The InfraMarker® RFID App Now Live in the Esri ArcGIS Marketplace

MADISON, Wisc., June 23, 2022 - Berntsen International, a leading manufacturer of infrastructure marking products, announces that its InfraMarker RFID App is now live in the Esri ArcGIS Marketplace. The InfraMarker RFID App provides the connection between passive UHF RFID marking technology and Esri’s ArcGIS software. This linking of RFID and GIS with the app enables faster, more reliable asset tracking and management.

Passive UHF RFID is the fastest growing asset identification technology in the world and used to verify, trace, and track products in inventory, retail, manufacturing, utilities, and construction industries. With the InfraMarker RFID app, those RFID-marked products can now be directly integrated with the power of GIS and asset management software.

“ArcGIS is a powerful solution for infrastructure management, made even more valuable when coupled with RFID asset identification technology. We are proud to extend Esri’s ArcGIS software with InfraMarker RFID and provide this additional capability for Esri partners and users”, said Mike Klonsinski, president of Berntsen.

InfraMarker, a division of Berntsen International, is the leader in connected RFID-enabled infrastructure asset marking products and software. The InfraMarker RFID app connects RFID marked products with GIS and Asset Management software while InfraMarker RFID-enabled marking products and equipment are specially designed to work with the app for management of utility infrastructure such as stormwater, gas, electrical and fiber.

The InfraMarker RFID App is available on the ArcGIS Marketplace. The ArcGIS Marketplace is a curated digital geospatial channel of system ready apps, content, solutions, and professional services from Esri’s ecosystem of partners for ArcGIS users to identify and discover additional resources for ArcGIS software.

Link to the Marketplace listing here: InfraMarker RFID App

About Berntsen International, Inc. and its InfraMarker® Solution: 

Berntsen International has been a Madison, WI manufacturer of survey and utility marking products since 1972 and a pioneer in developing RFID-GIS connecting solutions under the InfraMarker brand for more than a decade. Berntsen has been an Esri Silver Partner for more than 10 years. Visit Inframarker.com for more information and to purchase an introductory InfraMarker RFID package.

CONTACT: 

Kari Campbell, Public Relations, Berntsen International, Inc.
Phone:  608.443.2772
Email:  kcampbell@berntsen.com

Berntsen International, Inc. Receives Esri’s High Potential Award for Substantial Opportunities for Growth at the Esri Partner Conference

Madison, Wisconsin – March 7, 2022: Berntsen International, Inc., was recognized with the High Potential Award at the 2022 Esri Partner Conference (EPC) held in Palm Springs, California March 5–7, 2022. This award was presented to Berntsen International Inc., for the substantial opportunity for growth represented by its InfraMarker® Connected RFID™ solution that links the power of ArcGIS with RFID asset marking to deliver more accurate and efficient field operations.

RFID is the fastest-growing asset identification technology in the world and is ideal for marking infrastructure products such as valves, splices, poles and more.  The InfraMarker RFID app enables a direct connection between ArcGIS mobile solutions and RFID-marked assets.  This simple approach improves asset locating and identification, speeds inspection and maintenance workflows, reduces errors, and supports compliance requirements.

Esri is the global leader in location intelligence with a network of over 2,700 partners around the world. The award winners are organizations that have demonstrated innovative and creative ways to solve complex problems by using Esri’s ArcGIS software and those who have done exceptional work in advancing geographic information systems (GIS) technology. Berntsen International, Inc. was one of 26 Esri partners that received an achievement award at the conference. 

“Esri congratulates Berntsen International, Inc. on their 2022 EPC award in recognition of their innovative work leveraging ArcGIS software,” said Robert Laudati, Director of Global Partners and Alliances at Esri. “We are proud to partner with Berntsen to foster the use of GIS technology in support of our mutual customers.”

“Berntsen’s partnership with Esri is the cornerstone of advancing a world that uses RFID technology to tie physical field assets to the digital representation of those assets in the GIS,” said Mike Klonsinski, president of Berntsen International, Inc. “This award recognizes the importance of that future as well as InfraMarker’s leadership in providing the software, products, and solutions for a Connected RFID world.” 

About Esri

Esri, the global market leader in geographic information system (GIS) software, location intelligence, and mapping, helps customers unlock the full potential of data to improve operational and business results. Founded in 1969 in Redlands, California, USA, Esri software is deployed in more than 350,000 organizations globally and in over 200,000 institutions in the Americas, Asia and the Pacific, Europe, Africa, and the Middle East, including Fortune 500 companies, government agencies, nonprofits, and universities. Esri has regional offices, international distributors, and partners providing local support in over 100 countries on six continents. With its pioneering commitment to geospatial information technology, Esri engineers the most innovative solutions for digital transformation, the Internet of Things (IoT), and advanced analytics. Visit us at esri.com.

About Berntsen International, Inc.

Since 1972, Berntsen International has provided high quality marking products to define the boundaries and infrastructure of the world.  Berntsen marking products have been deployed throughout the world and its survey caps and monuments are recognized as the global standard. 

Berntsen’s commitment to better infrastructure marking is taken to the next level with its innovative InfraMarker line of software, products, and solutions. The InfraMarker approach enables a connected infrastructure world by linking GIS platforms with RFID asset marking technology. Connected RFID infrastructure improves safety and field operations management for utilities, municipalities, and other organizations desiring better field asset management. 

Berntsen is a Silver Partner in the Esri Partner Network, and InfraMarker RFID is an approved ArcGIS System Ready Specialty accessible on Esri's ArcGIS Marketplace.

CONTACT: 

Kari Campbell, Public Relations, Berntsen International, Inc.
Phone:  608.443.2772
Email:  email@berntsen.com

811 - CALLING IS A MUST, BUT NOT ENOUGH

A Blog by Emily Pierce, PLS, CFedS

There’s a better way. 

A week ago today, National 811 Day was commemorated. This means a lot to me because I know first hand how important it is that people make the 811 call before digging.  But I also know that there is a lot more to underground safety than more 811 calls. We need better methods for identifying and validating what is underground.

According to the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA), ruptured gas distribution systems have killed an annual average of 10 people and injured an average of 46 more.[i] Excavation damage has almost always been the cause of ruptures that resulted in fatality, an injury requiring in-patient treatment, or damages more than $50,000.

For firms that are excavating every day, the need to “Know what’s below” is essential for safe operations.

The latest DIRT Report (Damage Information Reporting Tool) shows that damages caused by underground utility strikes are increasing for the fifth consecutive year. In 2019, the cost of this damage was estimated at $30 billion. The most common cause listed for these utility strikes was “failure to notify”, meaning no one called 811 before excavation. But other causes, such as excavation issues and locating issues are also leading causes for damage.

The truth is that we don’t really know how much damage is done by excavation errors. In many sectors, there are no legal requirements for reporting utility strikes. Although a growing number of companies are voluntarily reporting, the data provides a very incomplete picture.

The National Society of Professional Surveyors (NSPS) is working to raise the visibility of the need for accurate geospatial data for infrastructure projects that include transportation, energy, communications, water supply, and other systems. NSPS is one of the thirteen members of the Coalition of Geospatial Organizations (COGO) that seek to speak with one voice on geospatial data and policy issues. This group provides input to the Federal Geographic Data Committee that has developed a National Spatial Data Infrastructure Strategic (NSDI) Plan.

These groups were heavily involved in the Infrastructure Bill working its way through our federal legislative process.  They are working to ensure that the federal investment in infrastructure improvements include geospatial data components to increase accuracy and precision in our infrastructure investments, like transportation, high-speed internet, power and gas utilities, rails, and clean water.

Trends toward the adoption of new technologies that help create accurate data to help us “Know what’s below” are strengthening. I know that surveyors are embracing new technologies to that help create underground surveys. Along with GIS, LiDAR and GPR, other tools are making the job of underground surveying much easier.

There’s a better way - connected RFID

For example, over the past year, I’ve been working with a number of utilities who are using Connected RFID to track and manage infrastructure assets. RFID is a key technology that enables direct connection between the real world and the geospatial world.

One of the most persistent and thorniest problems of any kind of geospatial data is accuracy. If the data isn’t spatially accurate, then its usefulness is massively reduced. I know I’m preaching to the choir. We surveyors spend our lives creating and correcting geospatial data and understand the importance of accuracy.

A direct connection between an infrastructure asset and its data is of tremendous value, and that’s exactly what InfraMarker RFID does. It’s pretty simple – an RFID tag is affixed to an asset (above or below ground). Each RFID tag has a unique ID that is linked to that asset’s record in the GIS system using software on a mobile device. Once linked, a field technician can scan a tag and automatically load that asset’s specific record for updating.  No need for a line of sight with RFID, so this makes InfraMarker perfect for underground utilities.

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See a 5-minute presentation by Mike Klonsinski, president of Berntsen International, at the recent Esri User Conference (July 2021)

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More and more, gas, water and telecom utilities are adding InfraMarker RFID to enhance the accuracy of their geospatial data and make life easier for field technicians. As a surveyor, think of how much easier our jobs would be if we could actually scan buried markers and have them identify themselves . . . or use the RFID scanner to identify nearby buried utilities.

The advantage of InfraMarker is the accuracy it delivers to help utilities better manage their infrastructure assets. A value-add is that this data could also help prevent excavation strikes, helping everyone “Know what’s below”.

While we know that 811 has some inefficiencies, it is the best first line of defense for damage prevention for a property owner and the utility. Without proper locating subsurface utilities before excavation, the results can be costly.

Interested? Contact me for more info - info@inframarker.com

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[i] https://thestoddardfirm.com/premises-liability/construction-accident-injuries/gas-line/

A DAM-AGING STORMWATER REPORT CARD FROM ASCE

Blog by Tom Hershberger, MS, MBA

Infrastructure is a hot topic now, and it’s long overdue for more than just discussion during National Infrastructure Week. 

The American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) have been focused on this topic since 1988, producing a regular report card for US infrastructure.  At first, there were 12 categories, and with this year’s addition of Stormwater, there are 18 categories.

Urban flooding is problem #1

Urban flooding results in more then $9 billion in damages annually, while federal funding to support stormwater maintenance/upgrades averages about $250 million annually.  It’s not surprising that stormwater infrastructure is in bad shape and has earned a grade of “D” from the ASCE.

Stormwater runoff is defined as rain or snowmelt that travels over impervious surfaces or cultivated areas, then is collected and drained into streams, rivers, lakes, bays or oceans. These systems of stormwater conveyance take many forms, from canals, to sewers, detention ponds and constructed wetlands.

In the US, there are approximately:

• 3.5 million miles of storm sewers

• 270 million storm drains

• 2.5 million stormwater treatment assets

Stormwater systems are a mix of publicly-owned (by local, state and the federal government) and privately-owned assets. The EPA is tasked with regulating all of this, but their focus has primarily been on Municipal Separate Storm Sewer Systems, known as MS4s. Because of this, most municipalities have an asset management / maintenance program.

On the other hand, corporate property owners or homeowners associations are not routinely monitored, which leads to deferred maintenance and increases the likelihood of urban flooding and increases the threat of pollution from runoff.

Stormwater conveyance systems have a lifespan of 50-100 years (depending on what materials were used in the original construction, such as reinforced concrete, corrugated metal or PVC).  Because most stormwater systems are paid for by local fees or taxes, that often means that maintenance and/or replacement have been postponed, leaving many communities with dangerously outdated stormwater infrastructure.

Even in communities where stormwater systems were constructed more recently (within the past 30 years), it’s likely that they weren’t designed for today’s capacity needs, especially with the growing frequency of high-precipitation events.

This figure shows the percentage of the land area of the contiguous 48 states where a much greater than normal portion of total annual precipitation has come from extreme single-day precipitation events. The bars represent individual years, while the line is a nine-year weighted average.

Beyond flood mitigation

Stormwater runoff causes lots of problems besides flooding. Every year, an estimated 57 million Americans are sickened by contaminated water in recreational areas. An 2019 analysis of fecal indicator bacteria sampling data from beaches in 29 coastal and Great Lakes states and Puerto Rico, reveals that 386 beaches – nearly one of every eight surveyed – had potentially unsafe levels of pollution on at least 25 percent of the days that sampling took place that year.

Additionally, other types of pollutants flow into our waterways when stormwater is not controlled. For example, the quantity of used oil from a single oil change can pollute up to one million gallons of fresh water.  Then there’s all the litter, construction debris, fertilizer, pesticides, road salt, pet waste, etc., that regularly flows into storm sewers. In an up-to-date stormwater system, these pollutants can flow into swayles, rain gardens where they can be held and filtered, instead of flowing directly into a stream, lake or ocean.

It’s vitally important that these systems are brought up-to-date.

Learning to make the most of what we have

Additional money for infrastructure may be on its way, but in the meantime, many municipalities and stormwater management organizations are already executing a plan to be compliant with EPA regulations and plan for the future.

The recommended first step toward improving a stormwater system is to have a comprehensive understanding of the location and condition of all existing stormwater assets.  This can be very challenging because oftentimes in municipalities, these records are kept in different departments, housed in different databases or even kept in paper files.

Fortunately, technology can really help with this issue. Geographic Information Systems (GIS) are increasingly being used to manage all types of municipal activities. GIS location-based information is extremely useful in managing stormwater assets spread across a specific geographic area. Today, municipalities are busy creating a digital twin of their existing city, which is a great concept that has real-world benefits but also faces real-world disconnects.

Example images from a geographic information system (GIS) illustrating storm-sewer infrastructure.

One very common disconnect is that the assets a digital map displays are not what maintenance workers find when they come to a job site.  For example, they may be tasked to perform an inspection or maintenance on a catch basin located on a specific intersection. They use the GPS to guide them to that location.  Upon arrival, they see not one, but four or even eight catch basins in that area.  So they have to invest time in working with the office to identify the right basin, or they just pick one and hope it’s the right one. 

Unfortunately, guesswork is what the GIS digital twin was supposed to eliminate.

There’s a simple solution that can permanently resolve that issue, while simplifying field documentation. It involves marking assets with an RFID tag, then connecting those tags to their records in the GIS using a standard mobile device. 

InfraMarker connected RFID makes all the difference

When marked with RFID tags, field workers no longer need to guess which asset to work on.  They can simply have assets identify themselves with a quick read of the RFID tag. Once they identify the asset they need to work on, the right form will pop up and they can complete the work and move on.

InfraMarker RFID-enabled markers directly connect the physical and digital worlds in a way that delivers fast, accurate and auditable asset management.  This approach fits into existing field workflows while leveraging existing GIS/Asset Management platforms. InfraMarker connects specific infrastructure assets to their unique digital records, providing accurate, auditable and actionable data to asset managers, often in real time. 

RFID-enabled asset management not only ensures that the digital twin is accurate, it generates an audit trail that meets the EPA regulations for compliance.

This simple solution is now being used for all kinds of infrastructure assets across the country, including municipal stormwater assets. 

See a quick video of how InfraMarker Connected RFID works to mark and manage stormwater assets here.

To learn more, contact us!.

INFRAMARKER BY BERNTSEN AWARDED THE ESRI RELEASE READY SPECIALTY DESIGNATION

MADISON, Wisc. March 24, 2021 - Berntsen International, the leader in infrastructure marking solutions, announces that it has earned the Esri Release Ready Specialty status. This designation recognizes companies, products and solutions that integrate with Esri technology and are created by partners with expertise in leveraging Esri solutions and software.

InfraMarker®, a division of Berntsen International, is the leader in connected RFID-enabled infrastructure asset management. The full InfraMarker line includes rugged RFID-enabled marking products, RFID readers and accessories designed for exceptional field performance, and RFID-connecting software enhancements that leverage Esri’s data collection capab.  The InfraMarker approach delivers an essential connected solution for AEC firms, utilities, municipalities and other organizations that design and manage infrastructure assets.

The InfraMarker Web Widget for ArcGIS Web AppBuilder is the latest in InfraMarker’s connected RFID software line.  Field personnel using the InfraMarker Web Widget with a web app simply scan an asset RFID tag to confirm the asset ID. The asset’s specific records or inspection forms will automatically launch from the organization’s platform. The process reduces time, cost, and errors while improving compliance controls.

“The InfraMarker Web Widget for ArcGIS Online is a perfect example of the innovation Esri helps make possible,” said Frank Martin, Esri Partner Manager. “This solution enables clients to streamline field asset management while creating accurate, auditable records in ArcGIS Online. InfraMarker provides a simple solution to data collection and compliance issues faced by a range of industries.” 

Benefits of the InfraMarker enabled solution:

• Simple, Unified Approach – InfraMarker simplifies the asset identification and data collection process in the field. The Web Widget is customizable using ArcGIS Web AppBuilder and easily integrates with ArcGIS Online. Field users can quickly access asset data, maps, files (including images and video) and transmit verified asset data in real-time from the field to the office, enabling up-to-date, accurate asset management.

• Scalability and Flexibility – The InfraMarker RFID Solution can mark and manage any asset – above or below ground. RFID tags are incorporated into utility posts, affixed directly on infrastructure assets, or placed underground to identify pipelines, telecom, electric – any asset that needs to be located or tracked.

• Improved ROI in the field – InfraMarker eliminates the guesswork involved in identifying specific assets and accessing the correct forms. A simple date/time stamped RFID scan activates an asset’s data record and presents the correct associated record or data collection form on the user’s mobile device. This streamlines operations while enhancing accuracy and providing an audit trail.

“We’re pleased to offer the InfraMarker RFID Web Widget to Esri’s ArcGIS clients,” said Mike Klonsinski, Berntsen International president.  “The offering is another advancement in our commitment to enabling a smarter infrastructure world.” 

About Berntsen International, Inc. and it’s InfraMarker solution

As an infrastructure marking company founded in 1972, Berntsen has been developing smart marking products for more than a decade. Its patented InfraMarker RFID solution combines the durability and precision of Berntsen marking products with a unique application of RFID technology specifically developed to connect physical markers with digital records. Berntsen has been an Esri Silver Partner for more than 10 years. 

About ESRI

Esri, the global market leader in geographic information system (GIS) software, location intelligence, and mapping, helps customers unlock the full potential of data to improve operational and business results. Founded in 1969 in Redlands, California, USA, Esri software is deployed in more than 350,000 organizations globally and in over 200,000 institutions in the Americas, Asia and the Pacific, Europe, Africa, and the Middle East, including Fortune 500 companies, government agencies, nonprofits, and universities. Esri has regional offices, international distributors, and partners providing local support in over 100 countries on six continents. With its pioneering commitment to geospatial information technology, Esri engineers the most innovative solutions for digital transformation, the Internet of Things (IoT), and advanced analytics.

Visit us at esri.com.

GIS DAY IS NOVEMBER 18

By Emily Pierce, PLS, CFedS

When I was in college, geography seemed to be a dying academic field. Nevertheless, it was where I found my true passion for geography, while everyone else was there just to satisfy a required General Ed. requirement. It was, for nearly everyone in my class, something they HAD to do. For me, it felt like home. I realized this was a field I wanted to pursue and learn more about. Fortunately, that class, and that instructor, inspired me to research professions in geography, and soon after, I found surveying – a truly interesting way to use maps to create something of lasting value.

Little did I know that dusty old geography would become the one of the most interesting (and explosively-growing) fields in science. Today Geographic Information Systems (GIS) is shaking up the world of geography – and statistics, data analysis, spatial data, modeling, geostatistics, cartography, data integration, GPS – and on and on.­

1854 – The Beginning

Dr. Snow’s waterworks map of 1846 from the UCLA Epidemiology John Snow Site

GIS first appeared as a map created by Dr. John Snow in 1854. He plotted all of the cholera outbreak locations in London, along with roads, property boundaries and water lines. His map revealed that cholera outbreaks were clustered around a water pump, challenging the existing notion that cholera was spread through the air. Along with creating one of the first uses of Geographic Information, Dr. Snow also is credited with starting the field of Epidemiology.

Soon, plotting data on maps became more common – besides public health applications, insurance companies used them to plot firesand thereby compute insurance rates, Governmental tax offices plotted property lands to evaluate tax rates, and natural resource departments plotted wetland areas, flood zones, and water bodies to help protect our waterways and natural habitats. More and more types of data were plotted on maps, but it was painstaking work.

1960 – Computer Mapping

Early Computer Map of the Crime Statistics of Washington,DC
Early Computer Cartography Project, Geography and Map Division, Library of Congress.

Then came computers.  Initially, in the 1960s, most maps were still tied to paper because they had to be printed out to be viewed. But as memory increased, maps were finally freed from paper – the maps could be viewed and analyzed on screens.

Enter Roger Tomlinson, a British-trained geographer and geologist who worked for the Government of Canada and for an Ottowa-based aerial survey company. While working on a project to identify the best location for a tree plantation in Kenya, Tomlinson partnered with IBM to find a way to bridge the gap between geographic data and computer services. This initiative was eventually extended to create a national mapping system that created maps of Canada’s commercially-leveraged land used for agriculture, forestry, wildlife and recreation. It was during this project that Tomlinson created the term “Geographic Information Systems” to describe his synthesis of computer mapping with capabilities for overlay, measurement and digitizing. 

2020 – GIS Today

On the basis of Tomlinson’s use of geographic location and computing power, a multi-billion dollar industry is now thriving and impacting almost every aspect of modern life. Nearly everyone in the world is now familiar with the Johns-Hopkins Covid-19 map that provides a stunning visual representation of real-time and historical data that shows where disease is most active. This map is based on Esri technology that was developed based on techniques that were created by Tomlinson. Jack Dangermond, founder and president of Esri, says that “Roger always makes me realize that GIS must first and foremost be focused on providing information that really matters (maps, reports, etc.) and that improves our sciences, processes and decision-making.”

The Future

The combination of increasingly “open” systems and software that has driven much of the explosive growth of GIS will continue. The visualization of real-time data in 3D, GIS-enabled augmented reality and virtual reality is already being used in many sectors -- creating immersive experiences that will expedite planning and coordination.  

GIS will continue to drive adoption of the Internet of Things – more and more physical tools and objects will be connected and essentially duplicated in a digital environment.

RFID tags link to data in GIS - for easy updating in the field.

No matter how good digital reality becomes, its value is gauged by how well and accurately it reflects physical reality. For example, what is the value of a 3-D map that is used to guide workers to an underground gas valve – but the location in the map is wrong? That’s where connected marking makes all the difference.

Fortunately, technology is available that solves that issue. Berntsen has been working on this issue for nearly a decade and had developed a system that tags any type of asset (above or below ground) and ties its specific location to data in GIS. The InfraMarker system works with Esri’s ArcGIS Online to tie physical assets to their records in GIS. 

This simple RFID technology ensures accuracy, enabling users to leverage the full power of GIS.

Today is GIS Day

That brings us to GIS Day, which is November 18 – when this amazing technology is celebrated – and shared with future surveyors, programmers, engineers, geographers – just about anyone interested in the science of our world.

Esri has a whole website that’s dedicated to GIS Day – I found this storymap particularly interesting and definitely worth sharing. Also, don’t miss the Library of Congress’s GIS Day on November 18th - Mapping the Pandemic.

Additionally, I personally found these maps worth a view:

Esri Covid Pulse for some scary truth

In the Shadow of a Volcano – Nice to see from a distance!

Salmon River’s South Fork – I want to visit this place!

INFRAMARKER RFID WEB WIDGET AVAILABLE ON ESRI'S MARKETPLACE

MADISON, Wisc.— August 13, 2020 — Berntsen International, the leader in infrastructure marking solutions, today announced that InfraMarker RFID Web Widget for ArcGIS Online is now available on the Esri Marketplace.

Utilities need better ways to locate, identify and update infrastructure asset records to fully benefit from the power of Esri’s ArcGIS tools. RFID marking of infrastructure assets directly addresses this issue by linking verified physical asset data to its specific record in ArcGIS Online. This prevents data inaccuracies while streamlining field asset maintenance, improving field ROI and enhancing regulatory compliance.

Benefits of RFID marking of infrastructure assets —

• Assurance of data accuracy — InfraMarker RFID tags provide a digital serial number that is specific to the RFID-enabled asset. The serial number provides an accurate validation of the ArcGIS asset data through the connection of the InfraMarker RFID Web Widget.

• Complete data — Any type of asset (including underground) can be marked with durable, passive InfraMarker RFID tags. The Web Widgets tie the physical asset to its ArcGIS record and each RFID read is captured, producing an auditable asset record, enhancing regulatory compliance.

• Improved ROI in the field — RFID directly benefits field staff by eliminating the time and guesswork involved in locating specific assets. A simple RFID read accesses the right information and presents the relevant data fields within the user’s Esri Online inspection and maintenance form. This streamlines operations while enhancing accuracy..

As an infrastructure marking company, Berntsen has been developing smart marking products for more than a decade. Its patented InfraMarker RFID solution combines the durability and precision of all Berntsen marking products with a unique application of RFID technology specifically developed to connect physical markers with digital records.

Berntsen’s partnership with Esri allows utilities to expand their use of ArcGIS by connecting physical asset and its data in ArcGIS. “Esri’s ArcGIS is used by utilities throughout the world to visualize, model and analyze their infrastructure assets. Berntsen’s InfraMarker RFID solution helps Esri’s customers get the most value out of ArcGIS,” said Mike Klonsinski, president of Berntsen International, Inc. “We look forward to introducing other RFID-compatible apps and software that help utility customers maximize their use of Esri platforms.”

Go to the Esri Marketplace to learn more about how InfraMarker RFID Web Widgets for ArcGIS online can improve utility operations.

About Berntsen International, Inc.

Berntsen has been a leader in the development and manufacture of infrastructure marking for nearly 50 years. We have been building that trust into every product we make, ensuring safety, precision and lasting quality for generations. From our advanced metallurgy and forging processes to our patented RFID-enabled smart marking apps, Berntsen is the world leader in marking solutions wherever precision and durability are essential.

InfraMarker.com | BerntsenInternational.com | Berntsen.com

InfraMarker is a registered trademark of Berntsen International, Inc.

About ESRI

Esri, the global market leader in geographic information system (GIS) software, location intelligence, and mapping, offers the most powerful geospatial cloud available. Since 1969, Esri has helped customers unlock the full potential of data to improve operational and business results. Today, Esri software is deployed in more than 350,000 organizations including the world’s largest cities, most national governments, 75 percent of Fortune 500 companies, and more than 7,000 colleges and universities. With its pioneering commitment to geospatial information technology, Esri engineers the most advanced solutions for digital transformation, the Internet of Things (IoT), and advanced analytics.

Visit us at esri.com.

Esri, the Esri globe logo, ArcGIS, The Science of Where, esri.com, and @esri.com are trademarks, service marks, or registered marks of Esri in the United States, the European Community, or certain other jurisdictions.  

IT’S NATIONAL INFRASTRUCTURE WEEK!

by Emily Pierce, PLS, CFedS

May 11-15, 2020 is the official week to focus on our national infrastructure and commemorate the workers and investment that we all depend on.

As we look back on this year’s Infrastructure Week, the intense national focus seems to be creating an “Infrastructure Year.”

While COVID-19 measures have closed many businesses, workers building and maintaining our infrastructure have been busier than ever dealing with the new demands created by a massive workforce shift from offices to homes. Many of us working at home have been given the opportunity to consider these services from a different perspective.

For many people, telecom infrastructure is top of mind as they navigate the challenges of the home office. Limited internet access has long been an issue. Today, lack of broadband is not merely inconvenient, it impacts economic stability. The FCC says that 21 million Americans lack high-speed internet access; other reports suggest that number is twice that, and access is even more limited in rural areas.  If working from home becomes permanent, improving broadband access throughout the country must be a priority.

Of course, it’s one of many priorities. The American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) tracks 16 categories of infrastructure, and will be adding another in 2021 – stormwater. Stormwater is receiving greater focus because severe precipitation events are becoming more frequent and good stormwater management is one of the few ways destructive flooding can be mitigated. Additionally, controlling stormwater runoff also controls pollution and contamination of drinking water sources.

Every four years, the ASCE provides a report card on the condition and performance of American infrastructure, assigning letter grades based on the physical condition and needed investments for improvement.  The bad news is that the country has maintained a cumulative grade of D+ since 2013.  In these unprecedented times, we have the opportunity to change the existing approach and go beyond temporary fixes to achieve permanent infrastructure solutions.

Berntsen’s history is rooted in supporting those who develop and create our nation’s infrastructure, with high-quality marking products, including boundary marking, utility marking, trail marking, control marking and connected marking. We continually leverage our knowledge and experience to develop innovations that support the next generation of infrastructure solutions, as evidenced by our recent innovation in asset management.

At Berntsen, we salute everyone who has invested their time, ingenuity and sweat equity to build and maintain our national infrastructure.  We have been right alongside you for nearly 50 years, providing high quality, innovative products that help infrastructure professionals build and manage essential assets.