Data Models and Mobile Workflows

[KennethLohr]

I'd like to start a conversation about implementing mobile workflows incorporating ESRI data models.  Anyone who has ideas, concerns, successes or otherwise, please post.

I'm trying to work out the details of working with the Local Government data model, and how best to collect data for it in a mobile environment.  Specifically, I want to start with collecting Poles and adding Signs to them, and subsequently SignInspections.  Logically, these are things that make sense to edit in the field.  I'm planning to use ArcPad, however I want to keep the discussion open to all other mobile platforms...ArcGIS Mobile, iOS, Android, ArcGIS.com.  I haven't quite gotten to the point of figuring out how ArcPad is going to edit standalone tables, where the Signs and SignInspections reside.

To add fuel to the fire, there is the proposed ESRI Sign Inspection app for iOS.

Again, please post any ideas, problems, successes, gotchas or anything else relevant to the subject of integrating mobile workflows with published data models.

[ShahidHussain]

If you are still looking for mobile solution, we are using Trimble TerraSync software for map field verification work in which
we reclassify the existing features and add new features based on feature data dictionary also collecting feature attributes
etc. If you need more detail just send me your email and what exactly you want to do I will detailed answered you.

[MichaelDesroches]

We're working with an Enterprise Electrical Distribution Geometric Network and have implemented two field solutions:
1. IkeGPS for collection of poles and attachments. There is a local government solution available (http://www.ikegps.com). Post processing of the shapefiles into geometric network via desktop ArcEditor. There is hope that in the future ike will support axf or arcPad Services in order to get related tables functionality.
2. Field validation of the geometric network using ArcEditor Geometric Network tools on a laptop running distributed replica of network copied onto a local sql express sde (two way replica synchronization).

Always interested in hearing what others have found as a good solution!

[KennethLohr]

Unfortunately, no solution was ever found to how ArcPad would edit non-spatial tables.  We realized that although still tedious, it would be much faster to digitize poles in a heads-up fashion on an aerial, using Google Street View as a reference.  That doesn't give us a precise collection date because it's hard to tell exactly when a Google Street View photo was taken.  However, it IS much faster to zoom down the street in Street View than it is to walk or drive in a truck.  We do sacrifice data that could be collected with an in-person visit, such as installation dates and condition.  In 6 months or so, we've got about 3/4 of the city's signage nailed down.  After that, it's a process of going through the work orders since the estimated photography date and either verify or make changes according to those work orders completed. 

And no iOS app as of yet, either. 😞