ArcFM Desktop Overview > Designer > Designer Basics > Design Objects |
Designer relies on specific objects to integrate your GIS with your Work Management System (WMS). This topic describes those objects and how they are used.
Work Request (WR)
Designer's workflow usually views a WR as the top-level of the work management process. As the name implies, a WR is a request for a ground crew to perform work. This WR may either require modifying existing infrastructure or constructing new infrastructure. Several alternatives may be available to fulfill the WR. Users normally represent these alternatives using alternate designs.
Design
Represents a solution to the WR. For example, if a WR requires the replacement of a pole, then the design would detail exactly how the ground crew would replace the pole, and what material they would use to complete the work. Because there might be many options for the pole replacement, several designs may exist. However, you may only open one design in ArcMap at a time.
Work Location (WL)
For a given design, work for ground crews to complete will almost always have a geographic location associated with it, or a WL. Information that applies to the WL level is data such as address, work conditions, site conditions (traffic, ground cover, etc.) - any attribute that affects the work the ground crews will perform.
Compatible Unit (CU)
The base unit of a design scenario. CUs package the hardware installed (often modeled geographically) with the ancillary factors of its work function (installation, removal, movement, abandonment, etc.) which might not have spatial significance. A user can also use CUs to represent the labor necessary to complete a WR.
GIS Unit (GU)
An object that contains a reference to an object class and subtype with references to one or more CU objects. The GU carries the attributes of the feature, while the CU bears the WMS information.