WPS Resources Implements Intergraph's OMS

June 21, 2006
WPS Resources Corporation has successfully implemented and deployed Intergraph's Outage Management System, based on InService technology

WPS Resources Corporation has implemented and deployed Intergraph's outage management system (OMS), based on InService technology. This enhanced technology will assist WPS Resources Corporation's electric and natural gas subsidiaries in delivering reliable and affordable service to customers in northeastern and central Wisconsin and Upper Michigan.

Intergraph's InService OMS enhances WPS Resources Corporation's ability to restore power to its customers in times of emergency. The technology allows for a centralized dispatch of all gas and electric emergency work for its two utilities (WPSC and UPPCO) on a 24/7 basis. This delivers accurate and timely status information for external and internal customers and increases crew efficiencies due to more effective dispatch tools, including interactive maps and closure information. The map view assists dispatchers in effectively diagnosing and assessing the location of the outage, enabling the closest crew to respond to the outage by visibly depicting both the outage and crew locations.

The technology, which went live across the organization on April 27, 2006, replaces a service restoration system that was developed in-house. As part of the system enhancement, interfaces were developed with WPSC's customer information system (CIS) and their GE SmallWorld geographic information system (GIS), as well as vehicle asset record, automated meter reading, corporate labor records and response time systems.

"We were extremely pleased by the partnership created with Intergraph during the implementation of the new InService system," said Otto Marquardt, PE, director of distribution services for Wisconsin Public Service Corporation, an electricity and natural-gas supplier based in Green Bay, Wisconsin. "This was a win-win project for both organizations due to the dedicated individuals, strong leadership and focus on solutions. This winning partnership empowered us to deliver a system to our employees and customers ahead of schedule, under budget, and with all the required functionality."

As a result of close collaboration, the project was completed on time and on budget. Intergraph provided project management, application development, system integration and training to WPS Resources Corporation personnel for the new system. Velocitie Integration, Inc., an Intergraph Registered Solutions Center, provided integration services between the OMS and the GIS from GE Network Systems.

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