Colonial Pipeline Company was challenged to maintain and support a completely custom .NET middleware application designed to move data from a dedicated field data collection system to APDM, a highly specialized enterprise GIS data model for pipeline operators. This middleware application provides business functions that help Colonial track and report on numerous work activities, asset condition and meet critical regulatory requirements. Colonial chose to use FME Workbench and FME Server to replace the .NET application with a more reliable, supportable and easily extended solution.

1. THE EVOLUTION OF A DATA
TRANSLATION
Bradley Hood
Global Information Systems LLC

2. A data translation is not
always a one and done
solution
● The Challenge
● The Solution
● The Challenge Changes
● FME Adapts

3. FME IS CHANGE
Workbenches are not built in stone.
● Needs change.
● Data changes.
● FME changes.

4. Global Information Systems provides pipeline integrity
software & services for its partner-clients. Our domains of
expertise include Applications & Database Development;
GIS & CAD; Materials Verification & Pipeline Data
Modeling; Real-time Data Integration, Analysis, Dash-
boarding & Reporting.

5. • Interstate common carrier of refined
petroleum products
• Over 5,500 miles of pipeline
stretching from Houston to New York
• Headquartered in Alpharetta, GA
• Transports over
100 million gallons per day:
– Gasoline
– Home heating oil
– Diesel fuel
– Commercial jet fuel
– Military fuels
Colonial Pipeline Company
Business Overview

6. THE CHALLENGE

7. Take data from proprietary field data
collection system. Spatialize it and
load into an enterprise GIS for
publication and distribution
throughout the organization.
● Multiple Report Types
● Often writing to the same table
● FME Adapts

8. Take data from proprietary field data
collection system. Spatialize it and
load into an enterprise GIS for
publication and distribution
throughout the organization.
● Multiple Report Types
● Often writing to the same table
● FME Adapts

9. ● Chain of Workbenches
● Field Collection Templates Grouped
together
● Data passed down the chain
The Solution

11. VALIDATION

13. VALIDATION
1. Anomaly Previously Mitigated
2. Only One Anomaly being Mitigated
3. Look For Previously Loaded
4. As-Built Validation

14. Linear Reference and Distance Test

15. Linear Reference Part 2

16. Linear Reference Now

17. GETTING TO SERVER

18. Questions
1. Where to store data in
between workspaces
2. Best way to confirm that
down chain workbenches
processed correctly
3. Initial groupings not quite
correct

19. Workspaces become Custom Transformers

20. Keeping up with FME

21. THANK YOU!
Bradley Hood
bradley.hood@gisllc.com