♦ UA 1.0 - Mobile Workforce
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Statement of Methodology

Application
 Method
Design and implementation of a communication method
 Wireless communications considered were licensed and unlicensed frequencies, as well as the 802.11 standard. A consideration of adding hotspots at the substations is an option for service area coverage. At this time the trucks are only syncing the mobile workforce data when they enter the yard, using the utility’s WLAN.
Development of MySource Operations Mobile Interface
 Daily processes have been integrated into a digital mobile workforce for ease of data access and increased efficiency. The platform chosen for development is that of WinForms for the mobile environment and a Dot Net Nuke framework for the in-house application. A sequel database will store all data. Developed Apps include: Work Order Progress Tracker, Maintenance Job Progress Tracker, Maintenance Job Order, Right of Way Maintenance, Job Briefing, Right of Way Job Briefing, Apparatus Change, Meter Set Sheet, Aerial Device Checklist, Field Contact
Development of workflow processes
 The daily workflow processes that were carried out by personnel in paper form where evaluated by personnel to create a logical and efficient workflow for the mobile workforce interface in MySource Operations
 Measurement of business processes A business process improvement tool will be used to measure processes. Steps will include: Identify process to improve, Measure current performance, Design improved process, Implement process, Benchmark / Performance Comparisons
Training of personnel
 Personnel were trained on the laptops with the MySource Operations Interface.
Full deployment of a mobile workforce interface
 The mobile workforce interface was deployed in all service / maintenance trucks as well as construction crews and right of way trucks.
Reporting tools built into the MySource Operations Interface
 Reporting will be used to view metrics from integrated mobile workforce. The reporting will evaluate processes and efficiencies. We will evaluate workflow processes and increased efficiencies in the following manner: Workflow Process Charts; Productivity Comparison before and after implementation of MySource Operations (miles of line patrolled, number of maintenance job orders completed etc.); ROI by process time allocation


Case Study Analysis Minimize


Workflow Processes


Return on Investment


Business Process Improvement

Workflow Processes

Daily operational workflow must be mapped out and defined. This will enable the design and integration of new business processes that will improve the overall efficiency or productivity. This case study will evaluate some of these processes to determine the process improvement for implementing the MySource Operations Mobile Workforce Interface.


This data is on the SES gateway on MySource and is available to SES Partners. To become an SES parner, click here.


Return on Investment

Once the process improvement has been monitored and the benchmarking has been completed, the efficiencies gained from the process improvement can be equated to a time management / costs formula to determine the ROI.


This data is on the SES gateway on MySource and is available to SES Partners. To become an SES parner, click here.


Business Process Improvement

Business process improvement starts with mapping out the processes. The processes must be evaluated by a criteria designed to achieve the goal of the improvement, such as time management. The new process must be designed and implemented without disrupting the workflow. Finally the new process must be monitored for performance. This SES case study will use business process improvement tools to evaluate the integration of the MySource Operations mobile workforce interface into the daily operational workflow.


This data is on the SES gateway on MySource and is available to SES Partners. To become an SES parner, click here.



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UA 1.0  Mobile Workforce
Utility automation is comprised of a combination of software and hardware applications that enable users to monitor, control and optimize the system in real time by leveraging the data collected from these assets. When integrated with a mobile workforce interface, supervisory control and data acquisition, an outage management system and a geographical information system, utility automation enables improved asset management decision making for increased efficiencies and reduced costs.

Case Study Objectives
♦  Evaluate workflow processes to show the increase in access of data to the end user when using a mobile workforce interface.
♦ Determine increased operational efficiencies enabled from implementing a mobile workforce interface.
♦ Evaluate opportunities for increased system reliability among joint utilities.
♦  Determine how assets can be optimized through a mobile workforce interface with multiple utilities.
♦ Determine both the quantitative and qualitative benefits for the utility and consumer.(ROI)



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UA 1.0 - Mobile Workforce | UA 2.0 - Distribution Automation | UA 3.0 - System Operations Center
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