Project

Information Technology Support

Description

Zululand District Municipality appointed Quartex technologies to provide IT services for a period of three years. The scope of work includes the implementation and support of various systems to assist in the provision of services in the municipality.

Solution

As part of this contract a number of systems have been deployed. They include:

• Impi – a customisation of the QProjects tool for the management of capital projects information and streamlining of the payment process
• Manzi – a version of the Quartex Assets application for managing the infrastructure assets
• Siza – an issue management system for recording and processing customer complaints and faults in the water infrastructure
• Suppliers Database – a quote and tender management system
• The official Zululand municipal website

In addition to providing support on these applications, Quartex also provides data management services relating to the Blue Drop assesments, Geographical information and assistance in compiling the AFS.

Project

Sappi Track and Trace

Description

Sappi Paper and Packaging uses SAP to manage the planning and physical distribution of paper shipments. Although the process is satisfactorily tracked to the time of dispatch, there was no visibility of the shipment once en route to the destination. Sappi uses third party logistics companies to deliver product, the majority of which has some sort of tracking device in their vehicles. The requirement was to provide visibility of shipments to logistics and customer care from time of despatch to delivery.

Solution

The solution provided has the following functionality:

• Import the detailed distribution plan from SAP
• Provide a mapping interface to show the current position of a shipment
• Monitor the status of a shipment by reacting to messages from SAP
• Request and process co-ordinates from 7 tracking service providers and associate those with shipments
• Provide a dashboard to give an overview of the logistics process
• Manage transporter, vehicle and customer information
• Allow the data to be analysed outside the application through data extraction

Methodology and technology

The mapping interface uses MapExchange, a stack containing Mapserver, Open Layers and TileCache. The application is a Web based .NET system with SQL Server2008 and integration to SAP through MQ.

Project

Qprojects implementation and support

Description

Black Balance were appointed to run Enterprise iLembe, the PMU unit of the iLembe District Municipality. The PMU manages all capital projects in the Municipality.

Solution

QProjects has been installed in these municipalities to facilitate the management of project information from planning through to project close out. The Qprojects system also facilitates the payment of suppliers and consultants and provides comprehensive reporting and dashboards. For more information on Qprojects please see the products page.

Methodology and technology

The applications are built using Visual Studio .NET and are web based. The database is hosted in SQL Server 2008.

Project

Geographical Load Forecasting

Description

As part of the on-going planning process at Eskom, Strategic Master Plans are compiled. An essential part of these plans is forecasting demand over a twenty year horizon. In association with VAMP Technologies, Quartex has undertaken two Geographical Load Forecasting exercises in the West Rand in Gauteng and the South Coast area of the Western Cape.

Solution

The forecast is built up from homogenous land use areas referred to as Load Zones. These load zones are defined by the analysis of various data sets including the Electrical network, land use, household and census data. Polygons with homogenous land use are identified and digitised. Strategic Plans provided by the local municipalities in the area are consolidated to provide estimates of future growth and these, combined with usage statistics, economic forecasts and economic analysis enable a long term demand forecast to be created at the Load Zone level. These forecasts can then be aggregated for network load modelling.

Methodology and technology

Spatial analysis using Manifold and ArcGIS, statistical analysis, Demand forecasting using NetPlan’s Power GLF.

Project

Member management systems

Description

Organisations with a large number of members need a means of managing their member information. The four organisations above have all implemented a customised version of our member management system.

Solution

Each of the organisations has a customised version of our base system and have implemented some or all of the following features:

• Member management – allowing administrators and members to access profile data and information such as races entered and race results
• Payment of membership subscription fees
• Online event entry
• Results and seeding services
• Integration with other governing body systems

Methodology and technology

The applications are built using Visual Studio .NET and are web based. The database is hosted in SQL Server 2008. The Paygate and iVeri payment gateways have been implemented in one or more of the implementations. Advertising on these sites has been implemented through the use of OpenX Adserver.

Project

Protection settings

Description

In order to secure the supply of electricity with Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Municipality, a three year project was initiated to validate asset data, model the required protection settings in the network and test and recommission the substations in the municipality. In association with Tsekema Consulting Engineers and VAMP technologies, Quartex was contracted to assist with the data management and reporting.

Solution

From a Quartex point of view, the project had two phases. The first was to produce a Geodatabase that could be used to provide the data to be imported into the analysis package, Powamaster, and allow “intelligent” line drawings to be produced. The second was the physical management of the project data for which a customised version of Q-Assets was employed. In addition, a mobile version of the assets application was developed to allow field teams to collect test data.

Methodology and technology

Spatial analysis using Manifold and ArcGIS. The Q-Assets application was customised using Visual Studio .NET and the Windows Presentation Framework. The database is hosted in SQL Server 2008.

Project

Meter validation

Description

City of Johannesburg customers have experienced some difficulties over a period of time. These problems are linked to inaccurate meter information to some extent. Tsekema Consulting Engineers were appointed by City Power to undertake a complete physical audit of all 450 000 meters in the City Power supply area. Quartex were appointed to assist with the management of this information.

Solution

There are three components to the solutions offered by Quartex on this project.

• Supply of personnel to assist with the management and cleaning of the Spatial data and to provide hardcopy maps for the use of the field inspection teams
• Provide a public facing web map which will allow City of Johannesburg customers to see the status of the meter audit in their area and to provide feedback to City Power
• Customisation and implementation of the Quartex Assets desktop application to allow the project managers to access dashboards and meter audit details.

Methodology and technology

The applications are built using Visual Studio .NET and are web based and desktop based respectively. The database is hosted in SQL Server 2008. ArcGIS is being used to assist with the spatial data management.

Project

uMzimkulu Catchment Study

Description

The uMzimkulu catchment assessment was a project commissioned by the Department of Water Affairs (DWA) to undertake a full hydrological study of the uMzimkhulu river catchment. As part of this process the full project took modelled current and planned water usage as well as identifying current and potential commercial timber in the area. Quartex was involved in the project to provide GIS support and analysis as well as hydrological support. There were a number of key components to the study.

Solution

Identification of current landuse:Utilising existing aerial photography and 2007 landuse, we were able to verify and enhance the 2007 landuse dataset to provide a comprehensive dataset of current landuse in the catchment. This provided the main input into the hydrological modelling. As part of this excercise all river courses (4 levels) and the quaternary boundary were digitised based upon the aerial photography. Additionally, all farm dams and wetlands were also digitised.

Agricultural Utilisation:Study of agricultural utilisation of water based upon WARMs data and onsite survey. As part of this process an agricultural crop demand was determined and presented at a quaternary catchment level.

Timber Potential:A timber potential study was undertaken to determine areas suitable for timber. A "negative mapping" exercise was undertaken to eliminate the unsuitable areas and to identify "positive window areas" for further investigation. These unsuitable areas are associated with unsuitable conditions, and termed "exclusion criteria".

Methodology and technology

All analysis was undertaken in ArcGIS and Manifold.

Project

Agricultural land ownership audits

Description

Land Reform and Distribution is a high profile issue in South Africa and causes high emotions. Debates around the subject of land distribution are ill informed because there is no organisation in South Africa that can definitively and authoritatively provide statistics which describe the land ownership patterns. The National and Provinicial Agricultural bodies have taken it upon themselves to clarify the status. Quartex technologies have provided a methodology to assist with this process of collecting useable ownership data to two of these organisations.

Solution

A web based assets solution has been provided for the various farmers and farmers' unions to capture data on farm ownership. The system essentially consists of a spatial interface which the user can browse, and which provides the means to update some simple details relating to ownership of the land portion. The base data is sourced from the Surveyor General’s Office. Statistics on land ownership can then be prepared from data extracted from the system.

Methodology and technology

The application is Web based, developed using Visual Studio .Net and utilises a SQL Server 2008 database. Mapping functionality is provided by MapExchange, Quartex technologies' own mapping server built using Map Server, Tile Cache and Open Layers.

Project

Online Agricultural Equipment advertising and sales

Description

AgriSales core product is a monthly magazine containing thousands of advertisements for new and second hand agricultural equipment. The magazine is highly successful and well respected amongst the target market. It is also resource intensive to produce. An online system was commissioned to simplify this process and expand the advertiser base.

Solution

A web application has been implemented which includes functionality to:

• Enable users to capture and pay for classified advertisements
• Enable AgriSales sales reps to manage their clients and their advertising needs
• Assist the magazine compositor to structure the physical publication
• Display and search for agricultural products for sale

Methodology and technology

The application is Web based, developed using Visual Studio .Net and utilises a SQL Server 2008 database. Payment is enabled through PayGate

Project

Qprojects implementation and support

Description

Black Balance were appointed to run Enterprise iLembe, the PMU unit of the iLembe District Municipality. The PMU manages all capital projects in the Municipality.

Solution

QProjects has been installed in these municipalities to facilitate the management of project information from planning through to project close out. The Qprojects system also facilitates the payment of suppliers and consultants and provides comprehensive reporting and dashboards. For more information on Qprojects please see the products page.

Methodology and technology

The applications are built using Visual Studio .NET and are web based. The database is hosted in SQL Server 2008

Project

Member management systems

Description

Organisations with a large number of members need a means of managing their member information. The four organisations above have all implemented a customised version of our member management system.

Solution

Each of the organisations has a customised version of our base system and have implemented some or all of the following features:

• Member management – allowing administrators and members to access profile data and information such as races entered and race results
• Payment of membership subscription fees
• Online event entry
• Results and seeding services
• Integration with other governing body systems

Methodology and technology

The applications are built using Visual Studio .NET and are web based. The database is hosted in SQL Server 2008. The Paygate and iVeri payment gateways have been implemented in one or more of the implementations. Advertising on these sites has been implemented through the use of OpenX Adserver.

Project

Various strategic planning projects

Description

Isikhungusethu Environmental Services provides strategic planning services to local and provincial government. Quartex have undertaken a number of projects in conjuction with Isikhungusethu.

Solution

We have provided GIS analyses as a sub-contractor to Isikhungusethu on the following projects:

• Strategic planning projects at Sinsonke , iLembe, Umkhanyakhude, Uthukela, Umzinkhulu and Uthungulu municipalities
• GIS analysis for the Admiralty Reserve, Department of Rural Development and Land Reform
• Analysis for the establishment of Shared Services centre for KwaZulu-Natal

Methodology and technology

Analysis and the production of spatial output is undertaken with ArcGIS and Manifold.

Project

Agricultural land ownership audits

Description

Land Reform and Distribution is a high profile issue in South Africa and causes high emotions. Debates around the subject of land distribution are ill informed because there is no organisation in South Africa that can definitively and authoritatively provide statistics which describe the land ownership patterns. The National and Provinicial Agricultural bodies have taken it upon themselves to clarify the status. Quartex technologies have provided a methodology to assist with this process of collecting useable ownership data to two of these organisations.

Solution

A web based assets solution has been provided for the various farmers and farmers' unions to capture data on farm ownership. The system essentially consists of a spatial interface which the user can browse, and which provides the means to update some simple details relating to ownership of the land portion. The base data is sourced from the Surveyor General’s Office. Statistics on land ownership can then be prepared from data extracted from the system.

Methodology and technology

The application is Web based, developed using Visual Studio .Net and utilises a SQL Server 2008 database. Mapping functionality is provided by MapExchange, Quartex technologies' own mapping server built using Map Server, Tile Cache and Open Layers.

Project

Member management systems

Description

Organisations with a large number of members need a means of managing their member information. The four organisations above have all implemented a customised version of our member management system.

Solution

Each of the organisations has a customised version of our base system and have implemented some or all of the following features:

• Member management – allowing administrators and members to access profile data and information such as races entered and race results
• Payment of membership subscription fees
• Online event entry
• Results and seeding services
• Integration with other governing body systems

Methodology and technology

The applications are built using Visual Studio .NET and are web based. The database is hosted in SQL Server 2008. The Paygate and iVeri payment gateways have been implemented in one or more of the implementations. Advertising on these sites has been implemented through the use of OpenX Adserver.

Project

Member management systems

Description

Organisations with a large number of members need a means of managing their member information. The four organisations above have all implemented a customised version of our member management system.

Solution

Each of the organisations has a customised version of our base system and have implemented some or all of the following features:

• Member management – allowing administrators and members to access profile data and information such as races entered and race results
• Payment of membership subscription fees
• Online event entry
• Results and seeding services
• Integration with other governing body systems

Methodology and technology

The applications are built using Visual Studio .NET and are web based. The database is hosted in SQL Server 2008. The Paygate and iVeri payment gateways have been implemented in one or more of the implementations. Advertising on these sites has been implemented through the use of OpenX Adserver.

Project

GIS implementation and spatial reporting

Description

This large sugar estate uses CanePro for managing operations. However, information relating to soils, rainfall, borehole water quality and a number of other parameters is collected on a regular basis. Managing this data using spreadsheets and trying to relate it to yield information from CanePro is problematic. In addition, it was recognised that being able to analyse this information with a spatial focus would add value for future planning and yield optimisation.

Solution

In order to manage and create spatial data, ArcGIS was installed and training given to the operator. A spatially focussed application was developed, allowing the capturing and display of the various environmental variables. Linking the spatial viewer with the GIS data sets and management information allows for the analysis and reporting of soils, water, crop and yield statistics. This application was integrated with the existing farm management System, CanePro, to provide real time data on production without the need for recapturing information.

Methodology and technology

ArcGIS. Application development in Visual Basic . NET using the Windows Presentation Framework. The database is hosted in SQL Server 2008

Project

Meter validation

Description

City of Johannesburg customers have experienced some difficulties over a period of time. These problems are linked to inaccurate meter information to some extent. Tsekema Consulting Engineers were appointed by City Power to undertake a complete physical audit of all 450 000 meters in the City Power supply area. Quartex were appointed to assist with the management of this information.

Solution

There are three components to the solutions offered by Quartex on this project.

• Supply of personnel to assist with the management and cleaning of the Spatial data and to provide hardcopy maps for the use of the field inspection teams
• Provide a public facing web map which will allow City of Johannesburg customers to see the status of the meter audit in their area and to provide feedback to City Power
• Customisation and implementation of the Quartex Assets desktop application to allow the project managers to access dashboards and meter audit details.

Methodology and technology

The applications are built using Visual Studio .NET and are web based and desktop based respectively. The database is hosted in SQL Server 2008. ArcGIS is being used to assist with the spatial data management.

Project

Ugu District Municipality Infrastructure Audit

Description

Without a clear outline of the current status quo of infrastructure within the district, local government and private sector industries are forced to make development decisions based upon unknown factors. This leads to inefficiencies and in some instances, duplication of effort. This project aimed to provide this information. Further to this, this audit forms part of a broader local economic initiative to engage with local industry and business to promote further development, growth and sustainability within the district.

Solution

The project scope of work included:

• Development of benchmarks for infrastructure capacity based on industry guidelines.
• Assessment of current capacity (demand vs. supply over the past 5 years) and projected capacity requirements (over the next 10 years) for communications, electricity, waste, roads, public transport, bulk water and sanitation and social facilities.
• Spatial representation of infrastructure and their linkages.
• To identify opportunities and constraints to development.
• To provide a focused assessment of infrastructure capacity of key economic assets (CBD's, Industrial areas, development corridors).
• To cost the infrastructure gap based upon the capacity projections and anticipated revenue and spend of the functions of the district. The financial input would need to take into account spending within all spheres of government, parastatals and the private sector. It would need to take into account replacement, refurbishment and O&M requirements.
• To prioritise infrastructure needs with stakeholders both spatially and sectorally.
• To develop alternative service delivery models (including environmentally sustainablity) and costing. Included in the deliverables was a standalone spatial viewer which accompanied the final report to allow readers to visualise the analysis.

Project

Geographical Load Forecasting

Description

As part of the on-going planning process at Eskom, Strategic Master Plans are compiled. An essential part of these plans is forecasting demand over a twenty year horizon. In association with VAMP Technologies, Quartex has undertaken two Geographical Load Forecasting exercises in the West Rand in Gauteng and the South Coast area of the Western Cape.

Solution

The forecast is built up from homogenous land use areas referred to as Load Zones. These load zones are define by the analysis of various data sets including the Electrical network, land use, household and census data. Polygons with homogenous land use are identified and digitised. Strategic Plans provided by the local municipalities in the area are consolidated to provide estimates of future growth and these, combined with usage statistics, economic forecasts and economic analysis enable a long term demand forecast to be created at the Load Zone level. These forecasts can then be aggregated for network load modelling.

Methodology and technology

Spatial analysis using Manifold and ArcGIS, statistical analysis, Demand forecasting using NetPlan’s Power GLF.

Project

Various strategic planning projects

Description

Vuka Africa provides strategic planning services to local government, undertaking the compilation of such statutory documents as Spatial Development Frame Works, Land Use Policies and Local Economic Frameworks. Quartex provides GIS services required for the compilation of these plans.

Solution

We have provided GIS analyses as a sub-contractor to Vuka on the following projects:

• Mkambatini Spatial Development Framework
• Keats Drift Precinct Plan
• Msinga Spatial Development Framework
• Zululand District Municipality Development Frameworks
• Kwasani Spatial Development Framework
• Mkambatini Scheme
• uPhongola Spatial Development Framework
• Ndundulu plans
• Pomeroy Plans

Methodology and technology

Analysis and the production of spatial output is undertaken with ArcGIS and Manifold.