Functional Description VRDB

Designing a utility network is more than a graphical representation of lines and symbols on a map. Whether it is electricity, gas, water, or a telecom network, a reliable and future-proof network design depends on solid ‘Asset Management’ within a geographic information system (GIS).

• What network components or ‘assets’ are underground?
• Where exactly and since when?
• What is the capacity and what are the technical characteristics of the assets?
• How are cables and network components connected?
• Where and when is there a risk of network congestion?
• Can the existing network be expanded?
• Where should the technicians go when there is a malfunction?

A network is constantly evolving. While the contractor has just closed the trench, and the registration still needs to be updated, new variants are already being designed and calculated. The Variants Database (VRDB) solution from Keronic enables the network operator to maintain an overview. VRDB is built on GE Smallworld™ and provides a handy drawing tool and symbol library for designing networks. However, the real strength lies in version control and the ability to manage the rapid growth of variants.

VRDB (Variants Database)

The concept of the VRDB system can be visualized as a separate layer next to the GIS, as illustrated below.

The data in this layer is stored using a customized abstract data model in a separate GE Smallworld™ database.

Storing all information in one database helps to make different layers transparent, realize and maintain projects. It allows the user to quickly get an overview of all planned projects and their status, enabling the user to analyze technical and financial aspects.

When a user creates a new design, called a ‘variant’ in VRDB, the user makes an abstract copy of the data in GIS and loads this data into VRDB. This abstract copy contains the information of the object, such as geometry and attribute data. Based on this data, the user creates their design. VRDB also offers the possibility to load the data back into the GIS when the work outside is completed and the user has updated the design with ‘as-built’ information.

Summary of features of the VRDB system

• There is practically no limit to the number of variants (designs).
• Variants are hierarchical alternatives and can inherit objects from their ‘parents’.
• Each variant has its own lifecycle.
• Provides a fully integrated authorization system.
• Integrated Symbol Library.
• Suitable for electricity, gas, water, and telecom.
• Makes 3D aspects such as risers in buildings visible.
• Integrated query and network analysis system.
• High degree of data manipulation flexibility.
• Combines the advantage of all designs in one database with the flexibility of a CAD system.
• Having all variants in one alternative will facilitate access to all designs by other systems/web.
• Easy installation, no changes are made to the existing environment.
• Data is copied from data sources of the SOC/SOM mechanism of GE Smallworld™ to a clipboard of the VRDB. There they can be visualized, transformed, and then loaded into the VRDB.

In the same way, data from a variant (design) can be copied to the clipboard, transformed, and then loaded into a variant. This proves to be a very powerful tool for adding details and/or reusing (parts of) other designs.

An integrated symbol library allows the user to save symbols (part of a design) and visualize and load them into VRDB via the Symbol Interface, facilitating the reuse of specific design details. This also makes it possible to normalize designs.

The interface is highly customizable to specific user requirements and is part of the VRDB authorization system. Certain entities in the interface cannot be selected if the user does not have the rights for them. For example, creating specific geometry items from object management is normally only allowed for super-users.