A look at how FME Server in the cloud was used by Sterling Geo to deliver a flexible and efficient solution for a time-sensitive inspection project in the energy sector. FME Cloud was integral in data management, billing and data delivery.

1. CONNECT. TRANSFORM. AUTOMATE.
FME Server – In the Cloud and
on the Ground!
Kumar Pancholi
FME Server – in the Cloud and on the Ground!

2. Outline
! Introduction
! Example one Surveyors and Poles
! Example two tracking the Mongol Rally
! Dust off your zipster and get in touch

3. Sterling Geo
! A Geo Solutions business built on the principals and
heritage of ‘Sterling Group’ Engineering Company.
! Innovation. Flexibility and an Enduring engineering
ethos to ensure what is delivered is fit for purpose.
! Linking data together and exposing accurate,
actionable information to those who need it most.

4. Key Competencies
! FME Reseller
! EO and airborne image processing software (ERDAS
IMAGINE)
! Enterprise and web data management and distribution
software ERDAS APOLLO)
! GIS Software (Hexagon Geospatial)
! Mapping and Aerial data supply (OS, Aerial Imagery)
! Ground Survey – Topo, Utility Tracing, GPR
! Asset survey and condition inspection UAV and GPR
! Online map services
! Web Portal development

5. Company Structure

6. Up and down

7. What’s all this cloud business
about?

8. And relax .. The Workbench

9. Project scope
! 6 month programme of wood pole inspections
for an electricity network operator in the UK.
! 2 weeks to stand up a supporting map system
and portal to enable
! Administrator
! Project Manager
! Condition Inspectors – In the Field
! Potential extension to include data in and out of
the field
! Potential extension to include the Asset
condition information
! Potential tracking the surveyor in the field

10. Rapid Solution Development

11. What we did
! Confirmed the FME Server setup requirements and use
in this way – many thanks Craig Vernon for his support
! Stood up on a secure portal all the OS mapping – used
under licence from the energy company to ensure we
stuck to the data licence requirements
! Created a simple portal using Open Layers for access,
printing of mapping , pdf creation and pole
identification
! Portal was designed for use on mobile phone
! And all within 2 -3 weeks, very fast!

12. Aim was to build a portal

13. Project Activities and facts
! Dealing with a ramp up of 5 – 30 ground
surveyors so at anyone time use of the
system could vary
! Over the 6 month project 5,000 maps were
printed for administration
! The portal was accessed over 40,000 times
during the project
! When the portal was temporarily taken down
the first call was apx. 8 minutes after this
occurred!
! 60,000 wood poles were duly inspected and
reports submitted in a timely and efficient
manner

14. FME Server utilised

15. Will the real workbench please
stand-up

16. Workbench copy write and
WMS requests

17. Workbench time stamp and
map scales

18. Stick it on the Cloud

19. How do you get everyone to use
FME? you don’t tell they are, you
give them an app powered by
server

20. Adaptations being considered
! Attached to database output (condition
assessment inputs or outputs)
! Attach a billing system to automatically
generate invoice once completed area
surveyed
! Route planning to improve inspection
programme in future

21. Singing in the rain.. Maybe not
! Having a cloud is brilliant
! Having a flexible approach to FME Server is
brilliant
! Walking around in cow fields and tapping wood
poles in pouring rain , well perhaps not so brilliant
but if we can speed it up at least the inspectors
will have a chance to be drier for longer

22. FME Cloud, a Mongolian rally, a
Sterling Geo Pi, in a Fiat Punto
1.2!
CONNECT. TRANSFORM. AUTOMATE.

23. So time for video
http://www.mongolianrally2014teamscrumptious.co.uk/

24. If you would like to get involved
and show your support:
http://www.mongolianrally2014teamscrumptious.co.uk/

25. I almost forgot .. The
workbench, shame on me !
Data Loader

26. I did not really forget, more
workbenches : Data Cleaner

27. KML Creator

28. Lets look at the KML in Google
Maps Engine

29. Don’t forget about your
Zipster,
! Email or tweet your pictures in! @sterlinggeo

30. Thank You!
! Questions?
! For more information:
! Kumar Pancholi
! Kumar.pancholi@sterling-power.co.uk
! Sterling geo
! @sterlinggeo
! @kkpancholi
www.sterlinggeo.com
CONNECT. TRANSFORM. AUTOMATE.