Mobility Solutions for Field Engineering Services Streamline and automate Utility field operations through an integrated approach
Contents
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Abstract
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Introduction
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Business Drivers for Advanced Field Operations Management System
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Get the Mobility Advantage
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Field Operations Management System FOMS
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Collect, edit, update, search, access and analyze data through an integrated system
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The Way it Works
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Field inspection using FOMS
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Key Benefits of an Integrated Field Operations Management System
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Conclusion
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Author
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About Cyient
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Abstract With rapid development and increased demand, utility companies are facing challenges in meeting the rising needs of increasing infrastructure footprint.
The communication technology revolution has brought billions across the globe closer than ever before. Communications technology is now an integral part of every major industry including health, government, business, banking, and media. The surge in demand for solution offerings from every sector over the past decade has posed several challenges to communication companies. The investment in infrastructure has also increased drastically to ensure connectivity between remote destinations and far corners, all over the world. With rapid development and increased demand, utility companies are facing challenges in meeting the rising needs of increasing infrastructure footprint. Common business challenges faced by utility companies include changing technology, regulatory environments, customer expectations, multiple systems, productivity levels of surveyors/field engineers and limited capability of existing field survey tools. These business challenges create operational stress and impact OpEx and customer satisfaction. Although companies invest in the latest technologies, skilled manpower and advanced systems, there is still a perceptible gap in operational efficiencies. Existing tools and platforms are built on proven technologies. Despite these, field survey, construction and maintenance of networks is a challenge for the field survey tools which have limited capability. Current field survey solutions in the market are limited to map markups and simple attribute information updates via primitive web forms. As an implementer of GIS and asset management systems such as GE Smallworld, ESRI, Autodesk etc., our
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technologists have taken into account existing challenges in the field and devised a solution based on emerging trends of iOS and Android-based applications. This solution helps bridging the gap between the field survey process and the powerful GIS platforms by providing an ETL engine to process open and proprietary GIS formats via XML interface. The survey solution offered reduces the time for field survey, eliminates the need for reentry of data and increases the accuracy of data. Cloud-based synchronization of data to Smallworld helps complete survey of a locality in real-time. The capability to update network geometry helps the surveyor modify data real-time, on the field. This solution promises to aid utility corporations to enhance efficiency and delivery experience by reducing Opex and turnaround time and facilitate on-time delivery of projects. With our innovative solutions, we are ‘Designing Tomorrow Together’ with our clients.
Introduction Managing and exploiting massive amounts of customer and network operations data is vital for utility companies to drive organization-wide business decisions and leverage critical business advantages in an intensely competitive industry. Location context and information is an important element for service enterprises such as telecom, utility companies, field inspection companies and other contractors. It is imperative for these companies to perform onsite inspections that help collect data related to potential problems, analyze them and also verify the technician’s work at the site.
Typically collecting, sharing and organizing the field data is prone to human errors. To address this, there is a need for a solution that allows information to be collected across large geographical areas and edited in real-time.
Utility businesses today are spread across vast geographical locations, and strategies and critical business decisions depend on reliable data collection. However, collecting, sharing and analyzing data across a very large geographical area can be complicated and daunting. It is a resource intensive task that requires allocating a large number of data collectors (or evaluators) to manage and complete tasks within a reasonable and viable time span. Field staff often document their findings with manual notes, photographs or videos captured at the job site. Such documentation can be useful for diagnosis, collaborative problem-solving, reporting inspection results to clients, or preparing for future service or inspection requirements at a particular job site. Field workers usually gather information for reports such as environmental compliance, construction compliance, safety inspections, and any other location-based reporting using a notepad, a handheld GPS, and a handheld camera. Once the data is collected, the field worker either travels back to the office or shares the data gathered with an in-house executive. Typically collecting, sharing and organizing this data into predefined reporting format manually is time-consuming and tedious. These processes are prone to several inherent human errors, which may result in penalties, regulatory action, or both. Inaccurate or erroneous data and inefficiencies also lead to significant time and cost impact. Furthermore, inability to interact in real-time as a team can create additional complications in reviewing and analyzing the data collected by all evaluators. To address these inherent limitations in the present system, there is a need for a solution that allows information to
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be collected across large geographical areas and edited in real-time. It should be able to integrate a group of participants to interact with each other in real-time during the data collection and analysis process. An advanced mobile Geographic Information System (GIS) application can enable organizations to collect, edit and correlate live geographical data in an efficient, fast, flexible, cost-effective, secure and environment-friendly manner.
Reduce Paperwork
Control Your Schedule
Get More Done
Business Drivers for Advanced Field Operations Management System Explosive growth and usage of mobile and cloud technologies are reshaping the way the utility sector functions. Utility companies are continually trying to deploy mobile GIS to help their field crew break free from the limitations and inconvenience of using conventional paper drawings and manual markups. However, most of them rely on disparate and legacy systems and processes to manage mobility and collect, organize and consolidate field data. Decentralization of field data management results in manually filling up spreadsheets with asset information and re-entering field data into corporate GIS and associated databases, often leading to inconsistent and poor quality of data. Additionally the increasing complexity of new technology makes it difficult to keep pace with rapidly changing mobile platforms. This makes it more challenging to streamline field operations and measure productivity accurately. Siloed operating systems and processes further
Mobile-based solutions are more effective in handling real-time field data. As a leading solutions provider in the geospatial space, Cyient’s extensive stack of mobile services and solutions offer more connected and seamless field operations.
make it more cumbersome, complex and expensive. These forces combined are driving utility companies to shift their focus towards improving field productivity and data management through comprehensive field force automation. With operations and projects spread across geographies, it is imperative for organizations to have a collaborative environment to ensure reliable and accurate sharing of data to ensure productivity and meet business objectives. A comprehensive enterprise geospatial solution can help manage, maintain and track assets and resources accurately and effectively.
Get the Mobility Advantage Situational awareness and real-time information are critical to manage and streamline operations. Accurate and updated information is also essential to manage the entire field work lifecycle from onsite inspections, data collection and analysis to verification of work closure. Mobile-based solutions are more effective in handling real-time field data in terms of synchronizing with systems in the control center and building actionable intelligence to manage operations. As a leading solutions provider in the geospatial space, Cyient’s extensive stack of mobile services and solutions offer more connected and seamless field operations. Some of our mobile field solutions are given below: Field Operations Management System (FOMS): Cyient’s mobile-based solution is based on emerging iOS and Android based applications. It helps bridge the gap between field survey processes and powerful GIS platforms by providing an ETL engine to process open and proprietary GIS formats via XML interface. Cloud-based synchronization of data to Smallworld enables completion of the
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survey in real-time. The capability to update network geometry allows realtime data modification, on the field. The survey solution reduces the time for field survey, eliminates the need for re-entry of data and increases data accuracy. It also reduces operational expenses and turnaround time and facilitates on-time delivery of projects. Key features • Cadastre/Base Map Layers and Bookmarks • Search and Locate Assets – Free Text Search • Measurement tool (Length and Area) • Display of Asset Information • View/Edit Asset Information – In-place Editors • Geometry Editing • Redlining • Field Verification Form • Manifold Rules for Geometry interactions • Asset deletion • Layer grouping via configuration file • Join relationships using configuration. • Audit history of records • Street view on dashboard • External data feeds Mobile Workforce Management System (MWMS): The solution encompasses the complete workforce lifecycle and also supports business by providing insights into workforce performance. It provides an updated and spatially enabled prioritized task list that ensures more productive shifts. Tasks are automatically delivered to the mobile device owned by the on-field technician, monitored until completion and automatically escalated if needed. Managers can also efficiently handle requests through an easy-to-use interface for effective customer issue resolution.
Our FOMS solution is designed to simplify the process of collecting field GIS data and completing field surveys with media enriched location information, accessible anytime, anywhere.
We offer IT services and solutions for field force operations including consultancy, implementation and extensibility services on leading MWM (mobile workforce management) platforms such as GE, Viryanet, Click, Ventyx and TOA, in partnership with OEMs. Key features • Provides real-time communication on various devices • Forecasting Module • Powerful optimization engine • Objective based scheduler • Highly configurable solution • Friendly dispatch board • Easy resource management • Feature rich field application • Inventory Management • Warranty Tracking • Ease of Integration • Increases visibility into operational performance • Easy to extend the solution • Enterprise-grade scalability, reliability, and security Field PAD: This is our user-friendly, comprehensive, and customized mobile solution intended for field data collection. It supports downstream data analysis and helps build actionable insights for asset maintenance. This solution has been developed on ESRI and the .NET platform and is also integrated with GPS. It also easily integrates with third party software such as Range Finder for capturing essential asset data with minimal manual intervention. Key features • Integrated with GPS • Easy photo capture and viewing
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• Integration with JSON format • Integration with View Finder • One-click sync with the server • Validation and QC checks on the fly • User-friendly application • Ability to save work-in-progress for future In the following sections, we will take a closer look at Cyient’s Field Operations Management System.
Field Operations Management System - FOMS To address the inherent drawbacks of the current systems in use, we have designed a unique mobile-based (patent pending # 1640/CHE/2014) application called Field Operations Management System (FOMS). The solution combines convenience and utility to further build on the advantages of prior systems. The application is designed to simplify the process of collecting field GIS data and completing field surveys with media enriched location information, accessible anytime, anywhere. Collect, edit, update, search, access and analyze data through an integrated system The application provides a comprehensive platform to edit Geographic Information System (GIS) data related to multiple assets. The in-built Google map functionality helps populate the map with information of multiple assets using GIS. It allows field officers to view and edit property information of the asset with at least one input from a list including a text, an image, a video, an audio or a combination of any of these inputs. The edited information can then be saved in a local database of the computing device, which can be accessed easily to update the asset information in the GIS.
Enterprise GIS Database
Enterprise GIS Application
GIS Data Maintenance User
Data Extraction Engine
LAN
Enterprise Asset Repository
FOMS Dashboard Asset Management
Office/Filed User
Asset Management Maintenance User Enterprise ETL Server
Distribution Management Database
Operations Management Database
WiFi/Physical Connection
DMS/OMS Application
Distribution and Outage Asset Management Maintenance User
External Data Feeds Department of Weather Spatial Lite DB
Road Safety Authority Aerial Survey
Over Cellular Data
One Device Filed User
Vegetation Management Council Data Other Feeds
Fig. 1| Solution context diagram
The FOMS solution helps make accurate and timely information easily accessible on real-time basis and provides complete visibility to geographical data across the board.
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The solution comprises of an enterprise GIS, dashboard, and mobile application with following key features: • A comprehensive GIS database • A data extraction engine to extract asset information from the GIS database • An enterprise server to extract, transform and load the collected asset information by the data extraction engine • A user-friendly input/output console for ease of system operability • A computing device with processor, memory, GPS, built-in camera and builtin wireless internet access • A map generating module to display maps on the computing device • Overlaying module to display asset information of the plurality of assets on the map • Editing module to view and edit property information of the asset • An update module to update the asset information in the geographic information system
To help mark-up assets on the maps using spatial data, the ‘highlighting module’ of FOMS enables users to draw an outline on the map. Additionally, its sharing module helps share the asset information from the local database to a cloud storage easily. The solution also provides a dynamic search interface to help search and access the asset on the map using the property information. With FOMS, users can easily populate data into a map layer in real time, which can then be shared, analyzed and published immediately. You can also set rules for the system to alert the user about any changes or new information in the data repositories. The automation of the entire field management system helps make accurate and timely information easily accessible on real-time basis and provides complete visibility to geographical data across the board. This integrated system helps simplify data access; empower users to extract, edit, update and share GIS data through a single platform thus helping them enhance productivity and reduce response times.
The Way it Works Editing GIS with FOMS The application provides a map on the computing device interface equipped with a GPS, built-in camera, and wireless internet access. The map could either be Google maps, Apple maps or a proprietary map developed by the enterprise for its own use. The device helps detect the location of the user via the GPS and provides a map of the location. Once the user pans on the map to mark the location of the inspection site where enterprise assets are located, the map is populated with all assets extracted from the GIS. The information from the enterprise GIS is downloaded from the enterprise server as a device compatible database via cloud using the internet or can be preloaded on
Fig. 2 | Assets marked by dots and lines on Google map
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the device. The asset information includes spatial information like geographical coordinates, GPS location and so on, showing the location of the asset on the map. Each of the assets populated on the map is represented by different shapes and colors. Differently colored dots and lines are used to indicate different types of assets. For instance, dots represent poles, switches, and the lines represent LV lines HV lines in the utility industry. Different colors and shapes may be assigned to different assets to identify them on the map, making it easier for the user to locate them on a tablet screen. Figure 1 shows assets marked on Google maps. The application helps filter different assets, select an asset of interest and view only its property details. In the case of any
Fig. 4 | Geometry editing
disparities between the asset information in the record and actual data, it allows the property information of the asset to be edited in real-time. Using SQLite as a local database the edited property information is then saved in a local database of the device replacing the corresponding information in GIS. Figure 2 represents the process flow of editing GIS using FOMS application.
Fig. 3 | Attribute editing
Enterprise GIS GIS database
Data extraction, transformation and load engine
Processor I/O console
Memory Local database
Map generating module
Overlaying module
Editing module Update module
Fig. 5 | Schematic illustration of a system for editing a geographic information system
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Field inspection using FOMS The FOMS application makes it easier for a field engineer to collect data, perform inspection and edit the asset information onthe-go. The user can edit and save information on his device, and sync it with the enterprise server later.
For data collection and inspection, the mobile application needs to be installed on a tablet with GPS, camera, a local database (SpatiaLite) and internet access (refer figure 3). Once the location is detected on the map using the GPS, the device is connected to the enterprise GIS and enterprise server using internet. The data extraction engine helps access asset information from the GIS database and save it to the local database (SQLite). The overlaying module helps mark the assets over the map using GIS data from the local database. Figure 4 illustrates the field inspection process using FOMS.
Satellite
5 MP Tablet Camera
The FOMS application makes it easier for a field engineer to collect data, perform inspection and edit the asset information on-the-go. It also helps eliminate the need for manually transferring the data from the user’s device to the enterprise GIS. The user has the option to edit and save the edited information on his device. When needed, the user can also update the parent enterprise server with the edited data.
WiFi
Cellular
Tablet
Touch screen interaction
Field User Fig. 6 | Components of FOMS mobile system
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In-built SQLite Database
The business as usual example of field survey using FOMS is as shown below:
Create a job and checkout data
Field User
User Logged on to Dashboard
Data Center • Data center has all the enterprises databases • FOMS Dashboard has a dedicated database and receives/sends incremental charges from enterprise databases
Work Orders • Work orders are processed by users by creating a job in the Dashboard • The life of a work order is maintained by workflow management module of the dashboard
Fig. 7 | BAU field inspection process using FOMS
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Android
Sync Data via WiFi/Cellular connection • When the data is synchronized back to FOMS database, series of Quality Check and Assurance routines are run to ensure the quality of data
• Filed users fill the required forms by visual inspection • The data is synchronized back to the dashboard via WiFi or cellular connection • Filed user can record screenshots of the structures/assets in the field and share them via email/record them in the device to Sync back
Key Benefits of an Integrated Field Operations Management System Benefits of the FOMS solution are: - Compatible with both Android and iOS platforms - Enables comprehensive workflow management - Allows real-time data sharing - Provides better insights for decision-making - Automates the field operations
For field services-intensive industries such as Utilities and Telecom, this is an easy-toimplement FOMS application that helps to automate and centralize end-to-end field operations. It helps organizations gain location intelligence that plays a critical role in efficiently running business operations and applications. The integrated approach automates field data collection using GPS, facilitates configurable workflow designs and digital image capture, asset marking, editing and archiving asset information in real-time. The solution comprises a unique set of features that help deliver several operational and business benefits:
Platform agnostic: Our FOMS application is mobile based and is compatible with both Android and iOS platforms, and can be used on any tablet or smartphone. You can install FOMS to gain access to the GIS database and enterprise server using your choice of device. This eliminates the need for upgrading or replacing devices that are currently being used. Comprehensive workflow management: The application comprises detailed and intuitive dashboards that can be viewed by the network operations management team on their desktop, in real-time. This enables the operations management team to monitor and measure performance data accurately thus helping enhance productivity and quality of field staff output.
• Feeder display
• Fibre termination
• Transformer load display
• Fibre connectivity
• Asset inspection report
• Equipment connectivity
• Vegetation management
• Conduit/duct occupancy wizard
Electricity
Water
Gas
• Asset inspection report
• Measurement of street offset
• Meter reading
• CP inspection report
Fig. 8 | Industry-wise FOMS modules
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Telecom
Real-time data sharing: Typically it takes about 12-15 days to update data manually which results in delayed activation of services for the customer. Remote synchronization of field data to corporate databases allows you to collect, edit, update and share asset information in real-time with greater accuracy. It helps eliminate activation delays and reduces turn-around time, enabling you to increase customer base and revenue. Rule-based platform: The simple and user-friendly interface helps you apply rules to filter/extract information for better insight and reasoning. These business rules also help you validate data entry to ensure quality data.
Author
Automation of field operations: The application helps capture and upload asset information to the server from the field. It allows you to add, edit, and move around information in real-time. The solution eliminates the need for manual entry and facilitates data collection in line with corporate GIS data model thereby reducing manual error and inaccuracy in data entry and optimizing resource utilization. This helps enhance field operations, efficiencies and reduce operational costs.
Manish Arora is Delivery head, data, network and operations (DNO) business unit for the APAC region at Cyient. A graduate of engineering, he has over 14 years of experience in the field of IT. He has extensive knowledge in GE Smallworld, Electric Office, PNI and Design Manager and has executed longterm projects independently in the USA, Australia and India. He has also completed major utility and telecom projects specialized in GIS. He is currently based out of Melbourne.
Conclusion In today’s dynamic business environment, it is critical to keep pace with changes in the digital world and use smart technologies to enhance efficiency of business processes. This is especially important for the utility and telecom companies whose operations span across vast geographical limits. It is imperative to have the right tools to ensure field operations are executed accurately and smoothly. In addition, inspection and maintenance management have become
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critical priorities in the face of evolving technologies, regulatory requirements, and consumer demands. It is only logical that a next generation GIS tool should be made available to integrate the GIS database and enterprise server that can help automate field operation workflow. Our unique mobile-based Field Operations Management application aims to plug this gap by offering an easy-to-use, customizable solution that will ensure that you have the necessary spatial intelligence to optimize your resources and reduce operational inefficiencies, thereby ensuring you stay ahead of the curve.
About Cyient Cyient is a global provider of engineering, manufacturing, data analytics, networks and operations solutions. We collaborate with our clients to achieve more and shape a better tomorrow. With decades of experience, Cyient is well positioned to solve problems. Our solutions include product development and life cycle support, process and network engineering, and data transformation and analytics. We provide expertise in the aerospace, consumer, energy, medical, oil and gas, mining, heavy equipment, semiconductor, rail transportation, telecom and utilities industries. Strong capabilities combined with a network of more than 13,100 associates across 38 global locations enable us to deliver measurable and substantial benefits to major organizations worldwide. For more information about Cyient, visit our website.
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Š 2016 Cyient. Cyient believes the information in this publication is accurate as of its publication date; such information is subject to change without notice. Cyient acknowledges the proprietary rights of the trademarks and product names of other companies mentioned in this document. Updated June 2016
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