Saint John Energy Awarded for Enhancing Efficiency and Service with GIS
Forward-thinking utility embraces digital transformation using geographic information systems
FREDERICTON, Esri Canada User Conference – October 23, 2018 – Esri Canada presented Saint John Energy (SJE), a commission of the City of Saint John, with an Award of Excellence today for using geographic information system (GIS) technology to move from a reactive pattern of field maintenance to a proactive, planned, asset management program. This has significantly improved the utility’s asset management, outage response and system reliability.
SJE has to provide electric service reliably within ever-constrained budgets. Manual processes, with inefficient asset controls and paper-based field operations, yielded little opportunity to improve decades-old methods.
“Saint John Energy has demonstrated effective digital transformation. They’ve shifted their workflow and data management system slowly and steadily to make it one of the most modern utility companies in the country,” said Alex Miller, president, Esri Canada.
Breaking down a complex system into manageable parts made it much easier for SJE staff, who didn’t think their job involved GIS, to incorporate location into their solutions. Now, when a customer contacts the call centre with a problem, staff use a GeoForm app that immediately creates a work order and a location, eliminating multiple steps and chances of error. And because the apps are simple to use, minimal training of the workforce was needed and much of it could be done internally.
“Customers of Saint John Energy have enjoyed some of the highest service reliability in the country and in part because of how effective our asset management and proactive maintenance programs are,” said Ryan Mitchell, VP, Engineering & Operations, Saint John Energy.
SJE spent the past decade recreating their complete electric utility network model in their geodatabase as complex, connected objects. They have configured applications to support their unique operational requirements. They now have digital models for their entire network—from the substation to the customer’s meter.
Using geocentric applications has increased efficiencies in their workforce and data management.
In the last two years, they have adopted Esri’s ArcGIS applications including ArcGIS GeoEvent Server, Workforce for ArcGIS, GeoForm and mobility apps such as Collector and Survey123 for ArcGIS, as well as Cityworks solutions to leverage real-time data and analysis in their operations and work maintenance.
Saint John Energy, an evolving energy and utility leader, is one of the most progressive electric utilities in Atlantic Canada. Their corporate culture is one of agility, seeing digital transformation as less a threat and more as an opportunity. They are on the forefront of seeing the possibilities and rewards of embracing a complete geocentric work and asset management pattern and using Esri technology to its fullest potential.
Learn more about ArcGIS at esri.ca/arcgis.
About Saint John Energy
Saint John Energy has been a provider of energy to the people of Saint John since 1922. Today, Saint John Energy provides reliable services and competitive rates to over 36,000 local customers through 13 substations spanning 316 square kilometers. Saint John Energy also provides street lighting, area lighting, more than 20,000 water heater rentals and over 3,300 Mini Split Ductless Heat Pump rentals. Toward our mission of excellence in energy solutions, we deliver value to our customers through our commitment to environmental, social and economic sustainability. For more information, visit sjenergy.com.
About Esri Canada
Founded in 1984, Esri Canada provides geographic information system (GIS) solutions that empower people in business, government and education to make informed and timely decisions by leveraging the power of mapping and spatial analytics. These solutions enable organizations to better manage their resources, plan their future and collaborate within and beyond their organization. Esri Canada’s products and services help advance successful digital transformation. The company serves 12,000 organizations from 16 offices across Canada and is based in Toronto. In 2015, Esri Canada became a Gold Standard winner of Canada’s Best Managed Companies and in 2016 was named one of Canada’s Most Admired Corporate Cultures. More information can be found at esri.ca. Follow Esri Canada on Twitter, Facebook, YouTube and LinkedIn.
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