Canopy Mapping Co.

UIAT Documentation

Overview

The Utility Incident Awareness Tool (UIAT) is a specialized mapping solution designed for emergency response and incident management in utility networks. It provides real-time situational awareness, coordination tools, and decision support for managing utility incidents.

UIAT helps utility companies, emergency services, and local governments respond effectively to outages, infrastructure damage, and other utility-related emergencies.

Key Features

  • Real-time incident mapping and tracking
  • Field team coordination and dispatch
  • Integration with utility network data
  • Automated alerts and notifications
  • Resource allocation and management
  • Damage assessment tools
  • Public information portal
  • Historical incident analysis

Emergency Response Overview

UIAT is designed to support the entire emergency response lifecycle:

Preparation

  • Pre-incident Planning: Create response plans and scenarios
  • Resource Management: Inventory and position emergency resources
  • Training: Simulate incidents for staff training
  • Network Mapping: Maintain up-to-date utility infrastructure maps
  • Vulnerability Assessment: Identify high-risk areas and assets

Detection & Notification

  • Automated Monitoring: Integrate with SCADA and IoT sensors
  • Public Reports: Capture and verify customer reports
  • Alert Generation: Create and distribute incident alerts
  • Initial Assessment: Classify incident severity and scope
  • Escalation: Trigger appropriate response protocols

Response & Mitigation

  • Incident Command: Establish and manage response structure
  • Field Operations: Dispatch and coordinate response teams
  • Situational Awareness: Maintain real-time common operating picture
  • Resource Allocation: Assign and track personnel and equipment
  • Public Communication: Provide updates to affected communities

Recovery & Analysis

  • Damage Assessment: Document and quantify infrastructure damage
  • Restoration Tracking: Monitor repair progress and service restoration
  • After-Action Review: Analyze response effectiveness
  • Historical Analysis: Identify patterns and improvement opportunities
  • Reporting: Generate comprehensive incident reports

Deployment Guide

UIAT can be deployed in various configurations to meet your organization's needs:

System Requirements

Server Requirements

  • Windows Server 2019/2022 or Linux
  • 8+ CPU cores
  • 16GB RAM minimum
  • 100GB SSD storage
  • PostgreSQL with PostGIS
  • 1Gbps network connection

Client Requirements

  • Modern web browser
  • 4GB RAM minimum
  • Stable internet connection
  • Mobile: iOS 14+ or Android 8+
  • Tablets recommended for field use

Deployment Options

  • Cloud Hosted: Fully managed SaaS solution with high availability and automatic scaling
  • On-Premises: Deploy within your organization's infrastructure for maximum control and security
  • Hybrid: Combine on-premises core components with cloud-based services for optimal flexibility
  • Mobile Command Center: Deployable solution for field operations with limited connectivity

Installation Process

For on-premises deployments:

  1. Prepare server infrastructure according to requirements
  2. Install and configure PostgreSQL with PostGIS extension
  3. Deploy UIAT server components using the installation package
  4. Configure network settings and security
  5. Set up user authentication and access control
  6. Import utility network data and base maps
  7. Configure integration with existing systems
  8. Deploy and test mobile applications
  9. Conduct system validation and acceptance testing

For cloud deployments, our team will handle the technical setup and provide access credentials.

Deployment Considerations

  • Security: Implement appropriate access controls and data protection
  • Connectivity: Ensure reliable network access for all components
  • Redundancy: Plan for backup systems and failover capabilities
  • Scalability: Size the deployment for peak incident management needs
  • Integration: Connect with existing utility management systems
  • Training: Prepare staff for system use before incidents occur

Real-time Monitoring

UIAT provides comprehensive real-time monitoring capabilities:

Incident Dashboard

The main dashboard provides an overview of all active incidents:

  • Incident Map: Geographic display of all incidents
  • Incident List: Tabular view with key details and status
  • Summary Statistics: Total incidents, affected customers, etc.
  • Resource Status: Available and deployed response resources
  • Timeline: Recent activity and upcoming scheduled actions
  • Alerts: Critical notifications requiring attention

Data Integration

UIAT can integrate with various data sources:

  • SCADA Systems: Real-time operational data from utility networks
  • IoT Sensors: Environmental and infrastructure monitoring
  • Weather Services: Current conditions and forecasts
  • Customer Reports: Outage reports and service requests
  • Social Media: Public mentions of incidents and conditions
  • Traffic Systems: Road closures and transportation impacts
  • Emergency Services: Police, fire, and EMS activity

Visualization Tools

  • Thematic Maps: Color-coded incident severity and status
  • Heat Maps: Density of reports and affected areas
  • Network Diagrams: Utility infrastructure with status indicators
  • Time-Series Charts: Incident trends and response metrics
  • 3D Visualization: Terrain and infrastructure in three dimensions
  • Augmented Reality: Field view with data overlay (mobile app)

Monitoring Workflows

  1. Set up monitoring parameters and alert thresholds
  2. Configure data refresh rates for different sources
  3. Create custom views for specific roles or incident types
  4. Establish watch areas for priority monitoring
  5. Schedule automated reports and status updates
  6. Configure notification rules and recipients

Field Operations

UIAT provides powerful tools for field teams responding to incidents:

Mobile Application

The UIAT mobile app enables field personnel to:

  • View Assignments: See assigned incidents and tasks
  • Navigate: Get directions to incident locations
  • Update Status: Report progress and conditions
  • Collect Data: Document damage with photos and notes
  • Access Information: View utility network details
  • Communicate: Message other team members
  • Work Offline: Continue operations with limited connectivity

Field Data Collection

Field teams can collect various types of data:

  • Damage Reports: Document infrastructure damage with photos and descriptions
  • Safety Hazards: Mark dangerous conditions for immediate attention
  • Resource Needs: Request additional personnel or equipment
  • Repair Status: Update progress on restoration efforts
  • Environmental Conditions: Record weather and site conditions
  • Customer Impacts: Document affected services and properties

Dispatch and Coordination

Incident commanders can manage field resources:

  • Team Assignment: Assign personnel to specific incidents or areas
  • Task Management: Create and prioritize work orders
  • Resource Tracking: Monitor location and status of field teams
  • Shift Planning: Schedule personnel for extended operations
  • Equipment Allocation: Assign and track specialized equipment
  • Mutual Aid Coordination: Integrate external assistance teams

Integration Capabilities

UIAT can integrate with various systems to enhance incident management:

Supported Integrations

  • SCADA Systems: Real-time operational data from utility networks
  • GIS Platforms: Esri ArcGIS, QGIS, and other spatial data systems
  • Asset Management: Maximo, SAP, and other enterprise systems
  • Weather Services: NOAA, AccuWeather, and other forecast providers
  • Emergency Management: WebEOC, E-SPONDER, and similar platforms
  • Notification Systems: Mass notification and alert platforms
  • Customer Information: CIS and CRM systems
  • Work Order Management: Field service management systems

Integration Methods

  • REST APIs: Comprehensive API for data exchange
  • Web Services: SOAP and other web service protocols
  • Data Connectors: Pre-built connectors for common systems
  • File Exchange: Automated import/export of standard formats
  • Database Links: Direct database connections where appropriate
  • Message Queues: Event-driven integration via message brokers

Common Integration Scenarios

  • Outage Management: Integrate with OMS to correlate outages with infrastructure
  • Customer Communication: Connect to notification systems for public updates
  • Work Order Management: Generate and track repair work orders
  • Regulatory Reporting: Export incident data for compliance reporting
  • Emergency Operations: Share data with EOC systems during major events

Administration

UIAT provides comprehensive administration tools:

User Management

  • User Accounts: Create and manage user profiles
  • Role-Based Access: Assign permissions based on job functions
  • Team Management: Organize users into operational teams
  • Authentication: SAML, OAuth, and Active Directory integration
  • Audit Logging: Track user actions for accountability

System Configuration

  • Incident Types: Define custom incident categories
  • Status Workflows: Configure incident lifecycle stages
  • Notification Rules: Set up automated alerts
  • Form Templates: Create custom data collection forms
  • Report Templates: Design standard reports
  • Map Layers: Configure base maps and operational layers

Data Management

  • Data Import: Load utility network and infrastructure data
  • Data Export: Extract incident data for analysis
  • Archiving: Manage historical incident records
  • Backup: Configure automated system backups
  • Data Validation: Ensure data quality and integrity

System Monitoring

  • Performance Metrics: Monitor system health and performance
  • Usage Statistics: Track system utilization
  • Error Logging: Capture and report system issues
  • Capacity Planning: Identify resource needs
  • Security Monitoring: Detect unauthorized access attempts

Support and Resources

Technical Support

Canopy Mapping provides comprehensive support for UIAT:

  • 24/7 Emergency Support: Available for critical incidents
  • Standard Support: Business hours assistance for routine issues
  • Email Support: support@canopymapping.com
  • Phone Support: 1-888-555-UIAT
  • Support Portal: https://support.canopymapping.com

Training Resources

  • Online Training: Self-paced courses and tutorials
  • Instructor-Led Training: Virtual and on-site options
  • Training Videos: Step-by-step guides for common tasks
  • User Guides: Comprehensive documentation
  • Quick Reference Cards: At-a-glance instructions

Community Resources

  • User Forum: Connect with other UIAT users
  • Knowledge Base: Search for solutions to common issues
  • Webinars: Regular online sessions on best practices
  • User Group Meetings: Regional and virtual gatherings
  • Case Studies: Learn from successful implementations

Professional Services

  • Implementation Services: Expert assistance with deployment
  • Custom Development: Tailored solutions for specific needs
  • Data Migration: Help moving from legacy systems
  • Integration Services: Connect UIAT with other systems
  • Consulting: Strategic guidance on emergency management