Presented By: Todd R. Dennis IT Application Developer Senior – Information Systems Division

1. NebraskaDepartment of Roads Pile Information and Location Explorer And Web Services HEEP Area III / IV Conference Presented By: Todd R. Dennis IT Application Developer Senior – Information Systems Division

2. The previous system relied on pile information being entered by field personnel into Excel spreadsheets. These spreadsheets were then sent to the Geotechnical section for review. Current system concerns include: Limited ability to share information. No support for the current application in use. No custom reports or screen reporting functions. Historical documents are not easily accessible. Current Pile Application…

3. Excel Spreadsheet…(previous system)

4. Printed Output…(previous system)

5. Pile Information and Location Explorer

6. The new application incorporates the previous analysis efforts into one application which has the following key features: Pile analysis data is located in a single database. Ability to read and write out data in XML format for easy transfer of data between the field and the Geo-Technical section. Decrease the dependency on printed reports. Application driven reports. Viewing of historical documents. Pile Application…

7. Project summary screen allows for easy project selection. Project screen offers detailed information at a glance. System allows for easy access to Add, Edit, or Search functions. Tabbed window layout easily allows the user to view pile, image, and GIS information. Interface Features…

8. Graphical User Interface Microsoft Visual Studio.NET (C#.NET). XML (Extensible Markup Language) Exporting/Importing of pile data. Pile Data Data store developed using Microsoft Access 2003. Scanned document and Image data store Currently using Windows Imaging Acquisition (WIA) for local pc scanning. The documents, images and metadata are stored in an Microsoft Access database. Development Platform/Technology

9. Future enhancement to the application: Utilize Falcon web services and database for document management (where we are now). Incorporate GIS information and interactive maps into the application (Google Earth???). A “web enabled” version of the application. A consultant version of the application. Future Development…

10. Current Projects Screen Data Sources File Functions

11. Pile Data/Information Area Pre-filled drop downs Pile Driving Data for Pier No. 2 Specific test pile data Menu

12. Reference Data Screen Data collected for future use within the GIS system.

13. Document Management – Image Source Data collected for future use within the GIS system.

14. Image and Data Screen File Functions View Controls Image Metadata

15. Search All (Pile Records or Historical Images)

16. Defined A web service is any piece of software that makes itself available over the internet and uses a standardized XML messaging system. XML is used to encode all communications to a web service. Platform Independent XML A client invokes a web service by sending an XML message, then waits for a corresponding XML response. Because all communication is in XML, web services are not tied to any one operating system or programming language--Java can talk with Perl; Windows applications can talk with Unix applications. Web Services – What?

17. Web Services – Basic Flow • XML • - Request is like the message • SOAP (Simple Object Access Protocol) • -Can be considered the address. Where does it go and to whom. SOAP XML Web Service <Project Number> <Structure Number> <Contractor> Query Data Fulfilled Request Document Data Store

18. Efficient method to serve a growing number of users. To fulfill the need to sharing information with users as well as other systems. The ability to make the information selectively visible and to change the visibility on the fly. (You ask the questions the web service provides the answer) To bring the consumer and provider closer together. Developer friendly (uses existing HTTP protocol and XML as base language). Uses standardized set of rules making them more portable to other devices and systems than other technologies. Web Services – Why?

19. Benefit the user by having all project related documents in one location. Lets the user ask the questions (What year, which highway, which county, which structure or bridge, etc.) Provides the users with many functions: Check out original document (document is locked until for editing by other until checked in). Check in document (after editing document lock is released). Copy the document (document is copied to local machine but cannot be checked in). Move document to new location on the web server Falcon Web Services

20. Options continued: Add new document (adds local document from user to the data store). Remove document (permanently removes the document). Falcon Web Services

21. Migrate existing data into the Falcon database. Incorporate Falcon web services into the Pile Application. Provide training and assistance to the existing users on the changes to the system. Look at other systems where web services may be beneficial Points Database (Survey point data). ARMS System (Automated Right-of Way Management System) Accident Records System. What Next…?

22. NebraskaDepartment of Roads Thank you for your time….. Contact Information E-Mail – tdennis@dor.state.ne.us Phone – 402/479-3619