Already well established with a strong European user base, TopoPlan enables users to see the big picture and make better decisions, improve data quality and inefficient processes, and perhaps most import, provides for efficient sharing of spatial information across departments.

So what is Topobase?

The product is best described as an infrastructure design and management solution. Built on Autodesk Map 3D, Autodesk MapGuide enterprise, and Oracle Spatial 10g, the solution provides an open and flexible system architecture with a number vertical modules.

The core components of the Topobase solution include the following:

Topobase Client – built on Autodesk Map 3D 2007, is the CAD/GIS desktop client for data creation, editing, reporting and analysis.
Topobase Web – built on Autodesk MapGuide Enterprise 2007, is the lightweight web based interface to access the database.
Topobase Administrator – an application that enables you to change or extend the data structure in the Oracle database, create business rules, modify dialog boxes, and regulate access to the database.

Who's it for?

Looking at the existing 500+ existing customers, users are mainly municipal governments, utilities, and Engineering and surveying firms. Benefits are being realized in the following disciplines:
engineering
planning
maintenance and operations
finance
IT

Some of the workflow highlights that are provided to user of Topobase include:
- centralized spatial information (DB)
- CAD/GIS integration
- long transactions
- user specific display models
- configurable workflows and business rules
- customizable data models
- integration with existing enterprise systems
- secure access to information over the web

Real World Benefits

Looking at an existing customer, Industrille Werke Basel (Switzerland) was faced with a challenge to operate more efficiently and to integrate spatial and SAP data. The company looked at to Autodesk to provide an open-standards data model and a solution that would streamline data integration. Using Topobase the company was able to document the network in half the expected time, resulting in huge time savings on many business processes and better decision making. The company now maintains their water and gas documentation with two-thirds of the resources required before they implemented Autodesk Topobase.

German-based Stadtwerke Augsburg was faced with a challenge to integrate all of their asset data while reducing the risk of errors and  eliminating duplicate data sets. Using Autodesk Topobase and Oracle Spatial the company no longer maintains multiple data sets and have reduced data entry errors. They estimate that customers are now being served as much as 300% faster.

Partners

Autodesk has struck key partnerships in order to deliver this solution. Oracle Spatial 10g technology has been integrated into Autodesk Topobase (providing a single repository for CAD and GIS assets data sets) and system integrator CH2M Hill is helping Autodesk customers to implement Topobase and migrate data from existing data sources. They also provide end user training.

Somewhat related weblinks:

• CH2M HILL Partners with Autodesk on Release of Topobase 2007
• http://www.ch2m.com/ess
• http://www.autodesk.com/topobase