Project SummaryClient-friendly service, responsible work, continu-ous improvements, environmental management and social responsibility are the principles of operation at BÁCSVÍZ Zrt. The company was founded in the 1950s, and then it was transformed into a joint-stock corporation in 1991, as the legal successor of the original ÉBKM Vízmű Vállalat. The basic service of Bácsvíz is to provide drinking water that conforms not only to national but EU expectations and water quality regulations as well. The company’s comprehensive range of services also includes wastewater disposal and treatment activities. The company provides water service in 31 settlements and responsibly caters for the wastewater treatment of another 13 settlements. Bácsvíz Zrt. is devoted to continuous improve-ment and innovation — they place great emphasis on the development of the sewage system of the region, expending resources won in diff erent tenders (both national and EU).

The modernization of the traditional, paper-based registry systems of Észak-Bács-Kiskun Megyei Vízművek serving an extensive service area and also Bácsvíz Zrt.’s system has begun after the millennium with the transition to geospatial basis. The idea, which is based on AutoCAD software already used for designing and drafting, got under way after the installation and deployment of the integrated Technical Information System in 2002. Geospatial applications have been combined into a separate module that is based on Autodesk MapGuide Author and the MapGuide 6.0 and 6.5 software families. However, their integration with the other modules of the Technical Information System (the most important one is the Technical

Master Data Module) had not been fully imple-mented at that time.

Autodesk — Bácsvíz Pilot ProjectThe development initiatives outlined above were implemented in the Autodesk — Bácsvíz Pilot Project. As a leading provider of 2D and 3D design software solutions, Autodesk supports diff erent pilot projects for well-organized and appropri-ately prepared development. During the featured projects, both the application development com-pany and the investor are able to experience the operation, features, advantages, disadvantages and issues to be fi xed regarding the new system or application. Accordingly, Bácsvíz Zrt. and the leading software developer, Autodesk decided on creating a pilot project. Early in 2007, the preparation studies about the development of the company’s geospatial system started, and then the pilot project was developed. The primary aim was to fi nd a realistic alternative for the system applied up to the present, and to create the technical facilities for a long-term geospatial de-velopment. To achieve these objectives, Autodesk Topobase enterprise service has been chosen. This product is not simply a software package, but also a customizable, well integrating geospatial solution for enterprise customers. To test the new system under real conditions, all the work took place using Bácsvíz’s own industry-specifi c data, in the company’s own IT environment. An additional accentuated goal was the development and cus-tomization of the basic data models and functions created by Autodesk.

Centralized Spatial Data Management with Topobase

Using Autodesk Topobase geospatial software solutions, BÁCSVÍZ Zrt. has not only achieved more advanced external and internal data services, but their work has become faster and more effi cient at all levels in the organization.

BÁCSVÍZ Zrt.Autodesk Customer Case Study

Autodesk Topobase Solutions

“Autodesk solutions and services perfectly match our result-oriented point of view. Thanks to our company’s geospatial system and other factors, we continuously focus on enhancing the level of our service, which enables us to provide quality water and sewage services to our consumers that meet their expectations.” —Kurdi Viktor

CEOBácsvíz Zrt.

This product is not simply a software package, but also a customizable, well integrating geospatial solution for enterprise customers.

“Our changing environment requires continuous organizational and technology development to sustain our quality services for our partners and customers.”—Kurdi Viktor

CEOBácsvíz Zrt.

The ChallengeManaging the increasing quantity of digital map-ping and descriptive data required the deployment of a more advanced technology solution. Even just a couple of years ago, the vast majority of basic maps and industry-specifi c fi les of settlements existed almost only on paper at the company. Their maintenance, refi nement and reproduction became more and more diffi cult, and they did not fulfi ll the requirements of advanced external and internal data services. The dynamic increase of data and the emergence of digital fi les required the development of software capable of displaying and managing them. While in 2002 Bácsvíz Zrt. had to handle only one settlement’s digital industry fi les, since then this number has risen to more than a dozen.

The process and way of obtaining data has also changed during recent years. While formerly the quantity of digital data from external sources to be received, stored and handled was minimal, now it sometimes exceeds the information produced by the company. The range of fi le formats and the dif-ferent data structures all pose a serious challenge.Beside the increase of data fi les, the tasks based on geospatial applications have also undergone signifi cant development. While at the beginning mainly a better and faster completion of the analogous-digital transformation, or a solution for technical registry was expected, more complex needs demanding more added value have aroused by now. Today, industry-specifi c thematic maps are expected, and a fast and accurate data service is needed towards both external and internal data requesters. This can be achieved effi ciently only if drawing and other information is stored and mana-ged in a unifi ed way. In addition to the registry and representation of technical facilities, the management of facilities, and the storage and display of their data have be-

come important tasks. Practically, beside the pure industrial geospatial applications, an asset-based registry function has aroused. This extends to cover the technical objects (own network elements, systems operated for others, etc.) as well. Unforeseen demands and external challenging fac-tors can arise anytime, and they must be addressed with an advanced, fl exible system with extensible capabilities. (Some examples include the lack of a uniform digital fi le exchange format, diffi cul-ties associated to the land registry base map, and inappropriate data accuracy of fi les from external sources.) This requirement could not be entirely fulfi lled with the system used at Bácsvíz Zrt., which also urged the development of the existing system.

Vision• The objective is to simplify• Streamline industry data extraction• Reduce digitalization• Increase the percentage of vector graphic fi les• Easier association of database and drawing elements• More frequent data content upgrade• Drawing modifi cation should mean immediate database modifi cation• Eliminate redundancy• Broaden the services of the system• Greater interactivity

The company’s general objectives were to decrease the complexity of the system, streamline the receipt of industry data, reduce the quantity of digitizing work, make data migration faster and simpler, increase the rate of vector graphics fi les and increase interactivity. An additional important goal was the easier association of database and drawing elements; the possibility of updating data content more frequently; and that drawing modifi cations should be refl ected immediately in the database.

The SolutionThe challenges outlined above have been addressed by the comprehensive solution of Autodesk products. With the professional experience of decades and continuous develop-ment, Autodesk provided an advanced geospatial solution. AutoCAD Map and MapGuide software used by Bácsvíz Zrt. have been replaced with the advanced Topobase system, which is based on these products and enable central spatial data management. Based on Oracle Spatial technology

and Autodesk’s proven, continuously improved products, the integrated system — and its industry-specifi c modules — proved to be capable of fulfi lling the company’s professional require-ments. This was also confi rmed by the pilot project experience.

Supporting/Supplemental Solutions:Autodesk’s Topobase solution is built on AutoCAD Map, MapGuide and Oracle technologies and software. The Autodesk MapGuide® Enterprise web-based platform enabled Bácsvíz Zrt. to deliver maps, designs and data on the intranet, thereby increase the value of these assets. Compared to a special CAD application, more information can

view of the project, resulting in better decision-making.

As the Autodesk product provides a data sharing solution instead of data transfer, the need for data conversion and the quantity of multiple data en-tries can be greatly reduced, increasing effi ciency and profi tability. Spatial data management and sharing provides a solution for the optimal utiliza-tion of existing technical investment.

The Result The new Autodesk Topobase solution’s system meets all requirements related to data integration, application integration, functionality, viewing and extensibility, as well as customer and user needs. On the whole, not only the geospatial software

environment of the company has become clearer, but work processes have also signifi cantly simpli-fi ed — external and internal data service has been streamlined, and the quantity of digitalization work has been reduced. The development has made the registry of technical facilities, real estate management, storage and display of their data easier and more accurate, and the system now includes an asset registry function. In addition to the widespread geospatial functions, like thematic queries, area impoundment and address search, the connection between database and drawing ele-ments have been set up, which enables the map representation of laboratory sampling locations and results. With the help of Topobase, the system includes additional services, like a form for match-ing maps, or automatic slope calculation.

At Bácsvíz Zrt., not only the geospatial depart-ment (operator, data uploader, development designer) experiences the benefi ts of the new solution. Since the organization manages work processes in a unifi ed interface extended to the entire operational area, the results of additional opportunities can be soon observed and pointed out at other organizational units of the company (assumption based on the 5-year-experience of MirMap).

Water and wastewater service branches of the organization can have online connection to the central database now, thus all technical data is immediately available to them, not to mention that modifi cations of each drawing can be tracked immediately. Due to the interactive connection between the two departments, the network construction modifi cations can be carried out much faster. Centralization of the geospatial data management process enables everyone to obtain updated data, which can prevent data becoming inconsistent, the productivity of offi ce and site work increases, while the cost decreases. Faster data management and database changes are be-nefi cial at all levels of the organization. Network

be distributed to a wider target audience, more data sources and servers could be integrated, and custom applications could be developed. With the support of diff erent formats and the improved Java viewer, the system is able to distribute cur-rent information to more users, and supports faster and better decisions.Using the Oracle Spatial solution, the geometry of spatial map objects can also be stored in the database (spatial database background), allow-ing geospatial data integration into the centrally monitored enterprise IT system. This means seve-ral benefi ts for Bácsvíz Zrt. in enterprise data and application integration. Also, it was an additional advantage for the company that they had been using Oracle for a long time.

Topobase is not only a software, but an infrastruc-ture management solution, which provides a broad range of benefi ts and opportunities to Bácsvíz Zrt.’s all organizational departments, including engineers using the program; GIS designers; maintenance and operations department; fi nance, customer service and IT departments.

Many diff erent infrastructure systems can be managed using the standard application modules of Topobase. From design through construction to infrastructure management, the new solution is capable of handling all jobs in a single integrated system (and can be integrated with existing enter-prise systems). This is a great advantage, because the tasks of the geospatial module are extremely complex and tightly related to other modules. With the organizational interconnection function, company management can have a comprehensive

–

–

–

and overview data — such as coverage — become immediately available via a web interface for tech-nical decision makers (managing director, vice managing director, sector chief engineer), who are not necessarily familiar with CAD technology. Creation of such requested data and management information used to be time-consuming, which might have resulted in a delay. Increased data availability not only optimizes the conditions of decision making, but the company can provide better services to its customers. More effi cient and faster client communication and more eff ec-tive consumer-service provider reconciliation will be possible.

More accurate registry data may result in simpler scheduling of maintenance and reconstruction work, and faster troubleshooting. Since now the underground civil engineering department is able to access preliminary designs and existing network components during both construction planning and building, unforeseen risk events can be effi ciently reduced, and post-construction check will be faster.

Technical inspection will experience the benefi ts of the system when creating the documenta-tion, as the once time-consuming reporting has been automated by now. The development can also bring spectacular changes to the delivery department in carrying out the logistics tasks — navigation usage of the new system, contrary to the paper-based map route planning up to now, enables digital distance measurement for more accurate calculations, and cost estimations. The greatest advantage of the new system for the Central laboratory is the precise representation of the fast changing water sampling locations and the possibility of associating results with locations. The laboratory is capable of providing a more dynamic data service towards the manage-

ment and diff erent (regulatory) organizations — ÁNTSZ (National Public Health and Medical Offi cer Service), KÖFE (National Inspectorate for Environment), ministries, and customers.

System customization and the integration of existing data fi les has been carried out under a

“support contract” by a local dealer, Varinex Zrt., which has already supported technical registry tasks of other water utilities with Autodesk developments. Varinex also provided system cus-tomization during the test period, and developed many custom functions for specifi c industry needs. The open and fl exible layout of Topobase and its integration into the existing business system of Bácsvíz eliminated the need for costly proprietary tools or middleware, and so enabled signifi cant cost savings for the company.

The installation of the Topobase system was divided into multiple phases: the above mentioned Technical Information and Geospatial Systems were implemented in the region between 2003 and 2008, and then the Topobase pilot project took place at Bácsvíz Zrt. in 2007. Lasting over half a year, the project included the assessment of the advantages and disadvantages of the geospatial system applied earlier, and the formulation of the specifi c system development suggestions. By September 2008, the entire data content of the town Kecskemét and the surrounding settlements was loaded into the Topobase system, so the Topobase-based geospatial and technical registry system has been seamlessly in place since autumn, 2008.

Many diff erent infrastructure systems can be managed using the standard application modules of Topobase.

Autodesk, AutoCAD, Autodesk MapGuide and Topobase are registered trademarks or trademarks of Autodesk, Inc., in the USA and/or other coun-tries. All other brand names, product names, or trademarks belong to their respective holders. Autodesk reserves the right to alter product off erings and specifi cations at any time without notice, and is not responsible for typographical or graphical errors that may appear in this document.

© 2007 Autodesk, Inc. All rights reserved.

“We are planning future developments: the full integration of the deployed Topobase-based geospatial system and the existing SAP enterprise resource planning system is necessary for sure. Professional preparation has already started to facilitate success.”—Temesvári Péter

geospatial managerBácsvíz Zrt.