The document describes a web application developed for NASA's Marshall Space Flight Center to integrate their facilities management data sources. The application allows users to view maps, architectural floor plans, facility information, equipment data, work orders, personnel locations, and generate reports through a single interface. It provides improved access and analysis of facilities data compared to previous separate systems that required specialized software and training.

1. National Aeronautics and
Space Administration
Contacts
marshall space flight center
NASA MSFC Contacts
Tim Corn
Facilities Management Office Manager
256–544–9451
Charlotte Schrimsher
Project Manager
Facilities GIS &
256–503–1610
Data Integration
Gary Rogers
Technical Manager
256–544–7955
Summary
The Facilities Management Office at NASA Intergraph Corporation Contacts
Marshall Space Flight Center maintains many
maps, databases, and CAD drawings for its Ron Harlow
daily operations. However, these data sets are Executive Manager
independent from each other, and require specially 256–730–1521
trained users with complex software to query and
report. A web application was developed using GIS Bill Mommsen
and SVG technologies to bring pertinent live data Program Manager
to the user’s desktop, without exhaustive training 256–730–8179
or the installation of numerous applications. Now
decision makers at NASA are able to view maps Roy Interrante
and architectural floor plans, obtain floor and room Technical Manager
information, find equipment, review maintenance 757–515–5883
work orders, locate personnel, create color coded
floor plans, and many other functions from one
easy to use application.
National Aeronautics and Space Administration
George C. Marshall Space Flight Center
Huntsville, AL 35812
www.nasa.gov
NP-2007-05-70-MSFC
5-44319

2. Objectives Approach Application (Continued)
The objectives of this application are to provide a The core approach to the development of this web- queries and reports are generated from a Center
web interface to Facilities Data, rapid data access, a based Mapping, Interactive Floor Plan, and Data Portal and Building perspective. The user can drill down
visual portal to multiple data sets, and be integrated was to augment the decision-making capability of the to more building information through the Interactive
in such a way that facilitates information gathering Facilities Management Office’s existing data sets and Floor Plan Application, where queries and reports
and analysis. This application makes business their associated processes and applications. Each sub- are generated from a floor and room perspective.
system was reviewed with the data maintenance staff A Security Module was implemented in order to
and other data users to determine the best approaches restrict access to sensitive data to specific users.
to access, report, and integrate data. The architecture The application was built using a modular approach.
of this application is scalable, in order that new data The modules include drawing and map navigation
access portals, components, functions, and applications tools, web menu controls, map and floor plan
can be added in the future. layer controls, search tools, database reports, etc.
Components can be added, removed, or modified,
depending on the customer’s requirements and the
Application structure of their databases.
All Databases, Maps, CAD files, Applications, System
Processes, etc. were reviewed and a data flow model Results
was developed. This model illustrates all linkages
and data flows of the existing information systems Previously, Engineers and Decision Makers had to
contact many individuals to request data in order
Applications
user
Business
to gather necessary information. For example, they
Map
Layers
user
Web Application
would contact the mapping department and request
Applications
Business
Environ-
• GIS / Maps
mental
drawings of utility systems, aerials, and other maps,
sense, in that it improves the efficiency and decision user
• Data Portal then the Environmental department for locations of
Applications
Business
Security Integration Maximo
Module • Queries Hub Database
capabilities of the Facilities Management Office. This user
• Searches monitoring wells and other concerns, then Asset
integration application uses existing databases and • Reports Management for work orders and equipment
Applications
Business
Space
Management
• Analysis
their associated business processes. The existing user reports, then Space Management for color coded
applications have developed and evolved through the floor plans, then the Planning Department, etc.
Applications
Business
Floor
Plans
years, and a significant amount of resources have been Now Decision Makers can access all these data
invested. Instead of migrating these databases into sets from their desktops and generate reports and
one central system, it was determined to leverage the that the Facilities Management Office accesses. An maps. Pertinent data can be viewed and analyzed
current systems by developing methods to integrate Integration Hub was developed to correlate various non- from new perspectives. Also, Data Managers can
data sets into one application. Current databases and homogeneous databases. For example, by querying the dedicate more time to building and improving the
business applications remain in place. Now users can Maximo database to return a record set of all buildings integrity and reliability of their databases.
retrieve about 80% of the common reports generated to be replaced, and then joining the results to a GIS
by the current applications from this web portal. database, a thematic map highlighting buildings to be
replaced is generated. The web application consists
of two major components: the Map and the Interactive
Floor Plan Applications. From the Map Application,