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MapFrame News Release MapFrame Announces FieldSmart Repair™ -- a Powerful New System for Use at the Repair Site DALLAS (FEBRUARY 19, 2002) - MapFrame Corporation announced today the release of FieldSmart Repair -- the latest addition to the company’s suite of field automation products for the utility industry. Repair increases the efficiency and effectiveness of the repair process by providing a way to document repairs, enter repair data in the corporate GIS, and then send information out to field crews in the form of a powerful automated reference tool. As with all FieldSmart products, Repair uses maps and GIS data to frame the mobile work process. Using Repair at the job site, field personnel can display a facilities map on a mobile computer and create a detailed repair drawing by selecting and placing compatible units on the map. As the drawing is being created, the system automatically generates cost estimates and a materials list. Back in the office, information is uploaded through a central system to the GIS . . . as well as to other corporate centers such as construction and materials management. Not only does Repair automate a variety of manual tasks, it functions as an important trouble-shooting tool by providing field crews with a picture of past repair activity. Since repairs are often the weakest link in a system, a visual reference linking past repairs to current problems can significantly reduce the time it takes to identify the cause of a gas leak or an electrical outage. For example, a user can quickly display a facilities map of the repair area and zoom in on a cul de sac where an “R” symbol indicates a past repair. Double tapping or clicking on this “R” symbol can bring up repair information in several different forms including text information and a graphical sketch showing recent repairs. To reduce clutter on the map, users have the option of tapping a sketch button, which activates a detailed graphical representation of the repair (for example, showing the location of clamps.) Users can also view attribute data and repair notes. Because FieldSmart Repair creates a digital loop between the office and the field, repair information is continuously sent back to the office and then pushed out again to maintenance and repair crews – updating their mobile mapping systems. MapFrame’s Field Flow Manager™ handles the flow of GIS data (and related databases) between the office and the mobile computers. This highly innovative client/server software provides state-of-the-art capabilities for compressing and moving data in a mobile environment on an “as needed” basis with incremental map updates. FieldSmart Repair includes all the functionality of FieldSmart View and Collect. It can be interfaced with an existing work management system as well as an independent inspection database. The software is format-neutral and accepts data from all major GIS and CAD systems. As with other FieldSmart applications, FieldSmart Repair supports the use of “gestures” – simple marks drawn on the computer screen with a mouse or pen. For example, to zoom in on the map, you draw a circle; to zoom out, you print a “Z”. This highly intuitive interface makes it easy for field personnel to quickly learn and use the system. FieldSmart Repair also supports menu selections, toolbar icons, and hotkeys. Users can include notes and/or diagrams with the repair sketch by writing or drawing directly on the computer screen . . . or by selecting from a list of notes. FieldSmart Repair runs on laptops and pen-based computers including CE devices. The software is designed specifically for a mobile environment and incorporates each company’s language and business standards. # # # Press Information: Heather Patton, MapFrame email: Click here tel: 214.741.2264 x105 General Information: Click here |
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