Since the time of yore, people have used maps to orient themselves in a world that hasn’t been fully explored yet. Navigation has, therefore, shaped human history as we know it.
But maps; those are present to this day and modern technology has pushed their evolution beyond anything we could’ve imagined. Today, we have satellite imaging, GPS and AI voice assistants telling us where to go.
At the core of every modern mapping system is a Geographic Information System or simply GIS. However, in order to make the full use of GIS data, one needs a comprehensive GIS asset management software.
This is especially true for local governments and public works agencies who maintain infrastructure assets and handle service requests for the benefit of their community.
Without the software to analyze the data and create useful insights from it, cities, towns, and other settlements wouldn’t function as smoothly as they do now. This is why an asset management system plays such a pivotal role in urban development.
GIS (Geographic Information System) asset management software integrates mapping technology with asset management data, allowing for the visual and spatial analysis of infrastructure, equipment, and other assets.
This approach helps organizations track, maintain, and optimize assets by linking location data with asset characteristics, enabling better decision-making and resource allocation.
How Does GIS and Asset Management Software Work Together?
As you may already know, GIS is designed to capture, store, manipulate, analyze, manage, and present all types of geographical data. On the other hand, asset management software collects and stores information about every asset an organization has, whether those may be utilities or some other resources.
Not only that, but this software is also capable of identifying high risk assets and highlighting maintenance activities required to keep those assets functioning. Now, what happens when you put those two together?
Simply put, you create a tool that combines computer databases containing asset management data with location-based work order management processes. In other words, the integration of software and GIS provides users a more powerful tool with the ability to quickly locate geographically dispersed assets and work orders.
Organizations like the local governments, for instance, benefit from work orders containing additional asset location data along with the normal maintenance information. That’s why, GIS land and asset management software allows users to query and analyze information on infrastructure assets based on their specific location and relationships to other features.
Therefore, these two go hand-in-hand as they complement each other. You basically have a system that allows maintenance crews to track work, improve operations, boost efficiency, improve performance and maintain utilities all the while getting the support they need to minimize the risk of catastrophic failures.
Who Can Make Use of GIS-Powered Software Solutions?
Maintenance is a necessity, and the larger and more complex an organization becomes the greater the need for a proper software solution.
That said, GIS technology is being used in almost all industries. Public and private businesses add sites non-stop, and the technology to create products and deliver services is becoming quite sophisticated.
Utilities are increasingly taking advantage of GIS in the digital mapping of assets, including water, wastewater, storm drains, electrical, communication networks, and other critical infrastructure.
Local, state, and federal government entities, as well as other authoritative sources, use GIS asset management software data for myriad reasons including emergency management, public services, surveying, cost analysis, maintenance schedules, and so on.
The coupling of the two technologies is a natural evolution promising enormous benefits like enhanced efficiency, optimized operations, improved public works performance, and lower overall risks.
For example, a GIS software solution within the aviation industry provides users with the ability to track assets, to perform inspections for FAA compliance, and to avoid critical equipment breakdowns.
Taking advantage of this combined technology allows everyone to be connected. Staff easily monitor assets, analyze performance, identify problems, and submit work orders.
Workers using this innovative solution immediately receive work orders, pull asset history, analyze data, view schematics and manuals, and submit billing all within seconds from anywhere at any time.
The Benefits of Using GIS Asset Management Software
As mentioned before, combining GIS data with asset management data yields numerous practical benefits, especially for organizations like public works departments. However, other companies that have assets that need managing can also benefit from this solution.
For example, a retail chain with warehouses and physical stores across multiple locations can stand to gain an advantage using this solution because it provides you with a comprehensive view of your entire asset landscape.
This is all done in one centralized and secure database application that manages everything for you. That said, let’s have a look at some of the benefits this solution can provide you with.
- A real-time and complete view of what assets and inventory you own.
- Exact asset locations, even for underground assets.
- Information about what characteristics and attributes the assets have (including equipment parent/child relationships).
- All available work order history (open/reassigned and closed)
- What replacement parts are used on the equipment for specific operations.
- Schematics, instructions, manuals, and other inventory details.
- Ability to create work orders for specific geographic locations in addition to assets.
Improved Communications Across Departments
Managing data sharing has never been easier. By leveraging GIS solutions, you can share information across departments using a computer in your office or even a mobile device in your pocket. Information is shared with everyone of interest through secured communication links.
Real-time, Accurate Asset Verification, Tracking and Maintenance
Data, manuals, and important documents are available in real-time and can be viewed simultaneously and shared easily when necessary.
This is especially beneficial for people working in the field because they have immediate access to information they need when managing inventory, conducting routine inspections, handling assets, and so on.
Boosting Smart Tracking with eWorkOrders
Modern technology has proven to be very helpful to organizations and companies alike. When you have a technological solution keeping an eye on your asset, everything becomes easier to do.
Here at eWorkOrders, we have a solution that can help manage your assets and locate each and every one of them using GIS data.
We also provide numerous other services that you can leverage to your advantage, so feel free to take a look at some of our other projects and see how we do things.
If you’d like to learn more about our software, please don’t hesitate to schedule a free demo today or give us a call, and we’ll have a custom quote ready for you.
Conclusion: Staying on Top with GIS Asset Management Software
The more assets a company has, the more difficult it becomes to keep track of everything. Fortunately, you don’t have to do that manually or on your own for that matter.
This is where GIS asset management software comes in to play to help you better organize and keep track of all your assets. Without the help from such technological solutions, your organization will be stuck in place, while your competitors outrun you more each day.
FAQs
What is GIS in asset management?
The role of GIS in asset management can best be described as a location-based information tool that keeps detailed records of every asset across multiple locations.
What is the most popular GIS software?
One of the most popular GIS software is eWorkOrders GIS mapping software. Its range of capabilities and features make it very sought-after among companies operating across different industries.
What are GIS assets?
GIS assets represent resources that can be tracked using geographic data. Such assets include buildings, vehicles, offices, plants, facilities, and so on.
What is visual asset management?
Visual asset management is a process of mapping out various resources in different locations and presenting them visually for everyone to see.
So, for example, a maintenance worker sitting at a desk can pull a map with visual asset data on their computer and see if any individual asset needs repairs or has scheduled inspection on that day.
