The implementation of the GeoWEB represents a paradigm shift for the affiliate because it not only serves to relieve the burden of incoming GIS requests, but also empowers the operational and planning staff to incorporate GIS into their routine duties. GIS has become a required component for all studies; therefore, by providing a portal for staff to gain access to their own GIS data, they can produce the reports they need without the requirement of accessing the Geomatics team each time. They are, in fact, owning their data.

A concurrent objective was to facilitate the movement of the Geomatics department from their dependency on legacy file formats like CAD, DGN, Shapefiles, and older personal geodatabases, into current lifecycle technology of the corporate spatial data warehouse. By also implementing an SDE or Spatial Data Engine built on their ORACLE system, we significantly altered the business workstream for TEPNG.

Several technologies were involved including, virtual servers on a distributed network, group policies, 64-bit Oracle Servers, IIS servers, GIS Servers, custom-packaged software specific to TOTAL E&P, software upgrade and distribution scheduling, etc.  Integrating and communicating with these technologies represented a challenge; however, by working closely with the different business stakeholders, we were able to develop a robust application that leverages the strengths of all of these technologies.

The resulting GeoWEB is a fully realized GIS application accessible as a web-based application with an intuitive interface giving the user a rich interactive experience. It is a single portal that federates and collates complimentary intelligence, capable of launching associated viewers and view integrated documents. The spatial intelligence it displays is sourced from a live-edited data warehouse, so any edits by the data custodians will instantaneously update the GeoWEB. This product is accessible to anybody with the proper group policy.

We, as their complete GIS solutions provider, serve their planning and operations (engineering) departments in areas such as data mining, data custodianship, data analyses, data summaries, cartography, and we act as their agent for permit applications with the government. We also serve their spatial data in real-time through our GIS web portal, so that managers and their staff can make timely decisions based on the intelligence provided.

At CRM, we support the planning process through our integrative mapping system where we produce high quality smart cartographic products at varying scales. We liaise with our M&T clients using shared collaborative toolsets to quickly gain an understanding of what our clients’ needs are. Our Just-in-Time mapping process produces outputs within a quick turnaround time, enabling our clients to continue making planning decisions expediently.

We support M&T’s operational requirements on a near-daily basis. Their operations involve complexities such as first nations, go no-go zones, environmental concerns, riparians, terrain and topology, harvest methods, transport, road construction/deactivations, pre/post-harvest obligations, retention areas, wildlife interests, as well as other protected areas. All of these issues are addressed through our streamlined GIS processes.

Through these processes, our client can be confident that their operational documents, for legal submissions, or for operational use are accurate both spatially and temporally. At this level, we also are responsible for liaising with the government entities responsible for processing permit applications for the forest industry. We act as agents on behalf of our client to efficiently apply, and receive approval, for their legal permits.

M&T has also contracted our GIS Web Portal services. Because M&T has adopted a decentralized business structure where the core staff group utilizes contracted services located in different geographic regions, having a unified GIS Web Portal enables all qualified contractors, managers and their staff to view the same information. Our GIS Web Portal consumes the spatial data we manage, so any operational or planning changes made within their spatial database will immediately be available on the Web Portal. We implemented pre-configured planning (query and analysis), mash-up, sketching, printing, and collaborative tools, so that M&T staff can communicate with other sections of their planning, operations or even their management efficiently and effectively. As the technology life-cycle advances, we apply upgrades and added functionality seamlessly. This tool is the single most effective application for bringing a common operational picture together for personnel located in varying geographic regions.

Given the austere operating environments and the several threat and risk levels associated with operating in the Niger Delta region, TEPNG needed a way to efficiently track and manage their security assets. Security vehicles escort expat personnel from residential compounds to secured working locations, as well as escorting all work personnel from headquarters to remote operational sites or to ports of entry and exit for off-shore bound helos.

By having the tracking capability, the on-duty security manager can direct and re-direct security vehicles from the Security Operations building, managing them in real-time. This tracking capability also enables the Village Security coordinator to manage the logistics of personnel and VIP arrivals into the compound.

We created a decision-analyses matrices based upon two COTS manufactures of PND/AVL devices. After an exhaustive study period and liaising between the COTS providers and the clients, we submitted our technical report for approval. Our research led to the procurement of TomTom 2-piece units.

Other COTS providers integrated PND with Tracking capabilities which is not ideal. By having a separated trackings unit hard-wired (and hidden) into the vehicles, we can prevent tampering. The PND then connects to the tracker via Bluetooth providng the tracking service with vehicle details. By using world SIMs for mobile data, the tracking data is sent to the TomTom WebFLEET service where CRMLTD processes in-real time and serves into an ESRI map service. This method allows any of our web-based GIS applications such as the TEPNG SecureNET to consume the map service and visualize the moving vehicles.

The resulting product is a secured LAN-based application that exploits the newly implemented ArcGIS Server/SDE infrastructure at the Affiliate’s headquarters located offsite. The application, SecureNET, is based on FLASH technology that binds together GEOINT of various sources. This product enables the user to plan, implement and maintain tactical and operational intelligence of varying temporal relevance. This is achieved through the notation and graphic tools available in the application, enabling users to make text and operational hash ups. The user can then share these mash-ups by printing pdf or exporting to images and sending to their cohorts or counterparts at the other compounds.

SecureNET is also used in the planning and implementation of security measures within the compound. By using the mash-up tools and ground-truthing, the fortification of the compound through a combination of different strategic and operational tactics was planned. For example, the security coordination team needed to address the concerns of potential terrorist attacks such as IED or VBIED. By using the mash-up tools they were able to produce a visual aide that assisted in the changing of the control access point to a better fortifiable location.

The application also enables situational awareness in the surrounding areas, in that it can link to site surveillance sensors that are served over the web. As point features, these sensors are clickable and links to the sensor imagery. Another way it enables surrounding situation awareness is that it incorporates the security vehicle tracking capabilities newly deployed for the security team at the main base. The security coordinator for the compound can see, in real-time the movements of all security vehicles (automated vehicle locationing or AVL) and can plan for the arrival of these escorts for the busses or VIPs.

The data collection interface features a custom ArcPad® application developed and enhanced for the Trimble Yuma®. The interface enables efficient navigation utilizing either an external GPS (connected via Bluetooth or other means) or the internal GPS.  The interface enables the user to manage the different GIS layers, its symbology, its creation and editing, and its data population. The interface also manipulate the GPS settings, as well as the normal administrative tasks such as open a map, or save a map. Users familiar with ESRI’s ArcMap® will find that this custom ArcPad® application is far easier to use, and much more expedient.

This interface also serves as the pre-configured navigation aide. As the unit is in movement, the map will update for present location. One of the reasons we like using ArcPad and Trimble is the fact that the user does not require cell coverage. The GPS unit is self-contained, and the ArcPad can be loaded with high-resolution imagery that is not reliant on any cell or data plan.

The data-capture dialogue box is the screen that initiates after the user has created or modified a spatial feature. This screen provides the user with easy-to-use forms. These forms are usually pre-configured specifically for the clients’ needs.  By automating many of the common data-capture steps, we can reduce the user-entry errors. These captured features can be later be post-processed and joined with the geochem samples that have been assayed. By cross-referencing the sample names with the geochem results, we can then provide further GIS analyses and even 3D modelling of these results.

These forms are customized for the type of feature that is collected. For example, points are generally soil or rock samples, whereas polygons and lines may be geologic formations or features such as outcrops, faults. We pre-configure these forms for our clients based on their needs.

These units are also configured for bi-lateral data transfer via a secure and dedicated cloud-based protocol. When the Trimble units have access to WLAN, data transfers between CRMLTD and the clients can be initiated so that the client can send us data from the field for post-processing, and we can update their maps with the latest revisions.

It is these types of considerations and innovations that we strive to achieve for our clients.

General inputs we have included:

• GPS Coordinates: (gathered from internal GPS)
• General Location: user can give a description of where they are.
• Report Type: users can select the type of alert they would like to send.
• Reported By: By default this is filled out from the Blackberry owner information, but the user can change it if they like.
• Comments: The user can provide any comments they would like.
• Recipients: The user can type email addresses or select them from their Blackberry contact list by selecting the “Add Recipient” button. Email addresses must be separated by a semicolon.
• Attachments: The user has the ability to add an attachment(s) to their alert by selecting  the “Add Attachment” button. In order to add multiple attachments you must add them one at a time.
• Send: This button actually send the alert email.

Coastal Resource Mapping Limited (CRM Ltd.) created the FireSmart: Wildfire Risk Assessment Application to streamline the tasks of Fire Prevention Officers and automate many of the processes involved.

Based on the BC Provincial Government’s Wildfire Program, our application connects the facilitation of risk assessment and organization of crew and station assignments together with interactive management, mapping and data collection. Our application streamlines all aspects of wildfire analysis to provide instant access to vital information and tools, reducing risks and enhancing the safety of the wildland-urban landscape.

The FireSmart Application consists of three main components which work together seamlessly within the application: the Manager component, the Map View component, and the Client Forms component.

Manager: This web-based administrative tool allows managers and staff to plan, implement and review assessment operations. A variety of easy-to-use tools help to organize crew and station assignments, risk and hazard statistics and provide colour-coded risk reporting – all synchronized in real-time. Manager can be accessed from any internet service and easily links to any SQL Server database management system.

Map View: This web-accessible Geographic Information System (GIS) is an interactive situational awareness tool that synchronizes the real-time feed of hazard assessments. It provides managers and staff with a common operational picture (COP) of the situation and allows users up-to-the-minute access to visualize, query, analyze, report and print hazard assessments. The Map View uses rich colour-coded symbology and an intuitive interface to offer users an intelligent, interactive product.

Client Forms: This application component provides on-site field personnel with data collection tools to assess new wildfire risks, as well as review existing data. Client Forms give users on-site assessment drop down menus and check boxes, which improves the efficiency of assessments and minimizes the need for additional paperwork. Field Personnel can instantly generate a risk-rating report at a property, print it though an on-site mobile printer, then present the report to the property owner on-site. Client Forms automatically synchronizes with the FireSmart database management system and instantly updates the properties within the database, allowing the Manager and Map View to reflect changes as soon as they are synchronized.

The FireSmart application is designed to run on mobile devices including tablets, ruggedized notebooks and netbooks.

For sensitivity reasons, there are many products, services, and clients we are bound by confidentiality not to release to the public.

2009

2009/07/17 – CRM Ltd Launches new website look
2009/07/16 – CRM Ltd and LogCom Group roll out its popular Log Scale Manager and Log Data Manager software with Island Timberlands
2009/07/01 – Succesful Application to MoF / ILMB’s 2009-2011 Mapping and Technical Qualifications Contractor List / ILMB – Advanced Analysis
2009/07/01 – Succesful Application to MoF / ILMB’s 2009 – 2011 Advanced Analysis Contractor List

2009

• MoF / ILMB – Mapping and Technical Qualifications
• MoF / ILMB – Advanced Analysis

2008

MISTIC Science,Technology & Innovation Awards – Software Development

2006

MISTIC Science,Technology & Innovation Awards – Software Development

Check back for a sampling of some of our Just-In-Time Mapping products.