Intelligent Infrastructure Design for Utilities

Achieving effective design of utility infrastructure has always had its challenges. Distribution system design engineers need to make thousands of modifications to their networks every year.

The projects can range from simple network extensions to major capital expansions. Traditionally, these designs have been done in whatever tool is convenient or available, ranging from simple pencil sketches to highly customized tools that are built into other systems, such as a GIS. Actual engineering of designs has historically been limited, but no matter what system is used, the primary challenges are typically related to a lack of integration. Systems involved with utility design can include CAD, GIS, spreadsheets, specialty engineering applications, work order management systems, financial systems, materials management, and scheduling. If you add a mobile component to the front and back end of the process, a large utility can easily have a dozen or more disparate applications involved when creating and executing utility designs.

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