I

Unleashing the power of GIS in a Utility

Africa Geospatial Forum 201313 – 14 August, 2013CTICC, Cape TownSouth Africa

About this presentation

ABBREVIATIONS

• GISc (the science of geospatial)• GIT (the whole technology environment)• GIS (people, hardware, software, data and methods)• AM/FM (Utilities infrastructure management)• NIS (Network Information System)• HR (Hunan Resources)• IDM (Integrated demand management)• Asset Man. (Asset Management)• Outage Man. (Outage Management)• Eng. (Engineering)• Proj. Man. (Project Management)• OGC (Open source GIS Consortium)• COE (Centre Of Excellence Virtual)

Definitions • Google and Bing map

• Commercial geospatial data: Is presented to attract the consumer with easy accessible and “understandable” geospatial data with the least effort and price

• Currently it is still not engineering geospatial data • Visualisation of information by the incredible complex manipulations

in backroom of many large and complex geospatial data sets by geoscientists supported by computers

• Geospatial data is one of the critical success factors of a GIS

These geospatial data sets are captured/created through specialised activities and expanded through value adding and deriving exercises by Geoscientists and use is manipulations, analysis, what-if’s, sound geospatial decision making and consultancy.

• Geospatial Science activities • Land Survey GeodesyDigitising Cartography• Converting alpha numeric data Geography Analysis• Remote sensing Airborne and Satellite Monitoring• What-if QuestionsScenario building • IF YOU DREAM IT YOU CAN DO IT

Introduction

• Geographic Information Systems• A GIS is a computer-based system to aid in the collection,

maintenance, storage, analysis, output, and distribution of spatial data and information. (Source: Bolstad, 2012)

• GIS is an integrating activity using existing knowledge, insight that geoscientists have long used to analyse natural and social systems. Computers have made it just more possible.

A tool to make work performing more efficient and effective and enhance decision making

• Automated Mapping and Facilities Mapping (AM/FM)• A GIS designed primarily for engineering and utility purposes,

AM/FM is a system that manages databases related to spatially distributed facilities.(Source:http://www.archives.nysed.gov/a/ records/mrpubGIS 03_glossary. html

Definitions

Purpose of presentation

The Eskom Smallworld application with its integration of the network with operations, financial and customer service is a Automated Mapping Faculties management system

– NETWORK INFORMATION SYSTEM (NIS) The improving of customer service through a more

effective efficient linear network and workforce as the objective

The challenge –Unleashing the power of GISc to the rest of the organisation

The presentation will describe a possible way for Eskom to become a geospatial science entity

Eskom

Linefunctions

Service functions

Strategic Staff functions

Distribution

Transmission

Generation

Customer Service

Human Resources

Technology &

Commercial

Finance & Group Capital

Enterprise Development

Sustainability

Generic GISc Groups within Eskom

1. Group 1 comprises the traditional GISc install base – workgroups and functions that use GIS

2. Group 2 is made up of functions that conduct business processes that have a strong location-specific component

3. Group 3 consists of functions that support business processes with some limited geospatial requirements

4. Group 4 represents non GISc users that see little or no value in geospatial capabilities

Imp

ort

an

ce o

f G

eos

pat

ial F

un

ctio

ns

High

Low

GISc

OutageManagement

AssetManagement

Engineering

NetworkRelated

Generation,Transmission,

Distribution

Group ProjectSourcing

Supply ChainOperations

Legal

1 4

GISc

Renewables

ConstructionManagement

Project Monitoring

Project Management

Project Development

Primary Energy

Risk & Resilience

GIScNISSmallWorld

Maximo

NISFinance

Customer care

HR

2

ContinuousImprovement

Safety HR – Centre of Excellence

Generation – Ash Dumps

Generation – Coal Supply

Environmental

IDM

Top Customer Segment

GRID Access Unit

Commercial & ResidentialProperty

Sustainable Systems & Climate Change

Research, Testing &Development

Source: IDC and ISSI, 2005 / White Paper, ESRI, Extending GIS to Enterprise Applications

3Operational Usage GISc

Imp

ort

an

ce o

f G

eos

pat

ial F

un

ctio

ns

High

Low

Source: IDC and ISSI, 2005 / White Paper, ESRI, Extending GIS to Enterprise Applications

Tactical & Tactical & Strategic GISc Strategic GISc ApplicationsApplications

• Operational Support Systems• Are we doing things right?• Improving efficiency and

effectiveness• Productivity• Established GISc

• Are we doing the right things?

• Doings things differently• Integration Platform• Spatially enabled

applications

Operational & Tactical GISc Applications

Operational, Tactical and Strategic concept

NIS(AM/FM)

SmallWorld, Maximo, etc.

HR

Safety

Asset

Man.

Outage

Man.

Eng.

IDM

Finance

Top CustomerSegment

Proj.Man.

HR

CommercialResidentialProperties

Construct.Man.

TxSIS

ArcReader

ESIGIS

Operational Usage GISc

NISSmallWorld, Maximo, etc.

GIScESIGIS

HR

Safety

AssetMan.

Outage

Man.

Eng.

IDM

HR COE

FinanceTop

CustomerSegment

Proj.Man.

HR

CommercialResidentialProperties

Construct.Man.

TxSIS

ArcReaderOperationsTactical

TacticalStrategic

Flexible and Standards Based

Environmental

Risk and Resilience

Top CustomerSegment

PrimaryEnergy

NetworkInformation

SystemHuman

Resources

Web Services &Messaging

People

• Requirements– Trained GISc staff

(Geomaticians)– Trained GISc Application

Staff– Life-long learning

opportunities (research and development)

– Universal GISc skills supported by training, workshops, awareness, etc.

– Institutional GISc knowledgeGISc educated senior & Top management

• Remedy• Education versus Training• Develop training and skills

transfer• Career paths development (GISc)• Eskom to become Employer of

choice • Providing training and

experience to the benefit of South Africa

• Bursaries, mentorships and internships as well as strategic relationships with tertiary education providers.

Data• Requirements

– Eskom proprietary geospatial data developed to necessary standards

– All geospatial data investment must be documented (metadata) and accessible to South Africa with few exceptions

– All geospatial data must be accurate, useful and fit for purpose

– Geospatial data must be developed and maintained with all Eskom requirements in mind

– Ensure sustainability of all geospatial data created or acquired (medium to long-term)

• Remedy• Eskom must promote,

support and assist with the South African Spatial Data Infrastructure initiative-This will benefit South Africa

• Eskom to collaborate with development and funding of fundamental geospatial data sets (SBC SPOT6, Land Cover , etc.)

• Investment in geospatial data must be seen as the creation of a strategic asset warranting enough sustainable support (funding, people, software, etc.)

Methods / Standards / Work flows

• Requirements– Establishment of GISc

Centre of Excellence• Realisation of Eskom

GISc “brain trust”– Support by Eskom

management (buy-in)• Understanding of GISc

as a strategic tool• Have management

“mind share”– High-level visible

sponsorship– Establishment of a GISc

support structure within Eskom (Senior and Top management)

• Remedy• Supporting the COE

• Organisational skills• Marketing• Policy• Training/Education

• Adoption of industry standards and best practises(OGC )

• Research into applications etc. The development of institutional knowledge)

Software / Hardware / Networks

• Requirements– Software / Hardware must align with Eskom Information

Management policies and procedures– Implement the most appropriate software / hardware (fit for

purpose)– Support for the standardised software platforms in South Africa and

from within Eskom– Standards based (integration)– Systems / Applications must be cognisant of global and industry

trends • Remedy

– Line must be driving force for application and usage and not the IM/IT

Summary

• Eskom– Promote Spatially enable decision making with the bigger picture in

mind and using GISc as integral component– Grow awareness of GISc Educate senior and top managers– Training and exposure operational and professional staff– Sustainable contribution to fundamental geospatial data

development

• South Africa – Sustainable contribution in the development and maintenance of

fundamental geospatial datasets– Grow GISc skills throughout SA