Pipeline Open Data Standard (PODS)
Houston, Texas, United States
Pipeline Open Data Standard (PODS)
!
Welcome to Pipeline Open Data Standard Association. We are the Industry standard and community for efficient pipeline data management.
About Pipeline Open Data Standard (PODS)
Since 1998, the PODS Data Model has been increasing the safety and integrity of pipelines worldwide by providing pipeline operators with an enterprise database architecture that is comprehensive, open, vendor-neutral, highly-scalable, and proven. Our passion is pipeline safety and bringing value to our members and community. PODS supports the growing and changing needs of the pipeline industry through ongoing development and maintenance of the Data Model and Standards. This is led by the Technical Committee on Governance, responsible for the strategic technical direction of the PODS Association. The work, including debate, deliberation, and resulting recommendations, is conducted through the assigned Project Teams and Work Groups. Beyond our community and sharing innovation, the PODS Standard is an effective starting point for implementing a GIS and data management program and it’s scalable, supporting the entire asset lifecycle for established programs.
We plan to engage more, be faster, more relevant, and bring value to operators and the service companies that support them. We invite you to join our community even if your company is not an active member to get information on forums, networking events, or one of our PODScasts.
The Pipeline Open Data Standard (PODS) Association is a non-profit (501 (c) (6) – EIN # 841572421) member-driven organization that provides the widely recognized data model standard adopted by pipeline operators, service providers, vendors, and regulatory agencies for managing spatial data. The PODS Standard is the best starting point for implementing a GIS and data management program due to its effectiveness and scalability.
We are growing and adding more value to our members by building a pipeline community focused on the entire asset lifecycle, adding resources such as training, curated free live data layers, federal and state specific regulatory updates and expandable PODS 7 and PODS for Utility Network core data models with industry specific modules which can be adaptable to PODS 7, Utility Network and UPDM.
Get involved by attending a community event or volunteering for a committee! Or sign up for a new workgroup to expand PODS 7 to support the development of a brand new standardized water pipeline data model or help to create prescribed business processes for the first time in the Regulatory/Integrity Task Workgroup.
PODS Association includes 120+ member companies, including large and small pipeline transmission, gathering, distribution companies.
Description of Services
Strategic and Tactical Plan for PODS
Now more than ever, visibility and optimization of in-ground assets are vital to our industry. The rising cost of failure, the public’s focus on pipelines and the energy future, the need for data transparency and accuracy to meet new regulations, ESG initiatives, and methane reduction…everything is changing, so PODS will too!
Our focus is the future of asset integrity, data management, and GIS with brand new strategic goals. The PODS Association is not just for GIS roles but for the entire pipeline integrity community.
What we do
PODS International Chapters
As PODS continues to grow, our mission extends beyond borders. We are proud to introduce PODS International Chapters, a global initiative connecting communities worldwide. These chapters serve as local hubs for collaboration, innovation, and shared purpose, reinforcing our commitment to making a lasting impact across diverse regions.
Life at Pipeline Open Data Standard (PODS)
Our Strategic Goals
Goal 1
Establish a single logical data model capable of generating multiple physical data models that are vendor–neutral and tested in accordance with PODS Testing plan. The result is a well–documented pipeline data model that meets current and future pipeline industry needs.
Goal 2
Provide robust communications to member organizations and stakeholders to advance understanding.
Goal 3
Offer clear and complete standards implementation guidance and PODS training services education on PODS fundamentals (PODS orientation vs hands–on training).
Goal 4
Retain, sustain and grow membership based upon solid value proposition to member organizations. Successfully engage members as volunteers for PODS committees.
Three Reasons to Choose PODS
1. Budget, Safety, & Planning
PODS lowers the risk, cost, and time required to implement a pipeline GIS. Maintaining a single pipeline data repository helps Pipeline Operators improve managed pipeline information quality, quantity, and timeliness. PODS is an Open Standard, so you are not tied to a single vendor’s proprietary data model. Multiple vendors develop software products that interact with the PODS database, allowing you to choose software applications based on features, cost, and usability best suited for your company. Additionally, PODS is compatible with other data models, enhancing its flexibility and integration capabilities.
2. Industry Standards Workflow Efficiency
PODS promotes better business processes and workflow. You will experience reduced data transfer between software applications and multiple databases; clear, concise definitions; plus the ability to clearly delineate data ownership.
3. Community & Resources
PODS Association membership leverages a broad knowledge base. As a PODS Member, you immediately become part of a global network of over 200+ operators in 39 countries as well as the service/software companies, associations and agencies that support them of whom have a wealth of technical knowledge and experience. Members work collaboratively to develop and refine the PODS Pipeline Data Model.
