Automating Work Order Processes for Advanced Metering Infrastructure (AMI) Devices with Collector for ArcGIS and Portal for ArcGIS Subrahmanyam Pendyala Brianne Jordan, GISP March 15, 2016

2 Agenda  About PHI  GIS at PHI  Advanced Metering Infrastructure (AMI)  AMI Field Work Order App Project Overview

3 About PHI  Provides service to approximately 2 million customers in Washington DC Maryland Delaware New Jersey  Operating Companies Pepco Delmarva Power Atlantic City Electric

4 GIS at PHI  ArcGIS for Desktop b  Portal for ArcGIS  ArcGIS for Server  ArcGIS Online

5 Advanced Metering Infrastructure (AMI) AMI is the integration of smart meters communication mesh network, and head end system that enables near real time communication between customer meters and the utility.  Fully deployed with AMI smart meters in DPL and Pepco regions in 2012 using Silver Spring Networks head end system.  1.4 million electric meters and 135,000 gas meters  1,600 bridges as a part of the Distribution Automation (DA) network  5,000 Access Points, Relays, and Bridges supporting the communication on PHI Smart Grid mesh. Single Family Home with Smart Meter Communication Devices on Utility Pole Utility Office AMI Head end System

6 AMI Field Work Orders  Once fully deployed and AMI system was operationalized, processes were created to maintain the system.  Work order process captured information needed for AMI devices to go active in the AMI headend system and communicate reads from the meters to the database.  Completed through field visits using Access database and paper forms sent to the field to capture: Location MAC Address Serial Number  Forms were brought back into the office, scanned, and ed to AMI team for manual entry into the head end system.

7 AMI Field Work Order App Project Overview Identified a need to streamline paper based process used to track AMI equipment installations and replacements. Goals: –Eliminate paper forms process –Reduce manual entry errors –Create direct interface between work order database and AMI headend system (system of record)

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9 Workflow  The creation of a work order begins in Portal for ArcGIS. Engineer creates a data point and pre-populates work order information  Collector for ArcGIS app running on iPads displays the newly created work order with a status of created or assigned.  Field crews search for their work and update data fields as the devices are installed or remediated in the field.

10 Collector for ArcGIS App available free from App Store Must be connected to PHI Mobile VPN via Capsule Connect

11 Map list driven by user permissions

12 Initial app screen displays map and tools including: – Layer List – Search – Measure – Collect a New Feature Select type of feature to add to the map

13 Data entry form appears for user to enter all data for the new feature. Form will allow for entry of all data on the previous paper work order forms.

14 Symbology set on the map to display various statuses of the data including: – Created – Assigned – Installed – Completed

15 Portal for ArcGIS Workflow

16  Portal for ArcGIS Web App used by Engineering to pre-populate information for field crews and by Smart Grid team to verify field data before AMI head end system import.  Symbology matches Collector for ArcGIS app to display the workflow status  Display and edit attribute information for a device

17  Edit attributes directly in Portal for ArcGIS AMI Field Work Order Web App  Web services and automated processes reduce data entry errors

18 Benefits  Improved data accuracy Automate data population Implement mandatory fields  Interface with the systems of record  Easy to use mobile technology familiar to most smart phone and mobile device users  Flexible and extendible

19 Next Steps  Create training documentation including ESRI Collector App installation video  Train small test group as a part of a live test with current work order data  Evaluate the use of Workforce for ArcGIS for more automation in the dispatch of the work orders to field crews  Create direct interface with GIS database for both current and proposed GIS assets

20 Questions? Subbu Pendyala – Application Business Analyst, PHI Brianne Jordan, GISP – Supervisor Business Applications (Smart Grid)