CV1-I2-14-Technology-Maptoss: Unique GIS Products for Water Management

Maptoss is a brainchild of Mr. Nazir Khan (Founder Director), who started this new venture with another partner Ms Ashwini Khaladkar (Director), in 2012 with a small capital of Rs 1 Lakh in Pune.  Both the partners have GIS background and are assisted by a group of dedicated and experience people from GIS technology. Maptoss is an independent software research and development company in area of GIS AM/FM implementation, integration and they manage the overall project sections with total employee strength not even touching a double-digit figure.

Maptoss have the expertise in Intergraph, ESRI products, Bentley and open source GIS products with a focus on achieving the highest levels of employee satisfaction, build their strength and knowledge and in return they get satisfied client, who receive a prompt, friendly and efficient service - tailored to their precise requirements.   They have successfully implemented projects for GAS, Electrical, Copper/fiber companies and government agencies in various countries like UAE, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, USA and Australia.  They offer specialize services for Geographical Information System (GIS) for utilities companies to maintain utilities assets such as water pipeline networks, gas networks, fiber communication networks, electrical networks and government mapping projects.

Maptoss develops unique product using open source API and build intelligent IoT and utility network management software to facilitate their customers with easy tool to handle all kind of tabular and geographic data from various format. They provide easy to use server based on Windows / Linux / Unix including installation of open source database and mapping server like Mapserver, Geoserver etc.  They also provide services in development and integration with various other systems like CRM, SAP etc using Enterprise Application Interface.

Currently, Maptoss is building a product to manage utility networks using intelligent network analysis algorithm.  The product is Branded as “Maptoss FM” which is designed to work with many utility companies in India and abroad that require managing data using geographic map display.

With population growth, increasing water consumption and climate change Government and regulatory bodies will be expected to deploy “smarter” water management that will make better utilization of an increasing scarce resource.  The proposed tool is to showcase how smart water and disaster management devices can work together in an “Internet Things” ecosystem with location as a key interaction point.

Use of GIS with ESRI's Location Based Services, real time spatial analytics can be made possible on stationary and moving devices. The concept is to utilize digital technologies and geospatial solutions to automate devices switching. Using IoT through Wi-Fi and GIS tracking, one can dynamically assess geographic patterns, predict sensor movement, share data and act to reduce cost ensuring availability, increase performance with improved efficiency of the system operations. The product will be based on real time data inserting solution.

By using GIS tools driven apps, it would be possible to drive the water movement more effectively in an error free fashion. It would also offer a better predictability to the user community on attributes such as to lower water pressure, any irregularity in water supply event and maintenance guidelines. Further it would be an exceptional tool for both preventive and reactive maintenance in the event of a breakage / leakage of water supply or pressure. The application will support real time analysis with an aim to automate and speed up processes to avoid errors due to manual interface. Data received can be transformed into actionable information such as devices like electrical transformer burst event will be linked to water control system. This will ensure that the transformer is disconnected and water will spray automatically to extinguish the fire. This would help in a quicker response time for resolution of such problems as well as lesser impact on the location of event and finally avoiding a squandering of a scarce resource like water. As a part of the ESRI's Start-up Program Maptoss Technologies Pvt Ltd has developed a web-based Water and Disaster Management Tool using ESRI’s ArcGIS Online Services and ArcGIS using JavaScript API. This GIS solution demonstrates an advanced technical approach to automate water devices switching, as well as support real time analysis with an aim to automate and speed up processes to avoid errors due to manual interface. It provides an advanced platform for web-

based attribute editing giving users simple tools for robust data-mining.

The Proposed 'Water and Disaster Management Tool' user interface allows users to turn water devices on/off and interact with the map and associated controls, while enabling the system to display results to the user on the status dashboard.

There is a tremendous potential for adoption of such an app under the guise of the “smart city” movement launched by the Government of India. This also finds application across a spectrum of regulatory bodies cutting across the size and scale of the same from municipalities. Using GIS tools fused with the reach of IoT would equip regulatory bodies with the ability of a visual representation through maps always on the utility aspect and give them the means to monitor and control the same effectively without inconveniencing the user community; in the process earning accolades and conserving water.

Using IoT and GIS tracking, one can dynamically assess geographic patterns, predict sensor movement, share data and act to reduce cost ensuring availability, increase performance with improved efficiency of the assigned operations. With population growth, increasing water consumption and climate change Government and regulatory bodies will be expected to deploy “smarter” water management that will make better utilization of an increasing scarce

resource.  The enhancements to this product is water leakage alert to avoid the disasters/ inconvenience in future.

In addition to GIS, Maptoss is also supplying ‘Robotics’ products for child education. In collaboration with https://www.facebook.com/brainx.la/ , Maptoss is providing robotic classes from grade 3rd to 10th. On Robotics. The product branded as ‘BrainX’ has 200+ franchise throughout India and provides syllabus and training to faculty thru franchises.

Mr Khan is true admirer, supporter and participant in ‘Make-in-India’ movement and slowly building breakthrough GIS application products for indigenous application for various Indian organizations to realise their vision of leadership in GIS-Apps sector.

A contribution from ITM Business School, Navi Mumbai, Research Team