AWWA ACE58252

This paper presents the implementation of a knowledge management system by the City of North Miami Beach for the retention and sharing of intellectual capital within its water utility. The primary purpose for this database is to capture in electronic format existing documents that are currently filed in cabinets throughout the department or documents that currently reside in non-centralized locations such as office bookcases. Also its purpose is to create a central location to store documents that require frequent access by department personnel via an electronic media that permits ease in sharing of this information. Currently the knowledge base is populated with monthly operating reports, facility permits, O&M manuals, record drawings, consultant studies and reports, equipment data maintenance sheets, and reports for the division. The Water Production Database is very similar to an internet website in that it has a menu listing of the left side of the web page. An HTML platform was used for the development of the database with Microsoft Internet Explorer as the browser software. Documents within the database were hyperlinked to allow manipulation and accessibility of information by pointing and clicking at the various text and reference indexes created. Additionally, links were created to the internet websites for the US Environmental Protection Agency, and the Florida Department of Environmental Protection to provide up-to-date access to all regulations. All drawings and reports were scanned in PDF format and easily viewed using Adobe Acrobat Reader. By placing the Water Production Database within a secured network, critical information can be shared and accessed by the staff. This will significantly reduce the amount of time spent by someone who is trying to search and retrieve a document. Currently, the database is in its early developmental stages. However, there is no limit to the amount of information that can be easily captured and stored in such a database. Includes figure.