AM/FM/GIS Migration: A Formula for Success
Susan M. Smith-Lee
Intelligraphics International 741 N. Grand Avenue Waukesha, WI 53186
Abstract
In the dramatically changing world of AM/FM/GIS, the selection of a new system and movement of existing data
into that system is complex and potentially controversial. Significant shifts in market dynamics have provided
users with the options of migrating data from one system platform to another. This presentation describes how
many companies justify the decision to migrate their data, manage corporate expectations while building user
acceptance, and retain data integrity during the migration process.
Introduction
Many utility companies are faced with the dilemma of how to improve their existing AM/ FM/GIS system. For
some companies it means building additional applications but for many utilities, improving their AM/ FM/GIS
system means migration. Migration can be as minor as moving to the newer technology with the same vendor, or
as challenging as selecting a new vendor and platform. Anytime that a company is dealing with an important
investment such as hardware, software, time, trained people, applications, and data, justification of a significant
change is difficult. However, many companies have migrated their AMiFM/GIS systems successfully.
Changing World
The computer world is changing every day and has significantly impacted the world of AM/ FM/GIS. The
dramatic changes have provided many companies with opportunities and most certainly options for the future.
With the onslaught of faster and cheaper hardware and improved software technology, many companies have
been forced tore-evaluate the viability of continuing to operate their current AM/ FM/GIS systems.
The utility industry itself has seen significant changes over the past several years with deregulation, growth of
competition and re-engineering. All of this has meant changes in information sharing, access, storing and use. At
the same time, as a result of change in corporate computing processes, AM/FM/GIS systems have moved from
being a small part of the “Big” company picture to being the backbone of facilities information management.
Increased functionality is provided through more open system architectures. Standard relational databases are
replacing proprietary databases. Maintenance costs of the old technology continue to rise, while the cost of the
new hardware dramatically decreases. All this makes migration not only possible and desirable, but inevitable.
Fortunately, the changes in utility organizations have resulted in knowledge, expertise and mature AM/ FM/GIS
systems. These AM/ FM/GIS systems can serve as a vital link in the information technology chain.
Justifying the Decision to Migrate
With the opportunity to change an existing AM/ FM/GIS system, also comes the task of identifying and justifying
the decision to migrate. When undertaking this task, companies have looked at the cost, risk, and capability for
expansion. The following are a few of the pros and cons companies have used to weigh the decision to migrate:
Looking at the pros and cons listed in our table, the advantages may seem obvious. However, convincing
executive management to support migration may sometimes be difficult. In some cases the “fear of the past” still
hangs over their heads. Executive management may be unwilling to go through a migration if the initial
AM/FM/GIS project was over budget, behind schedule, or produced frustrated users. Given this situation, the
AM/FM Manager may be tempted to create the “rosy” picture during the justification process. It is not necessary,
however, to create a “rosy” picture because companies have identified that new and improved technology can
result in tangible benefits.
The AM/ FM/GIS world is quickly changing to accommodate a wider range of services within the corporation as
well as the industry. An important point to remember is that companies no longer need to justify their
AM/ FM/GIS projects with intangibles such as improved systems to support customer and corporate
commitments.
