U.S. software integrator Woolpert, with support from enterprise consulting firm gViz, has implemented Cityworks, an asset and work management solution, for ActewAGL Distribution (AAD). AAD, based in Canberra, provides power to more than 195,000 electric customers and another 134,000 gas customers in the Australian Capital Territory and New South Wales, and it is one the largest joint-utility companies in Australia.
Cityworks, developed by Azteca Systems, is the only GIS-centric asset management software available. Woolpert, Cityworks’ first Diamond-level Implementation Partner and a Strategic Development Partner, has been delivering enterprise asset management solutions built on Cityworks for over twenty years.
Woolpert Discipline Director Kirk McClurkin and Project Manager Steve Schwabe discuss the software implementation with ActewAGL’s Mark Chenery and Chris Kelly at ActewAGL offices.
ENHANCED SERVICE FOR ENHANCED FEATURES
The implementation of this solution went live with the core Cityworks software in July 2014. Since then, Woolpert has steadily supplied the AAD team with product enhancements and integrations to the existing software, such as Oracle Financials and Gentrack’s Velocity Billing solution.
These have delivered improved AAD operational management and efficiency within the utility’s electrical division. This project enables AAD to route and track work assignments more easily by automatically converting customer calls into actionable work for the maintenance and operations staff.
GOING THE EXTRA MILE, FROM MILES AWAY
Woolpert assembled a team of six full-time resources dedicated to delivering this business-critical solution. For nearly nine months, working both in Australia and from Denver, this team met challenging deadlines that enabled AAD to conduct improved customer service at a lower cost.
“With the client thirty hours away by plane, we worked both onsite during Australian business hours and domestically on opposite schedules,” says Dave Feuer, Woolpert’s director of information technology and management consulting. “We were essentially working in shifts, each group furthering the project while another group slept.”
Feuer notes the pace of the project was equal to working sixteen to twenty hours per day.
“For about nine months, it was all hands on deck,” he says. “We took the system live as we were still developing some interfaces and continuing to roll out integrations and other system enhancements.”
Woolpert—a national architecture, engineering and geospatial firm—also is among the domestic leaders in Institute of Asset Management (IAM) certification, with thirteen professionals certified.
“In Australia, as in Europe, the IAM standards are very highly regarded, but most U.S. companies have been late to that party,” said Feuer, who is IAM certified. “We were pleased that AAD came to America to get support with its overall asset management program, knowing we adhere to these elevated international standards.”
Phase Manager Jamie Munro and Market Director Dave Feuer work in a makeshift office in the Woolpert team’s apartment in Australia.
LOOKING OUT FOR CUSTOMERS
The bulk of the work on this project is complete, but Woolpert continues to support AAD by evaluating ideas on their issue log, scoping, and developing system enhancements, and additionally delivering the advanced functionality the AAD-user community needs to meet its operating requirements. ◆
Woolpert delivers value to clients by strategically blending engineering excellence with leading-edge technology and geospatial applications. Woolpert’s mission is to help its clients progress—and become more progressive. For over 100 years and with more than 25 offices across the United States, Woolpert serves the needs of federal, state, and local governments; private and public companies and universities; energy and transportation departments; and the United States Armed Forces. For more information, visit www.woolpert.com or call 937.531.1258.
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MODERN PUMPING TODAY, October 2015
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