Graphical Crossing Database Manager
Asset Management Graphical System
The Graphical Crossing Database Manager is an asset management software package, developed by ZETA-TECH Associates, Inc. in conjunction with Premier Crossings and Concrete Ties, for the efficient management of grade crossings. The foremost characteristic of the software, is how facile a user can graphically create and maintain a complex database, by simply employing the faddish features of clicking, pointing, dragging and dropping, that have made Windows the paradigm of desktop operating systems. A 32 bit version of the program is available to run on Windows 95 and Windows NT operating systems.
When the program is first launched, the user is prompted to either select an existing database, or to create a new one by simply choosing the "New" menu option. The main screen displays a full feature GIS (geographical information system) map representing the 48 contiguous United States.
One of the map’s fascinating features is a utility, invoked through the menu bar, called LookUp Address. This utility prompts the user to enter any valid street address. The map processes the data and almost instantly, zooms into that location showing all the area’s details. This one of many features, helps represent and facilitate the management of multiple assets spread out through a wide geographical area.
The map represents the geographical data with three different, but related, levels of detail:
- states - displays all major cities within a state
- county - displays all county names and major high ways
- street and road - displays street names, road names, and railroads.
The user can create a new record simply by first clicking the "Add Crossing" menu option, and then clicking on the appropriate location on the map where the record is to be added. At that point, an icon is placed in that location that will represent that record. This icon will be an active hot spot on the map. This means that by simply clicking on that or any icon , various database forms are loaded. All appurtenant data concerning the crossing is accessed, edited, and entered through these form, as show below. Multimedia data ( bitmaps and/or movie clips), as well as text data, can be saved as part of the database. The software also creates and maintains inspection, accident, and drawings forms that contain their respective data as part of the database.
All of the records can be traversed through these forms, without having to revert back to the map. These data forms are related using RDMS(Relational Database Management System). Records can be instantly retrieved and manipulated by simply using the mouse pointer.
The software is designed as an MDI (multiple document interface) project, which features enables the user to view all of the database forms on one screen. This allows for instant retrieval of data from multiple tables. A complete and dynamic inventory is easily maintained.
In addition to the forms, various reports can be generated providing the user with a hard copy output as necessary.
This system focuses on grades crossings but can be adapted to any geographic hot spot item of interest.