WET News

JANUARY 2017 WET NEWS 9 Storing data in the cloud • Southern Water has swapped a 'cumbersome' pipeline storage system for one that enables centralised viewing. projEcT SpEcS • Compile and store pipieline survey data • Establish a centralised data storage source A s UK water companies have taken on increasing responsibility for waste- water networks, the need to ensure easy, clear and speedy access to pipeline condition survey data has become ever- more important. This has been very much one of the drivers behind Southern Water adopting the WinCan Web system recently launched by CCTV reporting so•ware provider WinCan. Southern has for some years utilised an alternative document management system for compiling and storing pipeline survey data. The system, whilst useful, was by current standards cumbersome and not very user- friendly – the survey data was being provided largely on DVD. This method of electronic storage meant that should engineers wish to view a survey, they first had to retrieve the data file and then watch the whole video to find the location of interest as the system could not utilise effectively location selection. To make the evaluation and use of the recorded data more effective Southern Water sought a new system that could be accessed by its engineering team from one central storage source. A•er examining the available options, the company opted for WinCan Web, the latest product from WinCan. The WinCan Web system is fully compatible with the latest WinCan VX survey reporting so•ware that is currently being used by all of Southern Water's survey contractors. Southern Water's pipeline inspection works are undertaken by the company's Tier 1 contractor, Cappagh Browne, which will engage with approved contractors on its behalf. Once a survey is completed using WinCan VX and WinCan Web, the report can be uploaded to the central storage facility immediately. This facility means that if a survey is of particular importance or urgency it can be viewed by the engineering team within minutes of the survey being completed or if the survey is part of an ongoing routine programme the report can be uploaded at a later time. The system also allows the updating and continuation of survey reports that may be being either revisited or simply extended from a survey started at an earlier date. WinCan Web is a cloud delivery and storage solution for CCTV inspection data collected using WinCan VX reporting so•ware. This remote application now makes it possible to deliver CCTV pipeline inspection data over the internet. The process has been designed to be easy to minimise the time required for the transfer of data. This not only means that more time on site can be dedicated to the survey itself but also reduces the 'off-survey' time required to handle the data process. WinCan Web is designed so that data is securely held and, as importantly, securely backed up. The complete absence of any need for a physical delivery of the project information means that the turnaround of the survey results from site to report delivery is almost no time at all ensuring efficient and cost-effective use of both the survey contractor's time in the field and client's office / engineers data access and therefore ongoing planning works. Leigh-Ann Butler, sewer rehabilitation engineer with Southern Water, says: "The implementation of the WinCan Web system within Southern Water has made accessing and analysing survey data far more user-friendly. Any of our 50-plus engineering team can now access reports as and when required and search the data for the information they need from videos or pictures as part of their ongoing operations." Paul Purton, surveying and technical manager for Cappagh Brown, adds: "Working with our approved external contractors, the utilisation of the WinCan VX reporting so•ware alongside the new WinCan Web remote storage facility means that all CCTV reporting is achieved to the same recognised standard whilst being made available to our client as and when they need it, whether that is immediately or not. This minimises the off-site time that TEcHKNoW • WinCan Web is a cloud delivery and storage solution for CCTV inspection data collection • The remote application means CCTV pipeline inspection data can be delivered over the internet • WinCan Web is designed so that data is securely held and securely backed up NEED To KNoW 1 Survey data was previously being provided largely on DVD 2 Any of Southern's 50-plus engineering team can now access reports as and when required 3 A survey can be viewed by the engineering team within minutes of being completed THE VErDIcT "The off-site time that needs to be allowed for when planning surveys is minimised, making the job much more efficient and cost-effective for both us as the contractor and for Southern Water" Paul Purton, Cappagh Brown ONSITE DATA mANAgEmENT needs to be allowed for when planning surveys making the job much more efficient and cost effective for both us as the contractor and for Southern Water." For WinCan, Paul Woodhouse says: "We are very pleased to have been able to work with the Southern Water team to develop a system that will enable them to manage, plan and implement their pipeline network operations based on current and easily accessible data. This type of situation is precisely the sort of operation that WinCan Web has been designed to handle quickly and effectively." CCTV survey reporting on site can be immediately uploaded to WinCan Web on completion Typical output from the WinCan Web software

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