What is GIS and what is NIS?

By Magnus Sjökvist

In telecom, there are a lot of software systems offering digital support. The Geographic Information System (GIS) is well established, and highly appreciated by many who visualize and store information in digital maps. The Network Information System (NIS) on the other hand, is increasingly recognized by fiber network providers. What is the difference of GIS and NIS? Let us juxtapose them to establish what the foundations of a GIS and a NIS are, and then consider what the NIS can do for your fiber network.

The foundation of a GIS

Developed for creating digital and geographical awareness, a GIS is a digital map and a multi-dimensional system with layers of information. It visualizes complex data, relevant to how a fiber network is constructed. A GIS typically answers the question:

  • Where are my assets?

A business interested in visualizing and storing information on a map would use a GIS. It is a system that is flexible, and can be adapted to the needs of many different industries. Nevertheless, other systems are often needed for a complete overview of a fiber network. Thus, the data related to the fiber network will be stored in various places.

The foundation of a NIS

With a much further developed version of a GIS, a NIS specifically meets the needs of fiber network owners. A NIS deals with more specific and detailed information about the network, and is used to visualize and analyze this complex data. With a NIS, field engineers are supported with mobile solutions, whilst in-house staff and customer service have access to the same information. Should customer communication be required, be it to inform about outages or similar events, the NIS has full support for this. A NIS answers questions regarding grids and networks, including:

  • What are my assets?
  • Where are my assets?
  • How are these assets connected?
  • Who is using the assets?
In a NIS, all data is collated in one system. dpCom has extensive support for stakeholders, in-house staff and field engineers alike. Mobile solutions, with focus on security, are available, ensuring that all data is updated in real-time.

Thus, a NIS gives advanced support for telecom businesses. It includes functionalities for business plans, project management, automated processes and much more. Specific workflows for fiber network owners, from planning to maintenance, derive from the same point – the map. With a NIS, everything related to the fiber network is collated in one system, ensuring that everyone working with it sees the same version of the truth.

The Digital Twin of the fiber network

Digpro’s software system dpCom is purpose built for the telecom industry, and has supported a host of fiber providers for over 20 years. It is built around the principle of supporting the workflows of the fiber network’s lifecycle: from first planning and designing, to operating and maintaining. It also allows for a Digital Twin to be created. With this digital representation of your fiber network, you can really take full control of it. The Digital Twin reflects every facet of the fiber network lifecycle, and it supports your staff, your end-customer, as well as letting you act the second an unplanned outage occurs.

Successful office workers
For a successful fibre business, real-time and correct data is a must. This creates challenges for fibre operators. With a Digital Twin, everyone involved access real-time data with the same version of the truth.

In Sweden, a country that enjoys a 96,77 percent coverage of 100 MB fiber – and aiming for 98 percent – dpCom is one of the most commonly used systems for fiber. Why? Because it is a modern NIS, which is well up-to-date with the needs of digitization and data management. Moreover, it is developed with the user in mind, and customer requirements most often drives new functionalities.

Are you interested in taking a huge leap into a modern way of working with fiber networks? Contact Magnus Sjökvist, who has extensive knowledge of the Swedish telecom market. He appreciates the needs of both small and extensive fiber networks, and will tell you how a NIS will support your business. You can also watch our free webinars, on how to create a Digital Twin of a fiber network, automation support for the business output, and the advantages of mobility. You can also learn more about GIS and NIS for telecom and other utilities in this article

Meet the expert

Magnus Sjökvist is Head of Product Management at Digpro, where he leverages his extensive software industry expertise to oversee the development of the entire product portfolio,Magnus Sjoberg which includes dpCom, dpPower, dpWater, dpGas and dpHeating. Magnus earned his Masters of Science in Industrial Engineering and Management from Linköping University. He is sincerely committed to the innovation of Digpro’s products and solutions.

 

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