This is how the GIS system interfaces with the organization’s ERP and CRM! 

GIS, or Geographic Information System, is a geographic system and as it’s name informing, the system is actually a tools collection which optimize the working procedure with geographic information. By using GIS systems, we’re able to, pretty easily, receive, analyze and present information, as well as collect hardware and software components, spatial information, procedures and more.

The GIS systems began developing in the 70’s. Lately, we can see more and more improved innovations and developments for all the GIS systems – generally – and those who focus on infrastructures especially. Interfaces for GIS systems in the infrastructure department include working with other systems of the organization, so in precise work and the required coordination, they’ll turn everyday work to simple and more efficient than ever:

GIS systems are based on graphic information – which means, a map, what gives them uniqueness that does not exist in other enterprise systems. In addition, the GIS systems have many uses: cities planning, ecology, monitoring and control in location and space and of course – infrastructure management! By using the GIS systems, you could efficiently manage every infrastructure: in technical aspects: ideal location, forecasting faults, or need for maintenance. As well as in economic aspects – expected expenses, costs and savings in them.

Interface of GIS systems with ERP systems

ERP system, or Enterprise Resource Planning, is an efficient system that focuses on the organizational resources. Using an ERP system, the organization of data from the various departments of the organization – which includes the collection, storage and analysis of the data - becomes organized, efficient ad available at any given moment. The ERP system allows transferring information between the business functions in an organization using a single database. By using the ERP system in an organization, the various divisions will be able to approach an updated shared information, work on it simultaneously, and manage it or to conduct oneself together with it. Another advantage of the system is in analyzing the performance, profitability and other important data of the organization.

When an ERP system works in proper synchronization, together and as one of the interfaces to GIS systems, it also works as an even smarter and more efficient management tool: the important geographical information for working on the infrastructure is available to the various organization’s departments, which work on it regularly, continuously, and not important depreciation – in real time (!). Access to geographic information and data, along with the data collected in the organization, simplifies the organization’s work, as well as opens a door to saving work time and the high costs that are complex anyway, when talking about infrastructures projects.

The most common program that offers a wide range of ERP solutions is called Priority. The program has a few versions, which fit a small business, a medium organization and a big organization. The technological innovation in Priority allows correct and efficient management in work with a user-friendly software.

CRM software and interface with GIS systems 

CRM system, or Customer Relationship Management, as its name implies, focuses on customer connections, both existing and potential customers. The data collected in the CRM system refer to the clients history and improving the service experience given to the customer, as well as the interactions in front of them and with various processes done with them. In addition, like we can collect data on customers, we can also share data with the customers, each customer and whatever’s relevant to him/her, of course.

Using the database collected in the CRM system, we can improve customer service easily and in efficient atomization, for better marketing of our products or various services of the organization and grow sales. In addition, using the CRM system can present an accurate and updated image on every process that is done and built with and in front of the customers, whether its purpose is presentation in front of the customer, or for different needs or internal organizational goals.

In proper work in front of the customers, most times there’s the need to share the most updated data with them, about the infrastructure and the processes made in it by the organization. If in the past, every update that has been sent to the customer required much time in collecting the data, the interface between the GIS and the CRM systems allow ideal atomization, which will guarantee the data concentration and presenting it graphically, clearly and in a friendly, smart, and efficient manner.

Together, but apart 

בIn a certain point in our lives, each of use takes a direction in his professional career, every one for his own reasons. Some of us are attracted to engineering, and some to marketing or management, part of us prefer looking at everything together, the general picture. It may seem that it has also been decided for us which software to use: departments like consumers and finance use Priority, engineering departments use GIS systems and so on. Does every field really have to stick to one system, or is it perhaps better for each field to do its own thing and concentrate on what it’s good at?

My perspective is that our strength is in our unity (!), which means: developing the ability to interface every one of the various systems in a simple way and performing an efficient integration. The infrastructures world is a complex one, and the demand for atomization and interface in the infrastructures world is in constant rising. Since the expense of managing the infrastructures world, the infrastructure projects and the environment supporting it – are great.

We know that the most significant leap in the evolutionary process was language development, I believe that here too lies the same solution – let’s create a common language between the systems and make the next leap in the world of infrastructure in general and water infrastructure in particular!

What systems does your organization work with today? 

It’s possible to assume that most, if not all of the organization’s needs, the ideal system already exists, which will streamline and solve the various complexities of infrastructure management and other important organizational information management.
It is important to note, that the whole data managing process that’s done out of the GIS system or a different system, comes in purpose of serving the organization. Which means, make sure that a situation does not occur, for example – that collecting and entering the data, things that consume time, will be for the needs of the system only. The data collection must provide a real solution to the needs of the organization, since today technologically – the possibility already exists!

Indeed a new system for the organization, on the short term – is perceived as a great investment of time and resources, but for the long term – it’s opening doors for implementing the maximal potential of the organization and more proper work. Good luck to us all!