For most of our customers, our Asset Information Management System (AIMS) is the go-to toolset for daily and otherwise recurring asset management activities. The AIMS Team provides AIMS for free with consulting services as applicable to the task at hand.
For example, a customer may need help with optimization of a preventive maintenance program. The AIMS Team will configure and deploy AIMS, and use its built-in tools to generate asset groups and maintenance schedules. At the end of the task, the AIMS Team will provide those tools to the customer, who is then free to use it for managing future maintenance activities. The AIMS Team will not charge software fees or regular maintenance fees, and only step back in on an as-needed basis if the customer requests additional consulting services.
This is only one example. AIMS consists of a library of widgets that can be activated in phases and modules; see below for a popular subset of those modules. AIMS has a web based interface that runs in the major browsers (Safari, Chrome, Firefox and IE) and on mobile devices with a larger screen (iPad and Android tablets). Certain field-based workflows can be performed using specific smaller apps even on cellular phones. The capabilities of AIMS are ever-growing as our customers ask for new functionality, which can then be provided back to previous customers in a semi-shareware and open-source environment. The AIMS Team exclusively uses open standard products from Microsoft (IIS, SQL Server, .NET), ESRI (ArcGIS) and Telerik (configurable .NET widgets).
For example, a customer may need help with optimization of a preventive maintenance program. The AIMS Team will configure and deploy AIMS, and use its built-in tools to generate asset groups and maintenance schedules. At the end of the task, the AIMS Team will provide those tools to the customer, who is then free to use it for managing future maintenance activities. The AIMS Team will not charge software fees or regular maintenance fees, and only step back in on an as-needed basis if the customer requests additional consulting services.
This is only one example. AIMS consists of a library of widgets that can be activated in phases and modules; see below for a popular subset of those modules. AIMS has a web based interface that runs in the major browsers (Safari, Chrome, Firefox and IE) and on mobile devices with a larger screen (iPad and Android tablets). Certain field-based workflows can be performed using specific smaller apps even on cellular phones. The capabilities of AIMS are ever-growing as our customers ask for new functionality, which can then be provided back to previous customers in a semi-shareware and open-source environment. The AIMS Team exclusively uses open standard products from Microsoft (IIS, SQL Server, .NET), ESRI (ArcGIS) and Telerik (configurable .NET widgets).
The Basic AIMS Platform.
At the very least, AIMS consists of a customized dashboard with a menu system, user authentication security with role-based management for tiered access to functions and data, simple database query screens for asset information, and a document management system. Asset access can be opened up to the point where a user can view and edit basic asset attributes, as well as load and link documents and photographs. More advanced systems have an asset hierarchy viewer that allows the user to 'drill down' into the various levels of assets within the organization such as collection/distribution systems and facilities.
At the very least, AIMS consists of a customized dashboard with a menu system, user authentication security with role-based management for tiered access to functions and data, simple database query screens for asset information, and a document management system. Asset access can be opened up to the point where a user can view and edit basic asset attributes, as well as load and link documents and photographs. More advanced systems have an asset hierarchy viewer that allows the user to 'drill down' into the various levels of assets within the organization such as collection/distribution systems and facilities.
Mapping Tools.
Using customized ESRI's ArcGIS for Server technology, the mapping interface in AIMS has all of the features people have come to expect from a web based mapping tool. Tiered layer control, intuitive navigation, high resolution printing and various functions that tie into other modules of AIMS that contain a spatial component - such as record drawing access and selection sets.
Using customized ESRI's ArcGIS for Server technology, the mapping interface in AIMS has all of the features people have come to expect from a web based mapping tool. Tiered layer control, intuitive navigation, high resolution printing and various functions that tie into other modules of AIMS that contain a spatial component - such as record drawing access and selection sets.
Maintenance Management.
AIMS can integrate customers' existing off-the-shelf CMMS applications, or activate its own built-in functions for tracking work orders and scheduling preventive maintenance. These built-in, or 'native' tools are sufficient for most smaller organizations who wish to set up an official maintenance tracking system but do not have the resources to purchase, configure and learn a complicated system of which they may only use 10% of its capabilities.
AIMS can integrate customers' existing off-the-shelf CMMS applications, or activate its own built-in functions for tracking work orders and scheduling preventive maintenance. These built-in, or 'native' tools are sufficient for most smaller organizations who wish to set up an official maintenance tracking system but do not have the resources to purchase, configure and learn a complicated system of which they may only use 10% of its capabilities.
CCTV Inspections Viewer.
For our customers that manage sanitary sewer collection systems, AIMS can provide an integrated viewer for CCTV information and media such as videos and photographs. AIMS works with the major vendors for inspection software including Granite XP, IT Pipes and Wincan, as well as PACP and custom coding systems for pipe condition scores. Pipes can be color-coded on the map to show the score of the most recent inspection for a quick view of maintenance hot spots.
For our customers that manage sanitary sewer collection systems, AIMS can provide an integrated viewer for CCTV information and media such as videos and photographs. AIMS works with the major vendors for inspection software including Granite XP, IT Pipes and Wincan, as well as PACP and custom coding systems for pipe condition scores. Pipes can be color-coded on the map to show the score of the most recent inspection for a quick view of maintenance hot spots.
Customer Information Integration.
AIMS can tie customer account information such as account status, contact information and metering information directly from financial systems to parcel boundaries downloaded from public County web sites. This will allow users to quickly view such information as color-coded features on a map, or by clicking on a parcel boundary on the map. Additionally, AIMS has native tools for tracking customer service calls and a history of permit applications.
AIMS can tie customer account information such as account status, contact information and metering information directly from financial systems to parcel boundaries downloaded from public County web sites. This will allow users to quickly view such information as color-coded features on a map, or by clicking on a parcel boundary on the map. Additionally, AIMS has native tools for tracking customer service calls and a history of permit applications.
Record Drawings Library.
Aside from the basic document management functions in AIMS, record drawings are managed separately, as users can benefit from the additional tools for searching and viewing that such documents allow. Rather than simply linking a single drawing to an asset, AIMS configures a spatial link between assets and boundaries that represent project and drawing extents. This allows for a time-based search through historic drawings, as the user will see a listing of all projects that have affected an asset in reverse chronological order.
Aside from the basic document management functions in AIMS, record drawings are managed separately, as users can benefit from the additional tools for searching and viewing that such documents allow. Rather than simply linking a single drawing to an asset, AIMS configures a spatial link between assets and boundaries that represent project and drawing extents. This allows for a time-based search through historic drawings, as the user will see a listing of all projects that have affected an asset in reverse chronological order.
Asset Management Calculator.
For most of our customers, this is the ultimate reward for all of their efforts in data management. It brings together all aspects of asset information into a U.S. E.P.A. described algorithm that takes into account asset lifecycle data (estimated useful life, install date), condition information, risk parameters, asset valuations and management strategies. For each individual asset, AIMS calculates predicted timing of asset renewal events and their associated replacement, rehabilitation and O&M costs. Such costs are rolled up by hierarchy level or the overall organization for up to 100 years, which provides a great benchmark for evaluating financial needs to keep the organization sustainable for the future.
For most of our customers, this is the ultimate reward for all of their efforts in data management. It brings together all aspects of asset information into a U.S. E.P.A. described algorithm that takes into account asset lifecycle data (estimated useful life, install date), condition information, risk parameters, asset valuations and management strategies. For each individual asset, AIMS calculates predicted timing of asset renewal events and their associated replacement, rehabilitation and O&M costs. Such costs are rolled up by hierarchy level or the overall organization for up to 100 years, which provides a great benchmark for evaluating financial needs to keep the organization sustainable for the future.