Use Communications Data Management

After deploying, organizations with no digital communication data can immediately begin mapping their systems using GPS or digitizing data with web or desktop software. Organizations with existing spatial data can load it and begin using the apps.

In this topic, you will learn how to use the solution by assuming the role of a user and performing the following workflows.

Add data in the field

In these workflows, you will be taking the role of a mobile worker collecting data in the field. If you have a mobile-centric workforce, this may be the best option to collect new data or validate existing data.

Collect existing poles

To add a pole from a mobile device, complete the following steps:

1. Download ArcGIS Field Maps onto your mobile device.
2. Open ArcGIS Field Maps and sign in to your ArcGIS organization.
3. Open the Communications Field Editor map.
4. Tap Add .
5. From the list of features, search for Pole and select Pole from the results.
6. Drag the crosshairs to the correct location, if necessary, and then tap Update Point to place the flow meter.

   A point is added to your location.

7. Fill in any attributes.
8. When you are finished, at the upper right, tap the check mark or Submit.

Collect existing handholes

To add a handhole from a mobile device, complete the following steps:

1. Open the ArcGIS Field Maps app and sign in to your ArcGIS organization.
2. Open the Communications Field Editor map.
3. Tap Add .
4. From the list of features, search for Handhole and select Handhole from the results.
5. Drag the crosshairs to the correct location, if necessary, and then tap Update Point to place the flow meter.

   A point is added to your location.

6. Fill in any attributes and tap Submit.

   Note:

   Move to a safe location to fill in the attributes. The added handhole remains in its original location.

Add data in the web

In the workflows below, you will be taking the role of an editor adding data in web.

Add aerial cable to connect poles

To add an aerial cable to connect poles, complete the following steps:

1. In a browser, sign in to your ArcGIS organization and browse to the Communications Editor web map.
2. From the item page, click Open in Web Editor to launch the editing app.

   Tip:

   Learn more about Web Editor
3. Click Snapping options on the general toolbar to configure snapping by placing a check in the snapping layers.
4. Locate the area where you will add your new service.
5. On the editing toolbar, click the Create features button .
6. In the Create features pane, search for and click Aerial template under the Cable layer.
7. On the map, click to add the cable between the pole layers.
8. In the Create features pane, update the attributes.
9. Click Create.

Use the communications dashboard

As a member of the utility, you want to have a comprehensive view of your communications system assets.

1. In a browser, sign in to your ArcGIS organization.
2. At the top of the site, click Groups.
3. Browse to the Communications Office Users group and locate the Communications Dashboard app.
4. From the item page, click Open Dashboard.
5. View system asset statistics on the Cable tab, Point of Presence tab, and on the Structural Assets tab.
6. View key details on Serviceable Locations and Service Areas tabs.

   When zooming in or out on the map, the information is updated based on the extent of the map.

Add data in ArcGIS Pro

In the following workflows, you will assume the role of an editor editing data in ArcGIS Pro. If you have known locations of assets or as-built drawings to work from, these workflows can demonstrate using ArcGIS Pro to add data to your communications system.

Note:

Ensure that you have completed the steps to create the Communications Data Manager ArcGIS Pro project before completing the following workflows.

Extend a residential service

As an editor, you can extend a residential service to the map in ArcGIS Pro.

To extend a residential service in ArcGIS Pro, complete the following steps:

1. If necessary, start ArcGIS Pro and open the Communications Data Manager project and the map you created.
2. On the Edit tab, in the Snapping group, click Snapping to turn snapping on.
3. Locate the area where you will extend a residential service.
4. On the ribbon, click the Edit tab, and then, in the Features group, click Create.

   The Create Features pane appears.

5. Search for and click the Pole template.
6. Click the blue arrow to the right of the template to populate the attributes.
7. Hover over the area where the pole should be located and click to place the pole.
8. At the top left, click the Back button to return to the templates.
9. Search for and click Network Interface Unit.
10. Click the blue arrow to the right of the template to populate the attributes.
11. Hover over the area where the network interface unit should be located and click to place the network interface unit.
12. At the top left, click the Back button to return to the templates.
13. Search for and click Aerial.
14. Click the blue arrow to the right of the template to populate the attributes.
15. Hover over the pole and click once, and then hover over the network interface unit and finish the service by clicking twice.

    Note:

    Alternatively, you can right-click the last vertex and choose Finish or press F2 on the keyboard to finish the line segment.

16. Repeat steps 5 through 15 for each customer service.

Add features from an as-built drawing

To add assets such as poles to the system from an as-built drawing, complete the following steps:

1. If necessary, start ArcGIS Pro and open the Communications Data Manager project and the map you created.
2. On the Map tab, in the Layers group, click Add Data.
3. Browse to the location of the as-built drawing, select it, and click OK to add it to the map.
4. In the Contents pane, select the image.

   The Raster Layer contextual tab appears on the ribbon.

5. On the Imagery tab, in the Alignment group, click Georeferencing.

   Tip:

   Learn more about georeferencing
6. On the Georeferencing tab, in the Adjust group, click Add Control Points.
   1. Add a minimum of two control points to connect your image to your known map positions.
   2. After you have added all the control points, browse to the Georeferencing tab and click Save.
7. On the Edit tab, in the Snapping group, click Snapping to turn snapping on.
8. On the Edit tab, in the Features group, click Create.

   The Create Features pane appears.

9. Select an asset from the template list and add the asset to the map where it corresponds to the georeferenced as-built drawing.
10. On the Map tab, in the Selection group, click Attributes and fill in the attributes.
11. Remove the image from the Contents pane once digitizing is complete.