A crucial issue in any decision-making process is assess to the existing data and collection of missing data. RAMSYS provides a set of data-exchange tools to import existing data and collects ones. The direct download of data from computer and data loggers from wayside systems, service trains and maintenance vehicles such as recording cars, tampers, and rail grinders eliminates redundant file management, paper reports and double entry of data thereby speeding uu the information cycle time form generation to entry into the RAMSYS database.
To obtain better quality data and reduce the Gigo (Garbage In Garbage Out) effect, the best solution is to acquire data at the source; handheld devices, automatic asset recognition, and data exchange can support data collection from the field.
For example, dedicated Ramsys modules can run on laptops, combined with Global Positioning Systems (GPS/DGPS) that can locate a maintenance operator in the field and use the location reference to immediately collect the technical and economic data on a particular maintenance activity, as well as provide information about nearby assets, their ondition, and other useful attributes.
Data entry in Ramsys is automated and verified as much as possible to reduce both the duration of the tasks and human error. In general, any data coming from unchecked sources requires verification. Therefore, data checks must be executed every time data is entered and/or modified. Dedicated procedures at fixed frequencies are required to achieve complete control of data quality and guarantee that data is either corrected or excluded from the analysis before any business rule is applied.
The figure gives an example of automatic data quality verification carried out with Ramsys to check if the overhead line asset data is consistent before and after data corrections. The red segments represent overlapped sections, while the yellow segments represent sections outside the overlapped zones.
Standard and customized data entry forms are available in on and off line mode.
RAMSYS MIDE (Mobile Integrated Data Entry) Module supports the update of data directly from the field (off line) in a more efficient and effective manner. MIDE is especially aimed to collect data such as Defects/ Measurements/Activities coming out from the field when RAMSYS cannot be accessed via LAN.
RAMSYS MIDE consists of:
- a set of data entry forms to update RAMSYS data
- a sync functionality for download and upload of data
Template based import (Standard Data Import) is an important and vital procedure for collecting, validating and importing data in RAMSYS.
This procedure utilises pre-structured Template files in which case Users should populate. Specific Validation processes and policies have been implemented to ensure the required consistency and accuracy of the imported data.
RAMSYS manages 2 different types of processes to Extract, Transform and Load (ETL) the required data, namely: Custom Data Import and Direct Data Access. Custom cleansing data rules are permitted developing custom business validation.
- Custom Data Import allows through the implementation (e.g. via web services) of specific connectors (plug-in, in application platform environment) to import data from any data source type.
- Direct Data Access using a third party tools (e.g.: Microsoft SQL Server Integration Services or Pentaho Data Integration).
RAMSYS manages 2 different types of processes to Extract, Transform and Load (ETL) the required data, namely: Custom Data Import and Direct Data Access. Custom cleansing data rules are permitted developing custom business validation.
- Custom Data Import allows through the implementation (e.g. via web services) of specific connectors (plug-in, in application platform environment) to import data from any data source type.
- Direct Data Access using a third party tools (e.g.: Microsoft SQL Server Integration Services or Pentaho Data Integration).
