View of Presentation Welcome Screen

Autodesk Products 62%

Microstation 4%

ESRI 22%

Mapinfo 5%

Other 6%

Q - At what stage are you presently at as far as Internet/Intranet Map Publishing

Completed/Deployed 15%

Under Development 30%

Under Consideration 23%

Information Gathering 15%

N/A 15%

Problems to be resolved
The Georgia Power Company's existing web mapping system is composed of over 90,000 maps. They use their MapGuide system to aid in managing the daily updates of 100 maps on most days. They have a need for timely updating by field personnel and data resides in a variety of databases. Their overall goal is to publish current maps of data related to power distribution and make them available on real time demand.

The strategy they decided upon was to migrate their existing paper map holdings to digital media. They would then post daily updates, submit electronic field notes, and link all of their attribute data to electronic DWG drawings.

Data Issues
GPC manages over 90,000 digital map files with their system. They use AutoCAD ActiveX Automation and VB, as well as Oracle data, and SDF drawing files. Original source base data was derived from Georgia DOT street/Highway data. This was obtained in ESRI format, the data was enhanced, and finally converted to SDF format. Other data captured and used in the system includes transmission equipment, TCMS, customer, and lightning data.

System Architecture
The system architecture is defined by a web server, MapGuide Browser, Data (Cold Fusion, ORACLE), and client browser (Internet Explorer). Privileges are assigned and are used to determined whether they can redline, edit, and save data. Generally, edits are made to the map data based on field notes and redlining, server and conversion routines are run, and finally, revised SDF files are created which reflect the revisions.

View of System Architecture

View of Georgia Power MapGuide System

View of Georgia Power MapGuide System

View of MapGuide System - data displayed over aerial photography

ASTI Contacts

Next Seminar
Be sure to attend the next GeonetCom seminar entitled:
Mapping Analyzing and Distributing Facilities Data with Time Warner - Putting maps on Time Warner

January 18, January 20, 12-1 p.m. EST
Chuck Pietra, New Business Unit Manager at Avatech Solutions, shows you how Time Warner Communications manipulates the Internet and a graphical user interface to access data directly from Oracle and SQL Server Databases. The session will also highlight system-wide integration of Sipre GIS and SipreCAD, with AutoCAD Map and Autodesk MapGuide.

By Glenn Letham, editor
SpatialNews and The GeoCommunity
editor@geocomm.com