ProActive Data Management

Pipeline Integrity Software – ProActive

ProActive is an innovative database system for managing, summarizing and reporting all collected information pertaining to pipeline integrity. The system is ProActive in the sense that the summary screens and reports focus on maximizing pipeline integrity by eliminating problem areas, and identifying and reversing deleterious data trends.

The program facilitates data entry of cathodic protection data, via direct download from data-logger equipment and also via optimized manual data entry. A complete inventory of all devices arrayed along a pipeline is maintained, complete with important specifications and contact information, as well as device-specific ancillary information, a history of readings, and an audit trail of all changes. Certain pipeline features such as anomalies, spans, coatings and sleeves are also tracked within the database.

M. C. Miller data-loggers are fully-supported by ProActive and they work together to provide an integrated hardware/software solution to your CP pipeline integrity data management needs.

The figure below summarizes the major functional aspects of both our data-loggers and the ProActive system and also illustrates the interdependent nature of the relationship between the two products.

The ProActive database is an integral part of the ProActive system. This database is where all historical CP data are stored and where new data (current data) are posted and integrated with previously recorded data.

ProActive System Options

Option 1: Single-User Version

With the Single User version, the ProActive database and program are installed on an individual PC or laptop computer. The database is only accessible via that specific computer.

The Single User version is suitable for individual contractors, or a small company (or independent division) with a small number of technicians operating out of one office facility.

Client Side Requirements

• Pentium(or equivalent) Personal Computer.
• Windows 2000/XP/2003/Vista/Win7 installed.
• 1 gigabyte of RAM.
• 50 Megabytes of free disk space (100MB recommended for single-user version)
• CLIENT-SERVER VERSION: You need to obtain an account name and password to access the ProActive database, see your network administrator or the ProActive DBA.
• Microsoft’s Internet Explorer 4.0 (or better) should be installed on your computer (required browser for viewing this help file).
• Your desktop should be configured to display a minimum of 256 colors, Hi-color (16-bit color) or Truecolor (24-bit color) is recommended for best results with any photographic data.

Option 2: Client/Server Version

With the Client/Server version, the ProActive database is installed on a customer’s server computer at one location, but multiple users can access the ProActive database online via the company network. In this version, each technician and ProActive supervisor in the company has the ProActive software program installed on his/her PC or laptop. Technicians located anywhere in the country with internet access can post their readings to a centralized server.

In addition, technicians can operate in Briefcase mode, which is an offline method of operation, allowing them to work while disconnected from network access. Updating of the ProActive database will occur when network access is made available.

This version is suited to companies with a centralized database system and IT personnel. It will support a relatively large number of field technicians working in different geographical areas. This version works best when a supervisor at the company is prepared to assume the role of ProActive Application Administrator and is prepared to become the point person for interaction with M. C. Miller personnel.

Note: ProActive is compatible with the following database systems: Firebird, MS and Sybase SQL Server, Oracle and IBM DB2

Option 3: eProActive Version

With the eProActive version, the ProActive database is installed on a dedicated server computer located at the M. C. Miller offices in Vero Beach, Florida. Multiple users with the ProActive software program installed on their PC’s or laptops can access the ProActive database via an Internet connection.

This version has all of the same features as the Client/Server version mentioned above, except that your company’s ProActive database is administered by M. C. Miller personnel on a dedicated server computer. In other words, M. C. Miller acts as your database administrator.

This version is best suited for a company that does not have the facilities, equipment or personnel to manage or support their ProActive database.

ProActive Functions

• ProActive is easy to use and has extensive functionality.
• Configure a database with ease design your own database to represent your pipeline system or to represent your customers and their pipelines.
• Easily populate your line segments with sites (rectifiers, bonds, test points etc.) and manage all pertinent information for each site in ProActive.
• Build routes with ease and download route data to M. C. Miller data-loggers for automatic collection of site survey data or generate Excel spreadsheets for manual data entry of site data.
• Easily download site data from M. C. Miller data-loggers (or import spreadsheet data) and automatically update your ProActive database.
• Easily download CIS and DCVG survey data from M. C. Miller data-loggers and conveniently associate these data with appropriate line segments in your ProActive database.
• Easily edit pipeline survey data (as required) via a convenient graphical presentation of the data.
• Easily import other pipeline survey data, such as PCM, GPS right-of-way and SmartPig data, and associate these data with appropriate line segments in your ProActive database.
• Easily design graphical and textual report formats for repeated use. For instance: Present survey data in association with line segments overlaid on topographical/photographical maps when GPS right-of-way data are available.
• Detailed descriptions of each of the above functions can be found in the ProActive Training Manual (Single-User Version) and the ProActive Training Manual (Client-Server Version)

ProActive System Customization

The ProActive System can be customized in a number of different ways to satisfy your needs, as indicated below: ProActive/GIS Integration

ProActive (Client/Server version) can be integrated with ISAT, PODS and APDM pipeline data model-inspired GIS databases for automatic stationing synchronization.

The mechanisms associated with tight integration, which involve table integration and code list sharing, are described with reference to a specific project example in an M. C. Miller Technical Article.

Importation of Historical Corrosion Control Data

In most cases, our customers have pre-existing historical data stored either on an existing database (or databases) or in Excel spreadsheet files, for example.

We can provide our customers with custom-designed import routines that create suitably-located “data collection sites” with which historical data are associated in the database. Custom routines for importing historical pipeline survey data can also be incorporated. Consequently, there is no break in the continuity of historical data and current data added via the ProActive application are seamlessly integrated with pre-existing data.

Program Customization

The ProActive software program can be customized to specifically suit your needs by taking into account your practices and procedures and including your terminology, so that the functionality of the program is easy to learn and makes sense to your supervisors and technicians alike.

ProActive Features

Client/Server

The ProActive Client/Server version is always custom made for the sophisticated CP operation with hundreds-to-thousands of users worldwide who connect to a centralized database server (mainframe or minicomputer) maintained by an IS department.

Database Integrity Rules

It is advantageous to make the database “smarter” and enable it to understand relationships between data fields and use some rules-of-thumb to detect and prevent errors. For example, suppose the portion of your pipeline within New York State is confined to the high population density areas of lower Manhattan. Therefore, within every location page of every device, whenever the State is set to New York, “4” should be the DOT class. By using the database integrity subsystem you can easily establish such a rule. After the rule is in place, whenever the rule is violated, the offender will get a message describing the error made. If they choose not to fix the error, an entry will appear in the Errors page of all ancestor forms. Database integrity rules can also be made to post entries into the Flags, To-do or Remedial summary pages if desired.

Instantaneous Database Updates

In the Multi-User and Client-Server versions of ProActive the tree is updated dynamically. When one user makes a change to the tree, such as adding a new rectifier or rearranging the existing contents, all other active users’ trees will change to reflect those changes within 10 seconds (the default rate) or whatever refresh interval was specified in the User Preferences dialog box.

Drag and Drop Tree Structure

Tree organization is easy with the drag and drop mode of folder mobility. This feature simplifies the first-time user’s experience with ProActive.

Drag and Drop Database Filter

With the Apply Filter Wizard you can drag and drop folders and construct a tree that contains only a sub-set of the devices and folders in the entire database. You can specify a number of criteria with the wizard to select devices to be included in the tree.

Relative Device Relationship

Each device type maintained by the ProActive system is set up similarly, having all the same pages plus a page specific to the device type.

Device Specific Readings

Each device has specific reading types added to its reading page with pre-formatting capability via the readings template configuration control.

Easy Use with Dock Station/Laptops

ProActive downloads 10 to 20 Megabytes of software and data to your system. ProActive can be easily installed on a laptop.

Sybase Database

(Oracle / MS SQL Server) Access to the database is arbitrated by a server program running on a centralized mainframe or mini computer. Database backends directly supported by ProActive include the offerings of these database vendors: Oracle, Sybase, Microsoft, Informix, IBM (DB2), and Inprise (Borland). Additionally, ProActive can utilize any vendor’s database backend that is supported by an ODBC driver (a Microsoft Windows database connectivity sub-system). The connection with the server can be via local area network (LAN), wide area (WAN) or even across the Internet.

Seamless Database accessibility to and from MMS, GIS etc

ProActive client/server can be tightly integrated with other client/server applications you already have. Some possibilities include the sharing of data with your GIS, asset management, and accounting systems.

Current Windows User Interface Control Technology

ProActive uses ActiveX controls to incorporate features similar to those of Microsoft Office, thus making it easier to learn and use.

Device Specific Audit Trail:

The Audit Trail is a read-only (for all but the ProActive administrator) memo field containing a record of all data changes made for a device over its entire history.

Device Specific Notes page

Each device in ProActive contains a Notes page featuring a memo field for the free-form entry of notations.

Briefcase Mode

Designed to enable the technician to carry a snapshot of the database, and later merge the readings information with the database, a technician can drag-and-drop a copy of the technical area to be tested to a laptop. While in Briefcase mode the technician can create rectifier devices, rearrange tree structure, enter readings, fill out forms, display and load photos and drawings, load and retrieve data logger routes and readings as well as Close Interval Survey reports,(most ProActive functions are also available in Briefcase Mode).

Common Name Usage

ProActive conforms to the terminology in use at your specific company. There are a few special terms particular to ProActive itself you will become familiar with.

On-Line Help System

ProActive sports an instructional HTML-based help file with complete operating information, and also a special Tee Chart help file within the new 3D graphing control.

32-Bit Application

ProActive is written in a compiled language and is a modern 32-bit Windows application.

Edit Menu Functions

Remedial Items List Manager

Remedial Items describe conditions on the pipeline that need to be addressed. Remedial Items are very similar to To-do tasks except they are never assigned to a technician, nor are they assigned a due date. Remedial items are used for deficiencies that are not critical but should be addressed at some future time.

List Manager

ProActive lists can end up being populated with hundreds of items. Consider the “Location-Town” list on the Location page of a device or facility. This list should contain the names of all towns and parishes through which the pipeline passes. If your pipeline were sufficiently long, you would quickly wind up with hundreds of townships listed. Selecting from such a list would be quite inconvenient. List elaboration solves this problem by linking the township list to the “State” list. We express this relationship as “the township list is an elaboration of the selected State.” When you select “New York” in the State field, the township list will be filled with only those list items that belong to New York. The list will also be populated with any items for which the “elaboration value” (the State in this example) is left blank.

CIS Editor

The CIS Editor allows the user to edit close interval survey information in several ways. In this function you can delete, move, reverse and change the date on a set of CIS readings that has already been posted to ProActive.

Reading Templates/Reading Configuration Wizard

Selecting Reading Templates from the edit menu will bring up the Reading Configuration Wizard. This control is used to set up a standard template for each of the various reading types that are taken in ProActive devices. These pre-set configurations will be displayed in your Reading Setup control in ProActive devices. When you pass the mouse cursor over a reading’s name box in the far left of the history grid, the information contained in the template should pop up as text and remain visible for a few seconds. This feature allows the technician to view the settings for each reading easily.

Spelling Checker

Most multi-line text fields and edit boxes are enhanced with automatic spell checking capability. The spell checker utilizes a full American-English dictionary as well as a custom dictionary for its word list. A few text-based fields in the database are not spell checked, usually because they’re designed to contain inappropriate text for a spell checker (such as company addresses, etc.).

To-Do List Manager

Several of the devices have a Conditions Folder that offers a number of check box controls. When a check box is checked, a to-do item will be automatically created and this To-do task dialog box will appear. To-do items can also result from DOT Compliance criteria. If the compliance criterion for a device or route approaches its due date, a To-do item will be automatically generated. (Note: in the CLIENT-SERVER version, compliance related To-do tasks are created by the NIGHTLY maintenance routine)

Route Manager

The “Route” is a key concept in ProActive. A route comprises a set of devices and facilities that a technician will visit in order to take CP readings. Routes list the devices that will be loaded into data loggers for taking CP readings. In the Multi-User and Client-Server versions the briefcase is loaded with a selection of routes. The Route Manager is used to create, edit and delete routes.

Apply Filter Wizard

This function offers the ability to capture and view only the folders and nodes you need.

Find Text Wizard

This function allows you to search for a text string in a variety of places. The results are shown in a grid, which also lists the readable name of the record and its type.

Automatic Shunt Calculations

Within the Reading Configuration Wizard, readings can be preformatted with arithmetic formulas that perform automatic shunt calculation.

SQL Language Queries

Information to be printed or graphed is retrieved from the database through a query. A query is somewhat like a small computer program written in SQL (Structured Query Language), which is an important standard for database work.

Query Manager / AD HOC Data Base Queries

The Query Manager handles most of the esoteric ins-and-outs of dealing with the ProActive database, the tree, date ranges, list-based fields, etc. You select the fields and tables you wish to include and the Query Manager fills in the rest.

Location Page – Device Location Information

Station Number

The Station Number is contained in the location page of every device. This is the historic station number of the device, and is represented as “first number + second number.” The first number indicates hundreds of feet and the second number indicates feet.

Area Name Common Name Pick List

This list-based field describes the general geographic area in which the device is located.

DOT Class Area Pick List

This numeric field contains the integers 1 through 4 and describes the DOT classification for the area in which the device is sited.

County/Town/State Common Name Pick List with Elaboration

These are list-based fields that are an elaboration of the Location>>(State, Town, County/Parish) that specifies which (State, Town, County/Parish) the device is sited in.

Valve Section Pick List

The valve section group box specifies the upstream and downstream valves for the device in question. This is an aid for those accustomed to categorizing areas on the pipeline by valve section. To specify the valve section, select the State in which the valve is sited. The corresponding valve list will then be filled with the main line block valves present in that state.

Adjust Displayed Reading History

The displayed reading history can be adjusted to range from 3 years to more than 20 years.

Alignment Sheet Number Pick List with elaboration

This list-based field (an elaboration of Location>>State) specifies the alignment sheet on which the device can be found.

Directions to Device

This memo field is used to specify information useful in trying to find the device in the field.

Description Field

This is a one-line edit field used to specify any identifying characteristics concerning the device.

Multiple Line Right of Way

ProActive distinguishes separate test point stations for a test point that serves multiple parallel pipelines, but groups them for route building or any drag and drop function.

Devices and Facilities

Device Specific Photos/Device Specific Drawings

For all devices, ProActive supports the inclusion of digitized photographs, CAD-based schematics and maps for each device and facility arrayed along the pipeline. Multiple photos and drawings can be stored for each device, with an area to enter notes pertaining to each drawing or photo.

Device Specific Customizable Readings

ProActive can configure specific reading templates for all devices. When the template is properly set up via the Reading Configuration Wizard, the reading type appears in the Reading Setup drop down list with the reading attributes pre-set.

Device Specific Remedial List and To-Do List Generation

All ProActive Devices are capable of automatic and manual generation of remedial and to-do list items. (See Remedial / To-Do List Manager section)

Retiring Devices

In ProActive, data is never actually deleted from the database, except when the system administrator moves it to archival storage. Instead, the information is “retired.” When a device is retired, its information still resides in the database even though the retired device no longer appears in the tree. Reports that utilize a date range will still print the retired device’s information if the date range includes the time that the device was not yet retired.

Sleeve Device Type

A sleeve is a pipe that encloses a smaller pipe to enhance corrosion prevention. The milepost number of a sleeve defines its mid-point while information items on the device-specific “Sleeve” folder specify the sleeve’s length and other characteristics. ProActive also stores information on:

• Sleeve Data

Coating Transition Device Type

ProActive maintains data concerning all coatings applied to the pipeline. To conform to ProActive’s “point-on-the-pipe” metaphor for devices, coatings are managed by tracking the point at which the pipeline’s coating characteristics change. Thus, a coating is completely described by two Coating Transition pseudo-devices, one at each end of the coating.

ProActive also stores information on:

• Coating Data

Span Device Type

A span is an aboveground pipe typically used to cross a creek, river or other obstacle. Since it is above ground, a systematic visual inspection for corrosion is warranted in addition to electrical readings. ProActive also stores information on:

• Span Data
• Span Atmospheric Data