In today's world, precise documentation of infrastructures such as fiber optic and electricity networks is essential. siticom specializes in the use and optimization of GIS and CAD applications to make this documentation efficient and seamless. In addition, siticom has developed its own WebGIS platform, which serves as a central hub for as-built documentation and quality assurance in construction projects. With extensive expertise in the implementation of geodata infrastructures, ranging from cloud solutions to GIS servers and WebGIS clients, siticom offers customized solutions for municipalities and other planning stakeholders.
In this interview, we talk to our developers Katharina Schwarz and Jakob Miksch and project manager Christoph Schopen about their approaches, the challenges facing the industry and the future of digital infrastructure planning.
siticom not only does broadband planning, but also provides its expertise in the integration of GIS applications in particular. What specific challenges do you solve for your customers in the documentation of fiber optic and electricity projects?
C. Schopen: Precision is crucial in the planning and documentation of infrastructures such as fiber optic and electricity networks. Every line and every distributor must be precisely documented so that subsequent maintenance and expansions can be carried out efficiently. With our expertise, we enable end-to-end documentation that is seamlessly integrated from planning to implementation. This allows us to avoid inconsistencies and create a reliable database for everyone involved.
Another important aspect is interoperability between different systems. Our solutions are designed to consolidate data from different sources, which is particularly beneficial for complex projects. This integration not only improves the quality of the data, but also increases the efficiency of project management.
siticom WebGIS is your central platform for the as-built documentation of construction projects. What are the central functions of this platform and how do your customers benefit from it?
K. Schwarz: siticom WebGIS is the central nervous system for construction projects. All relevant information such as photos, logs and construction progress are centrally recorded and managed here via app or WebGIS. This enables seamless documentation and gives those involved an up-to-date overview of the project status at all times.
The automation of many work steps is particularly noteworthy. For example, photos and documents can be automatically sorted and assigned to the corresponding construction phases. This saves time and reduces the susceptibility to errors. Our platform is cloud-based, which enables access from anywhere and facilitates collaboration even over long distances.
Geodata infrastructure (GDI) is an increasingly important part of modern planning processes. What expertise does siticom offer in the implementation of such infrastructures and who are the main users of your solutions?
J. Miksch: We have extensive experience in implementing spatial data infrastructures that span the entire technology stack - from cloud integration to geodata servers and WebGIS to desktop clients such as QGIS. Our solutions are specifically designed to meet the needs of municipalities and other users involved in planning with GIS.
C. Schopen: For our customers, this means that they receive a customized infrastructure that is precisely tailored to their requirements. We offer not only the technical implementation, but also the consulting and training to ensure that users can exploit the full potential of the systems. In this way, we create the basis for efficient and future-proof planning and management of geodata.
How does siticom support accompanying quality assurance during construction, and what role does digitalization play in this?
K. Schwarz: Our quality assurance tools use state-of-the-art technologies to monitor the entire construction process in real time. Accompanying quality assurance is a central part of our work, as it ensures that project standards are met from start to finish. We use our extensive expertise in geodata processing and platform development for this purpose.
C. Schopen: Extensive digitization of all processes is of course an iterative process that is never finished. However, one of the main goals is seamless real-time documentation. Every step towards this goal will increasingly simplify both our work and that of our partners. With the help of the platforms that we are developing and co-developing, construction managers and planners will be able to view the current status of a project at any time and intervene immediately if necessary. This reduces the risk of errors and increases efficiency and transparency throughout the entire construction process.
siticom relies on forward-looking technologies such as cloud computing and artificial intelligence. How do these technologies influence your work in GIS development, and what are your plans for the future?
J. Miksch: Cloud computing enables us to provide our geodata services in a flexible and scalable way that can be quickly adapted to the needs of our customers. We are working on automating these services even more and expanding them with AI-based functions, such as automatic image analysis. A long-term goal is to use these technologies to create a digital twin of the construction project, which will enable us to track construction progress in real time and carry out simulations.
C. Schopen: Our vision is to digitize and automate the entire planning and construction phase as much as possible. Topics such as network simulations and the integration of OpenStreetMap data also play an important role here. We see great potential in further developing our existing solutions and setting new standards in the geodata infrastructure.
With the constant development of technologies and the increasing digitalization of construction and planning processes, we are at the forefront of an exciting future in GIS and broadband planning. Our expertise in the implementation of geodata infrastructures, the use of cloud computing and the integration of artificial intelligence enable us to set new standards in the industry and significantly increase the efficiency of projects.
In the future, our role will be to further develop innovative solutions to provide even better support for planners and construction managers. The goal is clear: fully digitalized and automated infrastructure planning that is not only precise and transparent, but also sustainable and future-proof. With this vision, we are shaping the digital future of infrastructure planning and setting new standards in the industry.