Implementation of a pilot environment for lighting installation maintenance using SAP PM and GeoXtension, SWU Energie GmbH, Ulm, Germany
For collecting information in graphical form on its gas, water and electricity network as well as for geo-based support of network-relevant business processes, the utility SWU Energie GmbH applies Fichtner IT Consulting's GeoXtension software. To support maintenance in the lighting sector, a Web-based pilot environment has been set up on the foundation of the already installed SAP PM system and GeoXtension. Integration and coordination of the two systems is through Web services on the basis of the Oracle “BPEL Process Manager”, and implementation of the “Business Process Execution Language” (BPEL), standardized by OASIS.

Integration of SAP and Oracle in maintenance management at DB Netz AG, Germany

Asset and maintenance data are kept and maintained in SAP at DB Netz AG. These data typically have no geographic reference. Developed by Fichtner IT Consulting, GeoXtension technology geocodes selected SAP rail data online and displays them in a matter of seconds on a map. Information from SAP and Oracle are thus made available instantaneously to the user in an integrated form. Specific maintenance information is presented on a scalable map using different symbols, e.g. depending on job type or notification priority. Large amounts of information can now be evaluated more selectively, because its geographic location is apparent. Consequently, DB Netz AG is able, for example, to identify local accumulations of faults, to analyze accident hotspots and to implement targeted precautionary measures. This Web service is presently available to around 3,500 users.

Internet publication of technical conditions for rail network utilization, Deutsche Bahn AG, Germany

To comply with EU regulations, the German rail company, Deutsche Bahn AG, has to publish on the internet the technical conditions for utilization of the rail network. FIT developed for this purpose an internet application that integrates graphic and technical information in an intuitive and user-friendly way. This allows interested parties to navigate in a map of the rail system and directly call up pre-entered information on specific sections. This solution has been implemented in a database and makes consistent use of open standards. For the client, this innovative and easy-to-use application provides a high degree of security for the investment.

Delay growth map - DB Netz AG, Germany
With the goal of achieving ongoing quality improvements, DB Netz AG constantly analyzes the current status and trend of delays and bottlenecks in the rail network. The underlying data are transferred from the operating systems at the control centers and are concentrated.
Fichtner IT Consulting has provided DB Netz AG with a management information system which color-codes the delay growth data of relevant long-distance lines and traffic hubs and presents these data on the basis of a generalized network map. This up-to-date and intuitive presentation of the network status is used as the basis for situation and trend analyses and forms the decision-making support for the introduction of optimization measures.
The solution is based on the proven GeoXtension Web technology of Fichtner IT Consulting. In addition to an automated interface to the basic system, there are extensive configuration possibilities for the flexible definition of how the information is presented.

Digital street map of the Ruhr, Regionalverband Ruhr (RVR), Germany

RVR currently operates a digital street map for its local authority members. The data are maintained decentrally in the local authorities and centrally at RVR. Fichtner IT Consulting developed a solution for RVR which makes it possible for all map data to be administered in a central database in OpenGIS® format. Maintenance of the data is now supported by a digital workflow without format mismatches. This considerably improves the up-to-dateness of the map and creates the basis for further integrative use of the high-quality data pool. The solution is based on our proven GeoXtension Web technology, which makes geodata available in a browser without software installation. The basis is the standardized ORACLE spatial database with modern 3-tier application server technology.

Simplified GIS information via intranet, Dresdner Verkehrsbetriebe AG (DVB), Germany

Many employees of local public transport companies require fast and direct access to information on infrastructure assets including a geographic reference. For around 10 years, such infrastructure assets have been documented at DVB in a central GI system. To date, however, access to these data was only possible from special GIS workstations. In order to make such digital data available and usable in a cost-efficient and speedy manner, a modern information system was implemented on the basis of Web GIS technologies. Employees can now access the required information at all times over the intranet using a city map in their browser.

Web-based area information system, InfraServ GmbH, Germany

InfraServ GmbH provides its customers via the intranet with access to an extensive pool of data on the infrastructure of the "Chemiepark" in Frankfurt-Höchst. This was made possible through the development of a Web-based area information system by Fichtner IT Consulting. This allows InfraServ GmbH to generate considerable added value from the existing data, thereby offering its customers a significantly improved service.

Central address and street database, DREWAG, Germany

For DREWAG municipal utility in Dresden, Germany, Fichtner IT Consulting implemented the joint display and analysis of data on its assets using data from generally accessible street directories. The possibility of fast, integrated access, combined with specific analyses, gives the data considerable added value and provides DREWAG with essential advantages over its competitors. The data can be made available to a wide circle of users over the intranet.

Study on optimization of procedure for house service connections, City Authority of Linz, Austria

Fichtner IT Consulting was commissioned by the water supply department of the City Authority of Linz, Austria, to perform a study on the optimization of the procedure for house service connections. After collecting and documenting the data on house service connections procedures, planning processes and key maintenance parameters, our experts developed a demonstration model with real-time data in the PM module. The study additionally included the creation of standard required procedures for water supply house service connections. For process optimization, use was made of the software solutions GeoMedia, SAP R/3 PM as well as of GIS-SAP linking.

GIS-supported maintenance scheduling, Technische Werke Friedrichshafen GmbH (TWF), Germany

In order to guarantee efficient maintenance scheduling, TWF decided to introduce GIS-supported maintenance scheduling for the assets in its gas and water supply networks. For this purpose, Fichtner IT Consulting made add-ons to a geo-information system for TWF. The additionally developed functions support the creation and updating of a maintenance schedule as well as the display of the corresponding objects. By using the software, TWF is able to ensure that its operatives are provided with all the required maintenance-related information in a clearly understandable form which requires considerably less time and effort than before.

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Study on harmonization of different GIS applications and GIS data, E.ON Bayern AG, Germany

As the result of the fusion of four regional suppliers, E.ON Bayern has four different systems for the documentation of network information. Fichtner IT Consulting conducted a study to analyze and evaluate the technical and economic consequences of integrating the systems. On the basis of this evaluation, a strategy was developed with various scenarios for integration of the systems, consolidation of the data and digital acquisition of any information still in analog form. On the basis of the economic benefits of the different scenarios, our consultants made a recommendation for the further course of action.

Development of a water resources management information system, local authorities association for regional water supply, Stuttgart, Germany

Fichtner IT Consulting was commissioned by the local authorities association for regional water supply to develop an application for the convenient and high-performance administration of the extensive pool of measured data and subsequently to implement the linking of graphical and non-graphical data in the GeoMedia geo-information system. The data from the available data sources can now be analyzed jointly, thereby acquiring considerable added value.

Digital acquisition of electric cable inventory plans, BKW FMB Energie AG, Switzerland

In order to guarantee more efficient administration of its service area, BKW decided to introduce the Smallworld GIS network information system with the application module from NIS AG. Fichtner IT Consulting was commissioned by Crow Ten Information Engineering AG (Crow Ten) in a pilot project to carry out the initial digital acquisition of BKW's inventory plans for its regional office in Gstaad. This project made it possible to demonstrate that the acquisition of data by external partners using the CAD tool MicroStation is feasible and that the process developed by Crow Ten for data migration from MicroStation to Smallworld GIS can be successfully employed. After this pilot project, our consultants were able, in collaboration with Crow Ten, to offer and implement data acquisition projects in other municipalities using the successful process for data migration. In the course of the project, data acquisition and the data migration process were constantly adapted to BKW's requirements, thereby demonstrating the flexibility of the successful process.

Automated generation of schematic drawings, Swiss Federal Railways, Switzerland

Client-specific needs call for innovative, tailor-made solutions. In cooperation with ITV Geomatik AG, Fichtner IT Consulting was commissioned by Swiss Federal Railways to develop a module for the automated generation of schematic drawings of rail assets from geographically accurate inventory plans. Through the use of the Schematic Drawings module, drawings can now be generated at the push of a button and no longer need to be produced by painstaking, time-consuming and error-prone manual work.

Energy saving and modernization of supply company, Handan, China
This project is aimed at helping the Handan power supply company to become a modern and efficient power supplier. The key fields to be addressed are operation and energy efficiency, the latter being directed at company and customers alike. Our consultancy services are focused on the four areas of load management, demand-side management, planning of the local grid as well as the use of geographic information systems (GIS).

Concept for introduction of a geographic information system in agricultural administration in Mecklenburg-West Pomerania, Germany

Because of an EU requirement, the Ministry of Food, Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries and the Environment Ministry in the German state of Mecklenburg-West Pomerania must by 2005 add a geographic component to the existing system for monitoring applications by farmers for subsidies. Fichtner IT Consulting performed a technical study on the introduction of a geographic information system (GIS) in agricultural administration in Mecklenburg-West Pomerania, it also being necessary to take into consideration the existing systems, hardware and software and digital data. Our consultants first determined the existing data and systems by means of interviews with employees. Subsequently, the project goals were documented in a detailed technical concept which included, among other things, the data model, the requirements to be met by the GIS functionality as well as the changed work processes and introduction steps.

Initial digital data acquisition, EnBW, Germany

In order to speed up initial digital data acquisition with consequent faster availability of the data, EnBW (formerly NWS) decided to award Fichtner IT Consulting the contract for the initial digital data acquisition of 960 electric cable inventory plans. The area in question included 30,000 house service connections and 6,000 km of electric cables over an area of 115 km². Some of the data acquisition was carried out on the premises of EnBW, so that any arising questions could be quickly answered. EnBW now has digital electric cable inventory plans in single-cable and cable-route displays which meet users' requirements with regard to readability and up-to-dateness.

Introduction of a high-performance GIS, Dresdner Verkehrsbetriebe AG, Germany

Dresdner Verkehrsbetriebe AG operates in Dresden a tram network with a length of around 250 km and a bus network with a length of around 450 km. The rail and bus routes of DVB AG serve around 1,500 stops in the city and surrounding area. Fichtner IT Consulting assisted Dresdner Verkehrsbetriebe AG with the introduction of the DVB-GIS high-performance GIS. DVB-GIS was specially tailored to the needs of Dresdner Verkehrsbetriebe AG. The GIS is used for inventory documentation as well as for administration, updating and analysis of the company's assets and data.

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DB-GIS, Deutsche Bahn AG, Germany

DB Netz AG, which operates the rail infrastructure of Deutsche Bahn AG, is responsible for the maintenance and operation of the over 35,000 km long rail network. Performance of this task requires the latest information systems for administration of the infrastructure. Fichtner IT Consulting was commissioned by Deutsche Bahn AG to develop the DB-GIS geographic information system. On account of the tremendous volume of data at DB Netz AG and an architecture distributed over eight servers with far in excess of 500 active users, this GIS is one of the largest of its kind in Europe. Numerous application modules and interfaces ensure that the diverse special functions required by DB AG can be optimally supported. Our IT experts have been continuously further developing this system since its introduction and provide support to DB Netz AG in relation to operation management.

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