Client

Our client is a National Mapping Agency of Saudi Arabia, which offers the production and dissemination of surveys, mapping, charting, geographical information, and geo-surveys in the country.

Challenges

Lack of accuracy in the existing GIS data prevented them from integrating with various enterprise systems

Our client needed to elevate their geospatial database by re-structuring and re-engineering its topographical data model. The restructuring would produce high-quality geospatial data and include cleaning and migration to form topologically correct data into the ESRI database that complies with a newly designed Digital Feature Data Dictionary (DFDD).

Objectives

Elevate geospatial database by creating unparalleled topographical datasets

Three primary objectives were in play for our client:

• Design a resilient database ensuring the accuracy of data being converted so that it can be relied upon

• Seamless data integration and migration into Oracle SDE Database

• On-the-job-training to the client staff to enable them to carry out similar work in the future

Solution

A full-scale data updation, migration & cleaning, and on-the-job-training

We approached the solution implementation by proposing a hybrid model in a two-phased strategy:

RMSI proposed a hybrid approach where all data-related activities were performed onsite at the client office to ensure 100% client data protection. Activities like process designing and software application/tools development were done offsite at the RMSI office.

RMSI processed approximately 85 GIS layers in each map sheet, categorized under dataset heads such as boundaries, elevation, hydrography, industry, physiography, population, transportation, utility, and vegetation.

Phase I

In phase I of the project, RMSI upgraded and standardized the existing data sets per the new Digital Feature Data Dictionary (DFDD), a new Data Model developed by GCS, and capacity building for their staff. The outcome of this project was to create a seamless and standardized GIS dataset (Vector and Raster) based on the WGS 84 datum and geographic coordinate system for Damman, Jeddah, Abha, Alhasa, and Tabuk populated areas of Saudi Arabia, and these areas are covered in approximately 336 (1:25K) map grids.

Phase-II

• Providing technical support to GIC and other departments like names, field editing, and photogrammetry

• Providing technical support to MOWE (Ministry of Water and Electricity) in analyzing the datasets collected from various external organizations. The dataset contains information on production wells, monitoring wells, and Dams. It also includes the support provided in designing the data model.

Impact

The project covers 336 map sheets at a 1:25k scale, encompassing the populated areas of Damman, Jeddah, Abha, Alhasa, Tabuk, Al Qassim, Al-Medina, Hael, Hafar Al-Batin, Makkah, and Taif, significantly enhancing the management of these urban regions.