VESTRA was contracted by the San Francisco Public Utilities Commission (SFPUC) to perform a user-needs assessment and enterprise GIS implementation plan. The objective was to create an intranet and Internet enterprise GIS for SFPUC to improve asset management and track water quality.

VESTRA assisted building the system and making it web-accessible so 1,200 utility employees can use the GIS from desktop computers. VESTRA was involved in several of SFPUC’s initial efforts outlined in the plan, including establishment of enterprisewide GIS standards and training on ArcGIS desktop products; the design and population of an Oracle ArcSDE central GIS data repository containing more than 200 layers; and development of a Basemap ArcIMS viewer in Cold Fusion.

The Basemap viewer, because of its attractive appearance and ease of use, has been well received within SFPUC and is now being used as part of the initial orientation of every new employee. In addition VESTRA developed a number of customized tools, including an ArcIMS based red-lining tool, an ArcSDE versioning and database replication scheme, an ArcMap tool that guides users through editing processes, check-out/check-in tools in GPSAnalyst and ArcPAD productivity tools for data collection.

VESTRA also provided training and documentation on all of these tools to State Water Resources Control Board field and office staff.