CASE STUDY

The challenge

While CAD provides a rich, design-focused view of utility data, translating into GIS is not exactly straightforward. “GIS out-of-the-box does some things,” Dan tell us, “but it doesn’t allow for the full integration of what CAD displays into GIS. So, figuring out how we could get the custom line types to match the client specification integrated into GIS was a really big challenge. “
As Dan explains, out-of-the-box GIS workflows can lose critical visual and contextual information, particularly in utility environments where the meaning of line types, colours and annotations are crucial, especially for safety. When GIS is integrated correctly, it increases the wealth of attribute data to any given line or attribute. But for Vislock it was vital to ensure that this challenge was dealt with, because without it, key information about utility types and risk could be lost or obscured during conversion.

What’s more, Dan and his team were also looking to improve the process from an operational point of view, as well. “We wanted something that automates the process for us, rather than reinventing the wheel and having to get it all redrawn. In the world we’re getting into, automation is key. We just needed something that could take one set of data and convert it into another.”

“Because as we know in the industry,” Dan continues, “there are two data streams that you go through – either Autodesk or Bently Systems. And then you’ve got Esri on top of that. So, it’s how all three can talk to each other and display similar information that can be used in the format that we want it to be used.”

This interoperability and ease of use was vital for Vislock. The process of preparing data for GIS is manual and can be very time-intensive. Vislock needed an easy, automated way to take CAD data from multiple sources, convert it efficiently, and retain the visual and attribute detail required for safe, real-world use.

“It’s a new software for me, Esri. I’m mainly CAD focused, so something that can really do most of the work behind the scenes as an automation tool, that requires very little manipulation at the end user state to then get it how we want to see, and as long as the bulk of the data transfer and the conversion is done, that’s what we were looking for.”

The solution

CADTransform has been a self-developed tool in MGISS’ arsenal for some years, evolving over time into a powerful solution for CAD to GIS transformation. Its latest iteration, with enhanced conversion and automation capabilities, aligned closely with what Vislock needed. This was very much a collaborative pilot—an early-stage implementation shaped by real-world requirements, and Vislock were open to working through that process.

“We’ve been working with MGISS for two or three months, now, and they rolled out the final version of CADTransform a week or so ago. Initially, there were some teething issues with it working the same on both MGISS’ and our machines. But from there, it’s just been building the various elements that we need it to do. We got the text points and converted all the text data, then we were working on the automation with the line type, and the colour coordination, as well.”
Alongside this, Vislock brought together multiple data sources, including topographical, design, historical and survey data into a single ArcGIS Online environment. Dan added, “But here online, we can just literally simply turn it on and off to show you—look, there’s your design, are you digging in the right place or is that where you want to go, for example?”

With initial set-up configured through a process of iteration and feedback, Vislock have been able to offer the solution to their own client. “We’ve rolled it out to the client and they’re working with it now,” Dan tells us. “We’re hosting the data and undertaking that conversion ourselves, and then basically managing the data sets. As new data comes in, we’ll then revise the model and deal with it that way. So, with CADTransform implemented, we are the only source of truth, effectively, rather than having lots of different people feeding into us. It’s just us, we get the raw survey data or the process survey data, and then we convert it into a GIS platform that the client can use as a health and safety tool out on site to keep operatives and everybody safe.”

This approach gives Vislock greater control over data quality and consistency, while providing their clients with a clear, reliable view of their working environment, supporting safer decision-making on site without adding complexity to the end user.

The result

With the initial rollout complete and workflows now established, Vislock are beginning to move beyond the pilot phase and look at how this capability can be applied more widely.

“We’ve got two major projects going at the moment. So it will be a case of, now we’ve broken the camel’s back, we can start offering and knowing what we can do for other clients and other major projects, getting it onto framework contracts and things like that. So this is just the first step of the ladder.”

As well as enabling a new service offering for Vislock, the process has also helped build internal capability, particularly in bridging the gap between CAD and GIS. We ask Dan if he’s feeling as confident now in GIS as he already was with his expertise in CAD. “Obviously, you’re used to your own terminology when you’re in one platform, so it’s just bridging the gap between the two, CAD and GIS. But yes, it’s definitely becoming something that is going to be a skill set going forward.”

But the good thing about the CADTransform solution, Dan tells us, is that it fills a gap that Vislock had identified. “Obviously, you’re not going to be an expert in everything, but you are in the areas that you need to know. That’s what we’ve gone through here—I don’t need to know all the other stuff. I need to know how to set up a map, how to convert the data and how to export it.” Solutions like CADTransform take on the more complex, time-intensive elements of data transformation, allowing teams to focus on their core expertise rather than manual data handling.

CADTransform is still a relatively new deployment in this context, and while it continues to be refined through Vislock’s workflows, ongoing feedback has already proven invaluable. “I think it has got the basis to become a really useful tool,” Dan tell us. “It will have benefits in most industries, I believe. I think [with this project] we’ve opened up a new sort of avenue for MGISS to explore. To explore a new thing and allow it to develop into a marketable tool that can covert CAD to GIS, now with line types.”

As CADTransform continues to develop, its potential to support more efficient, interoperable workflows across the industry is becoming increasingly clear.

“I think it’s got legs to really become a successful tool and make data interoperability between various platforms a lot easier,” Dan concludes. “Because yes, GIS out the box is great, but it only probably covers about 70% of what we need to do. CADTransform provides a valuable tool for that data interoperability between various platforms.”