1. Automated GIS-based
Workflow Improvements
Jeff Puuri, GISP
Tensing USA
In cooperation with:
Gas Technology Institute

2. Abstract
• Graphically Document Business Processes
• Facilitate Organization-wide Collaboration
• Provide Foundation for Process Improvement
• Execute Resulting Process Models
• Incorporate Spatial (and Temporal) Data
• Integrate Process Data with GIS

3. Benefits
• Produce (Location)-Enhanced Information
Products:
• More informed Decision Making
• Improve Operational Effectiveness
• Ensure Policy Compliance
• Improve Customer Service

4. Agenda
• Terms
• Methodology
• Case Study
• Q/A

5. Challenge
• Recognize Need for Digital Transformation
• Process Improvements
• Complexity Barriers
• Organizational
• Technical – Legacy Systems

6. Terms
• BPM
• Business Process Management
• Methodology
• BPMN
• Business Process Modeling and Notation
• Graphic Documentation Model
• BPMS
• Business Process Management System
• Process Model Execution
• Off-the-shelf Software

7. BPM Lifecycle
Document
Analyze /
Improve
Automate
Monitor
BPMN=To Be
BPMN=As-Is
BPMN=Executable

8. Sample BPMN
Control Flow
Activity Types
Resources
Sub-Process

9. Process Abstraction

10. BPMN Advantages
• Open Standard
• OMG (Object Modeling Group)
• Intuitive
• Collaborative
• Numerous software tools support
• Cross platform / Interchange Specification
• Produce Process Documentation
• Graphic Model + Shape Metadata

11. Model Execution using BPMS
• Business Process Mgmt Software / Suite / System
• Emerging Class of software products
• Gartner iBPMS category
• Proprietary / Open-source
• Built-in ERP: SAP, Oracle, IBM
• Standalone: Signavio, Bizagi, Camunda, JBoss
• Execution + Integration

12. Model Execution using BPMS
• Deployment
• In-house, Cloud, or VPN-based
• Support for inter-organizational collaboration
• Thin client
• Most all BPMS use browser-based GUI
• Some with mobile-specific apps

13. Configuring for Execution
“Low Code” Application Platform
• Underlying Data Model
• Entry Forms
• Business Rules
• Process Participants
• External System Integration
• via Web Services

14. Spatial/Temporal Data Capture
Required data has inherent
Location and Time attributes

15. Executing BPMN - Integration
• Address
• Geolocation
• Dates and Times
• GIS Attributes
BPMS Data Entry
REST API Call
Populate GIS
2 x LatLon + Attr
GISFeaturesAPIGeocodingAPI
Send Address
World Geocoder
BPMS – across the board
• External System Integration support
• via web services, esp. REST API Return Lat/Lon

16. REST API Integration Result
Send to ArcGIS
REST API
Entered Address
Converted to Lat/Lon via
Google Geocode API

17. Mobile Support for Device Sensors
Geolocation
Camera / Scanner
Camera / File Upload

18. Information Products - Maps

19. With Feature Attachments

20. Info Products - Notifications

21. Info Products – Dashboards/Reports
• Case / Task Status
• Business Intelligence
• Process Monitoring
• Improvement

22. Business Applications
• Compliance
– Tracking and Traceability
– Scheduled Process Execution
• Improved Operational Knowledge
– Information Products
– ‘Business Intelligence’
• Better ‘Customer’ Service
– Internal / External

23. BPMN Context
Data Workflow
Information
Products
Decisions
Information System
BPMN Automation

24. Implementation Strategy
• Start Small
• Pick one or two
• Low Complexity / High Impact
• Demonstrate successes and grow from there
• Agile approach

25. Contact Information
Jeff Puuri, GISP
Tensing USA
jpuuri@tensing.com
540-769-9908
Special Thanks to:
Gas Technology Institute