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CIMS - Cobra Information Management Software
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Cobra Technologies™ has introduced CIMS V9™, a SQL based data management program. CIMS V9 retains all of the features from previous versions of CIMS™, adds several new features and sets the stage for future improvements.
CIMS™ data management software provides the User with a powerful tool, allowing fast and simple access to inspection data and video files without the need to upload the data into more complex engineering or work management programs.
Cobra’s Development of the CIMS™ Program resulted from a total void of databases specifically designed for storage of video inspection data. Cobra created CIMS™ to provide Cities and Municipalities with comprehensive easy-to-locate inspection data for quick review without the need to utilize complex Work Management Programs. Video files linked to the data are easily accessed from CIMS™, enabling remote workstations to review video files on the network.
CIMS™ is NASSCO PACP certified software. This feature allows CIMS™ Users to import data into CIMS™ from any PACP compliant video inspection system.
CIMS™ is not designed to replace existing Work Management Programs. It is meant to manage inspection data and review video and image files either in a stand-alone environment or on a network.
A Client-Server Package manages the inspection data, allowing an entire office to access the data and video from a server. The CIMS™ program is operating in many locations throughout the North America and the United Kingdom.
Inspections from the Cobra Data Logger in the video inspection van are transferred into CIMS™ electronically through a simple import process specially designed to upload the data from the field to the office. The open architecture of the CIMS™ database allows data to be exported in multiple formats for use in engineering programs, work management programs and GIS programs. In addition, CIMS™ can display and print graphical reports for use by Management.
The Database
The CIMS V9 Data Management software can be installed as a stand-alone single user database, a shared small network data application or a client/server configuration powered by Microsoft SQL Server. The database is designed to store and manage data from pipeline inspections data collection equipment.
The software utilizes Microsoft SQL Server, a robust engine designed and optimized for use on smaller computer systems, such as a single user computer or small workgroup server.
The system software for data acquisition incorporates standardized Microsoft Database formats. Separate Client, Project and Inspection data tables allow increased scalability based upon job size. Inspection files can be exported into other database file formats or onto other computers. The Open database structure allows customization of work order headers, coding protocol and code ratings. The user may also validate any formatted file for compliancy prior to import.
Inspection Videos
The database is capable of linking MPEG compressed video collected on a video compressor installed in the truck and up to five still images per observation. MPEG video files are viewable with Windows media player thereby permitting any user with a PC to play back the video inspections from the CD/DVD/HD. The user has the option of up to 1000% increased speed playback to reduce time spent reviewing video of lines. The user can also select to view only those defects with a weighted value of 1-5 for PACP. The video playback will slow to display only those observations with a value selected. This option greatly reduces time spent in reviewing inspections.
Inspection Reports
CIMS generates pipeline inspection reports with captured images of defects or other related significant visual information. Each report may also be saved as a standard .wmf or .bmp file, which may be shared and viewed by anyone using a Windows operating system. A viewer for these files is provided and is freely distributable.
Image Capture
While reviewing inspection videos, the user has the ability to capture JPEG images and attach them to observations. Up to 5 images may be stored for each observation.
In conclusion, CIMS™ provides the User with a powerful tool, allowing fast and simple access to inspection data and video files without the need to upload the data into more complex engineering or work management programs.
CIMS Server
For users who want to run CIMS over a network, with centralized data and media storage, we offer a pre-configured CIMS server box. This compact system is just 5.3” x 4.5” x 10.2” but it is a complete computer system that will run CIMS and store up to three terabytes (3Tb) of data, images, and video.
The system comes to you with the database engine and CIMS already installed so your IT department only needs to plug it in and connect it to your network.
Call us to customize your own CIMS server box.
CIMS Features
General Features
- Manage multiple projects
- Data collected in the field is transferred to the CIMS™ database for analysis, management, storage, and report generation
- Open Architecture database and functionality enabling data transfer from the CobraTouch™ Data Logger into CIMS™ and Work Management and GIS programs such as GBA, CityWorks or Hansen
- Reports designed for maximum clarity and readability - Conventional Reports, Cross Sections, Plan Views and Image Reports plus a host of other reports available
- Incorporates extensive built in sort/filter options and rehabilitation modules
- Work order labels may be modified
- CIMS™ has a PACP standard and a WRc Sewer.dat output transfer capability allowing Users to import/export data to standardized formats
- Windows based Data Management program. Windows 98, NT, 2000, XP, Vista, and Windows 7 Compliant. Locally installed single user database or multi-seat client/server network
- Can be installed with CobraTouch™ Data Logger for use in field
- CIMS™ data linked to video collected in the field by the CobraTouch™ Data Logger permits users to view video from a server with instant access to specific locations on the video inspections with just one click
- Digital video links are created automatically in the database when CIMS is pointed to the drive containing video files providing for a bidirectional indexing system of video files.
Video Player Features
- Linear video playback at 50, 100, 200, 500 and 1000% increased speed
- Group code highlights, such as Roots, for video playback of only those observations
- Code value highlight by rate for playback, for video playback of only those observations with a value of for example, level 4 or higher
- Resizable video playback screen 50, 100 and 200%
- On-screen controls for Contrast, Brightness, Saturation, and Hue
- Easy video linking with directory scanning and reporting
- Easy still shot linking with directory scanning and reporting
Data Transfer Features
- PACP 6.0, 4.4, 4.2, 2.3 Import/Export
- XML transfer for WRc V4, Sewer.dat, sewer1.dat for WRc V3/V4
- Export data and media to CD, DVD, or remote hard drive with embedded linked database viewer built in
- Built in validation tool for all database formats with printable error reports. Can be used to review multiple database sources for errors prior to import.
Display and Filters Features
- Configurable display for each tab view and each import screen
- Filter on any field, Sort on any field, save filters for re-use
- Selectable default Media Directory for all videos and pictures
- Human Readable text for all codes
Report Generation Features
- Cross Section and Plan View print outs with all defects
- Image report displaying footage, observation text, time and embedded picture
- Continuous Defect report displaying span of structural and operation and maintenance defects within pipe segment
- Pipe Length totals report calculates differences between Total Line Length and Length Surveyed, can be used as GIS review tool
- Detailed Inspection Results
- Database Validation reports
- Data Import details report
- Project scoring and reporting for PACP
- Customized report designer in html format with reusable templates
- Interactive reports with clickable thumbnails of video and jpegs
- Report customization for footer and logo placement enables client branding
- Report package for quick printing
- All reports savable in electronic format
- Freely distributable report viewer
- Plan View and Cross Section reports configurable to display only connections
- Score Project Module- overall individual reporting module for Structural, Operation and Maintenance defects. Pipe Rating report details individual inspection with Segment Grade Score, Peak Score, Mean Score, Pipe Rating Index, and Quick Rating. List of CCTV inspections provides complete listing of entire project, with Overall Segment Grade, Overall Pipe Ratings Index, and Overall Pipe Quick Rating for each segment within project.
- Structural Defects report provides complete listing for each inspection within project with Segment Grade Score, Peak Score, Mean Peak Score, and Pipe Rating Index for all structural defects.
- Operation and Maintenance report provides complete listing for each inspection within project with Segment Grade Score, Peak Score, Mean Peak Score, and Pipe Rating Index for O&M defects.
- Selected Ratings allow user to filter and display records with only Structural or Operation and Maintenance defects that have a selected value of 1-5.
- Quick Rating displays all inspections within project with Structural and O&M Quick Rating.
Additional Features
- Ability to host up to five pictures per observation
- Additional snapshot generation in office
- Project Browser to view and navigate multiple projects from one window
- Upfront validation of alternate-source PACP files
- Easy edit mode for all records, rather than entering edit for each record
- Ability to host shorter individual videos for each observation or one single video for entire inspection
All features and specifications listed are for example only and are subject to change.
Screen Shots
Brochures
Downloads
CIMS V9
There is an update available to CIMS V9
Build 155 of CIMS V9 is now available to be downloaded by all customers who have a current CIMS support agreement. This new build addresses a few bugs and adds the following features:
- Added a Non-Compliant data import function
- Changed export log when exporting multiple projects to generate a single log file for all projects instead of one for each project
- Changed the fields displayed by default in project browser screen (requires registry edit)
- Added an option to the Report Package function to combine all reports for a PSR into a single file when printing to PDF
- Added automatic saving of Import logs in the CIMS program folder
- Improved linking speed for videos and images
- Added ability to sort projects by name when importing or exporting data
What is non-compliant data import?
Non-compliant data is any inspection that does not follow the PACP guidelines. It may be missing some required information from a work order or defect code. It may be work order or defect fields that contain data they should not. Or, it may be an MDB file that is not formatted as a standard PACP database.
CIMS V9 has been able to correct some data issues automatically since the early days of the program. For example, if a work order field contained more characters than the PACP specifications allowed, CIMS would cut the value to the correct length. But many other database problems would cause the import process to fail, leaving users to correct the problems in a database editor like Microsoft Access before they could view the data in CIMS.
Build 155 of CIMS introduces a non-compliant data import function which allows you to correct most errors in CIMS so Microsoft Access is no longer needed.
You must log in and have a current support agreement to download the update files.
- CIMS™ V9 Demo Software (114Mb)
A free demonstration version of CIMS™ for all who wish to evaluate the program before purchase.
If you have a slow connection you can request these files on CD.