Besix
BESIX gains better insight into critical soil infrastructure
To carry out excavation works safely and accurately, BESIX – Belgium’s largest construction group – relies on the Flemish cable and pipeline information platform (KLIP). “Once we’ve imported the KLIP data, we need to be able to convert it into other formats so we can actually use it,” says Kurt Desimpelaere, BIM Infrastructure Project Manager at BESIX. To achieve this, BESIX enlisted the support of its technology partner, Nordend.
BESIX is a multidisciplinary construction group active in some thirty countries, and its expertise goes far beyond buildings. Its portfolio includes major projects involving roads, foundations, utilities, and broader infrastructure.
‘Thanks to their extensive expertise in FME and Esri, Nordend was able to support us throughout our entire workflow, both backend and frontend, and tailor everything completely to our needs.’
Mandatory information request
Excavation works are often part of these projects, bringing inherent risks. “That’s especially true when we’re working in a city centre, for example, or when we encounter a medium-pressure gas pipeline or other high-risk lines,” says Kurt Desimpelaere. “To avoid excavation damage during groundworks, we need a clear understanding of which cables and pipelines we might come across. That’s absolutely crucial for avoiding unpleasant surprises once work is underway.”
To improve the flow of information between the various parties involved in excavation works, the Flemish government launched a web platform: KLIP (Kabel- en Leidinginformatieplatform / Cable and Pipeline Information Platform). Through this platform, all cable and pipeline operators – known in Dutch as kabel- en leidingbeheerders (KLBs) – provide standardised data on underground infrastructure to companies carrying out excavation works. These companies must periodically re-request the data from the relevant operators.
Importing and centralising data
To make use of the KLIP data, BESIX first needs to import it into a central database. “Our goal is not only to manage all KLIP data centrally, but also to register and track any changes to existing cables and pipelines in one place,” explains Kurt Desimpelaere. “That allows us to share and discuss this critical information with the various owners of the infrastructure. By improving data quality, we hope to reduce the associated risks.”
Optimising data conversion
To continue working with the KLIP data and integrate it into other applications, BESIX also needed to be able to convert it into different formats. “The tools we used to convert KLIP data into BIM, CAD, and GIS files worked very well for a long time,” admits Kurt Desimpelaere. “But over time, it became increasingly difficult to keep track of the hundreds of individual files.”
To optimise its existing processes for data import and conversion, BESIX decided to engage an external technology partner: Nordend, a software company specialising in building efficient workflows with spatial (geographic) data. Since Nordend already had its own tool, IMKL Read & Convert, for this purpose, they were able to significantly accelerate the project — much to BESIX’s satisfaction.
“I’d already worked with them successfully before,” recalls Kurt Desimpelaere. “So I knew Nordend had the right expertise to see this project through. There are plenty of consultants out there, but finding one with a solid understanding of KLIP data management is rare. Combine that with Nordend’s know-how in BIM, GIS, and CAD technologies, plus their strong local roots, and it was the perfect fit.”
‘Our communication with Nordend was always open and clear. Whenever unexpected issues came up, they addressed them immediately and consistently found solutions. Nordend is a partner that truly understands our needs and works closely with us.’
FME Flow: Automating data flows
The challenge in this project was not just to streamline many separate processes into one seamless workflow, but also to automate as much of the recurring data integration as possible. This automation runs on FME Flow, the server version of the FME data integration platform. Since Nordend is a Value Added Reseller of FME, BESIX also benefits from having a single point of contact for both licences and support.
“Now that we’ve switched to FME, the plan is to automate more and more of our other processes as well. It really helps to have a partner you can rely on—someone who can support you setting up your FME server, but also develop a customised application when needed. That’s quite a challenge in our complex infrastructure environment,” admits Kurt Desimpelaere.
Field Maps: Mobile data recording
One example is the mobile Field Maps app that Nordend tailored specifically for BESIX. It lets BESIX capture important information even when working in places without a reliable internet connection—using a smartphone or tablet, for example. The app is part of Esri’s software ecosystem, a company that specialises in geographic information systems.
Using ArcGIS, Esri’s platform for mapping and spatial analysis, Nordend can offer solutions for both online and offline maps right out in the field. By turning drawings into a web app—a real map with the info filtered and easier to understand—they make sure it’s much more user-friendly. “You can have the best-looking map,” says Kurt Desimpelaere, “but if it’s not easy to use, no one will bother with it. For any future projects, I want to spend even more time making the info clear and straightforward for the end user.”
Challenges
- Develop an all-in-one solution that covers both the processing and integration (via FME) and the presentation (via Esri) of underground infrastructure data flows.
- Ensure users can update the maps of pipelines and cables directly in the field, both online and offline.
Results
- BESIX can centrally manage data on cables and pipelines, as well as register, track, and share any changes to that infrastructure with other stakeholders.
- BESIX can also convert this data into other formats for further processing or integration into other applications.
- Extensive process automation reduces the need for manual work.
Solutions
- IMKL Read & Convert, Nordend’s in-house tool for data import and conversion
- FME Flow server with FME licences provided by Nordend
- ArcGIS Field Maps, a mobile app specifically configured by Nordend for the ESRI platform
Technologies
- FME Flow
- Esri ArcGIS
