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An infrastructure asset management system with a map-based interface provides organisations with a visual representation of asset locations, conditions and attributes, while making it easier to plan maintenance and identify any location-based issues. This feature becomes particularly powerful when managing a large and geographically dispersed asset register.

Map-based systems have been used by countless organisations worldwide for spatial analysis, problem-solving, sharing information with stakeholders, and efficient data communication. Here are several benefits of having map-based insights within your asset management system.

Visualisations

Map-based data provides a visual representation of your assets alongside operational activities to illuminate issues that are driven by geography. While being easier to understand and interpret, spatial data enables you to easily see patterns, trends and relationships that would not be visible when viewing the same dataset in a table format. For example, in Thinkproject’s RAMM software, users can easily view their assets on a map filtered and coloured by their attributes such as type and condition, to name just two. Spatial analysis The ability to analyse datasets based on their location can be hugely beneficial in understanding the geography of certain criteria as well as giving real-time situational awareness of issues. For example, prior to heavy rainfall, a user could easily see drainage infrastructure that has been reported as blocked and falls within flood zones.

Decision-making

Map-based information can lead to better decision-making through having a clearer picture of the situation at hand. Operational data visualised this way can help maintenance teams plan work more efficiently by clustering works and inspections by locality. Being able to see locations that have more issues than others and require more attention means resources can be prioritised accordingly.

Communication

As the adage says, ‘a picture is worth a thousand words’. This is what map-based information is all about. It gives users the ability to easily communicate complex information in a clear, simple and easy to understand format. This enables information to be easily shared by internal teams and external stakeholders.

Collaboration

Across multiple teams with different goals and priorities, a map-based system can support collaborative working by providing common visuals that enable teams to share information and ideas.

Professionals from different fields can work together to align their activities by being able to visualise where their issues cross over due to location.

By providing a single source of truth for their asset data, asset utilisation can be easily optimised by having the ability to schedule and manage reactive and planned maintenance tasks more effectively. A map-enabled system enables spatial insights and visualisations that are simply not available to form-based systems.

Alongside lifecycle tracking, reporting and analytics software like RAMM can be an essential tool for any organisation that wishes to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of their asset management.

By harnessing the power of technology, businesses can ensure the longevity and optimal performance of their critical assets as well as their internal processes.

By Christopher Jenner MIHE
IHE South Western Branch
Senior Asset Management Consultant,
Thinkproject