The document discusses the benefits of implementing a GIS system to support field automation for utilities. It describes how GIS can be used across different business functions like asset management, planning, field mobility, operations, and customer engagement. It also discusses how GIS provides an integrated system to collect, organize, transform and exchange data. Key benefits mentioned include improved access to asset information, more efficient field work, reduced costs, improved customer service, and increased safety and productivity.

1. The Benefits of a GIS System
supporting Field Automation for
Utilities
Rod O’Strand
Utilities Account Manager -Esri

2. GIS Deployment
Common Characteristics
GIS is used across all Patterns of Business Behavior
Asset Planning & Field Operational Constituent
Management Analysis Mobility Awareness Engagement
A Complete Integrated System
Collect, Organize, Transform Data Get Information Disseminate Get Feedback and
& Exchange Data Into Actionable Into and Out of Information Where Make Informed
Information the Field and When it is Decisions
Needed

3. Field Automation Focus
Common Characteristics
GIS is used across all Patterns of Business Behavior
Asset Planning & Field Operational Constituent
Management Analysis Mobility Awareness Engagement
A Complete Integrated System
Collect, Organize, Transform Data Get Information Disseminate Get Feedback and
& Exchange Data Into Actionable Into and Out of Information Where Make Informed
Information the Field and When it is Decisions
Needed

4. Mobile Workforce Profile
Location based activities
• Construction
• Routine Maintenance
• Inspections
• Repair
• Staking (Marking) locations
• Customer Service
• Disaster preparation and responds
• Marketing new business opportunities
• Others.....

5. Affected Business Systems / Departments
System to system coordination
• Asset Management
• Finance
Organizational
• Inventory Data
• Customers Business
Partner
• Subcontracting
• Planning Designing
& Planning
• Operations
• Emergency Response
• Others.....

6. Potential Recipients
Impacted workgroups
Business Systems Integration Business Workflows
• Customer Information Systems • AsBuilt / Mapping
• Staking / Design
• Engineering Analysis • Asset Management
• Outage Management • Land Management
• Work Management • Network Analysis
• Economic Development
• Document Management • Environmental
• Finance & Accounting • Mobile / Field Solutions
• Operations / Maintenance & Inspections
• Vegetation Management
• One Call / Locates
• Joint Use Tracking
• Routing / Logistics

7. Field Workforce _ without automation
What have we created
• Individual and none standard data formats
• Tabular and Graphic information
• Digital and paper source inputs
• Data accuracy gaps
• Inconsistent or redundant information
• Mutable updating / posts back procedures
• Data transfer / handoff logistics
• Others…..

8. Related Effects
Cause and effect
• Multi department participation (data gathering)
• Creating mutable processing channels
• Call or drive back time for verification
• Dependency on work crew knowledge
• Troublesome updating post back processing
• Complicated crew training requirements
• Others…..

9. Many Forces Are Converging
Enabling a Pervasive Geospatial Platform
. . . Creating greater consciousness and collaboration

10. Mobile Technology Trends
Usage of maps continues to increase
GPS
Internet / Cloud
New market potential

11. GIS Mobile Field Automation
These trends will change how we work
More Integrative…
More Collaborative…
Shared Infrastructure…
More Real-time…
Easier, More Fun and Productive . . .
. . . Providing a Framework for More Efficient Organizations

12. Business Drives
Why is this so important?
• Provide a reliable and cost-effective product
• Supports a profitable sustainable business
• Improve customer and public relationships
• Creates meaningful workplace
• Promotes a safer and more productive environment
• Improve overall service efficiency & effectiveness
• Others….

13. Return-On-Investment (ROI) Methodology
Overview of the ROI methodology…..
1. Prepare for ROI Project Planning &
2. Identify Business Opportunities Investigation
3. Prioritize Business Opportunities
4. Construct GIS Program
5. Define Project Control Program
Definition
6. Specify and Cost GIS Projects
7. Estimate Benefits
8. Create Benefits Roadmap Business
9. Calculate Financial Metrics Analysis
10. Build and Present Report Reporting

14. Asset Management – Solution Map
Problem Solution
Negative Positive
Cause of How We Solve
Problem Business Business
Problem The Problem
Impact Outcome
• Difficulty to • Lack of good • Unexpected • Processes to • Reduce risk of
access record keeping equipment failure migrate legacy unexplained
comprehensive tools & • Increased labor data to enterprise failure
information about processes costs researching asset • Provide facility
assets to enable • Lack of & accessing data management maintenance
accurate and centralized data • Inability to make environment planning
timely decisions management timely decisions • Solutions with • Reduce time to
• Disparate Asset • Risk in Capital cascading make operational
information Improvement benefits for: decisions
• Executives
sources Planning • Managers • Visibility into
• Paper • Planners corporate assets
• Cad • Variability in
• Customer
• Access/Excel O&M expenses Service Reps
• Loosing • O&M Field
Crews
Institutional
knowledge
• Aging
infrastructure

15. ROI _Areas to Consider
Labor is the largest controllable cost
• Map Book Creation, updating, distribution
• Preparation and travel time
• Fleet operational cost
• Outsourcing cost (vendor and management)
• Reporting
• Safety
• Emergency responds time
• Asset accounting (inventory, operational, retired) timeline
• Others….

16. Questions ?
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