Enterprise GIS allows for the integration of teams, disciplines and various data sources necessary for managing and executing today’s complex projects. GIS technologies provide the collaboration tools necessary to succeed regardless of location. This discussion will demonstrate the challenges and successful Enterprise GIS and management techniques that bring together resources from local to nationwide.
The presentation will showcase applications of Enterprise GIS services integrated into various types of projects. Examples include energy and water resources engineering, environmental permitting teams utilizing GPS field data collection and successful external communication with clients and stakeholders. The processes developed to integrate engineering design elements from AutoCAD drawings, including the use of ProjectWise collaboration tools will be described.
A brief discussion will highlight the challenges faced with evolving technologies and GIS needs. Databases resided on multiple servers across the county, running different database software and inconsistent ArcSDE versions. ArcGIS servers running different software versions and upgrades were delayed during greater IT migrations including multiple identity management systems and changing network topology.
No matter how well a GIS architecture is planned and executed the human factor still requires attention. Case studies will show how successful project and staff management drove project performance and helped overcome inefficacies in the technology. Proven workflows including managing a versioned editing environment among GIS users and staff with wide range of skills, and the Quality Control and Quality Assurance tools not provided by technology, which will also be presented.
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2013 Enterprise Track, Integrating People and Tools: Enterprise GIS Success Stories by Nicole Peace and Ian McGovern
1. Integrating People and Tools
Enterprise GIS Success Stories
Nicole Peace – Senior GIS Analyst / Team Lead, Kleinfelder Denver, CO
Ian McGovern – GIS Technical Practice Leader, Kleinfelder Sacramento, CA
2. Integrating People and Tools
Introduction
Who is Kleinfelder and what do we do?
Technology
Growth and Legacy Infrastructure
Challenges & Solutions
People
Team Integration & Communication
3. Kleinfelder
Kleinfelder is a nationwide firm with the collective expertise of nearly 2000
employee available to serve our clients most demanding challenges. We have
more than 70 offices globally that lead to an understanding of the local
environments to always bring the right solution to our clients.
GIS Supports engineering and
environmental projects
Nationwide that range in
Size & Complexity
5. GIS
GIS challenges during growth
Software
Data Management
Legacy Infrastructure
Enterprise GIS Goals
Enabling – access, analysis, decisions
GIS Professional – facilitating the use, growth
6. Challenges: Software
Lack of central software management
User installed Desktop Software
Single Seat Licensing
Limited availability of tools
Costs
Issues with 3rd party tools
Extend ArcView (Basic)
7. Challenges: Data Management
Lack of consistent best practices
Varied level of Risk
Local Hard Drive / USB
Server
Each office server path / folder structure different
Enterprise (SDE) Limited
Desktop software limited
Concerns of speed and robustness
9. Challenges: SEA Acquisition
East Coast Firm with GIS infrastructure
Data Center
Microsoft Centric
Supported GIS / IT
Different User Domain (AD Identity Management)
User Base
Legacy KLF and Legacy SEA different
10. Legacy GIS Infrastructure
East Datacenter
Streaming
Media
File Storage
Asset
Management
Admin
Workstation
Clients
ArcGIS
Server
9.3.1
ArcSDE 9.3
Server
Oracle
West Datacenter
ArcGIS
Server
10
SDE 9.3.1 /
GIS
Database
SQL Server
11. IT Solutions
Legacy
Novell
E-Directory
Oracle Database
Single seat licensing
Lack of central
management
Anti-Virus conflicts
Hub Spoke Network
Single Data Center
Updated
Microsoft
AD, ADFS
SQL Server
Enterprise Licensing
SCOM, SCCM
Managed Virus
Improved network
topology
Dual Coast Data
Centers
12. GIS Technology Considerations
Drive path consistency
Mapped (G:) vs UNC (ServerShare)
DBAs and IT support need to understand
GIS Needs
Workflows
Overnight processes
13. GIS Solutions
Rely upon ESRI ArcGIS Desktop / Server
to manage RDBMS differences
Simplify for users
Data can be stored and managed
anywhere
17. Ongoing Solutions
Leverage Cloud Resources
Map Services
Long / Short life, editing
Migrating Databases
Develop a strong migration communication plan
Desktop / Personal SDE
ProjectWise for file based resources
18. Legacy Kleinfelder GIS
Originally a Graphics Tool
Non centrally managed
Personnel & Workload
Inconsistent qualifications
GIS Professional
GIS User
Reliance on under qualified individual
19. Legacy B&A GIS Team
GIS Delivery Team Model
Structured, Dedicated, Professional Staff
Resourcing Projections
Local Network Drive for all projects
Use & Access Controls
20. Legacy B&A GIS Team
Integration
Additional Technology & Tools Available
Enterprise ESRI Licensing
Community Support
GISCO
Internal Peers
21. Solutions: People
GIS like any other discipline
Range of skills and specialties
How to get teams to adopt new tech
Learning Curves, Training
How new tech does not replace QA QC
processes
Make best use of integrated QA/QC, visual
reviews, and detail checking protocols
22. Example Review Procedure
GIS Support Request
Received from GIS
Delivery Lead
GIS First Line
Reviewer checks
task was
completed using
Detail Tracking
Form; exports
updated PDF with
Current Date &
Initials in file
name
GIS Support
Task
Delegated to
Appropriate
Staff Level
Task Completed
in SDE and/or
MXD, Sent to GIS
First Line
Reviewer
GIS Delivery Lead
Reviews New
PDF and adds
responses to
comments &
Initials as sign off
on task; Notifies
Team of task
completion
23. Solutions: People
Proactively engage Management
Approach planning for future and ongoing
efforts
Assessing GIS project needs and effective
resource delegation
Task assignments to appropriate team
members who understand the technology
24. People: Communication
Bringing on new services to projects that
did not have it before
Breaking through the way “its always been”
Addressing technology Challenges
Reduces issues on budgets
and schedules
Leverages strengths,
skills and training
25. Improved GIS Execution
Best data management practices, use of
Practice Technology tools & Enterprise
GIS solutions
Clear communication & collaboration to
understand, identify and achieve internal &
external project deliverables
Leveraging the appropriate GIS tools &
technology