<P>66The Military Engineer ? July-August ? 2010 stemmed from a need for an enterprise- wide solution for USACE to use and store engineering data and products re- lated to coastal navigation projects. Pri- or to this project, even the districts that had data management capabilities were not linked into one anothers data. Fur- thermore, many districts had no data management at all, and information management had become a challenge. The archives of many districts data holdings were characterized by various soft-copy formats, some obsolete me- dia formats and hundreds of thousands of hardcopy mapping archives, many of which are on non-standard source ma- terial. The bene?ts of an enterprise solu- tion include creating a standard one- stop shop for navigation and coastal data, improving ef?ciency, accelerating implementation of enterprise practices throughout USACE and enhancing the decision-making ability of the Naviga- tion Business Line. The desired ?nal product will leverage ESRIs ArcGIS Server Geoportal extension for metadata discovery. With the Geoportal extension, users can reduce time and redundancy of data production by connecting geo- spatial data and service producers and consumers, maintain data integrity by allowing organizations to easily share the authoritative version of data among its users, and enable search and discov- ery of existing geospatial data by allow- ing users to create and post metadata ef?ciently. The end user will be able to search and view metadata, view live map services, download data and man- age, publish and store metadata. Concept to Reality The responsibility of bringing the NCDB from concept to reality was entrusted to the Mobile Districts Spatial Data Branch, which teamed with contractor Northrop Grumman Integrated Intelligence Systems (NGC). The daunting task was initiated through a team effort in which the Mobile District coordinated across the districts and with the USACE Engineering Research and Development Center to ensure support- ability, while the Navigation Business Line worked on the creation of nationally-stan- dardized analysis tools and the establish- ment of visualization applications. The NGC program management team was meanwhile preparing a pro- gram management plan and initiating efforts to staff and manage GIS analysts for the program. The ?rst of three ori- entation sessions for the 43 oncoming NCDB GIS analysts began in Mobile, Ala., in August 2009 and was followed by similar sessions in September and October. The orientation sessions, con- ducted by the NGC NCDB management team under close integration with the Mobile District Spatial Data Branch, focused on priority data sets. Follow- ing the weeklong sessions, analysts deployed in pairs to their respective districts, where they integrated with the local GIS groups to begin the execution phase of NCDB. During the ?rst few months of the program, the NGC and USACE teams faced challenges in separate venues. Harnessing the data-mining and prob- lem-solving power of 43 GIS profession- als across 20 states required signi?cant project communication tools. To lever- age the knowledge of the ?eld staff to solve technical questions, NCDB used weekly teleconference calls, a dedi- cated ?le transfer protocol site, and a web-based project forum site to share insights, documents and tools. This al- lowed the NGC teams to solve many of their own problems and to consolidate issues so that one point of contact could transfer questions and comments be- tween NGC and the Mobile District. The USACE team, meanwhile, was working on an inventory solution to provide a Spatial Data Standard for Facilities, Infrastructure and Environ- ment-compliant geo-database to en- sure quality of collected data, and on an infrastructure solution for publishing and harvesting metadata. The overall solution will ensure USACE has easy ac- cess to navigation and coastal features in a user-friendly format. At completion of the program, each district will have a consistent folder structure for data stor- age, layer ?les and metadata, and have their data housed in a geo-database. Preparing for the Future As we approach operational capa- bility of NCDB, the programs public portal will initially allow users from the general public to search the meta- data for information in their areas and use contact information to request a copy of the data. The next phase of the public portal will allow users to search the metadata for information and then download it straight from the portal. Plans also call for integrating NCDB into search tools currently in use with the U.S. Geological Surveys Geospatial One Stop and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Integrated Ocean Observing System program. NCDB also will be integrated with USACEs desktop eCoastal system, an enterprise GIS system that offers engi- neering and decision support tools for coastal and navigation analysis that has been implemented at several coastal districts, and will eventually be offered in a web-based format. With this enterprise-wide solution, a number of engineering and decision- support tools can be developed at the Navigation Business Line to simultane- ously bene?t all the coastal districts in the conduct of their own projects. These tools utility will be exponentially in- creased by enabling database searches across the districts. Because individual districts often have projects that extend across multiple jurisdictional boundar- ies, sharing information between dis- tricts via a web-oriented architecture ensures continuity. Each district can bene?t from sharing recent and histori- cal project information, which can then be used to help make better decisions going forward. This unique data integration frame- work uses an historic legacy of engi- neering products to enable future ap- plications. Through the NCDB program, USACE has leveraged Recovery Act funds to capitalize on a legacy, create real value for the present and better prepare for the future within the realm of water manage- ment and navigation. Joseph F. Paschall, GISP, PMP, M.SAME, is Senior Program Manager, Integrated Intel- ligence Systems, Northrop Grumman Infor- mation Systems; 256-830-3684 or joseph.pas- chall@ngc.com. William C. Padgett, GISP, M.SAME, is Chief, Spatial Data Branch, U.S. Army Corps of En- gineers Mobile District; 251-694-3721 or clint.</p> <UL><LI><a href="http://www.stallionpublishers.com/publication/609/tofzxaosm/1/1/">Front-Cover</a></LI> <LI><a href="http://www.stallionpublishers.com/publication/609/tofzxaosm/2/2/">Inside-Front-Cover</a></LI> <LI><a href="http://www.stallionpublishers.com/publication/609/tofzxaosm/3/3/">Page-1</a></LI> <LI><a href="http://www.stallionpublishers.com/publication/609/tofzxaosm/4/4/">Page-2</a></LI> <LI><a href="http://www.stallionpublishers.com/publication/609/tofzxaosm/5/5/">Page-3</a></LI> <LI><a href="http://www.stallionpublishers.com/publication/609/tofzxaosm/6/6/">Page-4</a></LI> <LI><a href="http://www.stallionpublishers.com/publication/609/tofzxaosm/7/7/">Page-5</a></LI> <LI><a href="http://www.stallionpublishers.com/publication/609/tofzxaosm/8/8/">Page-6</a></LI> <LI><a href="http://www.stallionpublishers.com/publication/609/tofzxaosm/9/9/">Page-7</a></LI> <LI><a href="http://www.stallionpublishers.com/publication/609/tofzxaosm/10/10/">Page-8</a></LI> <LI><a href="http://www.stallionpublishers.com/publication/609/tofzxaosm/11/11/">Page-9</a></LI> <LI><a href="http://www.stallionpublishers.com/publication/609/tofzxaosm/12/12/">Page-10</a></LI> <LI><a href="http://www.stallionpublishers.com/publication/609/tofzxaosm/13/13/">Page-11</a></LI> <LI><a href="http://www.stallionpublishers.com/publication/609/tofzxaosm/14/14/">Page-12</a></LI> <LI><a href="http://www.stallionpublishers.com/publication/609/tofzxaosm/15/15/">Page-13</a></LI> <LI><a href="http://www.stallionpublishers.com/publication/609/tofzxaosm/16/16/">Page-14</a></LI> <LI><a href="http://www.stallionpublishers.com/publication/609/tofzxaosm/17/17/">Page-15</a></LI> <LI><a href="http://www.stallionpublishers.com/publication/609/tofzxaosm/18/18/">Page-16</a></LI> <LI><a href="http://www.stallionpublishers.com/publication/609/tofzxaosm/19/19/">Page-17</a></LI> <LI><a href="http://www.stallionpublishers.com/publication/609/tofzxaosm/20/20/">Page-18</a></LI> <LI><a href="http://www.stallionpublishers.com/publication/609/tofzxaosm/21/21/">Page-19</a></LI> <LI><a href="http://www.stallionpublishers.com/publication/609/tofzxaosm/22/22/">Page-20</a></LI> <LI><a href="http://www.stallionpublishers.com/publication/609/tofzxaosm/23/23/">Page-21</a></LI> <LI><a href="http://www.stallionpublishers.com/publication/609/tofzxaosm/24/24/">Page-22</a></LI> <LI><a href="http://www.stallionpublishers.com/publication/609/tofzxaosm/25/25/">Page-23</a></LI> <LI><a href="http://www.stallionpublishers.com/publication/609/tofzxaosm/26/26/">Page-24</a></LI> <LI><a href="http://www.stallionpublishers.com/publication/609/tofzxaosm/27/27/">Page-25</a></LI> <LI><a href="http://www.stallionpublishers.com/publication/609/tofzxaosm/28/28/">Page-26</a></LI> <LI><a href="http://www.stallionpublishers.com/publication/609/tofzxaosm/29/29/">Page-27</a></LI> <LI><a href="http://www.stallionpublishers.com/publication/609/tofzxaosm/30/30/">Page-28</a></LI> <LI><a href="http://www.stallionpublishers.com/publication/609/tofzxaosm/31/31/">Page-29</a></LI> <LI><a href="http://www.stallionpublishers.com/publication/609/tofzxaosm/32/32/">Page-30</a></LI> <LI><a href="http://www.stallionpublishers.com/publication/609/tofzxaosm/33/33/">Page-31</a></LI> <LI><a href="http://www.stallionpublishers.com/publication/609/tofzxaosm/34/34/">Page-32</a></LI> <LI><a href="http://www.stallionpublishers.com/publication/609/tofzxaosm/35/35/">Page-33</a></LI> <LI><a href="http://www.stallionpublishers.com/publication/609/tofzxaosm/36/36/">Page-34</a></LI> <LI><a href="http://www.stallionpublishers.com/publication/609/tofzxaosm/37/37/">Page-35</a></LI> <LI><a href="http://www.stallionpublishers.com/publication/609/tofzxaosm/38/38/">Page-36</a></LI> <LI><a href="http://www.stallionpublishers.com/publication/609/tofzxaosm/39/39/">Page-37</a></LI> <LI><a href="http://www.stallionpublishers.com/publication/609/tofzxaosm/40/40/">Page-38</a></LI> <LI><a href="http://www.stallionpublishers.com/publication/609/tofzxaosm/41/41/">Page-39</a></LI> <LI><a href="http://www.stallionpublishers.com/publication/609/tofzxaosm/42/42/">Page-40</a></LI> <LI><a href="http://www.stallionpublishers.com/publication/609/tofzxaosm/43/43/">Page-41</a></LI> <LI><a href="http://www.stallionpublishers.com/publication/609/tofzxaosm/44/44/">Page-42</a></LI> <LI><a href="http://www.stallionpublishers.com/publication/609/tofzxaosm/45/45/">Page-43</a></LI> <LI><a href="http://www.stallionpublishers.com/publication/609/tofzxaosm/46/46/">Page-44</a></LI> <LI><a href="http://www.stallionpublishers.com/publication/609/tofzxaosm/47/47/">Page-45</a></LI> <LI><a href="http://www.stallionpublishers.com/publication/609/tofzxaosm/48/48/">Page-46</a></LI> <LI><a href="http://www.stallionpublishers.com/publication/609/tofzxaosm/49/49/">Page-47</a></LI> <LI><a href="http://www.stallionpublishers.com/publication/609/tofzxaosm/50/50/">Page-48</a></LI> <LI><a href="http://www.stallionpublishers.com/publication/609/tofzxaosm/51/51/">Page-49</a></LI> <LI><a href="http://www.stallionpublishers.com/publication/609/tofzxaosm/52/52/">Page-50</a></LI> <LI><a href="http://www.stallionpublishers.com/publication/609/tofzxaosm/53/53/">Page-51</a></LI> <LI><a href="http://www.stallionpublishers.com/publication/609/tofzxaosm/54/54/">Page-52</a></LI> <LI><a href="http://www.stallionpublishers.com/publication/609/tofzxaosm/55/55/">Page-53</a></LI> <LI><a href="http://www.stallionpublishers.com/publication/609/tofzxaosm/56/56/">Page-54</a></LI> <LI><a href="http://www.stallionpublishers.com/publication/609/tofzxaosm/57/57/">Page-55</a></LI> <LI><a href="http://www.stallionpublishers.com/publication/609/tofzxaosm/58/58/">Page-56</a></LI> <LI><a href="http://www.stallionpublishers.com/publication/609/tofzxaosm/59/59/">Page-57</a></LI> <LI><a href="http://www.stallionpublishers.com/publication/609/tofzxaosm/60/60/">Page-58</a></LI> <LI><a href="http://www.stallionpublishers.com/publication/609/tofzxaosm/61/61/">Page-59</a></LI> <LI><a href="http://www.stallionpublishers.com/publication/609/tofzxaosm/62/62/">Page-60</a></LI> <LI><a href="http://www.stallionpublishers.com/publication/609/tofzxaosm/63/63/">Page-61</a></LI> <LI><a href="http://www.stallionpublishers.com/publication/609/tofzxaosm/64/64/">Page-62</a></LI> <LI><a href="http://www.stallionpublishers.com/publication/609/tofzxaosm/65/65/">Page-63</a></LI> <LI><a href="http://www.stallionpublishers.com/publication/609/tofzxaosm/66/66/">Page-64</a></LI> <LI><a href="http://www.stallionpublishers.com/publication/609/tofzxaosm/67/67/">Page-65</a></LI> <LI><a href="http://www.stallionpublishers.com/publication/609/tofzxaosm/68/68/">Page-66</a></LI> <LI><a href="http://www.stallionpublishers.com/publication/609/tofzxaosm/69/69/">Page-67</a></LI> <LI><a href="http://www.stallionpublishers.com/publication/609/tofzxaosm/70/70/">Page-68</a></LI> <LI><a href="http://www.stallionpublishers.com/publication/609/tofzxaosm/71/71/">Page-69</a></LI> <LI><a href="http://www.stallionpublishers.com/publication/609/tofzxaosm/72/72/">Page-70</a></LI> <LI><a href="http://www.stallionpublishers.com/publication/609/tofzxaosm/73/73/">Page-71</a></LI> <LI><a href="http://www.stallionpublishers.com/publication/609/tofzxaosm/74/74/">Page-72</a></LI> <LI><a href="http://www.stallionpublishers.com/publication/609/tofzxaosm/75/75/">Page-73</a></LI> <LI><a href="http://www.stallionpublishers.com/publication/609/tofzxaosm/76/76/">Page-74</a></LI> <LI><a href="http://www.stallionpublishers.com/publication/609/tofzxaosm/77/77/">Page-75</a></LI> <LI><a href="http://www.stallionpublishers.com/publication/609/tofzxaosm/78/78/">Page-76</a></LI> <LI><a href="http://www.stallionpublishers.com/publication/609/tofzxaosm/79/79/">Page-77</a></LI> <LI><a href="http://www.stallionpublishers.com/publication/609/tofzxaosm/80/80/">Page-78</a></LI> <LI><a href="http://www.stallionpublishers.com/publication/609/tofzxaosm/81/81/">Page-79</a></LI> <LI><a href="http://www.stallionpublishers.com/publication/609/tofzxaosm/82/82/">Page-80</a></LI> <LI><a href="http://www.stallionpublishers.com/publication/609/tofzxaosm/83/83/">Page-81</a></LI> <LI><a href="http://www.stallionpublishers.com/publication/609/tofzxaosm/84/84/">Page-82</a></LI> <LI><a href="http://www.stallionpublishers.com/publication/609/tofzxaosm/85/85/">Page-83</a></LI> <LI><a href="http://www.stallionpublishers.com/publication/609/tofzxaosm/86/86/">Page-84</a></LI> <LI><a href="http://www.stallionpublishers.com/publication/609/tofzxaosm/87/87/">Page-85</a></LI> <LI><a href="http://www.stallionpublishers.com/publication/609/tofzxaosm/88/88/">Page-86</a></LI> <LI><a href="http://www.stallionpublishers.com/publication/609/tofzxaosm/89/89/">Page-87</a></LI> <LI><a href="http://www.stallionpublishers.com/publication/609/tofzxaosm/90/90/">Page-88</a></LI> <LI><a href="http://www.stallionpublishers.com/publication/609/tofzxaosm/91/91/">Page-89</a></LI> <LI><a href="http://www.stallionpublishers.com/publication/609/tofzxaosm/92/92/">Page-90</a></LI> <LI><a href="http://www.stallionpublishers.com/publication/609/tofzxaosm/93/93/">Page-91</a></LI> <LI><a href="http://www.stallionpublishers.com/publication/609/tofzxaosm/94/94/">Page-92</a></LI> <LI><a href="http://www.stallionpublishers.com/publication/609/tofzxaosm/95/95/">Page-93</a></LI> <LI><a href="http://www.stallionpublishers.com/publication/609/tofzxaosm/96/96/">Page-94</a></LI> <LI><a href="http://www.stallionpublishers.com/publication/609/tofzxaosm/97/97/">Page-95</a></LI> <LI><a href="http://www.stallionpublishers.com/publication/609/tofzxaosm/98/98/">Page-96</a></LI> <LI><a href="http://www.stallionpublishers.com/publication/609/tofzxaosm/99/99/">Page-97</a></LI> <LI><a href="http://www.stallionpublishers.com/publication/609/tofzxaosm/100/100/">Back-Cover</a></LI> <LI><a href="http://www.stallionpublishers.com/publications/609/x/sitemap.xml" target="_blank">site map</a></LI> </UL>

 

If you would like to view publication without flash plugin, please click on link below




To view your publication, you need to upgrade your Flash Player
Click here to install latest flash player.