Mobile GIS Improves Productivity in the Field

This article talks about how the Laurens Electric Cooperative implemented the Geographic Information System (GIS) and improved productivity and increased efficiency among all their service vehicles and personnel. LEC is a non-profit member –owned utility company with 5000 customers. In 2004, the company equipped its 120 trucks with laptops embedded with GIS mobile software. This software is updated two or three times a week.

Saving Lineman Time: With the installation of GIS technology, the crewmen can easily find customers by name or ID. The zoom and pan technology enables locating pieces of equipment such as transformers and substations. Using the digital maps help linemen locate grid numbers, roads or customers. It also saves valuable time in repairs since all the information is at their fingertips. When the company first installed the computers it met with resistance from some of the crew members. This was mostly due to the “old tool mentality”. After the company had training sessions the crewmen realized the value of such a system.

Minimizing Outages: This digital mapping saves time and becomes invaluable during storms. The GIS software helps the crews identify problems and get an individual, substation or subdivision back on-line, quickly. By seeing where exactly the problem area is visually on a map, the field crews can make better decisions in terms of how to restore power.
If the need arises the GIS can be updated continuously. It keeps management informed of the location, of all their crews and dispatches them to specific locations.

Increasing Dispatch Efficiency: The mobile software effectively handles outage situations and improves the efficiency of dispatch. The interactive maps of the electrical system helps linemen find ways to deal with a power outage before they arrive at a location, thus increasing efficiency. This eliminates down time and the problem can be fixed much quickly. It also keeps management informed of the specific location where the job and the crew is.

In the past four years, LEC has continually updated and improved its GIS software and capabilities. LEC is now looking to partner with another system integrator that supports the electrical community and is exploring the possibility of investing in global positioning system technology.



Mobile GIS Improves Productivity in the Field; Transmission & Distribution World; Nov 2007; 59, 11; Retrived on May 15 from ABI/INFORM Global