solutions

SolutionsMETTENMEIER MAGAZINE

FOR THE UTILITIES INDUSTRY

InternationalIssue 2008

Mettenmeier

DataProcessesstrategiesadvanced Performance forelectricity, gas and Water Utilities

Smallworld NRMLatest Developments

Strategic Asset Management andStrategic Network Development

Mobile GISSolutions

Network strategies Asset management, strategic network development, maintenance planning and decision support. Page 5

gis Data Projects Advanced performance, quality improvement and geodata services. Page 12

gis solutions Case studies, Smallworld NRM standard data models, mobile GIS solutions, system integration and business process management. Page 18

Utiltiy solutions In April 2008, over 250 delegates from the utilities industry met in Düsseldorf Germany to join Mettenmeier’s annual Utility Solutions Conference. Photo story page 30

editorial 3Data – Processes – Strategies

Utility solutions 2008 in Düsseldorf 4Mettenmeier Conference

Powertech ist showcase 2008 5

Strategies of Network Operators

strategic refurbishment Planning for Wastewater systems 5

strategic Network Development and strategic asset Management 6Increasing profit reserves in the operations of a network company

Data Mining: analysis of complex Data stocks 10Decision support using pipe network inspection and fault data

e.oN Westfalen Weser ag: Dynamic simulation of electricity Networks 11

GIS Solutions and Geodata Services

advanced Performance for gis Data Projects 12Professional management of geospatial data projects

smallworld NrM News 14

Nre group and obN-NetH group 15Smallworld NRM in the Netherlands

gis Quo Vadis in regulated surroundings? 16An interview with Klaus von der Mosel

oracle-spatial: integrated Network and asset information 17

Mobile solutions Booming 18Hardware and software from Mettenmeier

Mettenmeier and tensing sign Partnership agreement 19Tensing Mobile GIS available in Germany

online and offline in the Field 20Tensing Mobile GIS at PWN

smallworld Field at N-ergie 21

stadtwerke Herne: Network adjustment 22

innovation at stadtwerke Lünen 24Solutions with a practical background

Next Level of smallworld integration 26Extending GIS to enterprise applications

gis4all – Map Data for everybody 27Geodata Service Provision

stadtwerke Hamm Plan with VrDB 28

rKU-it: smallworld 4 in customer sites 28

Photo story: Utility solutions 2008 30

� | Mettenmeier Solutions, Intl. Issue 2008

Mettenmeier GmbHSolutions – Mettenmeier Magazine for the Utilities Industry,International Issue 4, August 2008Publisher:Mettenmeier GmbH, Klingenderstr. 10-14,33100 Paderborn, GermanyEditor:Ingo Rameil, +49 5251 150-331,[email protected] Contributors: Prof. Dr. Michael Fette, Petra Freutel, Barbora HrdličkováDesign: Bernd Ackehurst Mediendesign, Bielefeld© Copyright 2008 Mettenmeier GmbHNo material may be reprinted or reproduced wholly or in any part without written permission of Mettenmeier GmbH.

Data – Processes – Strategies: is the guiding theme of Mettenmeier GmbH. It also mirrors the high performance of services, products and solutions that we deliver each day on different enterprise levels of utility companies. With a background of more than 30 years in this business, we assign our experience and creativity to innovative solutions that are oriented towards the present state-of-the-art and customer requirements – be this in terms of data, operating processes or the strategy of asset management. Data

An integrated data and system landscape not only reduces the costs arising from data management and system operation. It increases the efficiency and quality of operational processes and establishes security in terms of strategic decisions at the same time. Set up an integrated architecture which encompasses future developments and is oriented towards IT structures, the processes involved and business interests! We will provide you with support in the integration of existing systems in such a way that information is available at the right time, in the right place and

in appropriate detail. We will also show you how valuable information can be won from data acquired and reveal the degree of support that can be provided by the technologies developed by Oracle, SAS, GE Smallworld, IBM or SAP.

Processes

Clients have trusted our business process solutions for dealing with the technical routines of network operators for almost 10 years up to now. Our practice-oriented portfolio extends from special process-supporting applications such as workflow applications for outage reports through to interdisciplinary process information systems for technical service assignments. A large number of practical projects provide documentary evidence of the gain in efficiency and transparency achieved by our clients as a result of proper network management.

Strategies

Together with the consultancy business, Samco Networks, we offer solutions for the purpose of making available business data and technical network data exploitable through dynamic and

Data – Processes – Strategies

integrating the subtasks of asset management and asset service into a continuous solution and exploiting optimisation potential: Mettenmeier utilises an integrated database as the basis for its future-proof it architectures, which are oriented towards business processes and corporate goals.

Mettenmeier Solutions, Intl. Issue 2008 | �

transparent simulations. This way we can help you to simulate your CAPEX/OPEX development and establish integrated risk management. We assist companies in the design of strategic systems and tools for dynamic asset simulation with integrated target network planning. We focus on analysis and evaluation of current and future requirements and risks of networks and the associated revenues under economical and technical aspects and across all utilities. In this way, future network revenue scenarios for the concession management can be visualized and strategic options devised against the backdrop of simulated framework conditions (e.g. development of mishaps or investment requirements).

Yours SincerelyUlrich Mettenmeier


METTENMEIER INTERNaTIoNal CoNfERENCE

Utility Solutions 2008 in Düsseldorf


More than 250 utilities industry delegates met at the Utility Solutions 2008 Conference between April 15 and 17, 2008. The Congress Center Düsseldorf provided the ideal platform for a total of 57 technical presentations for Mettenmeier GmbH, its customers and its partners. Strategies, practical projects and professional solutions for utility networks were presented. Under the banner of ’Data, Processes, Strategies‘ topics such as strategic asset management, network operations, GIS/Geoinformation, network analysis and system integration were at the focal point.

The conference was rounded off by a trade show with a total of 14 exhibitors. ’Compared to 2007 we improved the attractiveness of our conference even further and increased the number of delegates by more than 30%‘, noted company boss Ulrich Mettenmeier. ’This was not least due to the international participation, for the first time, in Utility Solutions.‘ In a parallel presentation series in English, more than 30 representatives from other parts of Europe and even Australia met and exchanged experiences from other regulated energy markets with the German

participants. Beside the technical component, a programme of events provided for generous interaction, whether on the Rhine River Tour on the MS Riverstar or during the evening event in the turbine house of local public utility company Stadtwerke Düsseldorf.Y Go to Page 30 for photostory

Image source: Ulrich Otte, Düsseldorf, Marketng & Tourismus GmbH


More than 250 utilities industry delegates met at the Utility Solutions 2008 Conference between April 15 and 17, 2008. The Congress Center Düsseldorf provided the ideal platform for a total of 57 technical presentations for Mettenmeier GmbH, its customers and its partners. Strategies, practical projects and professional solutions for utility networks were presented. Under the banner of ’Data, Processes, Strategies‘ topics such as strategic asset management, network operations, GIS/Geoinformation, network analysis and system integration were at the focal point.

The conference was rounded off by a trade show with a total of 14 exhibitors. ’Compared to 2007 we improved the attractiveness of our conference even further and increased the number of delegates by more than 30%‘, noted company boss Ulrich Mettenmeier. ’This was not least due to the international participation, for the first time, in Utility Solutions.‘ In a parallel presentation series in English, more than 30 representatives from other parts of Europe and even Australia met and exchanged experiences from other regulated energy markets with the German

participants. Beside the technical component, a programme of events provided for generous interaction, whether on the Rhine River Tour on the MS Riverstar or during the evening event in the turbine house of local public utility company Stadtwerke Düsseldorf.Y Go to Page 30 for photostory

Strategy solutions for maintenance management help wastewater utilities in sustainable status control and cost development in the sewage network. Among other things, the aim is to derive a maintenance and investment strategy based on a systematic network assessment.

Sewage networks are the most important resource for wastewater disposal. They represent considerable value, which may re-ach several billion euros in a major European city, relative to the fixed assets of the network. The objective is to retain this value, taking economical and operational aspects into consideration. In addition, the networks are subject to a life cycle, whereby the operational safety of the network must be ensured by means of continuous repairs, renovation and replacement.

Taking the aims of the owner or operator in terms of real asset development and operational safety into consideration, the optimum refurbishment/investment strategy must be defined. Any deviation from the optimum strategy in terms of the defined aims would mean considerable economical damage. The tried and tested ‚STATUS‘ model by Stein

MaINTENaNCE MaNaGEMENT

Strategic Refurbishment Planning for Wastewater Systems

& Partner Consult represents the foundation for deriving maintenance and investment strategies. The integrated strategy development solution utilises the stock data from Smallworld GIS/NRM Wastewater or from other data sources, for example. In a number of projects, Mettenmeier GmbH supports data consolidation and quality-assured processing and provision of the network information required by STATUS such as material, year of manufacture, depth, profile types and status data. The status and the structural fabric can be evaluated in detail using STATUS. In addition, inspection results can be updated to the current status. Forecasts using STATUS are based on scientifically recognised models and have been verified in practice. The impacts of investment strategies on the evolution of the structural fabric and functional capability of networks can be visualised and the results, in particular the

Based on existing data, developments can be forecast as a function of maintenance investments.

More Information

Peter FraschMettenmeier GmbH+49 5251 [email protected]

information on asset value, status evolution and economy of network components, can also be visualised graphically as the basis for decision processes.

In mutual projects with S&P Consult, Mettenmeier GmbH bundles its expertise on the strategic maintenance management of sewer and water networks. Based on existing data, developments can be forecast as a function of maintenance investments.

Mettenmeier teams up with other solution providers from different parts of the world to work cooperatively and help extend the market reach of GIS solutions through familiarity with local languages and habits, and industry knowledge. On 17 & 18 July, Mettenmeier attended the Powertech IST Showcase 2008 in Johannesburg, South Africa and delivered a presentation about Data, Processes and Strategies in the Utility Business.

STRaTEGIC allIaNCE IN SoUTH afRICa

Powertech IST Showcase 2008

Powertech IST provided the ideal opportunity for clients, technology partners, suppliers and industry leaders to learn about the very latest developments in products and technology, as well as to interface directly with experts in their field. Aptly entitled “a clear vision, a clear pathway”, the conference addressed various challenges and issues currently facing the industry.

The first conference of its kind hosted by Powertech IST at Emperor’s Palace in Johannesburg showcased three of Powertech IST’s divisions, Data, Energy and Otokon’s solutions to over 300 delegates from throughout the world. Based on feedback received from all attendees, the conference looks to become an important annual event on the industry calendar.


Increasing profit reserves in network companies represents a great challenge in today‘s regulated corporate environment. In particular, the regulation approach selected requires a systematic analysis of current and future corporate risks. Strategic network development and strategic asset management are inseparable here.

In practice, successful companies always have their view fixed on a global, strategic target. However, only companies that systematically analyse and assess their decision horizons and strategic influencing variables when formulating and implementing their strategic

INCREaSING PRofIT RESERVES IN THE oPERaTIoNS of a NETWoRK CoMPaNY

Strategic Network Development and Strategic Asset Management

Motivation (regulation/network change processes): the network management of utility companies will have to lead the complex interaction of network development, market requirements and regulation to an optimal result.

targets actually achieve such targets. Companies are often shaped by ‚day-to-day business‘ issues or operational perspectives to such an extent that real strategic targets cannot be achieved. They simply don‘t have the perspective necessary when resources with relatively long lifetimes are employed. Decisions made can only be corrected with difficulty, but primarily lead to highly suboptimal solutions.

Other branches of industry, such as the oil sector, prove that we are not powerless against the huge number of influencing factors. Strategy tools have also provided support to management control for years. If they are transferred to the network industry, the relatively complex relationships can be easily projected onto the company‘s database. On this basis the financial, organisational

Prof. Dr.-Ing. habil. Michael FetteAssociate Partner of the consulting firms Samco Networks and System&Dynamik, Assistant Professor at Paderborn Universi-ty and Professor at Bielefeld University of Applied Science in the fields of renewable energy systems and automation with a focus on intelligent grids and network automation.


and technical targets, which are oriented on long-term objectives, e.g. the development of certain accounting values, quality variables, returns or CAPEX values, can be derived for operations and determine the success or failure of the company within a framework of incentive and quality regulation.

Strategic network development – identifying network risks and potentials

Numerous network change processes, e.g. caused by the integration of distributed feeds, but also by the increasingly important efforts to use energy ever more efficiently, will fundamentally alter networks. Multi-division groups in particular must analyse developments closely and take them into consideration, for example for construction projects or when specifying maintenance strategies. The tactically correct decision is required. This means that strategies not only need to be identified, but that options must be given for changing or supplementing the strategy with new aspects at any time.

However, beside the classical network capacity considerations, the integration of distributed feeders and altered load properties (the new generation of power electronics) also leads in part to fundamental changes in the networks‘ dynamic properties. In practice, we can already recognise a series of technically measurable developments in today‘s networks that unequivocally demonstrate how networks are becoming dynamically ‚unstable‘ and have even occasionally led to faults. The networks are ‚de-damped‘, meaning that the numerous resource nonlinearities and the newly adopted accumulators, e.g. in PV system inverters, lead to more critical dynamic behaviour.

Of course, the fluctuations caused by distributed feeders must also be taken into consideration, beside low-frequency network problems. This will have a decisive influence on the asset stock, e.g. on the classical distribution transformer. Voltage-regulated transformers will almost certainly need to

be installed at critical points in the network. This is accompanied by considerable changes in the asset stock, but above all the associated technical services will need to be reconfigured. There are ‚hot spots‘ within the network presenting risks in terms of both their relevance in time and their impacts; these hot spots must therefore be exposed and assessed. It is precisely here that strategic network development engages in these development processes and allows risks to be recognised and assessed.

But classical asset management decisions can also lead to permanent weakening of networks, for example when capacity considerations alone (load flow analyses) lead to adaptation of the asset stock and the network structure, e.g. by decommissioning measures. One consequence of the technical change processes involved in future- and risk-oriented network planning is: the purely 50 Hz view of networks is no longer sufficient, the purely 50 Hz capacity perspective can lead to permanent weakening of the network substance. Strategic network development should be capable of taking these kinds of risks into consideration, otherwise decisive risk factors are absent from deliberations. Here, it is obvious that developments within networks have an enormous influence on strategic asset management.

Strategic, tactical and operational asset management

The existing network and its resources cannot be changed overnight. A decision made today, e.g. specifying a replacement, maintenance or repair quota, also generally defines future costs for years to come.

Strategic asset management is based on the idea that arriving at decisions of any kind requires that the strategy-relevant influencing variables are always first considered from a long-term perspective. This allows the development of asset stocks from a technical and economical point of view. However, it makes sense to operate tactically within the regulation periods while adhering to the strategy - if the asset stocks and the network

example of strategic network development (load development): the load deviations will ultimately result in a substantial increase in costs. Until 2020 the daily load of all customer groups will change dramatically so that major operation problems can occur. the diagram shows the combined development of household loads and photovoltaic power supply on a summer day with maximum supply.


quality parameters allow - in order to achieve desired cost structures at given times. Operational annual planning then rounds off strategy development with individual risk analyses for individual resources. Implementation of the individual budgets identified on the basis of the strategy must be examined. Exceptional damage developments are considered as separate risks. Practical examples have shown that considerable saving potentials can be achieved if the asset strategies are selected carefully.

In this context, companies should note that British Standard PAS 55 is being integrated into the ISO 9000 family. Asset management is then an integral component of corporate quality management. The ideas of network quality regulation conform to these approaches.

Simulations and dynamic models

Companies employing strategy tools have also created an advantage for themselves at this point, because in future they are also dealing with the evaluation, sale or purchase of networks. Here, the strategy tools, together with historic and current data, provide valuable support, e.g. in the course of model network analyses and evaluation mechanisms, in order to asses whether the networks are suited to the company and the existing cost structure. In addition, operational, strategy-oriented decisions for network operations can be very quickly derived.

Anticipatory strategic network development and strategic asset management is supported by simulations and dynamic models. The use of simulation tools is practically indispensable, because both technical and economic risks must be estimated for existing networks, both in time and space. Using sensible, revisable assumptions and specifiable, adaptable variables, it should be possible to look into the future and to create a large degree of transparency. This means that reliable, easily understandable conclusions, which can be narrowed down annually, must be drawn. The demands on the simulation are very rigorous. For example, one of the principal quality characteristics is whether the system allows examination of the strategy to date and simultaneously provides data for focusing future strategies.

For the companies involved this means that now is the time to build the appropriate tools and to implement change process simulations. Data consolidation plays a major role in this process. Here, too, professional tools help to purposefully uncover weaknesses. To save time and money, proven analysis methods can be adopted that simplify selection of the ‚correct‘ data of suitable quality needed for the decision processes.

Cost estimate

From a costs point of view it must be noted that any kind of support for strategy decisions and the identification of future costs is repaid in a very short time. Various projects

demonstrate that these tools are repaid very quickly, often in less than a year.

Together with its partners, the Samco Networks consultancy provides consulting services and high-quality software solutions for strategic and operational asset management, as well as for strategic network development in the energy industry. Our strength lies in the holistic, risk-oriented network view, taking technical and economical perspectives into consideration - from status analyses and value assessments, through investment planning, to servicing and maintenance optimisation, including strategic network development.

We provide the correct results both qualitatively and quantitatively and develop bespoke concepts and solutions for your company. We put you in a position to strategically lead your company and to discover your optimum, e.g. for OPEX and CAPEX deliberations. In our consulting projects we process the available historical and current data and complement them with the missing, strategy-relevant information. Based on this we provide testable cost verifications and statistics, and facilitate graphical evaluations. Strategies are comparable and impacts on network use compensation visualisable. The basis for objective, transparent and profit-oriented network management is created.

[email protected]

Practical example of strategic asset management (extension of the life-cycle of power transformers): the savings potential could be demonstrated by simulating the asset development. to evaluate a possible extension of the transformer life-cycle up to 60 years, two variants are calculated: 1) Modelling of intensive maintenance costs and2) complete refurbishment of the transformer by the vendor halfway through its projected life-cycle.

10 | Mettenmeier Solutions, Intl. Issue 2008

Together with SAS, Mettenmeier has developed a business intelligence solution to support asset management. Files compiled using example data collected during the gas pipeline network inspection for the public utilities in Herne were used to demonstrate how complex data stocks can be simply and flexibly analysed.

DECISIoN SUPPoRT USING PIPE NETWoRK INSPECTIoN aND faUlT DaTa

Data Mining: Analysis of Complex Data StocksThe pipeline network inspections have been completely documented in a GIS application by the Stadtwerke Herne since 2004 using the gas leak solution SeCuRi SAT. In the meantime, damage data are available from all inspected areas of the low pressure network; even ‚historic‘ damage data are partially available, because parts of the network are inspected at shorter intervals. In order to

derive meaningful information from these analyses it is necessary to link the damage documented in the GIS and the gas pipe section stock data saved in the GIS with the repair costs kept in the SAP system. This linking and processing to qualitatively valuable information is carried out with the aid of flexible SAS tools: damage probability as a function of pipeline age or material,

geographical analysis of damage by streetsthis solution convinces thanks to flexible evaluation based on a variety of criteria, e.g.: graphical selection according to damage type

stock analysis and reports in the vicinity of forecast damage stock analysis and reports for the road with damage forecast

Mettenmeier Solutions, Intl. Issue 2008 | 11

More Information

Janko SafirovSamco Networks GmbH & Co. KG+49 5251 [email protected]

Parts of the E.ON Westfalen Weser AG electricity distribution network were analysed in a pilot project and evaluated in terms of a variety of criteria. The aim was to demonstrate technical and operational planning criteria for strategic network development and strategic asset management with the aid of dynamic simulations. The results of the analysis were presented by the Samco Networks consultancy.

The pilot project consisted of two subprojects; the strategic network development and the strategic asset management projects.

In the first sub-project a selected network region was analysed to identify the possible network developments up to 2020. The evolution of energy demand, the load curves and the distributed feeds over a period of several years were simulated in the course of the strategic network development. By projecting these results onto the real network it was possible to identify weak points and visualise refurbishment work.

In the second sub-project, the strategic asset management, and the technical and operational parameters of transformers and circuit breakers were included. The evolution of the asset values and costs of these resources over the coming decades was

E.oN WESTfalEN WESER aG

Dynamic Simulation of Eletricity Networks

simulated against the backdrop of the maintenance and replacement strategy. In order to identify the alternatives for E.ON Westfalen Weser AG in terms of these resource groups, a variety of maintenance strategies were analysed and the anticipated maintenance and investment costs determined.

The analyses and simulations provide E.ON Westfalen Weser AG with valuable information and guidelines for identifying strategies for network development and asset management.

Samco Networks, together with their partners, provide consulting services for corporate development in the network industry. The focus is on dynamic business simulations for strategic asset management and strategic network development. The strength of Samco Networks lies in the holistic, risk-oriented view of networks from a technical and economical perspective – from determination of network value, through investment planning, to servicing and maintenance optimisation.

damage rates per inspection area or the repair costs per road form the foundation for calculations. The results provide important guides for optimising investment and maintenance strategies, e.g. in the shape of damage forecasts or status reports. Beside the comprehensive analytical methods provided, for the first time this solution allows a holistic view of business-relevant network data. For example, ad-hoc reports can be quickly and flexibly compiled for every user group within the company. Using the solution described combined reports consisting of network data (Smallworld GIS), fault data (SeCuRi SAT) and cost data (SAP PM) can be generated.

In addition, a GIS component supports the powerful, analytical SAS tools. In this way the importance of the existence of a meaningful database can be geographically demonstrated.

More Information

Joachim MagieraMettenmeier GmbH+49 5251 [email protected]

1� | Mettenmeier Solutions, Intl. Issue 2008

GIS data projects impose major challenges for utility companies: Technically complex tenders, complex project management, handling of offshore map production, processing and quality management of large data volumes and the integration or update of different data sources into well-structured, future-oriented and open data models. Entrust your geospatial data projects into the safe hands of Mettenmeier, your Global partner! We can provide our services to you on-site.

Mettenmeier is one of the leading firms in the geospatial industry today. Our services and solutions are based on the data models and systems of leading system vendors like GE Smallworld, ESRI, Integraph or Oracle.

PRofESSIoNal MaNaGEMENT of GEoSPaTIal DaTa PRojECTS

Advanced Performance for GIS Data Projects


We offer professional services and tools to guarantee the success of your geospatial data pro-jects. You can rely on our qualified, experienced and highly productive team, whenever you need it. We offer full on-site service.

Professional Project ManagementWe combine methodological competence with technical expertise to ensure the success of your project, regardless of the scope or complexity. We develop detailed phase concepts and work packages to ensure the best results in the production phase. We break down the barriers in working with overseas service providers. We use software and productivity tools to improve data throughput and we support you with testing and acceptance of the new data. Our professional project management and our large pool of additional resources in our productive network of partners helps you to accelerate or guarantee your deadlines.

Tenders with Added ValueOur experienced consultants will accompany you throughout the complete tendering process, including overseas opportunities. As-is analyses and feasibility studies help you to define the scope of the project and to optimise the project goals from technical and economic viewpoints. We support you with the development of requirement criteria, system requirements, tender documentation and preparation of the contract documents and we assist with processing via a tender portal.

Mettenmeier Solutions, Intl. Issue 2008 | 1�

Why Mettenmeier?

■ Expertise: With 30 years of experience and more than 130,000 km of digitally captured supply networks, we guarantee your success. As one of Europe‘s leading GIS specialists, we leverage geospatial technology and data services to improve your business.

■ Technical Know-how: We are capable of operating all leading GIS platforms and

we benefit from our own software development and support department.

■ Global Business Culture: In recent years we have come to focus more and more on international projects and partners. We look forward to applying the resulting technical and sociocultural expertise to the advantage of your projects.

■ Resources: We can resource entire projects or single units and we offer a pool of additional resources from our specialist team or from our successful global partner network.

■ Quality: Our services comply with the standard ISO 9001:2000 and live up to the Made-in-Germany philosophy.

More Information

Peter KnocheMettenmeier GmbH+49 5251 [email protected]

Data PresentationWe provide proven solutions for using your geodata for your mobile applications or for integration into your business processes. Data can be made available over a GIS Internet client or at your site. We can also optionally provide a web-service-based information system based on an ASP solution that outputs up-to-date plans in the WMS format over the Internet.

Network AdjustmentThe import of new, improved cadastral or topographical data may require geometrical adjustment of the digital distribution inventory, because changes in the state of the cadastral information referring to the digital distribution inventory has been lost. The distribution inventory must be geometrically adjusted to restore the integrity and readability of the inventory plans. We offer software tools that will run these geometrical corrections in a controlled fashion. These processes are monitored and supported by technicians with many years of experience in surveying and cartography.

Geodata and Application Service ProvidingOur geodata service gives you the opportunity of outsourcing specific tasks of network documentation or even complete functional areas or processes to allow you to concentrate on your core activities and reduce the burden on the IT budget. We offer the option of adapting processes to your requirements, from providing employees to complete spin-off of data maintenance.

Consistent Data MaintenanceWe help you in implementing a homogenous database, e.g. by integrating multiple utilities or voltage levels into one plan, integrating objects from the detailed map and overview map or migrating GIS data from other systems. You profit from a consistent data basis for the complete network infrastructure at a logical and a physical level. This reduces your expenses for continuing data update and with that also reduces the possibility of errors. We make use of all major GIS systems and standard databases.

Quality ImprovementThe quality of your services and your decisions depends strongly on the qua-lity, structure and completeness of your GIS data. Trained eyes monitor the complete range of GIS data for the entire network region. We use software tools for extremely efficient checking of the correctness of the topological links and the integrity of the data. Faulty objects can be localised and corrected. The result is a virtually error-free database, which is essential for business processes and asset management.


User-friendliness

The NRM messages, in particular the error messages for the topological examination, were considerably simplified. In addition, the Smallworld 4 options are utilised better, such as the right mouse button function, providing special functions for objects selected in the graphics, for example changing the output state/operating status or opening the editor for the parent object.

Analysis functions

The analysis functions were also considerably improved. For example, features were adopted from the tried and tested ‚Operation Analyser‘ and integrated in the NRMs. Examples include: ‚Search and display supplying station/cable distributor‘ or ‚Identify all connections in a defined network region‘.

Gas/water internals

So-called internals are introduced for NRM Gas and NRM Water. By providing new object classes, such as pressure reduction or pressure increase, or expanded object classes, station internals can be documented in future such that network analyses can be carried out more simply based on these data. The objects, for example compressors or controllers, included in network analysis products such as PSS/Sincal, PowerFactory or NEPLAN can be mapped to these NRM objects.

More Information

Petra FreutelMettenmeier GmbH+49 5251 [email protected]

Metering point

The new metering point object is introduced for all NRMs against the backdrop of regulation management. The metering point is also known as the take-off point or connection point, NMI (Australia), ICP (New Zealand). It is recorded as a child object to the relevant connection objects or loads and feeds, and also provides free attributes, which can be used for recording consumption data, for example, beside the unique metering point number. In this way several loads can be visualised for a single house service connection and the consumption data be utilised for analyses such as network analyses using the Operation Analyser, for example.

Standardisation of data models

In the course of further standardisation of the data models NRM Gas, NRM Water and NRM Electricity, discontinuously available attributes, such as SAP-ID, owner or material, are currently being supplemented for numerous objects.

Smallworld NRM NewsDemands on the further development of Smallworld NRMs are compiled and specified at Mettenmeier in close cooperation with the customers. The results of the customer councils are directly integrated in NRM development. Among other things, Mettenmeier GmbH now provides the following improvements to NRM Electricity, NRM Gas and NRM Water:

Network Resource Managers for Smallworld GIS

The standardised practice-oriented Smallworld data models, referred to as Network Resource Manager (NRM), provide utility network operators with off-the-shelf geospatial solutions chosen by more than 300 organisations world-wide. The main reason for this trend is the savings potential in terms of implementation and maintenance costs. In contrast to customer-specific individual solutions, the development costs are distributed over a large number of customers which gives Smallworld users the chance to break the upgrade cost-cycle. In conjunction with the reliability of Smallworld introductory concepts, utility companies quickly achieve a high level of productivity.

■ Standard off-the-shelf suite of utility software

■ Large user base to ensure continuous refinement

■ Full support for other GE Smallworld products such as SIAS, FIS and others

NrMelectricity

NrMgas

NrMWater

NrMWastewater


The network operators within NRE Group and ObN-NetH Group have chosen Smallworld GIS and the data and process models NRM (Network Resource Manager) for their gas and electricity network. In the middle of 2007, the decision was made for the Smallworld standard NRM solution.

THE fUTURE of MoDERN GIS TECHNoloGY

Smallworld NRM in the Netherlands

“We chose to implement a system that offers as much standard functionality as possible and that works with only little customization,” says Phil Donders of NRE/ ObN-NetH. “We thoroughly inspected the solutions of neighbouring companies and also visited a network operator in Germany, before we decided for Smallworld GIS and NRM.” Today the company belongs to a circle of more than 300 loyal Smallworld NRM customers world-wide. While the decision for

the software was made, there was still a lot of data conversion to be done. But the step from the stone-age of analogue drawings (Obragas Net en Netbeheer Haarlemmermeer) to the future of modern GIS technology lasted only a few months. Thanks to the dedication of the NRE/ ObN-NetH employees and all other concerned parties, the gas grid was ready to be documented and updated in Smallworld GIS in August 2008. The electricity grid will follow in the beginning of 2009.

three network operators – two companies: the network operators Nre Netwerk, obragas Net and Netbeheer Haarlemmermeer cooperate in two groups: Nre group and obN-NetH group. since January 2008 the companies work together to provide reliable and secure distribution networks for gas and electricity.


Have geographic information systems (GIS) lost significance within the surroundings of regulated energy markets, Mr. von der Mosel?

Of course, competing utility companies are trying to cut costs and some even consider to outsource their GIS operation to external service providers. However, this doesn’t mean that GIS systems have suffered losses with regard to presence or significance. As far as I can see, spatial data will gain further significance because utility network structures and client-orientation will increasingly change. Considerable market-driven forces will arise which in turn will allocate a completely different significance to spatial data. The value of GIS is consequently associated with that of the data involved in asset management. Therefore the circle of prospective GIS users in the companies becomes larger.

How can costs be cut?

On the one hand, network operators have their duties and desires related to document their networks. If on the other hand budgets are reduced, outsourcing such matters and transfer to external servers etc. is an obvious way out in such situations. So-called ASP services (Application Service Providing) can reduce costs. Software systems and databases are administered, updated and provided by a service company like Mettenmeier. Such a model can be very attracive for small- or medium-sized network operators: The system and rarely needed specialized staff are rented on demand. Costs can also be saved by staying close to the software standard because indivual

programming and non-standardised data models are significant cost factors. Moreover, mobile and process-oriented solutions help reducing time and costs in the core processes of network operation. Up-to-date and demand-oriented provision of GIS data in connection with integrated IT structures delivers invaluable support for the maintenance, the outage management, the planning and the design of networks.

What is the significance of geo-references in asset management? When we talk about asset parameters within the framework of asset management, we always have a location key on hand. In my experience, such data is of absolute priority and confidentiality since it also contains the secret to future costs. I can more or less evaluate an entire company if I know which operating resources and which requirement profiles are to be found in the networks involved, and what expenses are to be

expected there. For this reason GIS will no doubt very quickly strengthen its strategic significance in the core area of the business. Which tasks are you aware of for the GIS-System itself? The key-task and actual existence of systems on the market will orient itself towards how these systems can be automatically bound into the processes involved. Systems demanding considerable intervention by the client are likely to disappear. This is a very clear discriminant that can also be observed in other markets. Statistics of all kinds, for example, are inquired about in the regulation process as well as settings for the processing time within

which certain services can be implemented. Systems in a position to meet this contribution will assert themselves on the market. On the one hand, geo-references are important, but even more important is that the quality of the data is maintained. I believe that too little quality ma-nagement has been included in the care of data. Although

homogenization has been carried out, this has always been on the level of the chart depictions. The actual data inventory which now also needs to be financially evaluated has not yet been homogenized. Whoever changes network areas, for example, and possesses data of homogeneous quality, also possesses what the market needs. Supporting tools need to be introduced at this point in time and systems that make this quality possible will take clear footing.

INTERVIEW

GIS Quo Vadis in Regulated Surroundings?Network operators have to stand up to the challenges of competition, regulation and changing network structures. Geographic information systems can lend invaluable support.

GIS will very quickly strengthen its strategic significance in the core area of the business.“

Klaus von der MoselTechnical Director

Mettenmeier GmbH


Which trends are to be observed from a technological point of view? Development of GIS technology to date has proceeded from standalone desktop systems via the internet inquiry system through to web-GIS and web mapping systems and the clearly advancing penetration of neighboring disciplines. As may be recognized from interdisciplinary GIS solutions, today’s priority lies in the complete horizontal integration (i.e. at business level) of GIS in other IT structures.

What significance will be associated with service-oriented architecture in this process?

Although GIS has been increasingly networked with other business systems over the last years, the said businesses have mainly undertaken a point-to-point integration process. A stronger tendency of falling back on so-called service-oriented architecture (SOA) has also been noted however. Although this represents a somewhat higher initial investment, such an infrastructure can in fact be adapted to business practice changes of power supply companies with much greater simplicity and flexibility than the conventional point-to-point integration of the so-called expert systems. Integration of the individual systems then follows a technological standard and can be controlled by means of central integration tools. GIS can be integrated in an SOA with the help of web service adapters making it available as a flexible service in the IT infrastructure.

More Information

Klaus von der MoselMettenmeier GmbH +49 5251 150-329 [email protected]

oRaClE SPaTIal

Integrated Network and Asset InformationIn the area of database systems, Oracle Spatial is a modern, scalable and, above all, a standardised platform for the management of geospatial data in combination with integrated applications and functions. On this basis, geo-data and geo-functions can be easily integrated in the IT environment of the company and its associated business transactions. The use of an open architecture system based on IT standards means that fast, flexible and scalable applications can be created by means of which attribute data and geometric features can be used for query, reporting or analytical purposes, or in support of asset management and business transactions.

ExampleGeo-data, network-data and operating resource data are stored in different systems and may be required in numerous business transactions and sections of the company.

SolutionIntegration of the different data sources in an Oracle spatial database serving to access integrated network and operating resource information via an Internet browser.

UseReduction of manual information procedures as well as support of management and processes involved via integrated data.

More Information


the oracle spatial solutions, derived from Mettenmeier, integrate geo-data and geo-functions into the corporate it infrastructure and processes.


Mobile business is becoming ever more important for network operators. It is used as an instrument for lowering costs but also as a differentiation opportunity with the objective of remaining competitive. Numerous mobile business projects reveal the high added value of mobile process depiction. Mobile solutions are transformed to key applications in such cases.

Mobility of the staff concerned is supported by the rapid availability of information. Alongside the possibilities of reducing process costs (e.g. by mobile data acquisition), the quality advantages are attributed very great importance.

The acceleration or individualization of business processes demands further development of relevant process effectiveness as well as an increased aptitude to innovation. It is based on a high-performance technological infrastructure. Businesses facing up to the challenges of mobile system and process integration are profiting today from extremely high-performance mobile networks and mobile end-user equipment as well as mobile software readily adaptable to the needs of the user.

Mobile GIS is a favored application since a large proportion of the mobile processes in network operation requires up-to-date information on the structure and quality of the network. More than 60% of all businesses already use a mobile GIS solution today. This was found out from an inquiry byMettenmeier involving more than 200 commercial businesses in the German speaking areas.

As well as the realistic depiction of the network, accuracy of the data and the functional model of the software play an important part in this process. GPS navigation, network tracing as well as mobile

geometry and attribute data acquisition are the least demands that need to be met by mobile GIS today. A particularly positive factor is the live update function of recorded data. Also required, however, are functions active beyond the boundaries of system and processes as well as those which help overcome mobile compatibility barriers. In such cases, the independence of the GIS basis, its possible integration with other

systems (e.g. SAP, TOMS, Oracle) as well as its assignment or workflow support in operative processes (network switching, maintenance, disturbances, gas pipe network controls, workforce management) all play a significant role.

The broadly based offer of Mettenmeier on the market of mobile solutions extends from mobile GIS via mobile operation control systems (e.g. TOMS Field) through to special solutions for pipe network control or

mobile construction/building specifications. Robust tablet-PCs produced at source as well as effectiveness in the process modeling and development of tailor-made individual solutions round off this portfolio.

HaRDWaRE aND SofTWaRE fRoM METTENMEIER

Mobile Solutions Booming

colibri X7 and tensing Mobile gis


Tensing, a specialist in enterprise mobility and geo solutions, named Mettenmeier GmbH, a leading software consultant, service and solution provider, the latest Tensing Business Partner. As a business partner, Mettenmeier will be able to sell and implement Tensing’s entire suite of enterprise mobility solutions.

“Tensing’s knowledge in developing mobility solutions in the industries in which we operate is exceptional,” said Ulrich Mettenmeier at this year’s Utility Solutions conference in Düsseldorf. “This partnership allows us to further expand our mobile solutions offerings. Mettenmeier’s IT and business consulting expertise combined with Tensing’s proven mobility solutions will address the challenges our clients face today and in the future. We are pleased to be working with Tensing and their products.”

Dr Jan Scheurwater, Director at Tensing said “The partnership between Mettenmeier and Tensing reflects the growing need for expert consulting and proven products. We see a great synergy in leveraging our combined industry insight to provide more added-value for clients. Mettenmeier in our view is unique with a very strong combination of business expertise, customer intimacy and consulting capabilities in the fields of IT, asset management and business processes. We are looking forward to working with Mettenmeier.”

Tensing enterprise mobility solutions provide mobile workers with timely access

to context-based information relating to customers, resources and infrastructure via wireless communication. Tensing’s mobility suite includes: Tensing Mobile and Web GIS, Tensing Mobile Workflow and Tensing Fleet Management. These products will be seamlessly integrated in Mettenmeier’s strategy to offer solutions that give maximum support for business processes and thus to bring process-oriented workflow solutions into a mobile environment.

Tensing solutions are feature rich, designed to handle everyday tasks and emergency

situations regardless of the size of the organization. Built on industry standard technologies the component-based solutions are open to any back office or mobile system currently in place, allowing the client to benefit from past implementations while taking advantage of new innovations. Tensing Mobile GIS is operated either online or offline and is compatible with all major geoinformation systems, i.e. Smallworld GIS, ESRI, Intergraph or Oracle Spatial.

Mettenmeier and Tensing Sign Partnership Agreement

Ulrich Mettenmeier and Dr. Jan scheurwater

�0 | Mettenmeier Solutions, Intl. Issue 2008

The Dutch water utility PWN has utili-sed Smallworld GIS and the Smallworld NRM Water for several years. A total of 540 staff guarantee supplies to 700,000 customers. The improvements in service quality, process innovation, productivity and cost savings were important reasons for deciding to introduce Tensing Mobile GIS in 2007. The test environment was installed in January 2008.

The principal requirements for field workers included the provision of relevant resource data, rapid object search (hydrants, gate valves, house service connections, etc.), changing the gate valve status on-site, network tracing, redlining, online and offline use, user-friendliness and low system maintenance. Moreover, it should be a standard system, compatible with Smallworld 4 and NRM Water.

The system was installed to allow rapid updating of data such as faults or a resulting gate valve status at five minute intervals via GPRS. In this way the entire field crew are always informed about the latest events in the network. The continuously updated stock data are synchronised once daily and comprise all other pipeline network objects such as pipeline sections, hydrants or gate valves. The topographic background (GBKN) is updated every three months.

”Because we can visualise the status of the entire infrastructure in real time we are in a position to always provide our customers with precise information“, said operations

TENSING MoBIlE GIS aT PWN

Online and Offline in the Field

engineer Ferdinand Zoutendijk from PWN. ”In addition, we were able to improve our work processes and increase staff productivity. On the bottom line we can say today that we have increased both customer and staff satisfaction since introducing Tensing Mobile GIS“.

Next, PWN plans to expand the system towards fleet management with vehicle tracking and navigation, as well as automatising mobile work processes by task management and mobile workflows.

More Information

Ferdinand ZoutendijkPWN Waterleidingbedrijf Noord-Holland+31 6 511 525 [email protected]

”We were able to

considerably improve our

work processes and thus

to increase staff

productivity“.

Mettenmeier Solutions, Intl. Issue 2008 | �1

Smallworld Field Information System enables companies to leverage the investment made in their Smallworld system, by being able to take vital business, asset and map data out of the office and into the field. Field crews can update attribute data in the field, create new or move existing assets and sketch redlines on to the map data either manually or utilizing GPS integration. These edits and new assets can be returned to the office for inclusion in the central Smallworld database.

In a recent customer project, practical trials had revealed some key features that had yet to be improved or designed such as extraction performance, rotation of the map view, print quality and print functionalities with legal compliance, the exchange of tasks with redlining information directly between mobile workers and the interaction between the geographic and the schematic map. GE Energy in cooperation with Mettenmeier provides this extra functionality and more usability benefits for their customers:

MoBIlE GIS

Smallworld Field Information SystemA growing number of network operators employ Smallworld Field Information System from GE Energy in the field to view and update their Smallworld data. To give best support for mobile routines and business processes, Smallworld Field has recently been significantly enhanced by system vendor GE Energy to meet Mettenmeier’s customer requirements.

The extraction time has been drastically reduced by employing up to 30 parallel extraction servers to cope not only with large quantities of maps but of attributes as well. In the mobile Field application the map view can be rotated “heads-up” instead of only “north-up” manually or based on the GPS track. The print quality has been improved and new functionalities were implemented for template selection, direct printer selection, rotation by angle and handle as well a tool to transfer templates etc. Furthermore tasks of other users can be imported directly and the import list of tasks can be reduced to tasks within the current map bounds. Moreover, the handling of the schematic maps was enhanced by better object access and improved zoom features.

These requirements were not only specifically designed for Mettenmeier’s client but they will also be included in the coming release of Smallworld Field Information System. The latest software version 4.1.1 will be officially released by the end of 2008.

More Information


In a nutshell, this project is a good example that GE Energy and partners ensure ongoing development of Smallworld products according to customers’ needs.

So far, Mettenmeier GmbH has a track record of delivering Smallworld Field software to 11 utility companies:

■ EBZ Zweibrücken■ Enercal (New Caledonia)■ EVI Hildesheim■ N-ERGIE (Nuremberg)■ Stadtentwässerung Lünen■ Stadtentwässerung Hagen■ Stadtwerke Haltern■ Stadtwerke Unna■ Stadtwerke Rinteln■ Wasserversorgung Beckum■ Wasserwerk Lörmecke

the smallworld Field information system product consists of three major components: smallworld Field Data server for data extraction, smallworld task Management for the exchange of tasks containing data updates and smallworld Field information system for the actual mobile application.

�� | Mettenmeier Solutions, Intl. Issue 2008

The Stadtwerke Herne (Herne public utility) document their electricity and gas network in Smallworld GIS. A peculiarity of the Stadtwerke Herne is the varying qualities of the topographic background‘s source or original data upon which the resources planning documentation was implemented. This results in regions in which the resources are captured based on georeferenced raster files. In other regions

STaDTWERKE HERNE

Network adjustment

vector data were partially digitised to form the topographic background for measurement reference points. In other regions again, the ‚old‘ ALK (EDBS data in vector format) serves as the geodetic reference for network documentation, which in turn was replaced by the successive import of current land survey office data in several cycles.

Example of Network Adjustment Using adjust.IT

old and new master map: the marked area indicates the new stock. a change in orientation of the pipelines, dimensioning and labelling by adjustment is required.

the building areas in the new and the old cadastre stock are determined for a defined region and transferred to the adjust.it database.

adjust.it calculates the displacement vectors and measures the displacement score. on this basis the user decides whether the adjustment should be carried out.

Following successful matching the result is displayed completely, including the new dimensions.

In 2007 the most recent ALK was imported for the municipal area of Wanne-Eickel, resulting in displacements in the grid data, on the one hand. On the other hand, some buildings existed more than once, in particular at the boundaries, either invisibly congruent or mutually displaced. The adjustment of these double objects at the boundaries was carried out with the aid of a suitable process.

Mettenmeier Solutions, Intl. Issue 2008 | ��

More Information

Peter KnocheMettenmeier GmbH+49 5251 [email protected]

Mettenmeier employed the product ‚adjust.IT‘ for network adjustment. This generally does away with the necessity for manual adjustment of the network documentation, including dimensioning, due to the changed geodetic reference and thus achieves considerable increases in efficiency. It was designed to automate these time consuming processes, allowing considerable savings and quality increases.

The software is designed so that user productivity is maximised by an intuitive workflow and extremely fast matching routines, while quality control is guaranteed by visualisation of the spatial data and constant monitoring of the result analysis. The training requirements are minimal, because the user is led through the process step-by-step and intuitively by the software. The complex matching processes run in the background - invisible to the user - but are completely documented for the system administrator. The GUI is based on the ‚look & feel‘ of the Smallworld GIS.

One of the aims of a pilot project was initially to analyse the various conditions at the Stadtwerke Herne discussed above and to develop a suitable method for determining the so-called differential vectors between ‚topography/ cadastre - old‘ and ‚topography/cadastre - new‘ in order to achieve as good a network adjustment result as possible on this basis. The quality of the final result determined the extent of the necessary interactive, manual post- processing in Smallworld GIS.


SolUTIoNS WITH a PRaCTICal BaCKGRoUND

Innovation at Stadtwerke Lünen

The aim of the IT industry is to turn the customer‘s requirements into practical solutions and to implement innova-tions as standard products for other customers. In the past Mettenmeier has successfully put this model into practice in cooperation with rku.it and the Stadtwerke Lünen. This cooperation has generated a whole series of solutions, which are now available to other public utilities.

Online Map Information

The Stadtwerke Lünen rely on the principle of self-service for planning information. On request, building companies, planning consultants and even private users are given access to the utilities GIS data and can download the relevant plans via the Internet. At the same time the information system fulfils the requirements for both data and legal security, and in terms of user-friendliness. ’The process now runs without a hitch‘ Norbert Mackel confirmed. Thanks to an intuitive GUI and detailed documentation personal queries are now rare, although the number of external planning information request is increasing continuously: ’More than 90% of all queries are now

dealt with via the Internet and manual queries are almost completely for large format plans‘. In 2007, during the upgrade to Smallworld GIS Version 4.0, which today runs based on SIAS 4, the new, improved version of the online planning information service was also installed. A variety of requirements of the Stadtwerke Lünen were incorporated in the standard, such as adapting the administration GUI, for example. Originally developed as a customer solution for the Stadtwerke Lünen in 2002, today the online planning information service is also used in other companies.


Products and solutions employed

■ Smallworld GIS 4.0■ Smallworld NRMs■ Online Map Query based on SIAS■ Operation Analyser■ STANET calculation interface■ VRDB■ Smallworld Thematic Mapping■ Pipe Network Inspection■ Tablet PC colibri X6

More Information

Norbert MackelStadtwerke Lünen+49 2306 [email protected]

Christian HeyrothMettenmeier GmbH+49 5251 [email protected]


Analyses, Network Calculation, Outage Statistics

In order to utilise consumption data in conjunction with GIS-based analyses, calculations and statistics, the Stadtwerke Lünen introduced a database, which contains SAP IS-U consumption data and allows them to be utilised in a GIS. Because current consumption data are not required on a daily basis for both analyses and for documentation of supply interruptions, data export from IS-U is performed once annually. Network and other analyses, carried out directly in the GIS with the aid of the Operation Analyser, can thus be performed based on real consumption data instead of assumed data (default data). Post-processing of the GIS data in the STANET network analysis program also allows analyses to be carried out using annual consumption figures from SAP IS-U or the consumption database. All network, load and consumption data are transferred to STANET via the STANET interface in order to facilitate inspections, planning, evaluations and optimisation. Not least, fault reports and the documentation of supply interruptions can be based on real annual consumption figures.

Colouring and planning

The Stadtwerke Lünen are among the first users of the GE product Smallworld Thematic Mapping, allowing thematic queries and colouring to be performed. According to the utility the program has run in the gas and water departments without problems to date. Moreover, the Stadtwerke Lünen have also prepared for planning support: Now that the VRDB (variant database) product has been introduced without problems, network planning can be supported by multiple functions and simple CAD applications.

online Map Query from Mettenmeier: efficiently issuing map information to building contractors, planning engineers and other contract partners.


GIS IN SERVICE-oRIENTED aRCHITECTURES (Soa)

Next Generation of Smallworld GIS IntegrationMettenmeier‘s GIS web services represent a powerful integration technology for Smallworld GIS and was developed to support service-oriented architectures (SOA). The spatial potentials of the Smallworld GIS can thus be fully utilised in conjunction with other corporate systems (e.g. ERP (SAP), asset management systems, business intelligence, DMS, SCADA, etc.).

Spatial technologies today have a much wider scope than traditional GIS. GIS provides the visualisations and analyses for displaying links, relationships and structures that are not visible in individual, isolated records. In this way, companies can make decisions based on a number of factors.

More Information

Ludger EbbersMettenmeier GmbH+49 5251 [email protected]

SOA: making information available

Utilities are in the process of integrating spatial capacities into their information systems and business processes. In addition, information systems are developing further towards networked and service-oriented approaches and methods. In this context, spatial technology becomes a component of corporate solutions. Mettenmeier therefore has good reasons for adopting an SOA strategy:

■ Mettenmeier sees SOA as the appropriate framework for utility businesses for

maintaining their independence from underlying IT technology.■ SOA architectures do without a high number

of interfaces, which form a significant source of error and cost factor.

■ SOA helps utility businesses to react flexibly to frequently changing requirements while trying to increase productivity and reduce costs

■ SOA enables complex and diverse IT systems to be simplified, standardised and readily connected

■ With Mettenmeier‘s Web Services, Smallworld GIS capabilities are easily exploited in conjunction with modern

system integration platforms (EAI) ■ Mettenmeier is expanding existing Smallworld GIS implementations into Enterprise Asset Management (EAM)

solutions for a better support of business

processes (i.e. asset maintenance, operation services, planning and engineering).

The spectrum of Mettenmeier services:

■ Module for Smallworld GIS, allowing simple and flexible configuration of web services for Smallworld GIS (NRMEIS)

■ Expertise for the integration of Smallworld GIS with other systems using web services, from integration via EAI such as SAP XI (certified) to the direct integration or

connection of SAP and GIS using web services via JCo (project solution)■ Expertise on the integration of web services

in workflows and workflow front ends

smallworld data in simple office forms, e.g. for data update


Mettenmeier’s GIS4all model provides a consolidated information service system, which bundles data from a variety of sources (web servers from ESRI, Intergraph, Smallworld GIS, PolyGIS, etc.) via OGC services and makes them available centrally. The data remain with the data owner and need not be unified to form a central database, as in previous approaches.

MaP DaTa foR EVERYBoDY

GIS4all – Geodata Service ProvisionConstellations involving the cooperation of several utilities and local authorities in a region and maintain different GIS databases are the rule today. However, a consolidated information tool, integrating all the data from the different systems, generally does not exist. Moreover, there are companies in the energy and water industries operating a number of GIS. Here, too, a tool is required to provide all data for information service purposes, whether for citizens, engineering consultants, building companies or other utilities.

Given an information query the system accesses the networked GIS servers via the

WMS (Web Map Service) and WFS (Web Feature Service) formats and provides daily updated maps in various formats via the Internet. These can be used for planning and building supply and disposal networks, for example. Data transfer is kept simple by using the open service

formats such as WMS and WFS, because extensive replication is avoided.

Utility companies and local authorities integrate their gis data in a mutual map information service. Mettenmeier provides complete services for the maintenance and update of network data.

More Information

Ingo PfuhleMettenmeier GmbH+49 5251 [email protected]

Geodata Service Provision: Efficient Data Maintenance

As an IT service provider for the energy and water industries, Mettenmeier provides a complete corporate geodata service. Beside the installation and servicing of systems for information services, Mettenmeier also provides services for complete data maintenance by surveying or by the transfer and capture of inventory documentation. Mettenmeier guarantees the update of all geodata in the supply area and offers rapid access to trained personnel and state-of-the-art technology. Companies can thus concentrate better on their own core activities. The life-cycle costs and current IT budget are also reduced.

Providing geodata services is offered as a flexible model at Mettenmeier. Characteristic for each of our solutions is careful analysis of the as-is situation, encompassing all technical and economical factors. This gives utilities the opportunity to transfer either individual network documentation tasks or entire ranges of functions or supporting processes. The core processes are supported by current data in the usual manner, whether for planning, network operation, fault management, network analysis, maintenance, information services or asset management.

The qualified team of consultants, profound knowledge of GIS and wide-ranging project experience make Mettenmeier a reliable partner of customers.

Scalable business models are available for providing geodata and application services.


As an IT service company and data processing centre rku.it GmbH supports eight companies using Smallworld GIS to manage the supply network. With the current upgrade series complete more than 200 satisfied client staff now work with Smallworld Version 4.

rku.it and Mettenmeier have formed a successful team for years: starting with introductory GIS projects in the 1990s, through corporate information service solutions and GIS-integrated network analyses, to SAP integration. The exchange of technical expertise has always been in the foreground of the cooperation with our customers and in the past has generated a whole series of first class GIS solutions. These needed to be taken into consideration for the system upgrade.

The first Smallworld 4 upgrade customer was the utility in Nordhorn, which had its first experience of Smallworld 4 in 2006. Seven utilities followed by the beginning of 2008, when the last projects were completed. The respective conversions following the lines of the successful Mettenmeier GmbH upgrade model. Beside adhering to high standards of quality and minimising production losses, an important objective was to further standardise the GIS solution. That is, the ratio of bespoke solutions to the standard component is reduced.

All system installations now represent best available technology and even the numerous GIS-based tools run on Smallworld 4. The companies profit from a so-called tool pool, which allows all users access to the numerous Mettenmeier GmbH GIS tools. GIS interfaces to SAP, Stanet or Optiplan also needed to be taken into consideration for the upgrade, and even the mobile and online information solutions were improved in the course of the upgrade.

Version 4 of the Smallworld Core Spatial Technology is a world leader and one of the most modern GIS platforms for utilities. It

RKU.IT aND METTENMEIER SUCCESSfUllY CoMPlETE UPGRaDE SERIES

Smallworld 4 at all Sites

has been available since 2005. During the first upgrade projects it was possible to uncover a number of functional improvement potentials directly from practice, the majority of which were implemented by the system manufacturer. Today, all eight installations are provided with Service Pack 4.

Implementing this upgrade marathon has proven once again that the close cooperation between rku.it and Mettenmeier pays off and that all involved profit from the intense exchange of expertise in the RKU working group.

Eingesetzte Produkte und Lösungen■ Smallworld GIS 4.0■ Smallworld NRMs■ SAP Integration with Web Services■ Online Map Query based on SIAS■ Mobile Smallworld GIS■ Smallworld Field■ STANET calculation interface■ Mettenmeier’s Smallworld Tools■ Tablet PC colibri X7

More Information

Guido Wiethegerrku.it GmbH+49 2323 [email protected]

Christian HeyrothMettenmeier GmbH+49 5251 [email protected]

Stadtwerke Hamm Plan with VRDBThe Stadtwerke Hamm decided to introduce a

professional design tool for planning networks

based on Smallworld GIS. In December 2007

Mettenmeier GmbH was contracted to introduce

the VRDB (variant database) planning tool and

to train the users in the planning department.

VRDB allows planning independently of

documentation and allows simple management

of numerous planning measures and planning

variants. The variants can be simply drawn as

CAD graphics without the need to generate

attributes, topology or mandatory fields. Design

and quantity comparisons can also be carried

out quickly for numerous variants, because

VRDB allows creation and management of a

multitude (thousands!) of planning variants

within a single alternative.

The idea behind this is the use of simplified

copies of the GIS objects and simple style

configuration. Because VRDB works with its own

data model it is independent of changes in the

data models used by the GIS or the Smallworld

NRMs. Optionally, it is also possible to employ

user-defined attributes.

�0 | Mettenmeier Solutions, Intl. Issue 2008�0 | Solutions 19 | Hard Facts�0 | Mettenmeier Solutions, Intl. Issue 2008

Mettenmeier Solutions, Intl. Issue 2008 | �1Hard Facts | Solutions 19 | �1Mettenmeier Solutions, Intl. Issue 2008 | �1

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