Take your Network to the Field - Utility To Go

Turn Challenges into Opportunities

Utilities' field operations are often challenged by the lack of real-time and complete data on both network assets and current switching statuses. Up-to-date information is also needed in the office to support on-time decision making and monitoring the progress of the field works.

In outage situations, utilities are challenged with a sudden need to efficiently scale up the organization for fault restoration, often making use of both internal and external resources. This sets specific requirements also for the ease-of-use and performance of mobile solutions in severe field conditions.

Why go mobile with Utility To Go?

Going mobile with Utility To Go turns these challenges into opportunities. The application provides convenient and secure access to utility network data − anytime and anywhere. It enables taking network data in the field, eliminating the need to contact control room and go through binders full of paper maps.

With Utility To Go, you gain greater efficiency from the field operations, improve responsiveness in the field and office, and enhance the safety of field crews. Accessible with most modern web browsers, the application combines a professional level of functionality with an ease of use on a par with consumer apps. Viewing and updating network data or sharing information with contractors has never been easier.

With Utility To Go, you get your work done faster and better. The field crews have unprecedented access to network information for more informed decision-making and more efficient field operations.

All communication between Utility To Go and your on-premise servers is encrypted using standard HTTPS.

Use Case Examples

Maintenance

In addition to traditional centrally planned field work, Utility To Go supports self-directed maintenance. Field crews have convenient and secure access to utility network data with any mobile device, so they can pick suitable inspection and repair tasks based on location and availability. This improves field work productivity and the quality of collected maintenance data. Also work management workflows between the office and field crews are smooth.

Outage Management

Utility To Go enables scaling up field crews in outage situations when also external contractors are needed for fault restoration. Field crews have secure access to real-time network data and the same map view as control room. They can check the current status or real-time topology of the network, operate switches, and start repair work with no need to contact the control room. They can also update asset details and operative data, such as estimated repair time. Any changes made in the field are immediately visible in the control room, which contributes to excellent situational awareness and supports decision making.

Network Planning

Field crews can add notes related to planning, view plans, sketch alternative routes and take photos in the field to support network planning.
There is no need to print network plans on paper anymore, and the field crews have access to an always up-to-date plan. All this contributes to the field planning process, making it easier, faster and less prone to errors.

What is Utility To Go?

A mobile solution that provides field crews with secure access to utility network data anytime, anywhere, in real-time and with most web browsers.

Fast maps. Add your own background maps in multiple formats or add third party map providers.
Powerful search. Fast search for map addresses and all network data.
Specific data. Freely configurable data layers to reveal exactly the right network data on any map zoom level.
Operative state in real-time. View the electrical network topology and switching status in real-time, and see the up-to-date information on network outages.
Updates in the field. Update network element and operative data, such as estimated repair times, for outages and low voltage switching statuses directly in the field to maintain maximal data integrity.
Maintenance on the go. Allow your field crews to view maintenance data for network elements, pick the nearby tasks and execute actions in the field.
Offline work. Download part of your network information to your device and you are ready to go offline. You can view your utility network, locate elements and add notes even when a mobile data network is not available.
Location sharing. Viewing the locations of all field crews enables efficient assignment of tasks, allowing field crews to complete more work by having to drive less. This results in greater productivity while saving money in reduced fuel consumption.

Food for Thought

End-to-End Outage Management

Handling downtime from start to finish. Top-notch situational awareness, mobile field work, real-time information and customer communication at DSO Elenia!
See It on Video >>

Transforming Field Work

Traditional maintenance planning includes a foreman assigning tasks to field crews, but that can never be as good as in the field. Could you do it differently?
Watch the Interview >>

Native vs. HTML5

Discussing the nearly-religious mobile technology debate for native vs HTML5, where we stand and the reasons behind those choices. Curious as we are...
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Outage Management Outsourced

Ever heard of a utility outsourcing 100% of its outage management to contractors? Learn how Elenia ‒ one of the forerunners in smart grid technology ‒ does it.

WATCH THE VIDEO

What makes a good mobile app?

5 different electric utilities from 3 different countries share their thoughts about their mobile future. Challenges aside, the new technologies bring benefits beyond just switching paper into tablets - they bring a possibility to start working in a whole different way, even renewing entire processes.

Go to Their Stories