller Cabinets• Photo Eyes

Power Distribution - 4,565 features• Distribution Poles• Transmission Poles• Transformers• Service Points (meters)

• Sectionalizers• Vaults• Switches• Substations• Cutouts

Princeton Public Utilities ProjectData Collection - Survey

Princeton Public Utilities Project

Mapping…

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Princeton Public Utilities ProjectSoftware…

Go Sync Mobile Map Book – Electrical Distribution

Go Sync Mobile Map Book – Inspections

GIS at Princeton Public Utilities

5. Training/Maintenance

4. Software/HardwareTablet PC’s

Inspections/Redlines

ArcMap GPS Handheld

3. Mapping/DatabasesSetup Database Underground/QC

2. Data CollectionWater Street Lights/Power

1. PlanningNeeds Assessment

Princeton Public Utilities ProjectRESULTS

Field survey of all utilities

Accurate and up-to-date data that can be viewed in the field

Maintenance staff can efficiently locate utilities

Ability to conduct data updates and inspections in the field

Re-evaluation - 2014

Adjust to the changes• Personnel • Technology• Needs• Budgets• Work-flows

Initial Investment - 2007

Start to Finish – 18 months• Planning• Survey• Mapping/Database• Implementation• Hardware/Software• Training/Support

$300,000 Upfront

($57,000 hardware/software)

FT GIS Tech (converted)$3,000 Annual Software Maintenance$3,000-$5,000 Annual Technical Support

$21,500 Upfront($6,500 – hardware/software)

No FT GIS Tech$2,500 Annual Software Maintenance$11,000 Annual Technical Support

GIS is Now More Affordable

1. Low Cost Web & Mobile Apps

2. The Cloud

3. Ability to Maintain the Data

Demo

Demo screen shots of ArcGIS Online - accessing data using a mobile device (smartphone)

Demo screen shots of ArcGIS Online – making an edit using a smartphone

Final Thoughts…

Planning is the key

Start simple

GIS isn’t just for big cities

Cloud GIS is the future

GIS is more affordable now more than ever

Don’t try to be Super Man or Wonder Woman