Cityworks: A Scalable and Connected System of Action

CITYWORKS: A SCALABLE AND CONNECTED SYSTEM OF ACTION

Cityworks pioneered and defined the GIS-centric approach of using ArcGIS as the asset inventory for local government and utilities without syncing or duplicating to other asset data tables. GIS-centric technology is the innovative leap that defines Cityworks and underscores our platform mindset when designing a scalable and connected system of action.

BY BRIAN HASLAM, CITYWORKS PRESIDENT AND CEO

A few weeks prior to the 2021 Cityworks Innovate Conference, Esri president Jack Dangermond and I talked about the significance of the ArcGIS platform supporting new and innovative application development among Esri users and partners. The importance of having a platform mindset cannot be overemphasized when supporting the critical work of local government and utility organizations.

There are linear business models, and there are platform business models. Every organization has some linear thinking, but Esri is a good example of a software business that has always had a strong platform mindset. The ArcGIS platform is extensible to support data consumption and expanded functionality for user workflow needs.

An article from Applico defines a platform as creating value by facilitating exchanges and creating communities that allow users to interact and transact. Also, very importantly, a platform shouldn’t limit or fully control the behavior of its users. Rather, it facilitates interactions.

This approach to business and software development lies at the heart of our GIS-centric philosophy.

Why? Because Esri became the de facto asset repository for local government and utilities. And this is an example of where our platform mindset helps. Instead of creating our own asset repository, Cityworks creates an environment where users can interact and make transactions against their assets in the GIS. Users can exchange data from many different solutions within a single GIS-centric environment. Our vision is to create a GIS-centric asset management and permitting system that maximizes ArcGIS location intelligence for performing and planning work.

GIS-centric means putting customers and communities first. Our platform allows you to optimize your services and workflows and scale those efforts across your organization. Because we embrace a platform mindset, we remain open to the integration of other tools and solutions—from Esri, offered by our business partners, built in-house by you, and from Trimble. Many tools and solutions can make important contributions at many levels.

As a Trimble Company and a part of Trimble Geospatial, Cityworks is able to expand our platform and leverage the tools and workflows that are critical for your daily workflow needs.

For example, Trimble Geospatial is recognized for providing world-class solutions for professional surveying. It is common for organizations to collect professional, survey-quality data and then upload the data into ArcGIS as the asset system of record. Cityworks uses the data for helping organizations manage and maintain their assets. You benefit from scalable and connected touch points among Cityworks, ArcGIS, and Trimble Geospatial, combining world-class and best-in-class solutions to improve data-driven decision making.

Water and wastewater utilities can expand data collection capabilities with the help of Trimble Utilities’ Telog IoT instrumentation.

This integrated solution—namely Cityworks IoT—can be configured to automatically trigger work activities to support real-time monitoring and response.

Electric utility organizations can work together with Cityworks, Esri, Trimble Utilities, and POWER Engineers to implement modular, GIS-centric utility vegetation management solutions that integrate LiDAR analysis to identify high-risk areas and prioritize work.

And nearly every day, I hear from another Cityworks user who is excited about the possibility of using Trimble e-Builder BIM models with Trimble Quadri to update their ArcGIS asset records to enhance their Cityworks operations and maintenance implementation.

GIS-centric means putting customers and communities first. Our platform allows you to optimize your services and workflows and scale those efforts across your organization.

Get Started

Want to learn more about scaling the Cityworks platform at your organization? We explored three examples during the second-day general session at the 2021 Cityworks Innovate Conference. Access the recording at https://youtu.be/uu9oU7HTaTs.