Geographic Information System

1. What is an Geographic Information System?
An GIS:

tracks infrastructure characteristics and defects at the individual pipe level;
tracks and records infrastructure repairs and maintenance at the individual pipe level;
provides an accurate and reliable representation of in-service pipeline infrastructure;
incorporates data sets as diverse as: manufacturing characteristics, surface topography, repair history, and land use, as well as results from both RFTC inspections, AET monitoring and Sahara Leak Locations; and
integrates with hydraulic models, maintenance management system software and SCADA.

2. Why is that important?
A properly designed and implemented GIS:

facilitates the development of accurate vulnerability assessments;
allows engineering staff to locate specific pipeline features with GPS equipment, simplifying the pipeline repair process; and
captures system knowledge before senior workers retire or move on.

3. How is PPIC's GIS different from traditional GIS systems?
Traditional GIS systems cannot incorporate the physical location and characteristics of the pipe set in a subterranean environment outside the reach of GPS receivers.

However, PPIC's Remote Field Transformer Coupling (RFTC), Acoustic Emission Testing (AET) and Sharea Leak Location systems capture data while they are working with your pipe. Therefore, PPIC's GIS provides our clients with a more accurate representation of their infrastructure than that provided by the original lay schedule. Operators can now get a detailed picture of their pipeline's infrastructure between GPS-accessible surface infrastructure points illustrating:

pipe defects;
pipe length, position, and class;
pipe location, station number and serial number;
soil resistivity or chloride concentration;
pipe joints;
surface infrastructure;
topography and land use; and
customer locations.

4. Who Needs an GIS?
Any water supply system operator that is concerned about data integration and is trying to manage large and diverse data sets should contact us.

5. What Experience do you have?
In early 2002, PPIC acquired Markham-based Interactive Engineering. Interactive Engineering's specialized in Pipeline Consulting, risk management and computerized pipeline information management systems. Its staff have exploited the information provided by PPIC's RFTC, AET and Sahara pipeline evaluation systems, taking several different types of information important to the health of a water supply system and combining them to provide pipeline operators with an accurate and up-to-date picture of their infrastructure. As a result, several leading edge clients have implement PPIC's solution.

Company

1. Where is PPIC based?
PPIC is a privately held company. Its headquarters are in Mississauga, Ontario, Canada where it operates a Center of RFTC excellence. PPIC also maintains offices in Phoenix, Arizona, USA where it manages a Center of Acoustic excellence.

2. Investment and Partnership Opportunities?
PPIC is always interested in talking to potential partners and allies. We welcome serious enquiries.