Burn the Spreadsheets Using Enterprise GIS to Manage Fiber Optic Networks

1
Burn the Spreadsheets!Using Enterprise GIS to
Manage Fiber Optic Networks

• UTA Conference
• Nashville, Tennessee
• October 16, 2008

2
Overview

• Fastest Fiber Optics Overview Ever
• The Spread Sheet/CAD/Visio Solution
• What is GIS?
• 5 Levels of GIS Implementations
• Case Study 1 Municipal Implementation
• Case Study 2 Multistate Investor Owned Utility
• Case Study 3 Fiber to the Home

3
Fastest Fiber Optics Overview Ever
4
Fiber Optic Cable - Construction
5
Fiber Optic Cable Types
6
Snowshoe Slack Loop and Pole Attachment
7
Aerial Splice Enclosure
8
Splice Enclosure
9
Scandinavian Patch Location
10
Frontside of Patch Panel
11
The Spread Sheet/CAD/Visio Solution
12
Most Common Situation

• Most organizations are not managing their fiber
  optic network information effectively
• Data is stored in file based systems
• Information is rarely updated
• 
  if ever
• Critical Information is stored in employees
  heads
• who are often on the verge of retirement
• Worldwide situation for organizations
• If this sounds familiar, at least youre not
  alone!

13
Most Organizations Are Not Managing Their Data
Effectively

• Only a few employees have access
• Data is not maintained systemically
• Implied data stored in employees heads

14
CAD Layers
15
CAD Disconnected Features

• e1928mcc.dwg

• e1928mcd.dwg

16
Data is stored in file based systems

• CAD drawings show cable locations
• Spreadsheets contain connectivity info
• Data is not connected or continuous
• Requires a Decoder Ring

17
Information is rarely updated, if ever

• Lack of a system or workflow leads to chaos
• Spreadsheets are unwieldy
• Schematics take an artful touch to update
• Many other pressures on personnel

18
Splicing Art
19
Spreadsheets and CAD

• Simple line drawings
• No imbedded intelligence
• No software enforced standards
• Limited data distribution
• As-Builts without updates
• Difficult to interpret connectivity data
• Difficult to maintain data
• Wasted time in the field
• Limited trust in data

20
Spreadsheets and CAD

• The industry standard for Fiber Optic Networks

21
Municipal Fiber Optic Network CAD Map
22
What is a Geographic Information System (GIS)?
23
What is a Geographic Information System (GIS)?

• Points, Lines, Polygons and Tabular Data
• Network Topology
• Dynamic Symbology
• Spatial Information Driven From a Database
• Data Stored in Configurable Layers
• A Set of Processes and Workflows
• Rule Based Data Integrity

24
Fiber Optic, Electric and Gas Data
25
Why use GIS for Fiber Optic Networks?

• Enterprise GIS
• Network connectivity and tracing
• Multi-user environment Editors/Viewers
• Data Driven Maps
• Managed Workflow
• Complex Data Modeling
• System Integration

26
5 Levels of GIS for Fiber Management in Utilities
27
GIS Data StrategiesLevel 1 Simple GIS Solution

• Points and Lines
• Used for Locates
• No Connectivity May have spreadsheets
• Network not necessary
• Seamless Data Fabric

28
Level 1 GIS
29
GIS Data Strategies Level 2 - GIS with limited
Connectivity

• Line and Point data
• No Network Needed
• Connectivity stored in database tables
• No connectivity or analysis interface
• Seamless Data Fabric

30
Level 2 GIS
31
GIS Data Strategies Level 3 Single User GIS

• Updates and views on an isolated system
• One editor or viewer at a time
• Has connectivity tools
• Network Tracing
• Analytical Tools
• Robust Reports

32
Level 3 Single User GIS
33
GIS Data Strategies Level 4 Telecom Centric GIS

• Specific application for telecom solution
• Open RDBMS environment
• Multiple Users and Viewers at a time
• Network Tracing, Analytical Tools and Reports
• Inside Plant (ISP) Management
• Integrates with other applications
• OSS - Operational Support System
• CRP - Customer Relationship Process

34
Level 4 Telecom Centric GIS
35
GIS Data Strategies Level 5 Enterprise GIS
Solution for Utilities

• Publish data to the entire Organization
• Manage Electric, Gas, Water, Wastewater And
  Telecom Data with the same application
• Open RDBMS
• Multiple User Environment
• Network Tracing, Analytical Tools and Reports
• Store Once Report in many ways

36
Level 5 Enterprise GIS Solution for Utilities

• GIS Mapping

• Connectivity

• Tracing

• Schematics

37
Level 5 Enterprise GIS Solution for Utilities

• Mobile GIS

• OTDR Outage

• Reports

• Analysis

38
Level 5 Enterprise GIS Solution for Utilities

• Electric/Gas/Water/Fiber

• Physical Network

• Logical Network

39
Enterprise GIS Software Architecture
40
Adding Fiber Optic Cables with Favorites
41
Splicing CAD vs GIS - Part 1

• Splicing Art CAD Connections

• Same Splice with GIS connections

• Auto Generated Schematic

42
Splicing CAD vs GIS Part 2

• Splicing Art CAD Connections

• Same Splice in GIS

• Auto Generated Schematic

• Auto Generated Schematic with Grouping

43
Splice Report of Same Connections
44
Fiber Path Trace
45
Fiber Path Tracing Report
46
Circuit Manager Trace
47
OTDR Outage Trace
X
X
48
Fiber Faults
49
The Most Dangerous Threat
50
Fiber Availability Trace
51
Managing Conduit with Fiber Optic Networks
52
Review of Current FunctionalityReports

• Fiber Path Report
• OTDR Trace Report
• Splice Report
• Splice Schematic
• Patch Panel
• Report
• Glass Report
• Allocation
• Report

53
Enterprise GIS Implementation Case Studies

• Case Study 1 Municipality Deployment
• Case Study 2 Multistate Investor Owned Utility
• Case Study 3 International Utility with FTTH

54
Case Study 1 Municipality Deployment

• Municipality that provides electric, water and
  triple play services to 20,000 customers.
• Utility founded in 1946, added the cable business
  in the 1985.
• Deployed an Enterprise GIS solution for Electric
  and Water in 2002
• Deployed Enterprise GIS Fiber solution in 2007

55
Case Study 1 - Fiber Optic Network supports

• Internet Access
• Dark Fiber
• High Capacity Internet
• Cable Television Nodes
• Telephony Applications
• Home Security Services

56
Case Study 1- Need for GIS Based Management

• Massive Fiber Optic System Expansion
• Network Expert was retiring
• Record Keeping was Inefficient and Complex
• Integration with Electric and Water GIS
• Company-wide Access to Data
• Fiber Network Analysis and Reporting

57
Case Study 1 - Old Management System
CAD File
Connection Spreadsheet
The Big Red Book
58
Fiber Optic Network in GIS
59
Case Study 1 - Results of Implementation

• Improved Data Management
• Seamless network data
• Centralized location of data
• Improved ability to plan for the future
• Can analyze and trace the network
• Can locate outages more effectively

60
Case Study 2 Multistate Investor Owned Utility

• Large IOU that provides Electric and Gas service
  to over 5 million customers in 11 states
• Sold off Telecom Services division in 2003
• Maintain Fiber Optic Network for SCADA IT
• Deployed Enterprise GIS for Electric and Gas in
  1996
• Deployed the Enterprise Fiber GIS solution in 2007

61
Case Study 2 - Project Drivers

• Better insight into Fiber connectivity
• Automate report generation
• Tie the logical traffic to physical assets
• Better Outage management
• Improve System Maintenance and Planning

62
Patch Panel
63
Case Study 2 - Custom Report
64
Case Study 2 - Results of Implementation

• Better Data Quality
• Time savings through Custom Report
• Ability to plan for future system changes
• Improved Outage Management
• Improved Annual Report capabilities

65
Case Study 3 International Utility with FTTH

• Serves 120,000 customers with Electric and Gas
• All electricity is generated from hydroelectric,
  geothermal and wind sources
• Provide 40,000 customers with Triple Play
  services with Fiber to the Home (FTTH).

66
Case Study 3 - The Customers Network
67
Physical Provisioning
68
Case 3 - Integrate Web Based Provisioning

• Real Time website status of Service Deployment
• Updates from field crews, provisioning and GIS
• Aids in System Planning
• Circuits are completed and Updated in Real Time
• Increase customer service
• Reduces data entry redundancy

69
Case Study 3 - Results of Implementation

• Ability to plan for system expansion
• Supports On-Line Service Provisioning
• Tracks Project Progress
• Improved System Analysis
• Manage Complex Network Architecture

70
Conclusions

• GIS Solutions provide many benefits
• There are different levels of GIS implementations
• An Enterprise GIS Solution allows for robust
  editing, tracing, analysis, schematic generation,
  reporting, integration, and data dissemination
• Many types of Fiber Optic Systems can be served
• Allows utilities to take control of information

71
Questions?Tom TaberFiber Manager Product
SpecialistTelvent Miner MinerTom.Taber_at_miner.c
om(970)223-1888 ext. 135
72

• Look at how Fiber Optic Network information is
  Managed within
• Your Organization and
• Determine what steps YOU can take to
• Make it Better