The Official Dig-Smart, LLC Weblog

For the past year staff from Dig-Smart, LLC have been working around the clock to complete the newest version of Dig-Smart software, Version 3.0. Dig-Smart Version 3.0 is available for 2 different levels of users. For the smaller utility with limited staff and resources we offer Dig-Smart Professional 3.0 which is designed to work only with the free version of SQL Server 2005, which is SQL Server Express. For larger and more complex utilities we offer the Dig-Smart Enterprise solution.  Both levels of software integrate with any One Call Center and can provide complete ticket management inside of ESRI"s flagship GIS software, ArcGIS.

Soon the Dig-Smart, LLC website will be redesigned to showcase all the functions, features and enhancements of the new build. Please stay tuned for more information as we begin to roll out Version 3.0.

Posted by dig-smart at 11:19 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Check out the new post to the RESTRICTED ACCESS page http://www.dig-smart.com/index_files/Page629.htm

You will need the username and password assinged to you. The new file is a web-based powerpoint. The file name is:  UsingGrids.mht

This slide presentation will prepare you for using the 1/4 mile by 1/4 mile grid layer issued by your one-call center or an internal geographic reference file to pre-sort your tickets based on geography.

Posted by dig-smart at 11:39 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Dig-Smart, LLC has released the new icon set for Dig-Smart Enterprise v3.0. As shown below, the new palette is a mixture of oranges, whites and blacks. Dig-Smart Analyzer and Dig-Smart Field are the 2 core end-user applications designated by their orange background and black foreground. Conversely, Dig-Smart Server Config, Dig-Smart Tools and Dig-Smart Services Manager are geared more towards administrative functions and contain a white background with an orange foreground.  

NEW DIG-SMART ENTERPRISE 3.0 ICON SET 

Posted by dig-smart at 03:19 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Do you currently use, or plan to use your One-Call's 1/4 x 1/4 GRID file for sorting tickets to your field teams? Have you just wished for a simpler way to pre-sort tickets by a geographic look-up file; for example all tickets in your NE Quadrant always got to Field Team Alpha? We have listened and we have acted. Using the power of GIS and a simple look-up file (which can be a shapefile or feature class with attributes) we can sort tickets in Dig-Smart Analyzer not only by their status (ALL-CLEAR, etc) but we can also sort against the geographic look-up file.

By loading your GRID or ZONE shapefile or feature class into the Dig-Smart data loader, you can specify its type to OTHER, allowing for it to be referenced and recognized by Dig-Smart Analyzer as a look-up file. This will enable any Tag created in Dig-Smart to receive tickets that are pre-sorted against the geographic boundary of the look-up file.

We are very excited to have increased the user options for sorting tickets from the previous 2.3 and 2.4 Enterprise Versions. Users now have much greater flexibility in analyzing and routing tickets; not only can they confirm its proximity to underground utilities with our traditional buffer ring technology but also with the geographic look-up file. Also note that this look-up file can be anything your utility uses internally for ticket distribution or the 1/4 x 1/4 GRID file issued by the State One-Call Center.

http://dig-smart.com/blog/ZonesFinal3.html

Posted by dig-smart at 10:39 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

This view is taken right from the new Analyzer 3.0 BETA environment in ArcMap.

View image (large file)

This capture represents how the new ticket analyzer environment will look. As you can already guess, real estate is becoming an issue. If you do not already have dual monitors, now would be the time to budget for them.

The map remains the same, using the objects from ESRI locate and display the ticket location. This frame can be modified to any size.

The ticket information multi-tab display is very different. There are actually 4 tabs of data (one is hidden in this screen capture) for displaying the raw ticket, the database view of the ticket, the ticket lifecycle or audit and all the associated files generated against that ticket (not visible).

The ticket process window is also multi-tabbed, having 3 different environments. One is for ticket processing, another for entering comments (if not using Dig-Smart Field) and the third for scheduling positive response.

Finally, we show the ticket view window and the ticket grid. The ticket view window should look very similar to windows explorer. It is built as a tree with collapsible groups and categories. The groups can be customized or new groups can be created to suit your needs. This is also where tags are created. Tags refer to where the analyzed ticket has been routed to: a field team, a department manager, a secretary, a GIS specialist, etc. The ticket grid is a live representation of each groups' or tags' contents. In the bracket [ ] next to each group or tag is the number of tickets in that group or tag. Also, the grid can be customized to show only necessary fields from the ticket and each field heading can be rearranged using drag and drop technology.

Like what you see so far? If so drop us a line we'd like to hear your thoughts. We will continue to post more images as they are available.

Posted by dig-smart at 09:48 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Enterprise BETA 3.0 has undergone a full internal review and we are more excited than ever to get this product to our customers. The software (from the current selling versions of 2.3 and 2.4) has been completely re-architected by our development team and offers full ticket management functionality beyond the map-centric approach that we have taken in the past.

Our upcoming testing and release schedule is as follows.

1. We will tie up lose ends and perform rigorous internal testing on Enterprise 3.0 BETA this week. On Friday we will run through one more internal test of the software and all of the supported components.

2. Assuming that the final test will result in a satisfactory result, we will begin the build process for shipment.

3. Next week each BETA tester will be contacted directly by Dig-Smart, LLC staff in preparation for its arrival.

4. Near the end of next week Dig-Smart, LLC will ship Enterprise 3.0 BETA to the BETA testers.

We shall also build a TESTERS ONLY, password-protected site on the Weblog so that online interaction can occur between the various testers. And in addition to the TESTERS ONLY page, we will begin to release screen shots and concepts onto the general Weblog so please check back frequently or load the RSS feed so that as we announce new concepts you'll be able to review them.

Posted by dig-smart at 10:55 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Many of you are already aware however for those that do not know Dig-Smart Enterprise v3.0 BETA is literally hours away from being completed. The staff at Dig-Smart, LLC have been working around the clock to compile and complete this BETA release. On Monday April 16th Dig-Smart, LLC will hold an internal meeting and perform a final review of BETA 3.0. This meeting will take place from 12pm - 5pm eastern and at the conclusion, another announcement will be made regarding the shipment status of the BETA release.  Customers will have access to technical support for the BETA program and contact information can be found at www.dig-smart.com. Instructions on obtaining technical support will also follow after the completion of Monday's internal meeting. We here at Dig-Smart, LLC thank you for your patience over the past few months; we realize how much excitement there is about the functions in 3.0 BETA and we appreciate your desire to implement our technology. The 3.0 BETA marks a complete redesign of previous Dig-Smart Enterprise technology and therefore both structure and terms have been changed so we assume that you have made the necessary preparations for its arrival (if you are part of the BETA program). I am sure you will appreciate Dig-Smart Enterprise 3.0 as much as we've enjoyed designing it; it literally is the result of over 1.5 years of customer input and technological advancements within the ESRI and Microsoft worlds.

Posted by dig-smart at 04:03 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)