An Integrated Approach to Electric Utility Processes

Abstract

Every electric utility has similar processes. In most utilities productivity and efficiency suffer when each of those processes remain isolated. In addition to lost opportunity costs, system efficiency could be enhanced through connectivity with other utility processes. Line design (staking), Geographic Information System (GIS), Outage Management System (OMS), Interactive Voice Response (IVR), Customer Information Systems (CIS), Engineering Analysis (EA), and Advanced Metering Infrastructure (AMI) could all benefit from both a methodology to share information, as well as a process that makes that information sharing more seamless. This document will explain one method of leveraging many processes already utilized in every electric utility, and using those processes to make a system that both updates and creates a basis to enhance the engineering and operational efficiency of a utility.