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Modernize business processes and build a single-source-of-truth Digital Twin
Many IT managers in utilities face increasing pressure to modernize business processes in order to be more resilient and keep up with technological advances or ever-changing legal requirements. SAP-GIS integration, IT/OT integration, the integration of information technology systems with operational technology systems, and Smart Grids are hot topics. Determining where to start can be challenging: what should be implemented, what effort is required, and what benefits can be realized for the organization?
The benefit of integrating multiple IT systems
Let’s face it – every utility has several IT systems. Many have SAP as an Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) system, a Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) System, and a Geographical Information System (GIS) to not only document the location of their assets but also to manage topology and reporting requirements. However, typical utility processes such as maintenance, workforce management, and new customer connections are not bound to only one IT system. Let’s take the example of the maintenance processes.
- Step 1 – The GIS map is an ideal platform to organize assets requiring maintenance, leveraging criteria such as location (proximity), age, or last maintenance date for efficient grouping.
- Step 2 – The creation of the maintenance order is likely executed in your SAP PM or SAP EAM system, streamlining the process within a familiar environment.
- Step 3 – Following maintenance completion, updating the GIS’s web client—widely used across the company—with the most recent and upcoming maintenance dates is beneficial. This acts as both a record and a guide for future maintenance planning.
How utilities are benefitting today
During a past SAP for Utilities Conference, one of our clients delivered an insightful presentation on integrating SAP with GIS. They outlined their revamped maintenance process and its significant benefits. Following the session, numerous attendees approached us, visibly excited, expressing their newfound understanding and appreciation for the SAP-GIS integration.
Another client sought to map the location of a proposed service point or the planned installation site for a new solar panel in their GIS during the early stages of their application process. We integrated their SAP frontend GUI into a GIS map where the SAP users can automatically position the service point for the solar panel. The display of this planned new connection varies in color and symbols, depending on the application status. That way, everybody within the company can see the planned connections alongside their grid. This was not visible before the integration — the information was only available within the SAP ERP environment.
In conclusion, for seamless data synchronization between SAP and GIS, there are various solutions available that greatly improve process efficiency. For those interested in diving deeper into this topic, we invite you to explore our latest webinar recording which you can find at the bottom of this page.
VertiGIS is a global platinum partner of Esri, the world's leading GIS company, and application development partner of SAP.
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