GeoSpatial Innovations Inc. (GSI), a leading developer of field technology solutions for energy and communications companies, today announced that its PocketCollector field inventory and inspection software now integrates seamlessly with GE Energy's Smallworld Core Spatial Technology TM.

GSI PocketCollector for Smallworld is the only solution on the market that enables utilities field personnel to collect, update and maintain facility data stored in Smallworld and asset management systems while working in the field. Now, field personnel can access Smallworld GIS data using a Trimble GeoXH TM, HP iPAQ TM or other Windows Mobile Pocket PC with no additional programming.

Smallworld Core Spatial Technology is the foundation GIS product from GE Energy that supports application products for communications, utility and public systems organizations. Smallworld Core Spatial Technology provides a consistent architecture at the heart of many applications, such as those used for planning electric, gas and water distribution systems, designing telecommunications networks and evaluating strategic market opportunities.

GSI PocketCollector is designed specifically for field data management of network assets for electric, natural gas, water/wastewater and communications industries. PocketCollector allows field personnel to quickly capture facility locations on a Windows CE device integrated with Global Positioning System (GPS) technologies. PocketCollector allows for a many-to-one data collection relationship, for the efficient management of GPS locations with multiple assets.

Attendees at the Smallworld User's Conference in Denver, Colo. September 24-27 can learn more about GSI by visiting booth 19 in the Natural Gas area.

GPS Enabled Mobile Inventory, Inspection, and Design

Using GE Energy’s Smallworld data in the field is a great way to reduce operational costs. In order to effectively realize the benefits of mobile GIS data it is important to understand the different GPS technologies used to seamlessly extract, capture, and import via Smallworld Core Spatial Technology*. Users are able to quickly capture structure locations, cable routes or any object defined in the Smallworld data dictionary. This approach allows utility employees to complete paperless designs, attachment surveys and facility inspections without the added expense of creating multiple and task specific applications. Utilizing GPS technology, utilities are able to reduce the expense of survey crews and directly import proposed construction designs seamlessly while maintaining sub-meter accurate GIS data. Utilities are not required to design multiple database schemas to collect inspection and attachment survey data. It is possible to create database schemas directly from the Smallworld data dictionary. Because the mobile applications schema is created from the native Smallworld database, this approach allows GIS data to take a ‘round trip’. It is possible to supply mobile devices with Smallworld GIS data, modify in the field and update the GIS with inspection, as-built, or attachment survey data.

Gas Distribution Office Applications Integrated with GPS Field Collection

Advances in Smallworld Core Spatial Technology* 4 architecture facilitate efficient and effective methods for managing, collecting and incorporating data within the GIS. A key example of these improvements is the integration of GPS field collection software providing real-time data collection, attribution and verification of existing GIS facilities. This presentation will demonstrate multiple scenarios using the Smallworld Gas Distribution Office 4 (GDO) applications to identify and assign Smallworld GIS data to field users without ever leaving the GDO environment. Using subfoot (30 cm) GPS handheld devices field users can navigate to existing GIS facilities, update the current mapped location, modify existing attribute data and add new or missing facility data. After synchronizing the mobile device, field modifications are available for QA/QC and posting by office technicians completing a paperless round-trip workflow process.