The Value of Enterprise GIS

The Value of Enterprise GIS

Executive summary
A surprising number of communications companies still
document their network in disparate proprietary systems
like CAD. This makes it difficult to obtain information
needed to make decisions fast and stay competitive.
This paper demonstrates how an enterprise Geographic
Information System (GIS)–based system is a better
approach by enabling a centralized data store; multiple
simultaneous editors; flexibility and configurability;
standard customization environments; open integration
framework; desktop, Web, mobile and cloud deployment
options; and rich data interoperability.

998-2095-06-12-12AR0

Summary
Executive Summary . ................................................................................... p 1
Introduction ................................................................................................. p 2
Harnessing Enterprise GIS technology ......................................................... p 4
What does ‘enterprise’ mean?...................................................................... p 5
Enterprise GIS technology............................................................................ p 6
Enterprise GIS mind set................................................................................ p 8
Enterprise GIS technology in action.............................................................. p 9
Conclusion................................................................................................... p 13


Executive summary
An Enterprise GIS centralizes network asset information in a single, standardized
GIS database, allowing cross-departmental data sharing and making it easier for
processes throughout the Communication Service Provider (CSP) enterprise to
make decisions fast and stay competitive.
It offers multiple simultaneous editors that permit multiple users to continue their
work flows. It is highly configurable; and customization, when needed, can be
performed by non-specialized developers. It easily interfaces with enterprisewide operations and business support systems, reducing cost of ownership and
optimizing sustainability. It is accessible by authorized persons in the office and in
the field to deliver the most accurate reflection of the network. It is interoperable
with other data systems, importing and exporting different data types without
conversion needed. All of these process efficiencies result in reduced errors and
saved time.
To optimize the time and cost savings potential of an Enterprise GIS, the CSP
wants to instill an enterprise mindset that will take advantage of the GIS as a
central resource for work flows involving data maintenance, analysis and reporting,
planning, engineering, decision support and operational awareness.
Both private-sector service providers and community-operated
telecommunications networks report the conversion of information from drawings,
spreadsheets, sketches and even human memory banks to an Enterprise GIS
creates one big, and utilitarian, picture instead of numerous small pictures. It
makes updated and accurate information available to everyone who needs it
within the organization. These organizations concur that the Enterprise GIS helps
them achieve efficiency that was not previously possible. GIS-based tools working
with the central geospatial database streamline planning and design, helping to
identify the best options for reliable network performance and expansion. The
resulting flexibility, responsiveness and accuracy improve customer satisfaction
and yield a distinct competitive advantage for the CSP.

White paper | 01


Introduction
Competition has become the distinguishing factor in the broadband market.
Communications Service Providers (CSPs) are experiencing an exponential
increase in demand for broadband and wireless services. Each day, more and
more people with smart phones, tablet P.C.s and other devices crave rich media
content, such as photos, audio and video — and require greater connectivity
at faster speeds. This growth is being fed by federal stimulus programs: in the
U.S., $7.2 billion has been set aside for various broadband expansion initiatives.
Similar programs are in place in Australia, New Zealand and Europe — with
more expected in developing nations.
Yet, while demand increases, the competitive landscape changes too. With
broadband expansion and triple play, everyone is a competitor. Telephone and
cable companies offer voice, data and television. Utilities are leveraging existing
infrastructure to deliver additional services, and their market position will only
get stronger with the increased roll out of advanced smart grid communications
networks. Today, a CSP must have advanced technology to support planning,
construction, sales, marketing and operation of communications networks to
stay competitive in this dynamic market.

White paper | 02


Harnessing Enterprise GIS technology
Enterprise GIS solutions provide technology to help
CSPs stay agile and ahead of their competition by:
efficiently tracking network asset information in a
centralized data store; planning and analyzing new
construction; pushing data into the field; and making
better decisions through improved operational
awareness. Non-GIS systems, like CAD, typically
store information in proprietary file formats in different
locations that are accessible only by proprietary
systems. As a result, these closed systems make
it difficult to obtain information needed to make
decisions fast and stay competitive.

White paper | 04


What does ‘enterprise’ mean?
When used in a high-technology reference, the
phrase ‘Enterprise GIS’ denotes two concepts.
Obviously, the technology must be able to support
an enterprise deployment; those not fully positioned
to work at the enterprise level will only do part of the
job. As important, the organization must be willing
to adopt an enterprise mind set across business
processes and work flows.

White paper | 05


Enterprise GIS technology
The cornerstones of Enterprise GIS include:
1. Centralized data store in an open RDBMS
2. Multiple simultaneous editors
3. Configurability
4. ustomization via standard development
C
environments
5. trong integration framework based on open IT
S
standards
6. Federated

Figure above. A centralized database and rich, thematic
maps show the big picture instantly. You can easily
configure maps to meet the needs of the different people
accessing your data.

7. Data interoperability
Multiple Simultaneous Editors — An Enterprise
Centralized — A surprising number of

GIS allows multiple simultaneous editors without

communications companies are still documenting

locking the database from editing for other users. No

their network with file-based technology, storing

check in or check out is required, so work flows are

information in multiple formats such as CAD

optimized and backlog is reduced.

drawings, spreadsheets, Visio diagrams and paper —
all scatter across the internal network. Even worse,

Configurable — Most non-enterprise systems

vital information about the network and its assets is

require extensive customizations to alter the data

stored in human memory, and will disappear when

model or add functionality; these proprietary software

those valued employees leave or retire.

alterations can significantly increase the total cost
of ownership and limit the CSP’s ability to respond

A complete, up-to-date centralized asset and

to changing technology. An Enterprise GIS is

network repository is necessary for the CSP to

highly configurable, using GUI-driven work flows to

analyze how the spatial location of its network

add, remove or alter functionality. Modeling a new

relates to a prospective customer and to respond

communications technology can be as simple as

competitively. An Enterprise GIS gives the CSP

installing a new card at an ODF when using a flexible

a single version of the truth — a single store for

data model configurable with a GUI.

all asset and network data managed by a single
application to view all, query, edit, analyze, manage,
and plan work flows.

White paper | 06


Customization — Most non-Enterprise GISs rely

Data interoperability — Granted, not all CSP

on proprietary languages that very few coders

network data belongs in a GIS, so the GIS database

use. When a customization is required, the widely

must be able to seamlessly share data with and

accepted, IT-standard development languages

import data from other systems as needed.

used by an Enterprise GIS allow the CSP to utilize a

Enterprise GIS can manage dozens of different data

non-specialized development vendor and avoid long

types simultaneously, without needing conversion —

waiting times and premium pricing.

allowing a ‘consensus’ approach to questions that
cannot be addressed with information in a single, silo

Integration — True enterprise systems can

system.

seamlessly integrate with other business systems to
effectively support planning, provisioning, fulfillment
and service assurance, while reducing total cost
of ownership and maintenance. Only leading
technologies based on open IT standards will allow
such full integration and sustainable effectiveness.
Federated — To make competitive management
and workflow decisions, the CSP must be able to
access communications network information where
and when it is needed: in a central management
office, in the field while searching for buried assets
on site, on the road supporting sales and marketing
efforts, or in the boardroom planning a future system
expansion. As it stands today, the Enterprise GIS is
the only technology that allows access by authorized
personnel to the CSP’s single version of the truth —
the centralized asset and network data store — via
desktop, mobile and Web portals. They can efficiently
and effectively view, query, analyze and edit wherever
they are, knowing they have the most accurate
reflection of the real world.

White paper | 07


Enterprise GIS mind set
To fully realize the potential of an Enterprise GIS, a
CSP must be willing to establish the GIS as a central
resource for work flows involving data maintenance,
analysis and reporting, planning, engineering,
decision support, and operational awareness.
Data maintenance, analysis and reporting are
all interrelated. Effective analysis and reporting rely
on accurate asset and network data that results
from efficient data maintenance performed in the
GIS. Fortunately, Enterprise GIS is designed with
configurable business rules, flexible data models and
seamless multi-user access, so most data integrity
and network maintenance tasks occur ‘on the fly.’
Tasks such as creating thematic maps, traces, circuit

Figure above. Enterprise GIS network management for
connectivity viewing and alarm notification.

planning, reports and schematics are all performed
on the CSP’s single version of the truth.

White paper | 08


Enterprise GIS technology in action
Below are three organizations that have realized
operating benefits by implementing Schneider
Electric’s ArcFM™ Fiber Manager solution to manage
their communications networks —
• CN Telecom Services, LLC is a competitive
R
broadband service provider delivering all-digital
and high-definition video, high-speed Internet and
premium voice services to more than 500,000
subscribers across six markets. Its fiber networks
had been documented through various systems,
including CAD maps, stick drawings, splice
diagrams and splice sheets. “For all the service
territories, there must have been hundreds, even
thousands of CAD documents,” recalled Chris

the time and labor to visit the field to identify and

Augustine, RCN network engineering manager.

confirm assets. The Enterprise GIS model is easily
configured out of the box, so we can do much of

RCN looked for better solution — a GIS-based

it ourselves. The segregated tracing allows us to

solution that could tell network personnel where the

monitor two different networks — separately, in one

fiber was physically located, how much fiber was

system. In addition, we can easily track customers

available, and how many nodes there were for any

and equipment affected by an outage anywhere

hubsite. This information is necessary to streamline

along our network — from the MegaPop to the

asset management and customer service. The

customer.”

company chose Schneider Electric’s ArcFM
Enterprise GIS, in large part because it is based on

Augustine summarized, “The biggest advantage

the industry-leading Esri ArcGIS® platform, which

we have found in this system is having a consistent

it found to be less complicated for managing and

database that tells us where our network is and

creating fiber facilities data than other GIS products.

how it is connected. It gives us the ability to put that

Now, each RCN service territory uses a common

information in the hands of everyone who needs it

and centralized network infrastructure with a single

within RCN.”

database, making updated, accurate information
available to everyone.

• he City of Peoria, Arizona, is a dynamic desert city
T
of more than 150,000 residents. The city’s traffic

“We can locate fiber assets from our office,”

engineering division oversees the operation of a

reported Augustine. “We don’t have to spend

fiber telecommunications network that had been

White paper | 9


documented with various types of CAD drawings,

have required reference to several repositories of

spreadsheets, word processing documents and

data and drawings prior to the implementation —

even hand-drawn sketches. Often, information

a process subject to significant error. Now, fiber

updates were based on human memory. To add

engineers can clarify a circuit question in seconds

to its complexity, most of the network was located

with the application’s Fiber Trace tools, while

underground for weather-related and regulatory

leveraging auto-generated schematics of splicing

reasons. As the city grew, it realized it needed to

diagrams.

improve operations and system troubleshooting.
The mobile component of Fiber Manager is
“We had a growing fiber infrastructure and all of

particularly beneficial in managing the utility’s

our information was on different types of media,

expanding telecommunications system — allowing

such as drawings and as-builts. We were looking

communications and splicing crews to see available

to capture all of this information and document

infrastructure and dynamically create reports at

it in one central location,” explained Ron Amaya,

splice enclosures.

traffic engineer for the city. “We can see longterm benefits — increased accuracy due to one

Improved decision support is one of the most

centralized database and elimination of hard

valuable benefits the CSP can realize with Enterprise

copies.”

GIS implementation. It helps answer key questions
about the network, geography, customer and

Referring to the city’s underground facilities, Amaya

competition: Where is the network? What is its

explained, “Knowing where those conduits are

capacity? Where should the next mile of fiber be

located can prevent potential bottlenecks. This

built? How many homes that could provide revenue

tool has helped us know which types of conduits

are being passed? What does the competition offer in

and sizes are out there and exactly where they

that area? Where is the biggest growth occurring or

are located. We have one big picture instead

the greatest customer loss expected? Where is that

of numerous smaller pictures...it has helped us

fault that needs field crew attention, and is it in an

achieve efficiencies that were not previously

area of recurring faults? Does the customer service

possible.”

rep know what services can be offered to a potential
customer, and when?

• he Eugene Water Electric Board (EWEB) is
T
Oregon’s largest customer-owned utility, providing

Geospatial databases, the core of an Enterprise GIS,

electricity to more than 86,000 homes, business,

can readily answer these business questions. Adding

and schools in Eugene. EWEB’s Enterprise

demographic data to serviceability analysis lends a

GIS stores fiber optic network information

higher degree of revenue confidence to expansion

previously held in various types of CAD drawings,

decisions. Integration with remote fiber testing (RFT)

spreadsheets, word processing files, and paper

systems allows real-time fault detection. Dispatchers

documents. Tracing a single fiber circuit might

know exactly where to send crews and what fibers

White paper | 10


should be spliced first to restore the most important
customers. If repairs are lengthy, confidently analyze
if other diverse routes are available using system
tracing and analysis tools. You can be certain you are
looking at the most accurate and up-to-date network
model available.
The benefits of improved decision support are so
significant that some CSPs are now creating Geomarketing departments. Their task: put the vast
amount of spatial and network data in the GIS to
work to grow revenue. The ability to use Enterprise
GIS to combine usage data, call traffic, and network
locations with external data such as demographics

Figure above. Realistic presentation of splice locations
assist in decision support. With an accurate, life-like
representation of network connectivity, you can make the
right connections without incident.

and market trends, makes this practical and
rewarding for the CSP seeking a competitive
advantage.
Planning and engineering can be managed
with a GIS-based planning tool, cutting down on
redundancy and errors associated with inefficient
work flows. GIS-based design tools work within the
GIS, simultaneously building a construction sketch
and a list of materials, equipment, and labor costs
while you sketch. Further, engineering tools can
be embedded for radio network planning, coax
RF analysis, and design assistance to allow fast,
accurate estimate generation within a single system.
Customer service reps have up-to-date proposed
design information so they can tell a customer in real
time when service can be ready.
The growth in FTTH work also lends to the business
case. Automated layout tools and simple design
work flows can produce fast initial cost estimates
for the bid process, which is followed by detailed
engineering work as needed. As-builts from the field

Figure above. Find diverse paths by analyzing the
centralized network model — your single version of the
truth.

White paper | 11


are synched with GIS design through the federated
architecture, because the crew can take the job to
the field in a mobile GIS application. When the job is
done, the GIS is seamlessly updated with the click of
a button. There’s no need for re-digitizing or manually
entering network changes via redundant processes
that introduce data errors.
Operational awareness benefits hinge on two
features: integration and data sharing. Integration with
other operational support system (OSS) components,
such as provisioning, fulfillment and service assurance
must be based on the most complete, accurate and
up-to-date information. With the centralized data
store provided by Enterprise GIS, data accuracy is
not a problem — unlike CAD and other silo systems
that are notorious for inaccurate data that undermine
these systems. And, Enterprise GIS facilitates this
integration using open IT standards, lowering the
overall total cost of ownership.
Dissemination of the rich information stored in the
GIS to other business units pays dividends. Marketing
and sales is armed with the best network location
information to create the most effective customer
retention and acquisition campaigns — beating the
competition. Those managing network planning
activities can count on the GIS to be accurately
updated as soon as the job is done. Dashboards
deployed via Web applications get the right amount
of data to executive and supervisors with no need for
specialized software.

White paper | 12


Conclusion
The exponential increase in demand for broadband, dynamic competitive
landscape and intense competition call for advanced enterprise systems. An
Enterprise GIS gives the CSP the right information to make decisions quickly and
confidently. The foundations of enterprise technology — a centralized data store;
multiple simultaneous editors; flexibility and configurability; standard customization
environments; open integration framework; desktop, Web, mobile and cloud
deployment options; rich data interoperability — make that possible.
Yet enterprise systems are more than just technology. A CSP must be willing
to make the GIS central to business processes and work flows. The synergy
of enterprise technology and enterprise mind set will yield benefits in data
maintenance, analysis and reporting, planning, engineering, decision support and
operational awareness work flows — and a distinct competitive advantage.

White paper | 13

©2012 Schneider Electric. All rights reserved.

Schneider Electric USA, Inc.
4701 Royal Vista Circle
Fort Collins, CO 80528
Phone: -866-537-1091
1

+ (34) 9-17-14-70-02
Fax: 1-970-223-5577
www.schneider-electric.com/us
July 2012

The Value of Enterprise GIS

Empfohlen

Empfohlen

Weitere ähnliche Inhalte

Was ist angesagt?

Was ist angesagt? (20)

Andere mochten auch

Andere mochten auch (6)

Ähnlich wie The Value of Enterprise GIS

Ähnlich wie The Value of Enterprise GIS (20)

Mehr von Schneider Electric

Mehr von Schneider Electric (20)

Kürzlich hochgeladen

Kürzlich hochgeladen (20)

The Value of Enterprise GIS