PACAF Visual Information (VI) System
The main page of the Visual Information (VI) System
Challenge
The US Air Forces Pacific (PACAF) supports worldwide humanitarian missions such as the Asian Tsunami Disaster and the resulting relief effort. Visual information (pictures and video) easily capture the true nature of the situation for Commanders and decision makers. However, the process of capturing and distributing photographs was mostly manual, requiring photographers to attach and review metadata offline, then FTP images to other sites as they had time. Delays in releasing images were inherent in this process. Automating the process resulted in a more timely and efficient distribution of images, incorporating collaboration, workflow, decision support and records management.
Viewing Information Visually
Solution
The Visual Information (VI) System at PACAF supports the handling of visual images, allowing photographs that have been taken throughout the PACAF command to be uploaded to a central server where images and metadata can be input, reviewed and approved before releasing for general access. Once the images are approved, the VI System automatically handles the transmission of images to other sites and additionally archives the images. The VI System implements a standard framework to manage visual information through its lifecycle, supporting web-based decision support and knowledge management.
Users can easily browse through the system or search for a specific image. Thumbnails are displayed for each image, giving the user a quick view of the image and an explanatory caption. The user can crop, color correct, sharpen, adjust images, and export these images in different file formats for use in other applications.
The VI System integrates Microsoft SharePoint for collaboration, Scene7 for image handling, Meridio for records management and K2.Net for workflow into one, seamless system. Once images are uploaded and approved in the Scene7 SharePoint site, the K2.Net workflow process handles the rest of the processing - FTPing the image to the archival site and storing the image into the Meridio records management system.
The VI system was implemented on Dec 31, 2004 just after the Asian Tsunami Disaster. The tsunami provided a real world application for immediate use of the VI system, as there was widespread interest in any photographs of the tsunami relief effort. Photographs are being uploaded daily to this system, allowing Commanders an immediate view of the happenings throughout their command.
Business Solution
A web-based solution that automates the handling and distribution of visual images. Line of Business The challenge was to provide a complete solution that integrated software from Microsoft, Scene7, K2.Net and Meridio into a seamless system providing collaboration, workflow and records management.
Solution Benefits
- Timely and efficient system to process images
- Automation of image distribution, records management and workflow facilitation
- Centralized data storage
Software and Services
Windows 2003 Server
SQL Server 2000
Internet Explorer 6.0
Scene7 for SharePoint
K2 for SharePoint
Meridio for SharePoint
CTA
550 Paiea Street, Suite 222
Honolulu, HI 96819
(808) 839-1200
Contact
Jeff Bloom (Hawaii) Jbloom@cta.net
Randy Rustick (Wash. D.C.) rrustick@cta.net
Screenshots
Viewing a picture
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