An off the Shelf CAD and GIS solution - Topobase

Its called Topobase and its a true 'plug and play' CAD and GIS tool for managing your asset information. The name is a little odd, but when you take it apart (TOPO) and (BASE) it starts to make more sense. Topo - refers to topology and how that enables a user to analyze and perform complex queries. Base - refers to a basemap and how that is often the common data that is used throughout an organization. Topobase is built on AutoCAD Map 3D which I have talked about and shown many examples of how it can be used as a platform to facilitate CAD and GIS integration.

Topobase goes the next step and its primary purpose is to centralize data in a spatial database complete with business rules and tools to perform operations specific to utilities and cities. By centralizing the data Topobase is able to make the data accessabile both in a desktop client but also through a web-based application giving access to the same data from within an office to even the field.

At the core of Topobase is your organizations data which is stored in a specific schema. The schema (which descripes how the data is arranged) has been developed by Autodesk through its over 500 topobase customers worldwide. However, the Topobase schema is very easily modified and its business rules changed to meet the needs of an organization. Topobase can also be integrated with other enterprise systems like a CRM, SAP or ERP technologies.

From a CAD and GIS perspective Topobase fits the definition of a GIS, it is purposed to be an asset management solution for utilities and cities to manage and distribute data while at the same time having a CAD front end. The benefit and differentiator between Topobase and other enterprise asset management solutions is by having a CAD interface you are able to create and design asset data with the precision of CAD tools while also having the analysis and management capabilties of a GIS.

The video below shows using the Topobase solution on the desktop and also in the field.


CAD and GIS using Autodesk Topobase from neal niemiec on Vimeo.