Utility Network Implementation Success at South Jersey Industries

With expert consulting services from Locana, South Jersey Industries (SJI) realized the promise of Utility Network Implementation success. SJI worked closely with Locana to implement ArcGIS Pro and the Utility Network data model. The project required the integration of 38 applications and the roll out of powerful and scalable field collection and inspection applications. SJI became one of the first enterprise gas delivery companies in North America to take advantage of Utility Network Implementation Success and – GO LIVE!

The challenge

In mid-2018 South Jersey Industries acquired Elizabethtown Gas and Elkton Gas from Southern Company. With this move, SJI became the 2nd largest gas distribution company in New Jersey. The company provides gas distribution services to almost 700,000 residents. In the acquisition SJI acquired asset data but did not acquire the systems enabling them to operate safely and efficiently. SJI was challenged with building a new system which would integrate with 38 enterprise applications serving a wide range of SJI internal workflows. In addition, SJI needed to stand up a variety of field apps that supported many existing workflows.

Utility Network Implementation Success at SJI required 38 integrations and the support of existing field workflows.

Recommendation

In consultation with Locana, who brought recent Utility Network Implementation success to bear on the decision, SJI’s leadership settled on deploying ESRI’s Enterprise ArcGIS platform ArcGIS Pro to provide the answer to their system consolidation needs. The project included the implementation of the Utility Pipeline Data Model (UPDM), the Utility Network, ArcGIS Monitor, and the Esri field applications Collector, Workforce, and Explorer.

Solution

Locana architected the solution for SJI which deployed ArcGIS Pro and the Utility Network editing tool. This system enabled SJI to configure applications in a way that eliminated wasted time providing for mistake proof data from the point of data entry. The implementation of feature templates, attribute rules, and Python automation, facilitated a higher quality of work for all end users and editors. From the perspective of a daily power user, many benefits were realized by simplifying and streamlining the enterprise’s editing routines. Finally, the overall solution provided training on the new software which enhanced the probability of Utility Network Implementation Success.

Outcome

Utility Network implementation provided a scalable enterprise solution that eliminated errors from the beginning, removed routine tasks, and automatically populated fields required by the Maximo work order system integration. The table below shows the processes made possible by Utility Network Integration Success and the benefits that were realized by the enterprise.

Process Benefit
Repeatable Editing through Feature Templates
  • Predefined editing templates stored project configuration
  • Default values provided automatically
  • Share across the enterprise for consistent data entry
Enhanced Data Quality with Attribute Rules
  • Attribute Rules populate mandatory fields
  • Used for data updates or inserts
  • No impediments to other editing work
Python Automation
  • Enhanced automation complimenting of Attribute Rules
  • Calculate attributes and perform spatial modifications
  • Run scheduled task—no manual intervention

Utility Network Implementation Success: GIS Processes and Associated Benefits

About South Jersey Industries

South Jersey Industries (NYSE: SJI), an energy services holding company based in Folsom, NJ, delivers energy solutions to its customers through three primary subsidiaries. South Jersey Gas delivers safe, reliable, affordable natural gas and promotes energy efficiency to approximately 700,000 customers in southern New Jersey.

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