Revitalizing Beaumont’s Public Works with Cityworks AMS

In 2019, the City of Beaumont embarked on a significant initiative to enhance efficiency and modernize the operations of its Public Works department. This endeavor led to the adoption of Cityworks Server AMS Software, covering a wide array of services including water, wastewater, drainage, traffic, streets, parks, 311, water production, and water reclamation.

The initial phase focused on updating outdated systems with Cityworks to enhance operational efficiency, especially in work order and warehouse management, while also improving reporting capabilities. Following the successful implementation within the Public Works department, Beaumont proceeded with phase two, engaging NewEdge to extend Cityworks to the Water Production and Water Reclamation departments, targeting the elimination of paper-based processes.

Transitioning to Cityworks necessitated a meticulous migration of Beaumont’s existing work order system data, a substantial endeavor undertaken by NewEdge. The team managed to import over 400,000 historical work order tickets, alongside a significant inventory of materials and assets, into the Cityworks platform. This foundational step was critical in preserving years of operational data and ensuring a seamless transition to the new system for the Public Works department. In the subsequent phase, a similar approach was adopted for the Water Reclamation department to integrate their historical work orders, marking a comprehensive overhaul of data management practices.

Beaumont’s commitment to enhancing citizen engagement led to the adoption of SeeClickFix, a platform designed for community members to report non-emergency issues easily. The integration of this system with Cityworks by NewEdge was a strategic move to streamline workflows, improve response times, and foster transparency. This synergy between SeeClickFix and Cityworks has significantly improved Beaumont’s ability to address citizen concerns efficiently, enhancing the overall responsiveness and interaction between the city government and its residents.

To optimize coordination between different departments, particularly for tasks involving street cuts and repairs, NewEdge implemented an innovative automation process using webhooks. This solution ensured that once the Utilities department completed a street cut, an automated trigger would prompt the Streets department to initiate repair work. This not only expedited the repair process but also minimized the potential for miscommunication and delays, enhancing operational efficiency across departments.

Additionally, a specific webhook was established to update the status of service requests made through SeeClickFix, providing timely notifications to citizens, and improving engagement.

The expansion of GIS capabilities, particularly for the Water Production and Water Reclamation departments, was a focal point of the project’s second phase. NewEdge worked closely with city departments to conduct an exhaustive asset inventory and expand the GIS data available within Cityworks. This effort was geared towards maximizing the potential of GIS integration to improve asset management, planning, and operational decision-making. The creation of related tables and the enhancement of data integration within Cityworks have provided a more robust framework for managing Beaumont’s extensive infrastructure assets.

The implementation of Cityworks’ Storeroom module presented unique challenges due to the complex nature of Beaumont’s warehouse and inventory system, which includes three main warehouses and 40 rolling warehouses. NewEdge and city staff collaborated closely to ensure that the transition to the new system was accurate and reflective of the city’s inventory needs. This meticulous preparation was vital for the accurate management of materials and resources, ensuring that the storeroom module’s launch would support efficient and effective operations.

Beaumont’s modernization took a significant leap forward with the strategic decision to deploy their Cityworks and ArcGIS Enterprise platforms into the NewEdge AWS Cloud Environment.  Leveraging the robust infrastructure of AWS not only provides scalability and reliability but also bolsters safety measures, laying a solid foundation for future growth and expansion.

Beaumont’s journey with Cityworks Server AMS, guided by NewEdge’s expertise, is a testament to the power of technology in reshaping municipal operations. Beyond mere modernization, this partnership has crafted a blueprint for enhanced civic engagement, streamlined processes, and an enlightened approach to public service management. Beaumont stands as a beacon of innovation, demonstrating how strategic technology implementation can rejuvenate city operations and elevate community life.