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Forward-thinking energy provider leverages VertiGIS technology to expand map-driven insights and enhance asset management.
The challenge
Utilities face significant challenges managing their extensive asset inventory and maintenance processes. As a result, they’re increasingly exploring opportunities to leverage advanced GIS technologies to help modernize operations, improve workflows and grow profitability. Personnel often deal with outdated methods for collecting asset information in the field, leading to inefficiencies, inaccuracies, and delays in data processing, ultimately affecting service delivery and operational costs.
Expanding GIS capabilities beyond traditional applications such as asset mapping and infrastructure tracking represents the next step in a utility’s digital transformation journey. Recognizing this, a major energy provider in the American Midwest initiated a GIS/SAP integration project with several key goals:
- Create a commonly referenced asset inventory.
- Streamline and optimize maintenance processes.
- Automate the collection of asset information in the field.
The utility chose digital tools and expertise from VertiGIS to fulfill their integration objectives.
Solution
Beyond the immediate need for seamless and efficient data synchronization between the existing GIS and SAP S/4 HANA enterprise resource planning system, a robust and easy-to-use, off-the-shelf software solution that combined adaptability with long-term support was also a requirement. VertiGIS Integrator and VertiGIS support services were chosen to facilitate the integration of data between the utility’s existing ArcGIS Desktop/ArcFM suites and their SAP environment. The VertiGIS solution delivered the necessary topological tools, combined with the exacting middleware capabilities necessary to deliver a simplified path for setup and maintenance as the organization migrated their migrated their data to Esri’s ArcGIS Utility Network — all without the need for extensive customization.
Result
This state-of-the-art integration transformed the utility’s approach to asset inventory and maintenance processes by automating the collection of asset information and simplifying end-to-end workflow. Benefits include:
- Seamless data consistency: Synchronization between GIS and ERP systems eliminates database duplication requirements, reduces manual data entry and cuts the likelihood of human error, while empowering interdepartmental collaboration.
- An efficient, joint asset inventory: An up-to-date inventory of assets provides decision makers actionable insights to help optimize operations and improve investment planning.
- Unified visualization tools, reports and user interfaces: Combined GIS/SAP reports are available with just a few mouse clicks, giving users simple, reliable access to the data they need, including from VertiGIS mobile apps.
- Modernized maintenance processes: With real-time data and analytics, maintenance schedules and processes were optimized, thereby reducing downtime and extending asset life.
- Automated field data collection: Automation is a powerful tool to improve the productivity of field staff while helping them to stay focused on critical tasks.
Integrating GIS and ERP systems such as SAP or Maximo allows electric, gas and water utilities to evolve their business by leveraging powerful geospatial technology to share location-based intelligence across multiple departments. VertiGIS Integrator can also help organizations harness the power of real-time data from other systems including CRM, SCADA, DMA and inventory systems.
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