Gas

Basic (Geodetic) module

Creates and maintains basic spatial records and attribute descriptions of the pipelines, buildings and equipment of the gas distribution system. This module is an upgrade of a Desktop Viewer and therefore has all of the same functionalities as that module.

The gas distribution system is described with over 40 spatial layers: point, line or polygon layers. The description encompasses not only layers with pipes, equipment, and facilities of the gas network, but also allows recording of data such as signal cables and equipment, cathodic protection, and ultimately the layer in which users can log the data errors.

When entering data, it is possible to predefine the values of particular attributes in each layer, and for each attribute for which this was possible, to create lists, that is, catalogues.

For attributes whose values are used in the quality control process, "locked" lists are initially created, that is, lists which cannot be altered.

The graphical editor is highly efficient, with many specialized commands embedded. One of these is the command for a complex movement which enables the movement of certain node, for example, by moving a T-piece, its related three pipes and installed valves are also moved.

The greatest value and functionality, which competitors’ solutions do not offer, consists of controls of completeness of attribute description and quality controls of logical data input. There is no type of pipe, equipment or building where the functional correctness of the spatial position in relation to other parts of the system, is not controlled. The controls point out to user all incorrect data entered, directing him toward all locations where faults must be resolved. The data input process cannot be completed, in other words, data cannot be stored on the server, before all detected faults/deficiencies have been corrected. There are more than 50 controls built into the system that function like a series of increasingly finer sieves that gradually filter out all deficiencies.

The necessity of this approach arises from the fact that insufficient or unverified data should not serve as the working basis of all of the planned modules which will later use that data in quite complex procedures. Perhaps the most illustrative example is the need for the software to determine all valves that must be closed when a fault is reported and listing all of the consumers who will be left without gas. Any error in data completely prevents this procedure, or even worse, will cause the wrong solution to be recommended.

The module enables simultaneous changing of data by multiple users, but without the possibility that these changes overlap. The procedure is based on defining a polygon of interest, i.e. specifying an area in which the user wants to modify the data. The specified area is reserved for only one person. There is a direct attribute editing, i.e., attribute editing without having to define the area of interest is available as well. This of course applies only to that part of attribute description that is not essential for the control process.

In a separate part of the module, the user can, in advance, show and describe by attributes, all types of piping and equipment, so that the attribute description can later be reduced to only the choice of the appropriate type of piping and equipment.

This is a basic and initial module which is required for the establishment of the technical information system of gas distribution. The rest of the modules rely on data created by the basic module and without it, they cannot function.