Future of GIS 
Moving to the Enterprise Platform 
Skye Perry – Founder & Principal Consultant
Who is SSP 
Focus on Electric, Gas, Water, & Fiber 
 Utilities 
 Telecom 
GIS Services 
 Product Implementation 
 Customization 
 Systems Integration 
 Work Management 
Work in Conference Utilities 
 MLGW, MTEMC, Ener many others across the U.S.
Informal Poll 
 How many folks have an enterprise GIS? 
 Of those, how many are using Esri GIS? 
 How many expose maps via the web?
Utility Mapping Used to be Cartography 
 All utilities originated with paper maps 
(some still use them) 
 Usually the source for conversion to digital maps
Mapping Becomes GIS 
A geographic information system (GIS) lets us visualize, 
question, analyze, and interpret data to understand 
relationships, patterns and trends. 
 Utilities are one of the best case studies for GIS
Utility GIS Defined 
Visualization is Easy 
 Utilities map facilities  digital maps 
 Accessible via devices 
 Centralized updates 
 Better maps 
 Mass produce 
paper maps 
A geographic information system (GIS) lets us 
visualize, question, analyze, and interpret 
data to understand relationships, patterns and 
trends.
Utility GIS Defined 
Relationships Drive Value 
 Establishes patterns and trends for analysis 
 Enables decision making 
 Three key types of relationships… 
A geographic information system (GIS) lets us 
visualize, question, analyze, and interpret 
data to understand relationships, patterns and 
trends.
Utility GIS Defined 
A geographic information system (GIS) lets us 
visualize, question, analyze, and interpret 
data to understand relationships, patterns and 
trends. 
Relationships Drive Value 
#1 Database technology provides classic relationships 
 Location to asset details 
 Asset to inspection 
history 
 Load point to customers 
 Customers to usage
Utility GIS Defined 
A geographic information system (GIS) lets us 
visualize, question, analyze, and interpret 
data to understand relationships, patterns and 
trends. 
Relationships Drive Value 
#2 Spatial Awareness Creates New Relationships 
 Proximity to facilities 
 One Call Boundaries 
 Easements 
 Nearest points 
 Assets within a district
Utility GIS Defined 
A geographic information system (GIS) lets us 
visualize, question, analyze, and interpret 
data to understand relationships, patterns and 
trends. 
Relationships Drive Value 
#3 Networks drive flow and hierarchy 
 Electric, Gas, Water, Telecom 
Connectivity 
 Service Point to Transformer 
 Upstream Protective Devices 
 Telecom route tracing 
 Pressure Systems 
 Isolation Traces
Utility GIS Defined 
GIS Relationships Drive Immediate Value 
 Relationships within the GIS establish many patterns and trends 
and allow for analysis to occur. 
 Utilities often spend their first several years establishing data 
quality to support these intrinsic GIS relationships 
As A Utility Matures, GIS will Relate Outward 
 Almost ALL data within a utility can be 
spatially represented creating new 
relationships 
 GIS Systems Integration powers 
exponential decision making 
throughout a utility
Utility GIS Systems Integration 
Every Utility Has Slightly Different Priorities 
 Workflow 
 Design 
 Planning 
 Analysis 
 Operations 
 Real time monitoring 
We have established some 
common themes through 
many implementations… 
Which have you implemented?
Utility GIS – Most Valuable Integrations 
CIS 
Customer 
Information 
GIS 
Geodatabase 
WMS 
Workflow, 
As-Builts, 
Capital Design 
DPS 
Distribution Planning 
EAM 
Inspections 
& Maintenance 
OMS 
Outage 
Management 
Engineering 
Analysis 
EA 
AVL 
Doc 
Mgt Images, Permits, 
Drawings 
SCADA 
Device Status 
AMI/ 
MDM 
Crew 
Locations 
Weather
Utility GIS Systems Integration 
All of these integrations still considered “traditional GIS” 
 Most of these patterns have been around for > 15 years 
 In ~2000 only the largest utilities could afford enterprise integration 
 We now see cooperatives, municipalities, and other smaller utilities 
achieving significant return on investment through integration 
 There is value to be realized if you haven’t looked at these areas
The Future of GIS 
The Landscape of GIS is Changing 
 System becomes a Platform 
 Still Mapping, Analyzing, and Managing 
Geographic Information 
 Device independence 
 Focused on web services 
 Enterprise portal administration 
 Geospatial content management 
Desktop Web Device 
Server Online Content 
and Services
Accessible Anywhere 
Desktop Web Device
Powered by Services 
Server Online Content 
and Services
Manage and Organize Content 
Portal
Bring Maps into Everyday Office Systems 
Enterprise Systems 
Esri Maps for . . . 
• Office 
• IBM Cognos 
• SharePoint 
• MicroStrategy 
• SAP 
• Salesforce 
• Dynamics 
Providing Integrated Mapping, Spatial Analysis, and Reporting 
Microsoft Office 
Spreadsheets
Supporting the Entire Organization 
Executive 
Access 
Public 
Engagement 
Work 
Anywhere 
Knowledge 
Workers 
Enterprise 
Integration 
Making Mapping and GIS 
Available To Everyone 
Professional 
GIS 
Contractors
GIS Everywhere Can Be Daunting 
ArcGIS Online is the key exposure point for the platform. 
How can utilities take their first steps with ArcGIS Online? 
 Two questions to think about…
How can we expose new data within the utility while 
leveraging the existing investment in GIS? 
ArcGIS Server 
Geodatabases 
Spreadsheets & Reports 
Business 
Databases 
ArcGIS 
Online 
Question One
Expose New Data Use Case 
Spreadsheet 
Data 
ArcFM Data Esri Basemap
Question Two 
How can we collect and empower the 
NEW data points throughout the 
organization? 
Geoprocessing Systems Integration Workflow
Empower New Data Use Case 
Expose Public 
WebMap 
Show Streetlights 
Combine w/GPS 
Capture Outages 
Include Photo
Empower New Data Use Case 
Email Customer 
Auto-Generate 
Service Request
Esri Platform Provides Tools 
Utilize the Esri Out-Of-The-Box Apps For Consumption 
 ArcGIS App 
 Collector for ArcGIS 
 ArcGIS Explorer 
 Operations Dashboard 
 Esri releases compatible app updates quarterly 
 Available from the iOS, Android, Windows app stores
ArcGIS Online Architecture
Utility Field Workflows are Quick Wins 
 Expose New Data to Field Operations 
 Collect New Data from Field Operations 
 Empower Your Operations thru Geoprocessing, Systems Integration, 
Workflow, & Reporting 
 Focus on the pattern for ideas – Expose, Collect, Empower
TVA Utilities are Industry Leaders 
 Memphis Light Gas & Water 
 Meter Replacement Project 
 Middle Tennessee Electric Membership Corporation 
 Transformer Load Reporting
MLGW – The Future Is Now 
January 2014 
 AMI Project Deploying New Smart Meters 
 ArcGIS Online Allows Capture of Meter Install 
Location, Attribution, and Pictures 
 Deployed via 50 iPhones 
Available in GIS 
(Including Pics) 
Weekly Collection Reports 
Feed Meter Data to CIS 
(GPS, Premise, Date)
MTEMC – The Future Is Now 
When transformers are replaced due to failure they are often up-sized to handle an 
overloaded scenario 
 Data is not available for trouble shooter in the field to see consumption / 
loading information 
 Back Office: 
 New relationship established by service location by phase to xfr 
 New integration to CIS to get usage information by service location 
 Usage data aggregated for each transformer asset for winter and summer
MTEMC – The Future Is Now 
Thematic mapping used to represent each transformer’s load vs. capacity 
 Exposed via ArcGIS Online as a WebMap 
 Troubleshooter use their phone or tablet 
when they arrive on scene 
 Zoom via GPS in the device 
 View transformer loading data by color 
 Click any transformer to view details
MTEMC – The Future Is Now 
Transformer showing under-loaded scenario:
MTEMC – The Future Is Now 
Transformer showing overloaded scenario:
Final Thought: Focus on the Pattern 
 Expose New Data to the utility 
 Collect New Data from the utility 
 Empower Your Operations thru 
Geoprocessing, Systems Integration, Workflow, & Reporting
Expanding GIS Everywhere 
A Proven Track Record in Electric, Gas, Water & Telecom Utilities

Future of GIS, Moving to the Enterprise Platform

  • 1.
    Future of GIS Moving to the Enterprise Platform Skye Perry – Founder & Principal Consultant
  • 2.
    Who is SSP Focus on Electric, Gas, Water, & Fiber  Utilities  Telecom GIS Services  Product Implementation  Customization  Systems Integration  Work Management Work in Conference Utilities  MLGW, MTEMC, Ener many others across the U.S.
  • 3.
    Informal Poll How many folks have an enterprise GIS?  Of those, how many are using Esri GIS?  How many expose maps via the web?
  • 4.
    Utility Mapping Usedto be Cartography  All utilities originated with paper maps (some still use them)  Usually the source for conversion to digital maps
  • 5.
    Mapping Becomes GIS A geographic information system (GIS) lets us visualize, question, analyze, and interpret data to understand relationships, patterns and trends.  Utilities are one of the best case studies for GIS
  • 6.
    Utility GIS Defined Visualization is Easy  Utilities map facilities  digital maps  Accessible via devices  Centralized updates  Better maps  Mass produce paper maps A geographic information system (GIS) lets us visualize, question, analyze, and interpret data to understand relationships, patterns and trends.
  • 7.
    Utility GIS Defined Relationships Drive Value  Establishes patterns and trends for analysis  Enables decision making  Three key types of relationships… A geographic information system (GIS) lets us visualize, question, analyze, and interpret data to understand relationships, patterns and trends.
  • 8.
    Utility GIS Defined A geographic information system (GIS) lets us visualize, question, analyze, and interpret data to understand relationships, patterns and trends. Relationships Drive Value #1 Database technology provides classic relationships  Location to asset details  Asset to inspection history  Load point to customers  Customers to usage
  • 9.
    Utility GIS Defined A geographic information system (GIS) lets us visualize, question, analyze, and interpret data to understand relationships, patterns and trends. Relationships Drive Value #2 Spatial Awareness Creates New Relationships  Proximity to facilities  One Call Boundaries  Easements  Nearest points  Assets within a district
  • 10.
    Utility GIS Defined A geographic information system (GIS) lets us visualize, question, analyze, and interpret data to understand relationships, patterns and trends. Relationships Drive Value #3 Networks drive flow and hierarchy  Electric, Gas, Water, Telecom Connectivity  Service Point to Transformer  Upstream Protective Devices  Telecom route tracing  Pressure Systems  Isolation Traces
  • 11.
    Utility GIS Defined GIS Relationships Drive Immediate Value  Relationships within the GIS establish many patterns and trends and allow for analysis to occur.  Utilities often spend their first several years establishing data quality to support these intrinsic GIS relationships As A Utility Matures, GIS will Relate Outward  Almost ALL data within a utility can be spatially represented creating new relationships  GIS Systems Integration powers exponential decision making throughout a utility
  • 12.
    Utility GIS SystemsIntegration Every Utility Has Slightly Different Priorities  Workflow  Design  Planning  Analysis  Operations  Real time monitoring We have established some common themes through many implementations… Which have you implemented?
  • 13.
    Utility GIS –Most Valuable Integrations CIS Customer Information GIS Geodatabase WMS Workflow, As-Builts, Capital Design DPS Distribution Planning EAM Inspections & Maintenance OMS Outage Management Engineering Analysis EA AVL Doc Mgt Images, Permits, Drawings SCADA Device Status AMI/ MDM Crew Locations Weather
  • 14.
    Utility GIS SystemsIntegration All of these integrations still considered “traditional GIS”  Most of these patterns have been around for > 15 years  In ~2000 only the largest utilities could afford enterprise integration  We now see cooperatives, municipalities, and other smaller utilities achieving significant return on investment through integration  There is value to be realized if you haven’t looked at these areas
  • 15.
    The Future ofGIS The Landscape of GIS is Changing  System becomes a Platform  Still Mapping, Analyzing, and Managing Geographic Information  Device independence  Focused on web services  Enterprise portal administration  Geospatial content management Desktop Web Device Server Online Content and Services
  • 16.
  • 17.
    Powered by Services Server Online Content and Services
  • 18.
    Manage and OrganizeContent Portal
  • 19.
    Bring Maps intoEveryday Office Systems Enterprise Systems Esri Maps for . . . • Office • IBM Cognos • SharePoint • MicroStrategy • SAP • Salesforce • Dynamics Providing Integrated Mapping, Spatial Analysis, and Reporting Microsoft Office Spreadsheets
  • 20.
    Supporting the EntireOrganization Executive Access Public Engagement Work Anywhere Knowledge Workers Enterprise Integration Making Mapping and GIS Available To Everyone Professional GIS Contractors
  • 22.
    GIS Everywhere CanBe Daunting ArcGIS Online is the key exposure point for the platform. How can utilities take their first steps with ArcGIS Online?  Two questions to think about…
  • 23.
    How can weexpose new data within the utility while leveraging the existing investment in GIS? ArcGIS Server Geodatabases Spreadsheets & Reports Business Databases ArcGIS Online Question One
  • 24.
    Expose New DataUse Case Spreadsheet Data ArcFM Data Esri Basemap
  • 25.
    Question Two Howcan we collect and empower the NEW data points throughout the organization? Geoprocessing Systems Integration Workflow
  • 26.
    Empower New DataUse Case Expose Public WebMap Show Streetlights Combine w/GPS Capture Outages Include Photo
  • 27.
    Empower New DataUse Case Email Customer Auto-Generate Service Request
  • 28.
    Esri Platform ProvidesTools Utilize the Esri Out-Of-The-Box Apps For Consumption  ArcGIS App  Collector for ArcGIS  ArcGIS Explorer  Operations Dashboard  Esri releases compatible app updates quarterly  Available from the iOS, Android, Windows app stores
  • 29.
  • 30.
    Utility Field Workflowsare Quick Wins  Expose New Data to Field Operations  Collect New Data from Field Operations  Empower Your Operations thru Geoprocessing, Systems Integration, Workflow, & Reporting  Focus on the pattern for ideas – Expose, Collect, Empower
  • 31.
    TVA Utilities areIndustry Leaders  Memphis Light Gas & Water  Meter Replacement Project  Middle Tennessee Electric Membership Corporation  Transformer Load Reporting
  • 32.
    MLGW – TheFuture Is Now January 2014  AMI Project Deploying New Smart Meters  ArcGIS Online Allows Capture of Meter Install Location, Attribution, and Pictures  Deployed via 50 iPhones Available in GIS (Including Pics) Weekly Collection Reports Feed Meter Data to CIS (GPS, Premise, Date)
  • 33.
    MTEMC – TheFuture Is Now When transformers are replaced due to failure they are often up-sized to handle an overloaded scenario  Data is not available for trouble shooter in the field to see consumption / loading information  Back Office:  New relationship established by service location by phase to xfr  New integration to CIS to get usage information by service location  Usage data aggregated for each transformer asset for winter and summer
  • 34.
    MTEMC – TheFuture Is Now Thematic mapping used to represent each transformer’s load vs. capacity  Exposed via ArcGIS Online as a WebMap  Troubleshooter use their phone or tablet when they arrive on scene  Zoom via GPS in the device  View transformer loading data by color  Click any transformer to view details
  • 35.
    MTEMC – TheFuture Is Now Transformer showing under-loaded scenario:
  • 36.
    MTEMC – TheFuture Is Now Transformer showing overloaded scenario:
  • 37.
    Final Thought: Focuson the Pattern  Expose New Data to the utility  Collect New Data from the utility  Empower Your Operations thru Geoprocessing, Systems Integration, Workflow, & Reporting
  • 38.
    Expanding GIS Everywhere A Proven Track Record in Electric, Gas, Water & Telecom Utilities

Editor's Notes

  • #2 Future of GIS   The GIS has been a mission critical system within utilities for many years supporting planning, analysis, design, and outage workflows. But the technological landscape of GIS continues to change at a rapid pace... While this presents a challenge to keep up, the utilities at the forefront of the technology are realizing significant ROI by expanding their usage of geographic data in new and exciting ways. This session will review the foundational components of a GIS that every utility should have in place along with the best patterns for embracing the change as GIS evolves from an application to a true enterprise platform. Our joint goal is to support the entire utility by making map-based apps available anywhere, on any device, to every department. The future of GIS is now, don't be left in the past!
  • #3 WHO SSP IS:  Just briefly a bit about who we are - SSP is focused on the electric, gas, water and fiber markets for core product implementation, customization, and systems integration. Chalk it to mostly GIS SERVICES work. We also partner heavily with Schneider Electric (previously known as Telvent) who provides a large set of utility specific products. Our main challenge with ArcGIS online was how to educate our customer base on this new platform because it really does present a fundamental shift in how utilities have traditionally used GIS.
  • #10 HCA = High Consequence Area
  • #16 ArcGIS as a Platform—What Is It? ArcGIS Online is an entirely new part of ArcGIS and extends ArcGIS into a platform, providing both online mapping/geographic analysis, as well as enterprise portal and geospatial content management. It complements and extends on-premises ArcGIS resources by providing cloud computing, as well as rich content and services. ArcGIS as a platform provides open geospatial capabilities to any user and allows access by any application on any device anywhere, anytime. A new concept of dynamic web maps is a central aspect of this platform and facilitates the organization, sharing, and use of geospatial content, maps, and data within groups and across divisions of an organization, as well as between organizations and the public. ArcGIS also includes a large library of applications and templates that are used to access and apply this content in multiple settings, including mobile, tablet, and desktop environments. Some of the fundamental features of the new ArcGIS platform are the following: Ready to use Self-service mapping Applications across all devices and browsers Content Services (routing, address, geoprocessing, analysis, etc.) Strong developer access and tools Platform for easily hosting and sharing applications and content Dynamically scalable and redundant (cloud infrastructure) Open and accessible using standards Supports all geospatial data types, including real-time server networks Provides an ecosystem of applications, content, and communities for users and partners Provides simple access to GIS using a Software as a Service (SaaS) model Integrates with ArcGIS desktops Integrated with business intelligence (BI) tools (Microsoft Office, SharePoint, etc.)
  • #17 ArcGIS is accessible anywhere, and it works seamlessly across any device. The system is designed to work the way you work whether that’s at a desktop computer, with a smart phone or tablet, within a web browser, or even integrated into some of the most widely used business systems. As many of you may know, you can utilize ArcGIS from within powerful desktop applications built for technicians or GIS professionals, but you can also use ArcGIS from within familiar business system such as Microsoft Excel and Powerpoint, or through focused applications such as an operational dashboard, you can even use ArcGIS within AutoCAD. ArcGIS is accessible within web applications, running on any device with a web browser. You can embed ArcGIS maps and applications directly into existing webpages, and even integrate it with social media. There are native applications for all of the modern smartphones and tablets such as iPhones/iPads, Android Tablets & Windows Phones as well applications for high accuracy GPS devices.
  • #18 ArcGIS is powered by spatial information in the form of something we call services. With the ArcGIS Platform you can very easily make your authoritative content available across the platform. You have the option to share your spatial information from within your own computing environment using our server software or you can reduce your administrative overhead by having us manage the computing environment and choosing to share your data in ArcGIS Online. Many Esri users take a hybrid approach, where some of their content is managed in their own computer infrastructure and some is accessed from online sources. The ArcGIS platform takes advantage of the latest advancements in cloud computing, like being scalable based on demand and it gives you a variety of implementation options depending on your specific requirements.
  • #19 Maintaining information within a GIS is only valuable if those who need the information have access to it. ArcGIS provides a simple, easy to use system for organizing spatial content, maps, and applications for your organization. Whether you choose to use ArcGIS Online which is managed by Esri in the cloud or you use the Portal Extension for ArcGIS Server which is managed by users in their own computing environment you’re able to quickly provide access to maps and applications within groups that you define in the system. With ArcGIS content and applications can be organized and shared in the same way your organizations are structured, whether that’s: department by department, division by division, or workgroup by workgroup.
  • #20 To make mapping and spatial information available to the entire organization, we’re bringing ArcGIS into systems which the entire organization works with. How many of you use Microsoft Office? With a few clicks of a button Microsoft Office users can have integrated interactive mapping, spatial analysis, and reporting from ArcGIS added directly into their Excel spreadsheets and their PowerPoint presentations. In addition integrated mapping and analysis from ArcGIS is available within many other commonly used business systems, if you’d like to know more about these solutions please just ask us at a break.
  • #22 GIS Professionals GIS Enterprise Information workers Esri Maps for Microsoft Office, Cognos, etc
  • #24 CHANGING THE CONVERSATION: Question #1: How can we expose new data within our customer's organizations while leveraging their existing investment in GIS? Include what you already know about how they use GIS and Server - this will allow you to expose GIS data to new areas of the organization. And then think about all of the other departments that have some data that could be enhanced significantly by taking it into a geospatial context - we're talking business databases, spreadsheets & reports from all over the organization. Anything with an address or any way to tie to a feature we already have in GIS (think customer number, asset id, etc). ArcGIS Online provides the platform to make this data available to users who have never used GIS before.
  • #25 WESTAR USE CASE This is one recent use case we came across. At the core we were able to expose a utility’s ArcFM GIS data to new devices like the iPad, Android, phones, etc using ArcGIS Online. That was a huge step that then enabled us to look at the larger organization. In this example we were able to take real estate data that had been maintained in spreadsheets for years and load it directly into ArcGIS Online. This data contains ownership information for parcels where transmission lines need to be inspected including how to access the facilities. This data was not only displayed but could be edited within ArcGIS Online enabling a whole new department to utilize GIS for the first time.
  • #26 CHANGING THE CONVERSATION: Question #2: How can we collect, utilize and empower the collection of NEW data points throughout the organization or even from the end customers? ArcGIS Online provides the mechanism to get that data into our existing back office systems very easily. But its up to US to figure out how that data can be put to good use. Can we integrate it into other existing geodatabases through geoprocessing, can we leverage that data as an integration point with other systems in the organization, can we utilize it to empower an existing workflow? The answer to these questions lie with you, the partners, because you know your respective industries better than anyone else. And these answers will drive services.
  • #27 STREETLIGHT USE CASE Another quick use case starts with us exposing a public web map via ArcGIS Online. This webmap will allow our end customers to view and interact with our utility data. A customer is jogging at dusk and notices a streetlight is out. This web map allows them to GPS the location and capture the streetlight outage very easily. They can even include a photo of the location. This data is transmitted instantaneously to the back office. But how can we empower this data?
  • #28 STREETLIGHT USE CASE We can easily generate an email back to the customer acknowledging the outage – HUGE from the customer perspective. And why not also automatically generate a new service request for the outage within our work management system that can then dispatch a crew to fix the issue. This simple, but integrated, workflow will save the utility money while increasing customer satisfaction. And in the end this results in real business for partners to design, develop, and deploy these solutions.