Data Update Device (DUDe) as a Mobile GIS for TNB s Corporate Geospatial Information System (CGIS) Ahmad Hafifi Yusof Geomatics Unit (CGIS Project), IT & Business Solutions Department, ICT Division, Tenaga Nasional Berhad (TNB), Malaysia 1.0 INTRODUCTION Tenaga Nasional Berhad (TNB) is the largest electricity utility in Malaysia and a leading utility company in Asia. Listed on the Main Board of Bursa Malaysia with almost RM87 billion in assets, the Company s more than 33,500 employees serve an estimated 8.3 million customers in Peninsular Malaysia, Sabah and Labuan. TNB has been Keeping the Lights On in Malaysia ever since it was set up as the Central Electricity Board in 1949, powering national development via the provision of reliable and efficient electricity. TNB s core businesses are in the generation, transmission and distribution of electricity. In Peninsular Malaysia, the Company supplies households and industry with electricity generated from six thermal stations and three major hydroelectric schemes. It also manages and operates the National Grid which links TNB power stations and IPPs to the distribution network. The grid is connected to Thailand s transmission system in the north and Singapore s transmission system in the south. In East Malaysia, TNB has 80% equity in Sabah Electricity Sdn. Bhd. (SESB), which manages the Sabah Grid. As part of its drive to improve efficiency and reduce operational costs, one of TNB s initiatives is implementing a Corporate Geospatial Information System (CGIS) Project. Other than serving the core businesses, CGIS is also required to manage internal TNB fiber optic network, property management, security and logistics. One of the factors that contribute towards the successful implementation of CGIS in TNB is ensuring that all of the required data for CGIS functionalities are always available, accurate and reliable. High integrity data can only be realized by making sure that any changes to data attributes are immediately updated into the CGIS databases onsite. This can be achieved by providing proper field data capture or update tool to the users. To ensure process standardization and compliance, the use of this tool shall be made compulsory as part of their daily works. 2.0 DATA MANAGEMENT IN CGIS PROJECT Data is one of the key elements in the implementation of any GIS project. Among the many challenges of field data collection are dealing with complex data models, high volume of data and ensuring data integrity and accuracy. Involving three (3) core divisions, namely Generation, Transmission, Distribution and three (3) non-core divisions in TNB; ICT, Planning & Corporate Services, this project aims to collect and digitize the following assets: Page 1 of 8
27 Power Stations (Thermal & Hydro) 38 Mini Hydro ~7.3 million customer points/meter ~60,000 substations & associated equipment ~250,000 km of underground (UG) cables 380 Main Intake Substations (132kv and above) 14,000 km of overhead (OH) lines 3,000 km of UG cables 15200 land parcels (Generation, substations, TNB offices) ~60,000 PE land parcels ~7,600 buildings ~10,000 km of fiber optics cables 480 communication rooms 1000 km of Last Mile Fiber Such massive data volume requires proper and efficient data management, from work package preparation, field data collection, data digitization, and QA/QC and data maintenance. DUDe has been introduced to assist TNB in ensuring a more effective and productive data maintenance for the implementation of the TNB GIS project. Work Package QA/QC Data Maintenance Data Collection Data Digitization Figure 1: 4 Keys Elements in Data Maintenance Page 2 of 8
3.0 DATA UPDATE DEVICE (DUDe) PROJECT TNB has embarked on the implementation of DUDe Project (Phase I) in November 2012 and expected to complete by September 2013. DUDe has been introduced as a GIS mobile solution for the CGIS Project. Distribution Division with the highest volume of assets to be operated and maintained has been identified as a consumer of DUDe. DUDe is a mobile solution introduced in TNB with an aim to improve efficiency and process in maintaining and updating asset information on-the-go via mobile device. Outdated data is always a major issue in any GIS Project implementation. Lessons learned from other organizations indicated that in order to ensure data are updated on a timely basis; it requires more than just having processes but also good discipline amongst the users as well as proper monitoring and utilization of the update devices. Furthermore, data updating processes from the fields to CGIS database shall be simple and seamless to the users. In order to ensure high data integrity, accuracy and enable well informed decision-making and Distribution planning, TNB decided to invest and equip selected CGIS users with Data Update Devices. 4.0 SOLUTION OVERVIEW In TNB Distribution Division, there are 3 major functions/units namely Planning & Construction, Customer Services, and Operation & Maintenance which are involved in managing and maintaining TNB s electrical networks and assets. On top of using CGIS as a desktop GIS application to plan, construct, operate and maintain, an efficient mobile solution namely DUDe is needed to ensure high data integrity and seamless data updating. Figure 2 below shows an overview of DUDe solution involving Intergraph Workflow Manager and Geomedia Smart Client on top of existing CGIS database integrated with DUDe database through Smallworld InSync On Oracle, from GE Energy. Page 3 of 8
Figure 2: Solution Overview a. Smallworld InSync On Oracle Smallworld InSync On Oracle is part of the Smallworld on Oracle family of products and is a key tool for integration with Oracle databases. The Smallworld InSync product can significantly reduce the time and cost of integration with other enterprise systems Work Flow Management, Asset Management, Customer Relationship Management. Smallworld InSync enables live data in operational and other systems that manage their data on Oracle, to be available in the managed design environment, and vice versa. b. Intergraph Geomedia Smart Client Traditional desktop GIS provides the ultimate in geospatial capabilities and flexibility, but its complexity and cost (both in terms of licensing and support) makes it unsuitable for wide deployment across the enterprise. On the other hand, common web mapping applications provide a better fit for general users based on their simpler operation and lower cost, but they do not support functions required by many enterprise business workflows, such as accurate and reliable vector data editing. Intergraph developed Geomedia Smart Client. To address enterprise space, Smart Client supports a number of core functions that enable organizations to: Page 4 of 8
Use workflow configuration and rules definition tools to implement highly focused and efficient workflows without the need of developing and maintaining extensive and expensive custom code. Reduce training overhead while increasing productivity and data quality with Smart Client s task-driven user interface, workflows, and built-in data validation. Increase information sharing and re-use with Smart Client s controlled and coordinated user access, data models, and workflows while avoiding the inefficiencies, errors, and risks that arise when departments work in data silos. Remove the cost of installing and administering desktop (even browser-based) software by offering self-configuring web deployment 5.0 BUSINESS PROCESS WORK FLOW Figure 3: Detailed Work Flow With the use of DUDe system, TNB will be able to: Allow the construction supervisor to update network design on site during construction phase and after construction is completed. The status of assets can be updated progressively. Page 5 of 8
Provide functions that allow users to view on-going project status on-demand basis in CGIS during construction phase including % of overall completion, "Construction Complete Date", "Full Commissioning Date" and Take Over Certificate (TOC) Date. Capability for users to amend planned networks on site based on construction progress or as-built drawings at different phases of construction. Upon project closure, Engineering Information Unit (EIU) will consolidate all asset status report from construction unit and update asset data attributes in SAP s Plant Maintenance module (e.g. functional location of asset, type, manufacturer, etc.) 6.0 EXPECTED BENEFIT a. Time savings and cost reduction By integrating data via GIS mobile device, time spent for on-site field surveying as well as manpower cost can be reduced significantly Reduction of paper consumption; achieved by eliminating pen and paper approach to collect, edit and load data b. Improve work productivity and efficiency More productive GIS data management process through rapid data collection and seamless data integration Improve operational efficiency of field crew c. Increase data reliability and quality. Precise, up-to-date information and reduction of human error due to immediate onsite data acquisition Assist TNB in making more accurate, real-time business decisions and collaboration across the organization 7.0 CHALLENGES a. Stakeholder s Buy In Change management is a critical part of any project that introduces new processes, technologies and systems. To ensure successful implementation of the mobile GIS initiative in TNB, active participation and take-up from all stakeholders is crucial during this transformation phase. Level of detailed assets to be updated and collected must be collectively agreed. Without a common understanding between functional/business owners and implementers, the DUDe system cannot be realized to its full potential. To mitigate this, working level stakeholders must be identified correctly and data requirements are to be addressed and analyzed holistically. In addition, data ownership Page 6 of 8
has to be identified and informed at the beginning of project implementation to ensure continuous data maintenance by each owner. b. Complexity Data Model With regards to the extensiveness of data attributes captured, it is important to note that striking the right balance between business needs and required efforts is the key to a successful mobile GIS implementation. Without accurate and reliable data, all CGIS functionalities cannot be used and will lead to incorrect decision making and low system utilization. Focusing on finalizing data model, dataset for Oracle InSync and synchronization flow between CGIS and DUDe servers must be made to ensure smoothness of DUDe system. Besides that, data model and process flow should also be agreed upon and finalized during project implementation stage to reduce risk of delay in project delivery. Page 7 of 8
Paper Reference No Title of Paper Name of Presenter Author s Affiliation Mailing Address Email Address : PN-51 : Data Update Devices (DUDe) as a Mobile GIS for TNB s Corporate Geospatial Information System (CGIS) : Ahmad Hafifi Yusof : Board of Engineers, Malaysia (BEM) : Geomatics Unit (CGIS Project) IT & Business Solutions Department ICT Division, Tenaga Nasional Berhad Level 28, Dua Sentral Malaysia : hafifiy@tnb.com.my Telephone Number : 603-2180 2288 ext. 5845 Fax Number : 603-2203 4972 Author s Brief Biography Ahmad Hafifi Yusof is a Manager, Implementation & Maintenance Services (Geomatics) in ICT Division of Tenaga Nasional Berhad (TNB) Malaysia. He s been serving TNB since December 2005. Graduated with Bachelor Degree (BA.Hons) in Computer Engineering from Universiti Teknologi Malaysia, Skudai, Johor. Currently he s involved in implementing Corporate Geospatial Information System for TNB, in-charge of GIS Data Management for the project. He has more than 6 years experience in GIS implementation in TNB. Page 8 of 8