Software development: Knowledge vs. software code

Developing AM/FM/GIS applications can be difficult and frustrating. Owing to the complex environment and the fast-changing business model in which they operate, utilities are faced with a serious challenge to develop applications that work in a day-to-day production environment, in a timely manner, at a reasonable cost. To achieve this goal, developers need to adopt an approach that shifts the focus away from computer languages to the preservation of the data assets. Development dollars should be spent on developing accurate knowledge bases, which are more independent of the programming language, rather than on labor hours developing and maintaining software code. This paper argues that applications built around knowledge bases have been high productivity boosters in other related software areas and should be adopted in AM/FM/GIS applications. Using advanced tools, end users of the AM/FM/GIS can realize substantial development productivity. The paper explains how the use of knowledge base technology provides for developing quick prototypes to support the reengineering process, accompanying the deployment of automated mapping, work order and engineering analysis systems built with AM/FM/GIS technology.