Case Studies

Solution Veridian worked with Esri Canada to develop and implement several focused, lightweight applications and dashboards using the ArcGIS platform. Veridian also adopted ArcGIS Schematics— an ArcGIS for Desktop extension that creates a simplified view of a utility's network. ArcGIS Schematics enables Veridian to represent its utility network within a defined space—without geographic scaling constraints—to clearly visualize its network infrastructure and make operations easier to understand at a glance. Veridian used mobile workforce management technology offered by Esri gold partner Clevest. Using maps, smart workflows, electronic forms and interfaces to enterprise systems, Veridian's mobile workforce solution organizes and optimizes the scheduling, assignment and completion of work by field staff. Also, Veridian configured dashboards using Operations Dashboard for ArcGIS to give management a clear picture of the current state of field operations of specific activities and projects. For example, a dashboard was created that visually summarizes the condition of hydro poles across Veridian's service territory as they are inspected. Veridian unified the fragmented collection of paper and digital maps used by staff to create one, central GIS-based web map by leveraging ArcGIS APIs (Application Program Interfaces) to seamlessly integrate several disparate systems. An outage reporting tool running within that app now acts as a one-stop shop to communicate outage updates. When outage updates are entered into the system, notifications are automatically sent to Veridian's Twitter account, Integrated Voice Response (IVR) system, a customer-facing web map and via email to key staff. Veridian Connections Powers Innovation through GIS | Esri Canada 2 Using dashboards, Veridian has created a series of operational views to monitor activities and projects. Above, a dashboard details hydro pole conditions in a specific area. "Esri Canada has been able to provide us with the tools necessary to accomplish many of our high-levels goals, such as situational awareness, having a customer service focus and expediting the restoration of power." Mike Weatherbee Manager, System Control Centre Veridian Connections Benefits Veridian's new GIS solution has streamlined the flow of information from the field, to operations, and their customers. Backend data management and field reporting enhancements have improved the quality of GIS information. As a result, Veridian has improved the customer experience by delivering information with even greater speed and accuracy to the public. Internally, worker productivity and safety have been enhanced: operations staff can more effectively understand and prioritize service calls when dispatching field crews to areas with the greatest needs. Implementing ArcGIS Schematics has eliminated data maintenance tasks previously performed using duplicated processes in CAD software, which offered a limited view of its utility network and was not optimized for information sharing and collaboration. Adopting ArcGIS Schematics has facilitated an improved decision-making process and enhanced efficiency by allowing GIS staff to focus on additional projects without requiring further staffing investments. This has also reduced some data maintenance tasks by close to 50%, which has allowed Veridian to increase capacity without adding staff. Veridian's mobile workforce solution and dashboards help to provide a more holistic view of their field operations for dispatchers, schedulers and administrators; as well, the integration of many maps into one GIS-based app has created efficiencies by reducing data management efforts and eliminating duplication. Overall, this has created a self-serve environment for employees to access up-to-date information even quicker than before. Veridian's GIS group reports a 90% reduction in information requests and interventions, freeing up more time for analysis, system maintenance and other improvements.

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