Costs and benefits: Implementing an AMIFM/GIS

The role of the AM/FM/GIS is to maintain, provide access to and analyze information about the distribution plant and surrounding landbase, including customer locations. In the capital-intensive environment of the electric or gas utility, the network of facilities represents a substantial investment that requires management to gain the benefits of optimal performance. The information infrastructure (systems related to and data about the network and customers) of a utility is not only a powerful management tool, but also represents a substantial asset that requires management to be utilized properly.

Most utility users and developers agree that a GIS can increase access to information and improve customer service, providing benefits that are difficult to measure. The purpose of this White Paper is to focus on the “hard” or tangible benefits and costs of implementing an AM/FM/GIS.

Many utilities have embarked on re-engineering or other strategic initiatives that have highlighted AM/FM/GIS technology as a part of a larger strategy to improve customer service and competitive position. Some of the common themes in these initiatives include:

Improve reliability and safety in the operation of the transmission and distribution systems.
Improve cycle-time in responding to customers requests for service and facilities improvements, as well as in outage response.
Manage transmission and distribution systems maintenance to ensure priority use of resources, especially with respect to capital-intensive improvements and replacement of facilities.
Effectively distribute consistent, up-to-date data across the company to provide better, more timely decision support.
Provide a quality source of data as a part of the formation of a strategic information system.

Many utilities see a key role for AM/FM/GIS in providing benefits within each of these larger areas of improvement through automation.