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Unveiling Multi-Level Related Records in Pop-ups with Arcade

Arcade, a versatile expression language, empowers users to craft custom pop-up content, generate unique labels, derive new values from existing data, and establish data rules. This article delves into a commonly encountered scenario involving two levels of relationship classes and the display of this interconnected information through pop-ups. The tools at our disposal for this task are the Map Viewer and Arcade, available in Enterprise 11.1.

Consider a Hosted Feature Service named “Incidents” (alternatively, it could be a Federated Feature Service). This service comprises the following layers, tables and relationships:

Our objective is to display the information from Investigation Actions in the pop-up of “Incident” points when users interact with the points on a web map.

Scenario:

Let’s illustrate this with a scenario and Figure 2 below: An Incident (Blue) was logged regarding a fallen tree obstructing a well-frequented hiking trail. This Incident prompted two separate Investigations (Yellow) – an initial inspection and a follow-up after the tree’s removal. Each Investigation led to specific Actions (Green), such as closing the trail for maintenance, scheduling tree removal services, and reopening the trail post the final Investigation.

 In this context, when a user accesses the pop-up of the “Fallen Tree” Incident point on a map, they would want to view all three subsequent Actions. 

Custom Attribute Expression:

Achieving this involves creating a custom Attribute expression while configuring the pop-up for the Incident layer. This expression aims to locate all related Investigations, and subsequently, all Actions tied to these Investigations. The resulting values are returned as text, which can be incorporated into a table, text, or field view.

Here’s the Custom Attribute Expression (notice that it concatenates multiple fields, ‘actionsdate’ and ‘purpose’ to return it as a single value):

The returned value from the custom attribute can be added as another field in the pop-up:

Or it can be added as a table element in the pop-up, adhering to the principles outlined in this article: https://www.esri.com/arcgis-blog/products/arcgis-online/mapping/authoring-pop-ups-using-html-source-editing/

Additionally, multiple custom Attribute Expressions can be created to return the values from related Actions separately instead of concatenated so that each Action Attribute can be shown in a separate column in the pop-up instead:

The HTML or source for the pop-up Text element that creates the table:

<table style=”width:90%”>
  <tbody><tr>
    <td>Action Date</td>
    <td>Action Description</td>
  </tr>
  <tr>
    <td>{expression/expr0}</td>
    <td>{expression/expr1}</td>
  </tr>
</tbody></table>

This approach provides a comprehensive view of the Incident and the subsequent Actions from related Investigations, enhancing the user’s understanding and interaction with the hierarchical data.

In summary, Arcade’s powerful expression language, coupled with the Map Viewer, offers a dynamic way to surface and visualise multi-level related records in pop-ups. This not only enriches the user experience but also provides a deeper understanding of the data and its interconnections.

Get in touch with the team at GBS if you have any questions or would like to implement something similar within your Esri environment.

By Jade Weideman, Esri Techinical Consultant, GBS

Redefining Waka Kotahi’s Mapping Platform

Pioneering Geospatial Solutions

In mid to late 2022, GBS embarked on a significant project with Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency (NZTA). This collaboration was part of Waka Kotahi’s extensive Geospatial Upgrade project, focusing on migrating bespoke widgets from the existing Geospatial Platform (MapHub) to a modern Kubernetes Platform. This task involved not only a technical migration but also a re-evaluation and redevelopment of these widgets using ArcGIS Experience Builder, tailored to both current and future user needs.

A Decade of Partnership

Waka Kotahi NZTA, a Crown entity with staff across multiple locations in New Zealand, has been working with GBS since 2012. Their purpose is to deliver transport solutions for New Zealand on behalf of the government which makes every New Zealander their stakeholder. 

Their extensive responsibilities range from:

A milestone in this partnership was the 2012 initiation of the Common Geospatial Capability (CGC) project, where GBS played a crucial role in designing and implementing web-based geospatial tools. The success of this collaboration was marked by the launch of MapHub 1.0 in 2014, which has seen numerous enhancements over the years.

The GBS Strategy

The project presented unique challenges, particularly in balancing custom requirements with the utilisation of standard tools. GBS’s approach was marked by flexibility and collaboration, essential in navigating these complexities. The team’s adaptability was especially evident when faced with dependencies on the broader upgrade project, leading to innovative solutions such as establishing an interim testing environment for early feedback.

Achieving Compliance and Accessibility

A significant aspect of the project was ensuring that the widgets complied with the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.1. This required a delicate balance between customisation for accessibility and maintaining simplicity for ease of maintenance, a challenge met through close collaboration with Waka Kotahi.

A Forward-Looking Perspective

While the full benefits of the new widgets are yet to be realised, the alignment with Waka Kotahi’s strategic vision and the migration to a supported framework promise substantial long-term advantages. The project also marks a step towards creating more accessible viewer-based applications, reflecting a commitment to continuous improvement. 

The benefits that existed from the previous MapHub versions still apply, and include:

The GBS Solution in Detail

GBS’s contribution to the project was the development of several key widgets, each with unique functionalities aligned with Waka Kotahi’s requirements. 

These included:

Charting the Future of Geospatial Innovation

As GBS and Waka Kotahi NZTA continue their journey in geospatial innovation, the potential for transformative impacts on New Zealand’s transport sector is immense.

We invite you to explore how GBS’s expertise in geospatial technology can drive your organisation’s strategic goals. Contact us to discuss how we can tailor our solutions to your unique challenges and embark on a journey towards a more connected and efficient future.

Trends and Technologies Shaping the Geospatial Industry (series)

In our previous blog in this series, we covered key trends relating to Technology and Data.  We continue to look at the key trends influencing the future of Geospatial Technologies by looking at Solutions, Process, people and Politics.

Solutions

Solutions refers to combinations of technology and data that develop systems that generate information, gain insight, and achieve knowledge in the geospatial realm. Under the Solutions section key topics and points include:

Digital Twins –a digital twin digitally represents a physical system that enables users to visualise it, check the system’s status, perform analysis, and generate insights in order to predict and optimise its performance. 

It is not static, allowing two-way flow of information between the physical and virtual, where the real-world system’s sensors provide relevant data to the Digital Twin processor, and when information and insights created by the DT processor are generated, they are shared back with the original system to be acted upon. Geospatial technology is rapidly becoming uniquely placed to create and manage Digital Twins across a variety of sectors. The technology is rapidly improving and evolving.

Intelligent Transport Systems –geospatial systems are contributing to ITS by offering integrated tools such as traffic management, asset management, route planning and optimisation.

Smart Cities –are anurban area that uses different types of electronic methods and sensors to collect specific data. Information gained from that data is used to manage assets, resources, and services efficiently, and improve operations across a city.

Process

Strategy –worldwide, geospatial strategies are developed to foster economic growth, employment opportunities and to combat challenges related to climate change, urbanisation, disaster resilience and resource management.

Strategies are critical to the successful implementation of geospatial systems, continued development and growth of technology and people, and to achieving business goals.  They should set goals and key performance indicators that can be measured and should quantify (in monetary terms) what the benefit of implementing the plan might be.

Data curation –the process of maintaining datasets so they can be accessed by users looking for reliable information. It involves collecting, structuring, indexing, maintaining and cataloguing data for users.The NZ Government Data Strategy and Roadmap 2021 (DATA.GOVT.NZ, 2021) offers good insight into the likely future requirements of data curation and sharing in New Zealand.

Collaboration –as described in the Government Data Strategy and Roadmap 2021 (DATA.GOVT.NZ, 2021), progress towards New Zealand’s digital future, more than anything else, will require collaboration.  This will occur across data, analytics, and technology to ensure the geospatial information is at the core of digital twins, predictive analytics, geospatial modelling, and autonomous operations in the future.

Collaborating across multiple levels (national, regional, business, private, public sectors) will be key to future generation of knowledge, value, and benefit for all.

Standards –data standards establish a common approach to the collection, management, and use of data. Having consistent standards ensures that organisations can effectively share data, across existing privacy and security settings. 

At the international level, multiple organisations are actively developing such standards for geospatial data use. Nationally, ANZLIC have identified Spatial data standards a key priority in terms of the use of open spatial data standards and the creation of accurate 3D and 4D foundational spatial data over the next few years.

People

Skills –GIS professionals have traditionally been adept at a wide range of skills, and required skill-sets have continued to increase as the disciplines associated with GIS and geospatial information have diversified over the last decade. It is expected that skill-sets will become more specialised (i.e., geospatial professionals will focus on certain sub-disciplines) as the geospatial industry refocuses towards data science and analytics, computer science, and data visualisation to meet the requirements of the future Geoverse.

Workplace – hybrid and remote working has, and will likely continue to, become standard. This will be complimented with increased emphasis on “soft skills”, inclusivity and wellbeing.

Politics

The political environment will always exert a level of influence on the trends mentioned previously. As such, no discussion on the future trends and technologies can afford to ignore politics.  International politics, and to a certain extent, what is happening within the United Nations, will influence what happens locally, generally over a longer timeframe.  Local politics can have a more immediate impact.

For us right now in NZ, the following political events will have an impact. Aside from the coming National Elections and the possibility of a change of government, there is the Resource Management reforms, The Future of Local Government review, and of course, 3 Waters reform.  These political happenings will influence how we think strategically about geospatial technologies, and how we architect, implement and apply them within our organisations.

Trends and Technologies Shaping the Geospatial Industry (series)

The future of geospatial technology is poised to play a pivotal role in the evolution of Web 3.0 and the Metaverse. These technologies are converging, bringing people and machines together to create a world where highly detailed digital representations of reality guide decision-making. In this landscape, the Geoverse emerges as a concept that goes beyond the Metaverse, intertwining digital worlds, predictive analytics, artificial intelligence, and real-time information. It’s a realm where geospatial data becomes foundational, offering innovative solutions to pressing global challenges like climate change, pandemics, natural disasters, sustainable development, and more.

Below we examine the key emerging technologies and trends that will influence, and in many cases are already influencing, the future of Geospatial Technologies.

In part one of this blog series, we will look at Technology and Data.  Part 2 will cover Solutions, Process, People and Politics.

Technology Trends

Technology trends have a significant influence on emerging geospatial technologies. Under the Technology section key topics and points include:

Connectivity –has been described as the most critical enabler of digital transformation over the next 10 years (Walter, 2020).   Opportunities will arise from connectivity such as the ability to further connect the consumer, utilities, transport, healthcare, financial, retail, and manufacturing sectors (amongst others).  

Platforms –provide a place for the exchange of information, goods, or services between producers and consumers, and leverage the community to provide enhanced value to everyone within the ecosystem. They will continue to be key drivers behind reaching customers, reducing costs, and optimising resources.

Capture – refers to various remote sensing and surveying technologies that allow organisations to perceive and capture reality:

Positioning – satellite positioning technology is expected to improve due to a new generation of navigation satellites and receivers.  Additionally global positioning is likely to deliver higher accuracy (horizontally and vertically) over the next decade (Walter, 2020).  Increased accuracy will benefit different use cases including Digital Twins and intelligent transport systems.

Computing – already cloud computing has transformed the management of data and infrastructure. As cloud computing services continue to mature, more tools, platforms and applications will become available over the next decade.

Automation – implementation of machine repeatable processes will free up time-consuming and resource-intensive computing tasks (e.g., data capture, data management, analytics etc). Automation will increasingly be used to operate machines, answer user queries meaningfully, guide autonomous vehicles and much more.

Intelligence – Artificial Intelligence (AI) refers to computer science and systems that perform tasks generally associated with human cognition and intelligence (Mannam, 2021). It covers two fields of learning automation relevant to geospatial technology: 

AI is predicted to evolve rapidly, speeding up processing and freeing up organisations from time-consuming and resource-intensive manual tasks (e.g., building footprint digitisation, vegetation clearance, wetland identification) and will enhance decision-making procedures. 

Visualisation – 4D geospatial visualisation using Extended Reality (XR), and Real-time 3D (RT3D will be become important tools for geospatial visualisation, key to future customer platforms.

Data

Geospatial data is the foundation of geospatial analysis, modelling, simulations, and visualisations.  As technology has advanced, so too have the dataset types, formats, and protocols, opening up new avenues for geospatial advancement.  The report looks at eight ways in which data will be changing. Under the Data section key topics and points include:

Imagery –aerial imagery will continue to be captured by manned aircraft due to its high spatial resolution and wide coverage, but Remotely Operated Aerial Systems (ROAS) technology (e.g., drones) will be used for smaller areas, for timely, accurate, high-resolution data. Additionally high-resolution rapid-revisit satellite imagery will become a valid alternative to aerial imagery.

3D GIS Data –will become more readily available from mobiles, crowdsourcing, social media (geotagged photos) and autonomous vehicles.   This data will be important for Smart Cities, Digital Twins and the framework for the Metaverse. 

Point Clouds –Point clouds are generally produced by 3D laser scanners, LiDAR, or by photogrammetry software:

Data Cubes (or geo-data cubes, or space-time cubes) –are a form of geospatial data structure where data is stored in multiple dimensions. These are becoming the most common way to integrate and utilise geospatial data sourced from Earth Observation (EO) platforms such as satellites and UAVs.  They also package and deliver analysis ready datasets in a format that is readily accessible to GIS and AI-based automated analyses for prediction, classification, and time-series clustering. 

Linked Data –is considered a significant trend that may lead to addressing issues around discovery, access, exploration, and use of geospatial data through the Web over the next five to ten years. Geospatial systems will work with Linked Data in two ways: 

Big Data –because of the huge growth in data generated by machines, organisations are moving towards cloud-based big data systems. These are specifically optimised for handling the volume, velocity, and variety of data associated with big data.  Additionally, rather than trying to centralise data storage in a Data Warehouse, which requires complex and time-intensive data extraction, transformation and loading, organisations are instead moving towards Data Lakes.

At the GIS desktop and enterprise level, direct connectivity to these cloud-based services has recently been introduced and will continue to grow in terms of supported providers and analytical capability.

Networks –networks will be important in future technologies, such as Smart Cities, Smart Grids, Intelligent Transport Systems and Digital Twins. Hydrological modelling of river networks will continue to be important as climate change impacts weather patterns. Knowing where floods may occur or where irrigation may be affected, based on catchment rainfall changes, will be an important tool in mitigating and managing future climate related disasters.

Geospatial networking tools are evolving to meet the demands of future utility and trace networks e.g., developing water, storm water and wastewater functionality, as well as hydrological and rail networks, providing advanced analytic functionality such as the ability to set flow direction, run a trace on the network, or generate network diagrams.

Knowledge –knowledge graphs allow users to explore and analyse relationships, not only in spatial data but non-spatial (structured and unstructured data) as well, in a single view. Knowledge graphs are a relatively new data structure for geospatial and are seen as a key mechanism to support data discovery, collaborative investigations, link analysis, and information sharing in the future.

References:

Walter, C. (2020, August). Future Trends in geospatial information management: the five to ten year vision – Third Edition. Retrieved from UN-GGIM

Mannam, S. (2021, October). Artificial Intelligence, Machine Learning, and Deep Learning: Are They All the Same? Retrieved from Journal of Young Investigators

Staying ahead in the ever-evolving landscape of asset management requires innovative solutions that integrate seamlessly into your business processes. Trimble, the owner of Cityworks since 2019, has recently unveiled a game-changing product: Unity AMS (Asset Management System). 

This powerful tool represents a significant leap forward in Asset Management and Works Management, harnessing the core capabilities of the Cityworks AMS platform while introducing exciting new features.

What Is Unity AMS?

At its core, Unity AMS is three things:

  1. Cityworks AMS: Building on the robust foundation of Cityworks, Unity AMS leverages its asset management and works management capabilities, ensuring a comprehensive solution for businesses.
  2. Curated Industry-Specific Templates and Workflows: Unity AMS comes equipped with a curated set of industry-specific templates and workflows. Electric Distribution is the first sector to benefit from these tailored tools, streamlining operations and improving efficiency.
  3. Unity Mobile: Trimble’s Unity Mobile application, compatible with Windows, iOS, and Android, is fully integrated with Cityworks. This mobile component empowers field crews and asset managers with real-time access to critical data, enhancing on-site decision-making and ensures workflow efficiency.

A Holistic Asset Lifecycle Management Platform

Unity AMS is part of Trimble’s asset lifecycle management platform. It’s purpose-built for asset owners, public infrastructure stewards, and their collaborators. This solution connects data and capabilities across all phases of collaboration, from initial planning and design to ongoing asset management and maintenance. Assets often serve their purpose for decades, and Unity AMS ensures they remain in optimal condition throughout their service life.

The Power of Esri ArcGIS Integration

One of Unity AMS’s standout features is its integration with Esri ArcGIS, serving as the system of record for your assets. This integration ensures a single source of truth for your asset data and related operational activities. By minimising handoffs and streamlining workflows between teams, Unity AMS helps reduce operational costs while maintaining data consistency, reliability, and transparency.

A Solution for All Industries

No matter your industry, if you’re seeking a proven, cost-effective, highly configurable, and GIS-centric Asset Management and Works Management solution, Unity AMS/Cityworks AMS is worth exploring. Whether you’re in utilities, public works, or any sector that relies on efficient asset management, this solution can transform the way you work.

Talk to GBS

We’re your trusted partner in implementing Unity AMS and Cityworks AMS. Our expertise in GIS-centric solutions ensures that your transition is smooth and tailored to your unique business needs. Connect with us to discuss how Unity AMS can elevate your Asset Management and Works Management processes.

Additionally, catch us at the NZ Esri User Conference from 25-27 September 2023 in Auckland. We look forward to meeting you in person and exploring how Unity AMS can revolutionise your Asset Management practices. See you there!

In the dynamic world of GIS, staying up-to-date with evolving technologies is paramount. If you’re using Esri’s Web AppBuilder (WAB), it’s time to take note of the retirement timeline and plan your transition for a seamless web mapping experience.

Key Dates to Remember

WAB Developer Edition: It’s important to mark your calendar for July 2024. This is when the WAB Developer Edition will be officially retired, coinciding with the retirement of the ArcGIS API for JavaScript 3.x.

WAB as part of ArcGIS Enterprise: As of February 27, 2023, WAB as a part of ArcGIS Enterprise has been deprecated. However, it will still be supported through until the first half of 2025, giving you some breathing room for migration.

WAB as part of ArcGIS Online: WAB will bid adieu to ArcGIS Online in the fourth quarter of 2025.

For the official blog from Esri regarding these changes, you can read the full article here.

Why the Change Matters

While your existing WAB applications might continue to function beyond these dates, Esri cannot guarantee their trouble-free operation. New web browser versions and updates to ArcGIS Enterprise could potentially render your WAB applications inoperable.

The Migration Path

The recommended migration path is to transition your WAB applications to ArcGIS Experience Builder while making use of the ArcGIS API for JavaScript 4.x for any custom work.

ArcGIS Experience Builder has matured to a point where it offers most of WAB’s capabilities. You can check out the roadmap here to understand the evolution.

For those without custom code or widgets in their WAB applications, the migration process is relatively straightforward. Begin with a gap analysis to ensure that Experience Builder provides equivalent functionality, then configure your new applications using Experience Builder. While not mandatory, being on ArcGIS Enterprise 11.x is recommended for the full Experience Builder experience.

Custom Widgets

If your WAB applications do include custom widgets, the process may be more intricate. Start with a gap analysis to identify what Experience Builder offers out of the box and determine if any custom widgets are necessary. Create a project to build and deploy your replacement applications, including custom widgets if required.

Plan Early, Secure Resources

A crucial consideration is that there is a limited pool of resources in New Zealand who can undertake this work, especially for complex configurations and customisations. 

Our advice: don’t wait until the last minute to initiate this migration. Early planning ensures you have the budget and resources needed for a smooth transition.

GBS Is Your Partner

The team at GBS has the expertise in both WAB and Experience Builder, including customisation. We can assist with gap analysis and migrating your applications to Experience Builder. Contact us to discuss your needs and get ahead of the curve.

If you’re attending, meet us at the NZEUC Conference from 25-27 September 2023 in Auckland to chat this all through in person! Don’t miss the chance to secure a seamless transition for your web mapping applications.

In today’s complex business environment, effective asset management is crucial for organisations across many industries. Properly managing and maintaining assets not only ensures operational efficiency but also helps optimise resource allocation and reduce costs. Below we explore the critical role Geospatial Technologies plays in asset management and how it can unlock significant benefits for businesses.

Streamlining Asset Inventory and Documentation:

Geospatial Technologies provides a powerful platform for capturing, organising, and visualising asset data. By integrating location information with asset details, organisations can create comprehensive inventories and documentation. This allows for a holistic view of assets, facilitating better decision-making, and enabling efficient maintenance and replacement strategies.

Spatially Enabled Asset Tracking:

Geospatial Technologies enables real-time tracking and monitoring of assets across different geographical locations. By leveraging GPS and other tracking technologies, organisations can visualise the current and historical locations of assets. This spatially enabled asset tracking capability enhances visibility and control, improving asset utilisation, reducing loss or theft, better maintenance of assets, and ensuring compliance with regulations.

Optimising Asset Maintenance and Repairs:

Geospatial Technologies helps organisations to optimise asset maintenance and repair schedules. By analysing spatial data, such as asset condition, age, location, and usage patterns, organisations can prioritise maintenance efforts. Geospatial Technologies-based asset management systems can generate alerts, work orders, and preventive maintenance schedules, ensuring timely inspections, repairs, and replacements. This proactive approach minimises downtime, extends asset life-cycles, and reduces overall maintenance costs.

Improved Risk Management and Resilience:

Geospatial Technologies provides valuable insights into asset vulnerabilities and risks. By overlaying spatial data, such as weather patterns, geological features, and infrastructure networks, organisations can assess potential risks to assets. This enables proactive planning for disaster response, identifying high-risk areas, and implementing mitigation strategies. GIS also aids in evaluating the impact of asset failures on critical operations, allowing organisations to develop resilient asset management strategies.

Enhanced Decision-Making and Collaboration:

Geospatial Technologies integrates asset data with other business information, enabling data-driven decision-making. By visualising asset locations, conditions, and performance metrics on maps, stakeholders gain a comprehensive understanding of asset portfolios. GIS-based dashboards and analytics empower organisations to analyse asset data, identify trends, and forecast future needs. This facilitates collaboration across departments and stakeholders, ensuring alignment and effective resource allocation.

Cost Savings and Efficiency Gains:

Geospatial Technologies-driven asset management streamlines workflows, reduces manual processes, and minimises redundant efforts. By optimising asset maintenance, reducing downtime, and improving asset utilisation, organisations can achieve significant cost savings. Furthermore, Geospatial Technologies facilitates efficient route planning, spatially optimised resource allocation, and improved field operations, leading to enhanced overall efficiency and productivity.

Geospatial Technologies serves as a powerful tool in asset management, delivering tangible benefits to organisations. By leveraging GIS, businesses can streamline asset inventory, track assets in real-time, optimise maintenance efforts, enhance risk management, and improve decision-making and collaboration. The integration of GIS with asset management processes leads to cost savings, increased efficiency, and improved operational resilience.

GBS understands the importance of Geospatial Technologies in asset management and is the exclusive NZ provider of Cityworks, a Trimble asset management system. Built exclusively on Esri® ArcGIS®, Cityworks helps you fully leverage your authoritative GIS data and provides a total solution to improve your agency’s operational effectiveness.

Our expertise and solutions empower organisations to unlock the full potential of GIS for effective asset management. To learn more about Cityworks and how our services can benefit your asset management strategies, get in touch with us to discuss your requirements.

Running a robust and efficient GIS requires expertise, resources, and consistent monitoring. At GBS, we understand the challenges organisations face in managing their GIS environments effectively. That’s why we offer GIS Managed Services as part of our comprehensive GBS Support Programme (GSP).

Reduce Downtime and Proactively Address Issues:

With GBS as your outsourced GIS System Administrator, you can say goodbye to unexpected system downtime. Our team conducts proactive analyses of your GIS environment, identifying and addressing potential issues before they turn into problems. By taking a preventive approach, we ensure that your GIS system operates smoothly and continuously, minimising disruptions to your critical workflows.

Control Costs with a Fixed Monthly Fee:

Managing the costs of maintaining a GIS system can be challenging, especially when unexpected issues arise. With GBS Managed Services, you gain cost predictability and control. We offer a fixed monthly fee, allowing you to budget effectively and eliminate the worry of unforeseen expenses. Our transparent pricing structure ensures that you can focus on optimising your GIS investments without financial surprises.

Increase Efficiency and Free Your GIS Staff:

By partnering with GBS for your Enterprise GIS System administration, you can optimise the productivity of your GIS staff. Our experienced team takes care of the day-to-day management and maintenance tasks, freeing your GIS professionals to focus on producing high-quality GIS products that drive your business forward. You no longer need to bear the burden of having rare and expensive Enterprise GIS Administration skills in-house. GBS has you covered.

Collect and Utilise Data for Informed Decision-Making:

Effective data collection and analysis are vital for informed decision-making. GBS provides you with weekly metrics and reports that offer valuable insights into your current GIS system usage. These reports help you understand patterns, identify areas for improvement, and plan for the future. With our Managed Services, you gain a clearer picture of your GIS system’s performance and can make data-driven decisions to optimise your workflows and achieve your organisational goals.

Peace of Mind with a Well-Maintained System:

With GBS Managed Services, you can rest assured that your GIS system is in capable hands. Our team ensures that your system is well maintained for optimal performance, reliability, and security. We prioritise the wellbeing of your GIS environment, leveraging our expertise and industry best practices to keep your system running at its best. Focus on your core business objectives while entrusting the care of your GIS to GBS.

Partnering with GBS offers a range of benefits for organisations seeking efficient, cost-effective, and well-maintained GIS systems. By reducing downtime, controlling costs, increasing efficiency, collecting and utilising data, and providing peace of mind, GBS empowers you to unlock the full potential of your GIS investments.

To learn more about GBS Managed Services and how you can take advantage of this option to enhance your GIS operations, download our GIS Managed Services Brochure.  When you’re ready, get in touch with the GBS team to discuss your requirements and embark on a journey towards optimised GIS management.

GBS at the Esri Partner Conference and Developer Summit 2023: Key Learnings

GBS attended the Esri Partner Conference (EPC) and Dev Summit in Palm Springs this March. As a key provider of Esri consulting, development, and support services, as well as an Esri Gold Partner, it’s an important event for GBS to attend. The event enables us to keep up to date on the leading edge of the Esri platform, the growing technology stack, and Esri best practice.

As a company that is committed to staying abreast of the latest GIS technologies and trends, the event is always a valuable opportunity for the GBS team to network with other Esri partners, learn about new technology updates, and connect with Esri staff to discuss specific ideas and issues.

We had a team of 8 attend from across the wider GBS family, 5 from GBS NZ, 2 from GBS USA and 1 from GBS Korea.

Here are some key takeaways and highlights shared from the event:

Sustainability was a key theme

Driven by Jack Dangermond, Esri co-founder and President, sustainability, and using the Esri technology to help save the planet, was a key theme for the conference, especially the Partner Conference. An example of this was Asset Lifecycle Management – doing this well is an example of sustainability – running your city or utility efficiently, using the right products, at the right place, at the right time, minimising waste and operating safely.  We found this very relevant given that GBS has recently taken on reselling Cityworks in NZ.

Using Esri’s technology to model the natural and built worlds via digital twins, and the digital transformation of business, was also key to being able to operate more sustainably.  Esri are very enthusiastic and proud of the role their technology can take in helping to assure the future of the planet.

Technical demos and updates

GBS’s Jade Weideman saw technical demos that were applicable to our current work, saying she felt reassured of how she implements best practice, while also learning of new tools to use.

Some of the noteworthy tools and functions Jade mentioned include new Attribute Rule global variables, Package Manager in ArcGIS Pro, ArcPy improvements, improvements to Arcade, latest field (or Attribute) indexes on Hosted Feature Layers, and resources to explore such as blogs, help documentation, and code repositories. These demos and updates helped to generate new discussions and considerations on how to improve current GIS capabilities.

Meaningful Esri conversations

Another highlight for the team was the opportunity to have deep-dive discussions with Esri technical staff about specific topics such as Survey123, ArcGIS Online security (see https://trust.arcgis.com/), ArcGIS Pro, Python Notebooks, and Service Webhooks coming to Enterprise 11.1. 

Through these conversations, we received some great tips on how to solve specific problems or issues that will be advantageous to GBS and our clients. Additionally, the team gained valuable insights on what’s on the horizon, and the timeframes around new tools and functions that directly relate to our current projects and the support of existing solutions and customers.

Inspiration

The EPC and Dev Summit also served as a source of inspiration for the team, as it does each year for those attending. Jade and Pilgyu (of GBS Korea) mentioned that they were inspired by new and improved Esri functions, and they both said that they are looking forward to the following:

The Esri Partner Conference and Dev Summit is always a highlight on the GBS calendar, and we’re happy to have been back in Palm Springs in person, after a few years of virtual events due to the pandemic. The GBS team are now using the insights gathered from the event to do what they do best; remaining at the leading edge of the latest GIS innovations in New Zealand and beyond.

GBS Highlights of 2022

Here we are at the end of another year, one that has felt a bit different when compared to the previous two. With borders open and lockdowns a thing of the past, GBS and the team settled into a new version of normal. Looking ahead to 2023, it’s always good practice to take key learnings and highlights into the year ahead. The GBS directors, Tony Elson and Harley Prowse, have shared some of their reflections below.

Challenges & Achievements

There’s definitely been a knock-on effect from the lockdowns of 2021 which has presented a number of challenges. Some of these challenges can be centred on the shortage of human resources, specifically in relation to the retention and recruitment of staff. We know other I.T. and GIS companies are feeling this also. It can be a tricky situation due to the increased demand for geospatial services being accompanied by a tight employment market.

“Despite this, we’re pleased to have a high retention rate and have welcomed some new team members this year as well,” says Tony.

The collaborative partnership that GBS provides within its suite of services has culminated in some great achievements for clients this year.

“We completed a large upgrade for Powerco this year, shifting to ArcGIS Experience Builder for their Outage Planner. It was a great example of a collaborative partnership between ourselves and a client using Agile methodologies,” says Harley.

With the return of industry events this year, the GBS team were also pleased to attend the NZEUC in person which spanned the first week of September. This created a great opportunity to showcase two new additions to the GBS offering; Cityworks and Edit+.

Becoming the NZ distributor for Cityworks was a big highlight of 2022 for GBS. For more than 20 years, Cityworks has been the leading GIS-centric solutions for public asset management. Cityworks AMS is designed to help organisations manage public assets, and their associated data, work activities, and business processes. The addition of Cityworks to the GBS offering is a great advantage for current and prospective clients to harness.

Formalising GBS’ Geospatial Support Program (GSP) to include the GIS Managed Services offering as well as the traditional reactive and advisory base support services was also an important addition in 2022. The work completed on these services this year will allow the addition of more customers to this program while bringing peace of mind to the ongoing operation of the Enterprise GIS as a whole.

People & Partnerships

People and partnerships remain at the core of GBS’ company values, now more than ever. GBS has recently celebrated being in operation for 20 years with the GBS team, customers, colleagues, partners and friends.

“It was a proud moment for not just the Directors, but also some of the long-term staff members too,” says Tony.

And across the board, it’s been a year of developing our skill sets and extending our knowledge across the wider team. “GBS (including our wider GBS network in Korea and the U.S.) has extended and deepened its skills with respect to the implementation and ongoing support for ArcGIS Enterprise, and our staff have continued to add Esri certificates to their names as well,” says Harley.

Looking ahead to 2023

GBS is looking forward to having the team back together in the office with less disruptions in 2023, and continuing the journey of achievements and growth. Next year we are keen to see (and help our customers with) increased adoption of cloud-based services and taking greater advantage of the advances in automation.

“The increased adoption of the Esri Utility Network, especially in the gas, electricity and water sectors will be the ones to watch too,” says Tony.

From the team here at GBS, we’re wishing everyone a safe and happy holiday break, and a prosperous 2023. We are grateful to have earned a well-deserved break, but look forward to a new year filled with plenty of exciting work and opportunities. It is a pleasure working with our clients, colleagues, partners and associates, and of course our staff – thank you for your continued support.

Merry Christmas!