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FAQ's

Q: What is the PubWorks MapViewer?
A: The PubWorks MapViewer is an embedded GIS module available from most PubWorks screens. The MapViewer seamlessly links your PubWorks data to your GIS data to instantly map locations of works crews, create map-based to-do lists and analyze costs. The MapViewer was developed using ESRI technology and can use any ESRI compatible data formats. If you don’t have GIS data, we can provide you with ESRI StreetMap data for your area.

Q: What level of GIS knowledge is required to use the MapViewer?
A: Prior knowledge of GIS software and GIS data is not required. The MapViewer is extremely user-friendly and will display GIS data of your area with the click of a button. All mapping tasks are automated directly from most PubWorks screens.

Q: What if I do not have GIS data of my area?
A: We can provide you with ESRI StreetMap data for your area. StreetMap data includes a street network (including address ranges for all streets) and background layers such as landmarks, schools, and boundaries (city, county, state).

Q: We use the PubWorks Service Requests module daily – how can the MapViewer benefit us?
A: The MapViewer greatly enhances the Service Requests module and can be used to verify specific locations and addresses. For example, if a caller cannot remember the exact name of a street but gives the intersection or general area, you can use the MapViewer to zoom in to the area and locate the street name or exact address. Once you locate the street in the MapViewer, you can create a new PubWorks Service Request directly from the Map.
You can instantly map Service Requests from the Service Request Log and Service Request Status screens with the click of a button. These maps can be printed or emailed to the appropriate personnel.

Q: Does the MapViewer require additional licensing?
A: The MapViewer was built using ESRI’s ArcEngine can use an existing ESRI license. If an ESRI license is not available, an ESRI ArcEngine license can be purchased for a small fee.

Q: We have a GIS department and have concerns about data security and data integrity. How will the MapViewer use our data. Will the MapViewer alter our current data?
A: The MapViewer offers two data connection modes: Read-only and Data Editing. In the Read-Only mode, data editing is not allowed through the MapViewer. The MapViewer can link to any ESRI data storage structure (shapefile, geodatabase, ArcServer (ArcSDE)) without altering the GIS data. The Data Editing mode allows the user to perform simple edits on the GIS data through the MapViewer.

Q: Does the MapViewer offer two way data synchronization? What happens when I add a new PubWorks record or edit my GIS data?
A: The MapViewer includes a data synchronization tool which will report data discrepancies. When new GIS features are added, our data synchronization will create new PubWorks records and automatically link to the new GIS features. When new records are added to PubWorks, a report will be generated to notify the user that new records are available to link to GIS data. Data discrepancies such as duplicate links or broken links will also be reported.