Facilities Planning

GAPRIMS

GAPRIMS is the University's repository of graphical property records to which physical asset information is tied.

Project Aims:

• To assist to eliminate duplicate, out of date, physical resources data
• Update the University's graphical records/give wider access to desktop users
• Provide graphical data to consultants on projects (as constructed drawings)
• Provide a central repository for all University "as constructed" drawings

Staff:

More Information:

The Graphically Accessed Physical Resources Information Management System (GAPRIMS) project was initiated with DEET funding under the National Priority Reserve Fund (NPRF) scheme. It is being undertaken by the Office of Facilities Management with assistance from the Office of Information Systems, Computer and Network Services and an external consultant, Perth Cadcentre.

The project covers the development of links and functionality of  dynamically combined object-based computer aided drafting/design (CADD) packages and relational databases. Information accuracy, retrieval, analysis and presentation are improved by linking central graphical records of the University’s buildings, services and facilities to the central textual asset register and other related databases.

This allows objects on an electronic drawing (eg. a room, items of equipment, etc.) to be made “intelligent” by attaching textual data to them. Textual data would come from a relational database which may be on another machine somewhere else on campus, maintained by another unit. For example, a drawing of a room may also show the location of a computer unit. By clicking on the computer unit the system can display information related to it, eg. Brand, Model, Cost, Date of Purchase, Owner, etc. retrieved from the University’s Central Asset Register currently kept on a database in Financial Services This also means that there will only be one set of data kept for any one item - if a piece of textual data is updated on a database this will automatically be reflected on any graphical object linked to it.

The graphical system can also use any of the textual data attached to objects to create filters, “themes” and reports for presentation. An example would be asking the system to display all the space in a building allocated to a particular academic unit. The uses for the system are diverse, from space planning and management to the tracking over time of ground water levels on campus.

GAPRIMS moved from the development stage to production in 2000. At this stage, all the University's major buildings on both campuses were on the system and linked to the space database. The space database provides information on the occupancy and use of all the university's buildings and rooms. 

Development is continuing to provide enhanced information and accessibility. New software (CadCorp SIS) was introduced in 2002 and has made the system far more flexible and the system has been now made available to a wide cross section of the University staff through SISfm. GAPRIMS is currently being updated with all in-ground site services. This is expected to be substantially complete by the end of 2003. A web based system of access is also being investigated. This will provide on- line access to a far greater number of users including students.

SISfm

SISfm is a desktop viewing package that gives users enquiry access to the plans and data in GAPRIMS along with the ability to add and save markups. SISfm has been designed to suit our needs and development is ongoing.  SISfm has been rolled out to selected users and feedback from them is being used to identify problems and development opportunities.