Navigating the Layers: Understanding the GIS Platform of SiteMap®

Navigating the Layers: Understanding the GIS Platform of SiteMap®

Geographic Information System (GIS) technology is a powerful tool that enables the collection, analysis, interpretation, and visualization of spatial and geographic data. At its core, GIS integrates various data types such as maps, satellite imagery, and geospatial information, allowing users to understand and interpret relationships, patterns, and trends within geographic contexts. All good things have layers, from onions to lasagna, to the subsurface itself. SiteMap® has layers too, which are usually composed of your data after GPRS has mapped, tagged, and placed your data in your comprehensive SiteMap® account.

We have made SiteMap® simple, yet there is still reason to understand the GIS platform functions of SiteMap® and its layers. From beginners to seasoned professionals, SiteMap® increases communication for everyone, lowering risks and incidents one site at a time. 

GIS Technology

GIS, or Geographic Information System, is a powerful tool used to capture, analyze, and present spatial or geographic data.

Access It Anywhere

You can share your data with your team members, deciding the number of users, their level of access, and how they are allowed to use that data. From historical as-builts through up-to-date GPRS utility locates, concrete imaging, and 3D laser scans,, you can put the right information into the right hands exactly when they need it. 62% of facility managers have to look in more than one place for data, which causes delays, and creates inaccuracies. It doesn’t have to be that way.

When your team can stay connected, you’re less likely to experience issues due to miscommunication. Connection means that everyone will know exactly where and when to dig, and where to find electrical junctions, manholes, and valve shut-offs. When communication is fostered, smarter decisions can be made. 86% of employees cite the lack of effective collaboration and communication as the main cause of workplace failures. With SiteMap®, the chance of poor communication is reduced, meaning your productivity increases, as your chances of a utility strike decrease.  

The Power of GPRS 

While any GIS platform can house a subsurface utility map, no other platform offers the unique power of being backed by GPRS and its 99.8%+ utility locating accuracy. GPRS utility data is provided in about five minutes in most cases, and is easy to read and understand. 

When you hire GPRS to locate your outdoor utilities, we provide you with a free PDF and KMZ file of our findings. Our state-of-the-art video pipe inspection [CCTV] services provide NASSCO-certified photo and video reporting of the state of your wastewater infrastructure, including a geolocated list of defects ranked by severity..

Depending on your needs, the GPRS Mapping and Modeling Team can utilize the above information to create anything from a GPS-enabled map of your utility locate to, in conjunction with 3D laser scanning, complete CAD drawings or a full 3D point cloud and BIM model of your facility. 

Bundle of Benefits

SiteMap® is more than just a place to store your data. It’s a comprehensive subsurface infrastructure data management solution. .

Damage to underground facilities is one of the most common hurdles construction projects must overcome. The average annual number of damage events to subsurface utilities was 470,000 between 2016 and 2019, unfortunately, this continues to increase in the United States. 

Damages to underground utilities has continued to increase at an alarming rate, as was noted in the 2022 DIRT report, which is put out annually by the Common Ground Alliance (CGA). They have developed an initiative called 50 in 5 that aims to cut utility strike incidents in half in five years, which has been demonstrated as possible in Chicago. 

SiteMap® offers a bundle of benefits to help keep teams in sync, and to keep projects incident-free. Depending on your subscription level, benefits of SiteMap® include:

  • Own & access all of your project data, whether ordered by you or your subcontractors. If GRPS did the work, you can see it all in SiteMap®
  • Retain and access every iteration of your digital asbuilts to securely document and reference your project’s progress
  • Print, save, or copy your SiteMap® data to communicate real-time subsurface as-built information in whatever format suits your needs
  •  Secure your subsurface files, maps, and drawings in one centralized Digital Plan Room accessible to only those you designate through the life of your project
  • SiteMap® creates an aggregated, historical, single source of truth – with as-builts, updated as often as you need for as many sites as you need – to eliminate data loss and the costly mistakes that come with it
  • While SiteMap® contains its own intuitive GIS component, it can also easily integrate with your existing GIS software to provide an extra layer of safety and security for your data

SiteMap® puts your data at your fingertips, making it easy to interact with, easy to visualize, searchable, and all in one place. 

SiteMap® is a one-stop shop for visualization of your above and below ground infrastructure. While there are many GIS solutions on the market, SiteMap® offers the unique benefit of offering a comprehensive infrastructure mapping arena with the added security and benefit of being backed by GPRS’ 99.8% accuracy rating. When looking for a subsurface mapping solution that offers comprehensive subsurface solutions, unheard-of accuracy, and an easy-to-use interface- SiteMap® is the solution.

Contact us today to learn more about what SiteMap® can do for you.