The empowered field force - Leveraging new technologies in support of field operations
CM+
Compliance Management Plus (CM+) is a work management system that coordinates
operation and maintenance activities---leak survey, regulator, odorant smell test, and
valve information based on TXU’s business and system logic. Recording work to be
done and tracking the progress of that work in a central database not only allows for
system-wide analysis, but for inter-related activities to be triggered based on the stored
operational logic. Work orders are created in the field on the technician’s laptop and
uploaded into CM+ at the end of each day. Work orders, when complete, are closed-out
with the work history sent to a central server. Status, schedules, and performance history
are maintained and readily available.
CM+ is a system that manages data centrally and distributes work order information to
and from the field, maintaining history. While housing all of this information centrally
provides analysis and coordination benefits, it must be distributed to the individuals
completing the work in order to realize operational gains. It can be obvious that a piece
of infrastructure needs to be replaced when its maintenance history is reviewed, but if ten
different people completed that maintenance and a central office is the only one
reviewing the trend, the need may not be readily apparent.
Outfield
Outfield is the mapping software used in concert with CM+. As a tool, Outfield reads the
various file formats used (.DGN, .DWG, and .CAL) and directly supports the various
leak survey functions. Within Outfield, tools have been created that automate such tasks
as leak migration tracking, leak reporting, and general mapping functions. For example,
leak sketches are drawn using a simple redline tools overlaid on GIS data. The leak
survey information captured within Outfield is passed into the database via a seamless
interface with CM+. Now critical facility, infrastructure, and mapping information are
shared organizationally, including with field technicians.
System Overview
TXU Electric and Gas developed CM+ over a six-year period. Outfield, a derivative of
Tadpole Cartesia Inc.’s field mapping product Conic, was coupled with the system to
integrate automated mapping.
Both CM+ and Outfield are Visual Basic applications. CM+ stores data centrally in a
SQL Server and processes the business logic on a Microsoft Transaction Server. GIS
data is stored on a central server in the form of .dgn, .dwg, and .cal. On field devices data
is stored in Access. The mobile applications use primarily LAN connections and
occasionally dial-up connections for access to the central system.
Work Flow Overview
CM+ assigns work to a region, district, and work unit based on the town and the map
sheet of where the work is located. The local supervisor then assigns the work to a crew.
The ability to assign work is based upon the user set permissions. The work crew
downloads assigned work and records the details of the work once it is completed.
The mapping functionality is employed within the leak survey portion of CM+. An
Outfield button in the CM+ interface launches the mapping program. Leak locations, test
point locations, leak migration patterns, and address information are redlined onto
existing map sheet data and stored as an image file.
Once a gas leak is recorded, it must be regularly monitored based upon a variety of
factors. These rules are built into CM+ and generate the work orders so those leaks are
checked again.
System Monitoring Technicians perform leak surveys on a continual basis to ensure the
integrity of installed pipeline. A survey schedule is generated for a specified period of
time by area, technician, and / or pipe type within the selected period. Work orders
(survey reports) are generated from the system for use in the field by the survey teams.
Detected leak reports are completed and entered into the system via the mobile leak
survey application. If there is a discrepancy between the leak survey report and the pipe
inventory data, the system pipe inventory is updated before a leak is recorded or a survey
job can be completed.
Validated leak reports are electronically sent to assigned repair teams. Upon completion
of the repairs, the repair section of the report is completed and monitoring initiated. All
repair and subsequent monitoring data is entered into the CM+ electronically (or by fax in
form).
Odorant Concentration Inspections are scheduled and the subsequent information
reported and validated in the same manner as the leak surveys.
