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Innovative Technology Evaluation
Report
EarthSoft, Inc.
Environmental Quality Information System - EQuIS®
EPA 540/R-02/503
May 9, 2002
This project consisted of an evaluation of the Environmental Quality Information
System (EQuIS) software designed by EarthSoft, Inc. as an environmental
data management and analysis platform for monitoring and remediation projects.
In consultation with the EQuIS vendor, six primary modules were tested
in this evaluation. These were: Chemistry, Geology, ArcView Geographic
Information System (GIS) Interface, Data Verification Module (DVM), CrossTab
Report Writer, and Electronic Laboratory Data Checker (ELDC). These modules
were chosen for testing because they are the most commonly used. As a
part of this evaluation, a demonstration of the technology was conducted
by the SITE Program at Science Applications International Corporation's
(SAIC) offices in Cincinnati and Columbus, Ohio and McLean, Virginia.
The purpose of the demonstration was to determine whether the software
performs the functions claimed by EarthSoft, Inc. and to assess the accuracy
of the EQuIS output. In addition, demonstration results and other sources
of cost information were used to develop detailed cost estimates for full-scale
application of the technology.
The primary objectives for the EQuIS software evaluation were to:
1. Verify that all system functions were fully operational and had
no significant programming errors. A significant programming error
was defined as: the inability of a software function to execute properly
(e.g., a fatal error) or a software function which produced an erroneous
result (e.g., incorrect statistical calculation).
2. Determine the conformance of the EQuIS system's input and output
functions to data exchange standards. Data import was tested by comparing
values in the EQuIS database with input files to ensure data were
not corrupted. Similarly, data export involved a comparison of EQuIS
output files with values in various commercial-off-the-shelf (COTS)
software to which EQuIS exports data.
The secondary objective of the system evaluation was to:
1. Estimate the cost of implementing, using, and maintaining the
system for a "typical" hazardous waste site data management
program.
In general, major system functions of the six modules tested performed
as claimed by the vendor, with the exception of several functions of
the DVM module which impacted the usefulness of this module. Other modules
exhibited minor problems with system functionality, but none of these
impacted the overall utility of the software. Most system functions
were easy to use for anyone familiar with Microsoft Windows.
The software demonstrated the ability to adhere to data exchange standards
while importing data from and exporting data to a variety of COTS software.
Data exchange was not always straightforward and frequently required
support from EarthSoft's help desk or an operator experienced with data
exchange related to other databases.
The total cost for a large-scale, multi-user implementation of the
software, based on experience at the New Jersey Department of Environmental
Protection (NJDEP), was estimated to be $190,500. At the time of the
demonstration, NJDEP had a 40-user license and had received over 16,000
submissions from hazardous waste sites throughout the state. This estimate
assumed the equivalent of two full-time staff to manage the program
and operate the software. Data entry was performed by the equivalent
of three full-time student co-op students. This estimate included:
• site preparation
• equipment (software and hardware purchase/upgrades)
• startup and fixed costs
• first year operating costs (primarily labor)
• supplies
• maintenance
Total costs for a smaller-scale, multi-user application were estimated
at $45,000 based on information from the Colorado Department of Health.
This estimate assumed part time operation by two permanent employees
and data entry by temporary employees.
The cost to implement this technology will be highly site specific
depending upon the number of modules and users required, the current
availability of computer equipment, the amount of data processed, and
the familiarity of personnel with basic scientific software. The cost
estimates do not include operating costs for successive years.
The reader is cautioned that, due to the rapid nature of software development,
the versions of EQuIS modules utilized during this demonstration have
since been superceded. The developer claims that many of the minor problems
noted during this demonstration have been corrected or rendered moot
because of changes to the software (see the Vendor Claims in Appendix
B) . In some cases, these changes were reportedly ongoing or completed
by the time this evaluation was completed. Due to scheduling and budgetary
constraints, the SITE Program was unable to verify these claims. However,
as part of its routine sales operations, EarthSoft provides software
demonstrations. Such demonstrations can be used as an opportunity for
potential customers to verify that the vendor has upgraded the system
as claimed.
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Posted August 14, 2001
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