Web ESS, Automated Site Planning Usability Redefined.
Authors:
Shea A. Broussard M.A.; NAVFAC EXWC; Port Hueneme, California, USA
Michael Oesterle Ph.D., P.E.; NAVFAC EXWC; Port Hueneme, California, USA.
Keywords:
ESS, explosive safety siting, site plan, site planning software, ammunitions and explosives, DDESB, AWS secure
GovCloud, DoD, NAVFAC EXWC, DISDI, CCB
Abstract:
A current effort is underway to modernize the Explosives Safety Siting (ESS) software as a web-based application
hosted on a cloud computing environment. ESS is an automated site planning (ASP) tool developed by Naval
Facilities Engineering and Expeditionary Warfare Center (NAVFAC EXWC) and funded by the Department of
Defense Explosives Safety Board (DDESB). The DoD has mandated the use of ASP by the military services for
siting all facilities that store and handle ammunition and explosives (A/E). All Department of Defense (DoD) A/E
facilities around the world require DDESB approval to ensure acceptable levels of risk to DoD personnel, assets and
mission, as well as to the public are met. The current standard is to use the desktop version of the ESS application
that was designed and launched on 2001 technology platform /environment. While the application functionality
meets current needs, it is proving to be costly and cumbersome to continue to provide modern style functionality
with antiquated code repositories. This is why the core ESS functionality is currently underway to be migrated to a
modern web-based technology solution. The Army was recently granted a Certificate of Noteworthiness for ESS,
but on the premise that efforts are underway to make the ESS application web-based.
Web-based solutions offer many benefits that would improve the use of ESS. The Web-based ESS will enhance
seamless collaboration between multiple users on the same dataset which will promote data continuity DoD wide.
Furthermore, this will establish a centralized digital repository to provide provisioned access to the latest
standardized data across all contributing DoD organizations that handle and manage A/E. A Web-Based ESS will
also allow for the software to be centrally housed which will simplify and comply with DoD information assurance
policy because the process will only be required for one service/ordination. Another Web-based ESS benefit is that
software updates will be accessible to end user sooner given the planned accelerated product deployment schedule.
This will enable software updates and bug fixes in a fraction of the time compared to the desktop version and require
no user action. An additional benefit is that Web-based ESS will not require software licensing for mapping
resources and centralized cloud computing will provide consistent performance across the user base. As the
application matures, there are plans to develop an electronic submission management that will promote enhanced
communication about approval status and no loss of site submittal packages during transfer. Finally, the ESS
datasets will be stored on a centralized server which will allow for queries on DoD explosives safety enterprise data,
which will provide planners and policy makers with higher fidelity data that can be used to make better decision that
support the warfighter and the mission.
Software development process for Web-based ESS is underway and consists of five spirals. Currently the software is
in spiral 5. The development process includes a full re-write of the code transitioning from VB.NET framework to
C#, JavaScript and Angular; however, the existing ESS desktop code will be leveraged when possible. The
application will be hosted on Amazon Web Service (AWS) Secure GovCloud and will make use of ESRI ArcGIS
Server Enterprise. An initial version of the application is planned for early 2019.
Introduction:
Explosives safety site plans are developed and submitted for DoD approval when planned construction or explosives
operations change. The U.S Military Services have long recognized that planning and siting for explosives ordnance
