| CNET Integrates Facility and Environmental Information Through GreenSpace Enterprise Implementation
By Terry Spencer How does a large, geographically dispersed organization effectively manage and distribute data on billions of dollars worth of real property consisting of over 32 million square feet of building space and 74,000 acres of land, located at 34 sites across the United States? For the Chief of Naval Education and Training (CNET), headquartered in Pensacola, Fla., the solution to the problem lies in utilizing the latest information management technologies and the Internet to access a vast array of land, facility, and environmental data.
In 1995, The Onyx Group, in partnership with CNET and the Southern Division Naval Facilities Engineering Command, took the first step toward formalizing an implementation strategy to address the complex real property and environmental information management needs of the entire CNET organization. The project team concentrated on designing a comprehensive solution that could effectively blend technology and automation tools for the purpose of integrating and managing real property and environmental information across all CNET strategic and operational levels. Through intense brainstorming and working sessions a bold new strategy began to evolve, redefining the concept of real property asset management by expanding beyond the traditional structure of land and facilities information managed solely at the local level. Recognizing that a myriad of CNET management, real estate, facilities management, design, planning, environmental, training and technology business units have information needs in common, the project team proposed a solution that could address these needs and, at the same time, facilitate collaboration and interaction on an enterprise level by using a common set of data. This approach, when fully implemented, would achieve the stated goal of timely access to accurate and reliable information. GreenSpace Enterprise established the framework for such an advanced-enterprise information, communication, and management tool. BACKGROUND
GreenSpace Enterprise followed a progression of events leading to enterprise deployment in 1998. As early as 1991, the Department of Defense (DOD) was confronted with a series of requests for information data calls as the first in a series of Base Closure and Realignments (BRACs) unfolded. This began a multi-year effort focused on more closely aligning the land and facility infrastructure of the DOD establishment with the evolving requirements of a reduced, post-Cold War military mission. All branches of the military discovered, early on, that up-to-date, accurate, and reliable real property information was in short supply. Information existed in a wide variety of software systems and data formats, but there was no consistent data structure, and it was difficult to determine who was responsible for its maintenance.
Within the Department of the Navy, it was evident that no efficient method existed for quickly assembling the data needed for analysis and planning purposes. The inability of planners and key decision makers to have access to critical information hampered the ongoing strategic planning process, and required extraordinary allocation of resources to address even the most basic questions. In response to this critical need for information, the Navy launched an intensive effort aimed at standardizing, validating, organizing, maintaining, and exchanging facilities-related information using the latest information management technologies. Named ALFA (Activity Land and Facilities Assets), the program became the single most important real property asset management initiative undertaken by the Navy. Deployment grew to over 100 bases, each of which still retained primary responsibility for maintaining its corporate, facility-related database. However, by clearly defining and mandating standardized formats for all data, and by choosing the appropriate technology, the Navy was able to provide access to the data at many levels. And if it had the capability to migrate ALFA information up the chain of command, thus enabling informed decision-making in a very compressed time frame. ALFA was the forerunner to GreenSpace Enterprise, the next evolution of integrated land- and facility information management. CNET GreenSpace Enterprise
As with other major Navy Commands, the Chief of Naval Education and Training implemented the ALFA program to establish a single comprehensive, integrated source of land- and facility-related information. The CNET ALFA has evolved from the workstation to the local area network to the Internet and has truly become an enterprise solution. Today, GreenSpace Enterprise transactional servers at each major base electronically transfer data to a secure data warehouse at CNET Headquarters in Florida.
Asset and environmental information is maintained by personnel at each major base using the GreenSpace Enterprise client/server application. Data is then replicated, transferred, and aggregated into the CNET data warehouse on a daily basis. CNET and Navy personnel, with access to the Internet and an authorized password, can view and query land, facility and environmental information using a web browser, anywhere and any time an Internet connection can be established. Data served on the Internet is readily available to a large number of users at very low cost due to use of the latest Internet browser technology. This sets the stage for full-scale deployment. GREENSPACE ENTERPRISE WEB PORTAL AND AUTODESK MAPGUIDE
The GreenSpace Enterprise Web Portal takes advantage of the inherent capabilities of Autodesk MapGuide to publish maps and floorplan data. The project team conducted a thorough evaluation of Internet mapping products available at the time of project initiation, and it chose Autodesk MapGuide for its attractive and functional web viewer, multi-user server stability, server speed and, most importantly, capacity to serve large datasets.
In order to integrate individual maps into a single, seamless map, mapping datasets have been converted from their original state-plane coordinate systems into a common latitude-longitude coordinate system. Aggregate maps have been generated for regional and headquarters enterprise-wide viewing. Information for nine major and 25 secondary Naval bases is available through the web portal, with maps representing each main site and outlying special areas. Currently, each map is comprised of 88 layers, 12 of which are linked to database information. Aerial photography is a major component of the system and is at a one-foot resolution. CNET GREENSPACE ENTERPRISE CONTENT
Information currently contained within CNET's Greenspace Enterprise centers on land, facility and environmental data for more than 32 million square feet of facilities (6,484 facilities, 31,270 rooms) and over 240,000 acres (74,000 acres of Navy property) of land spread geographically at 34 sites in six states. The data warehouse is immense and contains graphic and non-graphic data critical to CNET's operations and mission. As the source of all land, facility and environmental data for the Chief of Naval Education and Training. GREENSPACE ENTERPRISE TECHNOLOGY FRAMEWORK
GreenSpace Enterprise utilizes a three-tier technology architecture to deliver dynamic information services to geographically dispersed end users. Tier 1 is the Database Tier, powered by Oracle Enterprise. Tier 2 is the Application Tier. This tier integrates various information, communication, and management applications used by GreenSpace Enterprise to provide enterprise-wide asset, infrastructure, and environmental information. Applications found at this level, housed in several Dell servers, include GreenSpace Enterprise, GreenSpace Web Portal, Autodesk MapGuide, Microsoft Internet Information Server, and Active Server Pages. The end-user interfaces with GreenSpace Enterprise through Tier 3, the Presentation Layer. This tier utilizes a standard browser to view, query, and print both dynamic and real-time information. RETURN ON INVESTMENT
Development of GreenSpace Enterprise has allowed CNET to achieve a number of significant objectives, including management of environmental compliance mandates within the CNET community. Greenspace Enterprise facility- and space-management modules have also served as an important planning tool, giving planners instant access to facility status, condition and utilization data. The means now exists for sharing important real property asset information with a large number of users, at all levels of the organization, resulting in a number of qualitative and quantitative benefits including:
• Reduction in facility operating and maintenance, design and construction costs; savings from reduced periodic data gathering for facility and environmental inventories
• Reduced data maintenance costs resulting from use of a single, comprehensive source of data for land, facility and environmental data management, reporting and auditing
• Increased productivity, and enhancement of work-flow processes and methodologies; greater data accuracy and reliability; Instant access to environmental, land and facilities data facilitating rapid response and decision-making Enhancement of data archiving
The transformation is nearly complete as CNET strives to plan, manage, and operate its real property assets in a manner consistent with public and private sector practices. A decade of impressive new technologies has fundamentally changed the business of land and facilities management for both sectors, helping large organizations such as CNET achieve higher production levels with more efficient work processes-maximizing return on investment. Implementation of GreenSpace Enterprise has followed a logical progression that has systematically developed an automation tool set for managers, planners, and employees, and provides them with a reliable information acquisition and exchange technology. GreenSpace Enterprise provides the backbone for a structure that will continue to expand and improve over time to accommodate new requirements and technologies. With many pieces of the puzzle already in place, CNET has moved closer to achieving its goal of a fully connected workplace. About the Author:
Terry Spencer is a principal and public sector program manager for The Onyx Group. As a planner and project manager, Mr. Spencer has directed the development and implementation of a number of real property and facility information management solutions for large, institutional clients. He may be contacted at [email protected]. Back |
