MalaysiaGIS.com

Source: New Straits Times

TNB's head, enterprise resource planning, information and communication technology division, IT department Muhamad Bazil Badrul Jamil told Tech & U that the move would make maintenance work such as locating and fixing faulty sub-stations be carried out easier and faster.

Currently, maintenance work is normally done based on the conventional map and address. The GIS project is expected to take two years to complete.

"Once it's ready, our maintenance staff, for instance, can pinpoint the exact location of a faulty sub-station with the help of GPS (global positioning system) co-ordinates and satellite images. This will eliminate the hassle of finding certain roads and landmarks in the maintenance work," Muhamad Basil explained.

"Locating sub-stations or powerlines poles in the city area is easy as there are specific addresses, but if these properties are in the remote areas or villages, it's a bit tricky as there is no proper landmark."

The GIS project will also include topography and terrain mapping, which will be useful in assisting the building of new transmission lines since workers will know exactly the locations of hills and terrains.

"Subsequent phases of the project will including a digital mapping of what is inside a building. This is especially useful for the property department when they plan for renovation or relocation of staff as they will know what's in the building, level by level," Muhamad Bazil said, adding that some part of the GIS project will be linked to TNB's ERP system.

TNB is expected to gather data for the project soon before calling for a tender.