4.4 Staking Workshop

Learn all those functions that you see in Field Design but have been afraid to play with. This class will cover many in-depth functions of Partner Field Design, including managing alternatives, correcting maps, and other advanced tools. Become the best staker in your organization.

• September 17, 2010

Advanced Inspection Builder

This class is intended for clients who want to take the Inspection Builder Module a step further. We will take a look "under the hood" of the module, examining the scripts that are generated and methods for editing them. The Basic Inspection Builder is a prerequisite for this class and it is recommended that participants have some experience with custom scripting or programming.

• September 17, 2010

Advanced Map Translation

This course continues the work of Basic Translation. A good part of the course is spent on learning basic usage of the Python programming language to customize map data in the Partner System. Other topics include merging external data, adding photo links, configuring custom splash screens, building multiple legends or views, and adding data links. This course concludes with a capstone exercise on using the Map Translator to calculate transformer load capacity.

Advanced Staking

Learn all those functions that you see in Field Design but have been afraid to play with. This class will cover many in-depth and advanced functions of Partner Field Design, including managing alternatives, correcting maps, and other advanced tools. Become the best staker in your organization.

Advanced Trimble GPS (MobileStaker, Partner & Pathfinder Office)

This class begins where Introduction to GPS for Partner Software ends. We will look at the use of Trimble specific hardware for integration into Partner 4.4. This class includes the following:

• discussing the real-world application of high accuracy GPS and the Pros and Cons of different Methodology for achieving those accuracies,
• discussing the specifics of collecting all GPS data covered in the Introduction to GPS for Partner Software class within MobileStaker and MobileStaker LT.
• looking at the value of setting up the GPS quality settings discussed in Introduction to GPS for Partner Software class and how it can be done within a Trimble-supported field software.
• discussing the directory structure Partner uses to transfer “Trimble .ssf” files to the Partner Hub and how Pathfinder Office Software can be implemented to aid in improving accuracy.
• covering the configuration of Pathfinder Office and troubleshooting of issues that may arise between the flow of Partner Software and Pathfinder Office.

• September 17, 2010

Basic 3.7 Staking

Focus: Staking and the Field Designer software.

• review of all basic features
• header and job templates
• design alternatives
• staking with GIS
• Field Designer and laptops
• Staking Buddy and palm computers
• staking with GPS
• common problems and solutions
• Partner Web and work flow from a staker perspective

Basic Inspection Builder

This class will focus on the end-user interface for building custom inspections with Partner's Inspection Builder Module. We will focus on generating and styling forms, labels, tabs, and fields; assigning and copying map data to your custom inspections; and generating data- bases for your custom inspections. All of these functions will be performed using a GUI (graphical user interface) within the Map Viewer itself. This class is a good fit for developers and non-developers alike.

Basic Map Translation

This hands-on course offers an introduction to configuring the Partner Map Translator. Students will build a Map Translator from scratch using sample data. The class will also learn how to control the visible aspects of their maps, such as scaling, visibility, points, lines and text, including making and editing map labels. The map data panel will be addressed, allowing users to control what kinds of data are displayed and how to configure find-items. There will also be an introduction to creating and editing point icons.

Configuration Manager

Focus: Thorough review all of the features of the web-based ConfigManager.

• Unit Information
• The Filter Tree
• Unit Material
• Simple Cost Estimation
• Importing & Exporting
• Picklists
• Header Fields
• Job Information Tabs

For more information about this class, go to Configuration Manager Training.

Development Workshop

Focus: Developing your own applications with the Map Integration Toolkit, with assistance from Partner personnel.

This is a free-form workshop rather than a formal class. Attendees must have taken the Map Integration Toolkit class at a previous time (i.e., not right before the workshop), be comfortable with Partner development, and have a specific project they are working on.

A learn-by-doing approach to application development in the Map Integration Toolkit and Workbench. Bring your own projects and ideas to work on. Attendees should have taken the Map Integration Toolkit course in the past (not just prior to the workshop) and be comfortable with basic Partner development. Contact Paul if you have any questions about the format or your eligibility.

Internet access, laptops, and lunch are provided. Feel free to bring your own laptop, however. Bring everything needed for your project, including your own Partner installation.

Fundamentals of Staking Training

A basic course on the fundamentals of physical staking (not the software) including:

• Characteristics and Skills of a Staking Technician
• Specifications
• Staking Process
• Staking Mechanics
• Staking Tools
• Introduction to the National Electrical Safety Code
• Conductor Characteristics.

Inspection Development

This is an introduction to developing data collection and inspection applications using the Partner Inspection framework. Partner Inspection builds on the core platform by adding configurable schemas, auto-generated forms and database tables, and synchronization with a central database. It eliminates much of the tedium involved in developing data collection tools, allowing you to focus on higher-level features. We'll start with an overview of the Inspection architecture. You'll learn how to use the Inspection extensions to the Workbench. Using it, we will build a series of inspection applications, incrementally increasing their features, complexity, and usefulness. We will also discuss how to install, configure, and troubleshoot existing Inspection modules developed by Partner. We'll conclude with a discussion of how to apply Inspection to solve the needs of your organization.

Attendees should be comfortable with the Partner Map Viewer and have experience creating and editing files in the Windows filesystem. You should probably have taken the Partner Platform Development class. You should also have some experience in programming or scripting, but you do not need specific experience in Java or BeanShell. Mainly, you should have a passion for working under the hood and a desire to get more out of your Partner system.

This is a hands-on class. Computers will be provided.

Inspection Seminar

A hands-on seminar of the Distribution Inspection Module. Topics include comprehensive coverage of the installation process, data collection, configuration, synchronization, data filtering, aging methods, and reporting. Computers will be provided.

Introduction to GPS for Partner Software

This class will focus on GPS (and other) Satellite Navigation Theory. It will cover an overview of what Global Navigation Satellite Systems are and where they are headed in the future.

We will focus on:

• connecting GPS through standard NMEA (National Marine Electronics Association) communication protocols,
• using GPS for navigation and data collection into Partner 4.4 Software,
• covering Bluetooth communication technology and pros and cons of connecting devices via this new methodology,
• covering the limitations of GPS and some of the ways to supplement GPS with peripheral collection devices, such as lasers and underground locators.

The morning will be based on theory and an explanation of setup and use, but the afternoon will consist of using GPS in the field with Partner 4.4. All participants are invited to bring their own GPS receivers and computer hardware, but a number of different devices will also be available for use.

Job Management, Configuration Manager, & System Administration

Learn the back end of the Partner Field Design System from a management perspective. This class teaches how to assign jobs, set permissions, when to sever checkout, and all the other management functions of Partner.

Thorough review all of the features of the web-based ConfigManager.

• Unit Information
• The Filter Tree
• Unit Material
• Simple Cost Estimation
• Importing & Exporting
• Picklists
• Header Fields
• Job Information Tabs

In addition, we will discuss some of the methods that current clients have in place that might help you make you organization even more efficient.

Map Integration Toolkit

Focus: Introduction to developing custom applications for the Map Viewer with the Map Integration Toolkit. This course now focuses on development in the Workbench, new to version 4.1.

Students begin by installing and upgrading the Workbench, then building a series of increasingly more complex applications, including dispatch tracking, attachment survey, and drawing.

This class is part of our Development training track. It is intended for IT staff, power users, third-party developers and integrators, and managers who want to learn the capabilities of the system.

Internet access, laptops, and lunch are provided.

Map Publisher Boot Camp

Partner will provide hands-on training for Milsoft and Tiger Map Publisher setup and maintenance. Configuration for ESRI-based mapping systems will be discussed and explored as time permits. Laptops will be provided.

• September 17, 2010

MobileStaker

MobileStaker Pro, MobileStaker Lite, Pathfinder Pro for use with Field Designer and Pathfinder Office Training.

MultiSpeak Conference

MultiSpeak Technical Committee meeting hosted by Partner Software in Athens, GA.

NESC Clearances

In this class we will discuss the NESC clearance guidelines and including discussion of conductor properties and sag characteristics. We will also have an in-depth discussion of several 'real-world' clearance environments, such as road crossings, under-built lines, and grain bins. In addition, we will do some of the actual calculations so you will be ready to take this information back and put it to work at your utility.

New Workbench

Versions 4.4.7 and above of Partner feature a full rewrite of the Workbench, a development environment for Partner mapsets and modules. This seminar is an abbreviated version of our Introduction to Partner Development class, focused on the new Workbench and its capabilities. Attendees should therefore have some experience with scripting or programming in general and be comfortable with the Partner platform. Topics include:

• viewing and editing files and directory structure
• developing and troubleshooting scripts
• developing and configuring custom mapsets
• developing and configuring custom modules
• customizing the Workbench itself.

Partner Platform Development

This is an introduction to developing custom map-based applications in Partner. We'll start with an overview of the architecture of the platform, including updates, logging, scripting, modules, mapsets, and translation. You will learn how to use the Partner Workbench, which is the development environment for Partner. Using the workbench, we will build a series of applications, incrementally increasing their features, complexity, and usefulness. We will also discuss how to install, configure, and troubleshoot existing modules developed by Partner or other users. We'll conclude with a discussion of how these tools can be applied to address real-world needs.

New to version 4.4 is the concept of modules. We will also be working with an updated version of the Workbench, and address the role of core platform development now that the Inspection platform is available.

Attendees should be comfortable with the Partner Map Viewer and have experience creating and editing files in the Windows filesystem. You should also have some experience in programming or scripting, but you do not need specific experience in Java or BeanShell. Mainly, you should have a passion for working under the hood and a desire to get more out of your Partner system.

This is a hands-on class. Computers will be provided.

PDF Reports

A hands-on workshop on Partner’s new PDF reporting system in the Field Designer. Attendees will learn how the new system works, how to configure layouts and write custom scripts, and create several job reports from scratch.

Pole Loading

In this class we will discuss all of the major factors that contribute to the stresses of pole loading. This will include discussions of wind load, conductor tension, equipment, and effective guying and anchoring. Not only will we show how to perform these calculations manually, but we will also show how these calculations can be done in integrated structural software, such as SPIDACalc.

Post-Conference Development Workshop

Focus: Developing your own applications with the Map Integration Toolkit, with assistance from Partner personnel.

This is a free-form workshop rather than a formal class. Attendees must have taken the Map Integration Toolkit class at a previous time (i.e., not right before the workshop), be comfortable with Partner development, and have a specific project they are working on.

A learn-by-doing approach to application development in the Map Integration Toolkit and Workbench. Bring your own projects and ideas to work on. Contact Paul if you have any questions about the format or your eligibility.

Internet access, laptops, and lunch are provided. Feel free to bring your own laptop, however. Bring everything needed for your project, including your own Partner installation.

SpidaCALC Demo

Introduction to using software to calculate pole loading based on the National Electric Safety Code. This session will begin with the basic of modeling a structure and continue into the interpretation of results. We will consider the effects that cause poles to fail the code and ways to model advanced situations.

Staking-to-GIS

This class is a behind the scenes look at the Staking-to-GIS interface. It will delve into the practice, theory, troubleshooting, and mythology of Partner Field Design’s interaction with a variety of GIS. This is an excellent follow up for mappers that have already learned to depths of translation.

Technology Showcase

The Partner Technology Showcase is an opportunity for you to see and hear first hand from utilities using cutting edge technologies such as GIS, Mobile Map Viewing, Staking, Automated Work Flow Management, System Integration Technology, Wireless Work Force Management and Outage Management. Partner Technology Showcases are presented by utility users, not salesmen, and the utility's actual software is demonstrated, not sugar-coated vendor demos. Vendors are available to answer your technical questions in a relaxed atmosphere. Enhance your knowledge of industry leading software and hardware technologies. Register for a Partner Technology Showcase today.

User Conference

Annual User Conference

• September 14, 2010

Using the Partner Field Inspection System

This class will provide users with comprehensive instruction in every function of the Distribution and Damage Assessment Modules. We will cover both field collection methods and office management. Features will include inspection data collection, priority viewing, searching, assignment, data filtering, reporting, scheduling and reissue, synchronization and mobile considerations. A test hub environment will be provided to facilitate as close to a real world scenario as possible. This class is a must for any client who wants "top-to-bottom" inspection training for their users.

Work Flow Automation

Focusing on modeling your workflow in the Partner Web, this class is intended to introduce the system and help you develop a methodology for diagramming your current workflow, transferring that diagram into Partner Web database queries, and setting up group and user permissions to utilize those queries.

Our goal is to give you:

• overview of how the Partner Web works and its capabilities
• overview of how to transfer your existing workflow to a diagram
• basic understanding of database queries
• skill at turning your workflow diagram into database queries
• skill at creating job header fields as needed
• skill at creating job listings tailored to specific users
• skill at creating job views tailored to specific users
• skill at creating on-demand reports using job header data

Attendees should have some experience with utility-wide workflow and should be comfortable moving and creating files and directories in the Microsoft Windows environment. This is not a class for end-users, but for power-users, administrators, and IT personnel. However, we do not expect that attendees be programmers.

We recommend this class to any of our customers interested in using the Partner Web throughout their organization, maintaining or extending the Partner Web, and to any third-party interested in working or interfacing with the Partner system.

For more information about this class, go to Workflow and the Partner Web Training.

Work Flow Workshop

Focus: Using the Job Manager to manage your work flow.

Workshop participants will use eBlvd to remotely connect to their Partner Hub to design and build an automated work flow system. Alternatively, participants can bring a complete copy of their Hub install (both Master and Working Installs) on a laptop or external USB hard drive. In this case, they will have to re-do their work when they return home, but it will still be a valuable learning opportunity. Workshop participants must have a thorough understanding of their utility’s processes.