Computer Foundation, one of South Africa's largest Geographic Information System (GIS) solutions providers, is providing GIS project management and software development services for the largest tender ever awarded by Telkom.

The project involves the creation of a GIS database for one of the main contractors, Lucent Technologies, for the purpose of managing the roll-out of 3000 radio base stations in a massive wireless 'last mile' telecomms project for Telkom.

It will provide some 150 000 telephone lines to people in historically disadvantaged areas, mainly townships, as well as in rural areas. Using radio as an alternative to traditional copper-based last mile technology, both of these groups will be able to enjoy reliable telecommunications services for the first time.

Charles Hopkins, Computer Foundation's Project Manager for Lucent's wireless local loop (WLL) project, says there were two main phases to the project: developing an online information database for surveyors and network planners and the creation of a reporting system to ensure optimum management of component roll-out.

Previously, surveyors would plan new stations at various locations around the country, after which they would have to commute to Johannesburg, import the documentation in Excel spreadsheets and finally, do the profiles using paper maps.

"We developed a tool for surveyors in the field whereby, using MapGuide, they would pinpoint where they plan to develop a new station. A centralised database would be immediately updated with the new information," says Hopkins. Another functionality allows the surveyors to draw profiles from the field. The positions of two points would be sent over the Internet to a server loaded with Autodesk World in Johannesburg. World would automatically develop a profile from digital contours, and send it back into the field through e-mail.

"Once the sites are pinpointed and put into the database, the network planners can start adding attribute data of each individual base station, as well as additional information such as the allocation of frequencies, the number of subscribers and more. "Surveyors in the field can click on any point and access the attribute data of the closest base stations for better planning," he explains. The new system has cut down the time taken for this exercise by 70%, according to Hopkins.

In the second phase of the project, Computer Foundation developed a reporting system for ordering and order verification. "This was vital as, with most of the equipment being imported from France, a wrong component arriving on site could result in very expensive delays," he said.

The system links the surveyor system to Lucent's own information systems and features flexible (but high security) levels for various users of system, including installers, surveyors, network planners and project managers. The result is a fully-fledged, ISO 9002 compliant management system, which gives Lucent hands-on and efficient control over the project.

About Computer Foundation

Computer Foundation is a South African market leader in the supply of GIS solutions, with offices in Pretoria, Cape Town, Durban, PE and Europe. It supplies the Autodesk range of GIS products, which include AutoCAD Map, Autodesk World and Autodesk MapGuide, and is the first Autodesk authorised developer in this country - in the GIS and mapping applications arena. Computer Foundation recently won three international GIS awards for being the best GIS dealer in the Europe, Middle East and Africa region of Autodesk solution providers. This clearly puts Computer Foundation internationally as one of the best GIS business partners to do business with.

Apart from the Autodesk Software, Computer Foundation also supplies ER Mapper and develops a large range of mapping software based on these products. One of its major achievements is the development of a Spatial Data Cartridge (SDC) for the Autodesk market, in line with Open GIS (OGIS) Consortium standards. The company also supplies a wide range of support services including technical support, training, project management, consulting and data brokering.

Computer Foundation

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