We’re frequently asked if our open source end-to-end GIS, iShare in the Cloud (iSiC), can be integrated with various systems used by local authorities. The simple answer is yes!
This blog outlines a recent project to set up an integration between iSiC and BridgeStation for St Helens Borough Council.
What is BridgeStation?
BridgeStation is a cloud-based complete asset management system for bridges and highway structures. It allows users to:
- Centrally collate detailed information on bridges and structures, including defects
- Build up prioritised lists of outstanding maintenance
- Store important files against structures
- Calculate replacement costs
- Create 60-year deterioration models
- Manage structural reviews, assessments and interim measures
Who uses BridgeStation?
Designed by ‘Bridge Engineers for Bridge Engineers’, BridgeStation software is used by Transport for London, over 50 local authorities and some heritage railways.
What are the benefits of integrating BridgeStation with iShare GIS?
There are three key benefits:
Enhanced data visualisation
Users can visualise bridge and tunnel data spatially for improved understanding and analysis.
Streamlined workflows
Automated data retrieval and updates ensure efficient asset management.
Improved decision-making
Users can combine BridgeStation data with other datasets for comprehensive insights and informed decisions.
How can BridgeStation be integrated into a GIS?
Our consultants devised a four-step process for St Helens:
- We wrote a small Python script to authenticate iShare Studio against the BridgeStation API, allowing us to get access to the BridgeStation asset data
- We created an iShare Studio workflow job to download that BridgeStation data every night
- We added another task to the workflow job to insert the downloaded data into the iShare SDW
- We set up a layer in the customer’s test iShare installation to display the BridgeStation data in iShare GIS
We then handed it over to the customer, allowing their domain experts to test the solution. Once happy, they were able to create their own layer in their live iShare GIS installation, making the data available to all their iShare GIS users.
Can we integrate BridgeStation and iShare GIS ourselves?
Yes, we have now published guidance on our iShare Help pages.
Can Astun integrate BridgeStation and iShare GIS for us?
Of course! You can even pay using your call-off time, if you have any available.
If you’re interested in this integration, please speak to your Account Manager.
How can we find out more about iShare integrations?
Sign up for our events newsletter to receive an invitation to our webinar on integrations (due in early-mid 2025).
Take a look at our Managed Integration Service for planning systems (IDOX Uniform, Arcus and Agile).
Find out how to pull the latest National Street Gazetteer data (NSG) directly from GeoPlace’s DataVia into iShare.
Image copyright: G Moir