GIS for Operations and Maintenance

Many utilities have discovered the value of GIS for improving day-to-day operations. GIS can be used to closely model utility networks and integrate other related types of data such as raster images and CAD drawings. GIS spatial selection and display tools allow users to visualize scheduled work, ongoing activities, recurring maintenance problems, and historical information.

The topological characteristics of a GIS database can support network tracing and can be used to analyze specific properties or services that may be impacted by such events as stoppages, main breaks, drainage defects, and so forth. Dynamic segmentation can also be used to derive a generalized network that combines hydraulically similar sections into larger strips to make pressure and flow analysis algorithms run more efficiently.

GIS can perform many other operations and maintenance tasks, including work order and warehouse inventory management and SCADA.