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Datastream ANNOUNCES NEW GIS CAPABILITIES

Datastream Systems Inc announced from the ESRI User Conference that it is offering new Geographic Information System (GIS) capabilities through the integration of Datastream 7i and applications from ESRI, the world-leader in GIS technology. This functionality delivers powerful capabilities to Datastream's customers by enabling the integration of ESRI-based GIS functionality into the Datastream 7i Asset Performance Management solution. In addition, Datastream 7i functionality can be utilized within ESRI applications.

Datastream 7i is based on a Web-services architecture that enables the creation of easy-to-use and easy-to-configure zero-footprint HTML interfaces. These interfaces can be used to access functionality from other applications, such as those from ESRI. Users can also embed Datastream 7i functionality into other applications. For example, a municipal worker whose primary application is ESRI can pinpoint the location of a manhole and retrieve the entire Datastream 7i maintenance history on that manhole and each pipe entering and exiting that manhole without leaving the GIS application. Likewise, a Datastream 7i user may receive a work order to respond to an odor complaint and retrieve ESRI data to identify the sewer lines in that vicinity (along with their history of inspection and maintenance) without leaving the Datastream 7i application.

Workers can achieve further efficiencies through features like the Datastream 7i GIS Map Search. This enables workers to map out locations of multiple assets so they can more effectively plan and perform scheduling. For example, a person responsible for flushing dead-end lines can locate every dead-end hydrant in town and map out a route representing the shortest path covering all of them.

"Web services enables 'loosely coupled' application integration so if one application is changed or upgraded, it does not impact the overall integration," said Datastream Senior Vice President of Development Javier Buzzalino. "With traditional 'hard-wired' client/server integration, a change to one application requires that a brand new integration be built. This can quickly become too cumbersome and costly to justify the integration."

The interfaces to Datastream 7i can be configured to match the roles and processes of end-users, thus reducing training requirements and improving overall product usability. Datastream 7i already provides comprehensive GIS support for discrete assets, such as vehicles, buildings, parks and other infrastructure. The integration with ESRI adds best-of-breed capabilities for managing linear assets such as sewer lines, water distribution systems, pipelines, electrical networks and highways.

"The Datastream 7i GIS module is critical to our overall strategy of integrating Asset Performance Management, GIS and customer relationship management to deliver superior services to citizens," said Stephen Sherman, GIS manager for the City of Greensboro. "Today we can respond much more quickly to infrastructure issues because our call center solution is integrated directly with Datastream 7i. Through its GIS capability, Datastream 7i provides a simple 'point and click' way to identify the location of assets, as well as each asset's complete maintenance history. This enables us to resolve issues much more quickly and cost-effectively than ever before, while also capturing all of the associated costs."

The City of Greensboro must manage a complex infrastructure that includes 1,100 miles of roadway, 2,900 miles of water and sewer lines, over 90,000 refuse and recycling containers, as well as all municipal buildings and more than 3,100 parks and beautification areas. The integration of Datastream 7i with ESRI enables the City of Greensboro to provide point-and-click information on any asset within the city -- from storm sewer lines, to fire hydrants, to street lights -- on any type of device, from desktop and notebook computers to handhelds. This radically shortens the time required to locate and maintain assets within the public infrastructure, which means higher quality and more cost-effective public services for citizens.

"By delivering these new GIS capabilities, Datastream 7i solidifies its position as the leading Asset Performance Management solution for distributed organizations, like government entities, transportation agencies and oil and gas companies," said Datastream President and CEO Larry Blackwell. "These capabilities are particularly powerful in the public sector where linear assets are so critical to delivering services to citizens. By providing comprehensive asset location and history information with the click of a mouse, Datastream 7i enables government organizations to repair breakdowns more quickly and use preventive maintenance to reduce the risk of power outages, road closures, water main breaks and other disruptive events."