Geographic Information Systems

Geographic Information Systems (GIS) have the capability of providing quick and easy access to large volumes of geographical data. With fast and extensive access to digital geographic information (maps) GIS provides the opportunity to reduce sets of manual maps, reduce storage and improve analysis. The popularity of utilizing GIS within the utility industry rests on improved efficiency, access to information for the private and public sectors, coordination of service and improved productivity among staff and services. GIS allows utilities to select information by area or theme, merge one data set with another and analyze spatial characteristics of data.  As the blueprint of territories change, GIS administers updates quickly and cheaply allowing for real time analysis. Along with the implementation of Smart Meters, an organization must ensure that various systems will provide the end goal of monitoring the health of your system as well as provide timely information for both proactive and reactive events.

Benefits and advances in GIS:

• Downstream and circuit tracing
• Transformer and customer loading
• Integration of joint use records
• Integration with health and safety and preventative maintenance records
• Automation of OEB reporting