New base map shows ‘big picture’

  • Published
  • By Lanorris Askew
  • Warner Robins Air Logistics Center Public Affairs
ROBINS AIR FORCE BASE, Ga. (AFPN) --  People from the 78th Civil Engineer Squadron have given a whole new meaning to the term “big picture” with a new geographic information system that is putting every square inch of the base on the map -- literally.

According to Ron Jones, 78th CEG systems administrator, the premise behind the system called Geobase is that for each installation there will be one map. That one map will capture various types of data such as utilities and other base facility information and roll it into one central database per installation.

“Geobase is basically maps plus data to go with the map,” he said. “If you click on a utility line you can see when it was put down, the type of material it’s made from and its exact location. We’ve implemented Geo-base here, and the next step is making it available to all network users without the need for special software.”

Mr. Jones said with just using the base’s Intranet, building managers will be able to access the system and find out any needed information about their buildings, such as work order progress.

“We finally have a system in place where data is extracted from the field into the Geobase and a commander can look at it the same day,” said Josh Eller, Geobase manager. “We’re going to deploy it basewide, and anybody can have access to it for analysis. It will be user-friendly, and gives a good look at what’s out there and what’s being done.”

The idea of “one map, one installation” means everyone is looking at the same data.

Master Sgt. James Phillips, chief of production control, is excited about the possibilities of the new program’s enhanced customer-service capabilities.

“As customer service, we get the calls from customers with questions, and sometimes we need that big picture view to be able to answer them,” he said. “We’re only as knowledgeable as what we can touch and see. By giving us all of this information, we’re better able to help the customer.”

The sergeant said Geobase will give a large, quick-access, overall snapshot of projects going on without having to access different systems located in different buildings.

“Instead of going to multiple databases and calling shops, offices and branches to get information for customers, this will be a great tool because we can see what contracts, utility systems, and work orders are out,” he said. “We can then relay that info to our customers, serving as a good management tool for us.”

Soon that snapshot will also be available to anyone on base. Building managers will have access to view their buildings and can see the status of work going on at the click of a button.

“The (Intranet) gets you into the map info and presents it in a user-friendly way so you don’t have to know a lot of technical terminology, you just point click and zoom,” said Mr. Jones.