Question: I am using ESRI based GIS software, Postgresql/PostGIS/ArcSDE DB and we have a Mincom Ellipse asset management system.

Currently our all our spatial information regarding asset sites have been recorded as points, this has been versatile for the fact that it accommodates mapping at various scales. Now that we are integrating our Asset Management System with our GIS database the asset management guys want the GIS features to reflect the structure e.g A building footprint as a polygon instead of a point. 

My question in terms of the spatial data management. Should I be maintaining two sets of data? One for the asset representations and then one for various mapping tasks?

Thanks
DB

Answer: 
> 
> Do I now have to create a polygon
>  layer for my dams to be used with the
>  asset management system for viewing at
>  1:1,000 then a point layer for mapping
>  purposes when producing a map of the
>  same sites at 1:100,000?
> 
> 
> 

One alternative might be to develop a [custom renderer](http://help.arcgis.com/en/sdk/10.0/arcobjects_net/componenthelp/index.html#//0012000004wn000000) that displays points for dams when zoomed out beyond a certain scale.
Depending upon scale I would show features differently.

To save of storing multiple geometries for your feature you can use geometric centroids of buildings to compute a single point to represent the asset at much larger scales this will allow you to store single geometries for your assets.

But it does depend on your GIS software as to how this is implemented.