The document discusses the implementation of FME as a key tool for Loveland Pulse, a new community-owned broadband utility in Colorado, emphasizing its capabilities in data processing and workflow management. FME facilitates efficient data handling across various sources while supporting GIS functionalities for the utility's operational needs. It highlights the importance of optimizing data flows to enhance customer service and streamline processes in building out fiber optic infrastructure.

1. FME - The Tool to Use
When Standing Up a New
Fiber Utility
Ryan Smith and Sarah Rose
Loveland Pulse

2. Loveland Pulse is one of the newest
community-owned broadband utility
start-ups in Colorado.
Municipal broadband utilities present unique opportunities,
for data processing and workflows.

3. Why FME?
FME is the Swiss Army Knife, to help with
the buildout data sources.
1. Why for Broadband?
2. Survey123
3. Shapefile to GDB
4. QAQC
Calming the data
storm

4. FME Data Spa
Channeling our inner data gurus
Why FME for Broadband?
Internet access is quickly becoming a critical
infrastructure. We are creating a new utility to
better serve constituents, and to provide the
same world class customer service as the rest of
our critical infrastructure utilities.
This means we are creating and curating new
data sources and new data flows, and need to
optimize our efficiency with processing the raw
data.
Because we are dealing with a variety of data
sources, and working with specific data model
dependencies, we needed something much more
robust than “copy/paste” or “append.”
Enter FME.

5. FME: The tool to use
FME is the ideal tool to use for a new utility start-up.
It provides:
● ETL functionality and tools, without the aid of a developer
● Systems: GIS, CIS, OSS/BSS, online apps
● Allows a quick start for data processing, to keep up with the
design build and as-build processes pace
● Daily editors’ sanity saver
I believe there are 6 different ways to accomplish any task.
With FME, we were able to hit the ground running, sooner.

6. What did we do with
FME?
We used different workbenches to accomplish
different workflows.
● Processing ArcGIS Survey123 results
● Creating ArcFM Fiber Manager data from
Esri shapefiles
● QAQC splicing connections from
spreadsheet reports

7. Who wants internet?
● Marketing needs: Early Interest Survey (ArcGIS Survey
123)
● Auto-response email notifications, for new responses,
in a timely manner
● No duplicates
● Make them feel good!

8. Survey123 for Marketing
Who wants broadband?
Where are they?
How do we get in touch
with them?
FME Desktop and Server
processes the survey
results and sends an email
notification
We know who wants
broadband, where they
are located, and we can
reach out to them
personally.

9. From Survey to Server

10. Save the editors’ sanity!
ArcFM Fiber Manager Data Entry
A. Use a series of workbenches to build the GIS
data out
B. Work with ArcFM functionality intact
C. QAQC Splicing Details
D. Special thanks to Erik Bodewitz, FME guru!!

11. From Shapefile to Fiber Manager
What is the best way to input shapefile
geospatial data and attributes into a
specialized data model, with data
dependencies, COM objects, and
background processes running?
FME works with spatial data,
can read in GIS licenses via
Python, and doesn’t impede
the background processes
We saved the editors’ sanity
(and wrist and eyes) by
automating the data entry,
standardizing the QC, and not
blowing up the Fiber Manager
functionality. WIN!

12. Building out a fiber optic cable

13. Building out a fiber device

14. QC fiber splice connections

15. FME is the tool to use in standing up a
new fiber utility.

16. Thank you!
ryan.smith@cityofloveland.org
sarah.rose@cityofloveland.org