AutoCAD/MS Access Frontends with SQL Backend Integration

AutoCAD/MS Access Frontends with SQL Backend Integration

Problem: Each Sub-Department at the Utilities Department of the University of Colorado at Boulder have specific requirements for spatial and spatial data and often, there is an overlap of information crucial to these sub-departments; operations, maintenance, management,
etc. Equipment data is stored and maintained in an SQL database with a frontend designed in MS Access. All spatial data is stored in vector based (AutoCAD) drawings. Supervisors and management want to use a frontend interface to access and analyzed spatial and spatial data
easily.

Solution: Design, create, implement and maintain a stable application database that can generate queries based on vector and spatial (text, number date) data. All graphical data are linked with attribute (spatial) data which are managed by a RDBMS. A solution needs to be developed using AutoCAD Map as a frontend with an SQL backend.

Result: Increased in cooperation and communication among departments.
Eliminated redundant spatial and aspatial data. Cleaner PID for all different systems of the Co-Generation plant. A substantial reduction of time used to track parts, quipment manufacturer, model, part number.

Enabled access to information across multiple departments apart from bringing in greater efficiency, speedy decision-making and transparency in the functioning.

Capacity Factor Estimator


Capacity Factor Estimator

Problem: Management needs to determine whether to buy electricity
or gas, when gas prices are low. An Xcel Energy contract establishes several parameters under which electricity will be bought from Utilities plant. There is no tool to perform a Cost-Benefit analysis into the
future.

Solution: This computer program evaluates the cost/benefit of selling electricity to public service vs. producing it. It is based on several intrinsic equations (from contract) that consider 12 month rolling calculations projected to the future.

Result: A simulation through June 05, using zero as capacity factor for one out of six months rolling average of 35%, shows another inconsistency in contract to be reviewed by Xcel energy.