Beyond calculating tree risk – a proposed approach to integrate systems and workflows for better work execution & tracking (260)
There are proven technologies and workflows for the collection, analysis and presentation of information for electricity network vegetation status. However, the effective translation of this information to the contractors actually carrying out the work, and the optimisation, tracking and monitoring of this work, has so far proved elusive. This is due to the unwieldy nature of the data (including LIDAR) that defines the network vegetation status as well as the lack of connectivity between the various asset management, ERP and GIS systems. In addition, the systems deployed by the vegetation contractors do no effectively connect back to the utility monitoring – creating a significant information gap. The acquisition of NM Group by Trimble Inc., a pioneer in positioning and workforce management technologies, has opened up a new opportunity to integrate a unique end-to-end workflow. The ability to scope the work needed, provide visibility to the network operator through monitoring and reporting and then seamlessly optimise the issue of the work to contractors is showing significant promise. This presentation describes the system integrations that will enable utilities to visualise and control vegetation work across their network and ultimately, reduce the costs of keeping the network compliant. Various examples of how this is being considered and implemented are described alongside the architecture and information flow.