Real applications and real benefits in real-time

To be considered successful, there was a time when an AM/FM project simply had to complete a pilot phase and move into the data-conversion process. However, in the current age of deregulation and increasing competition among utilities, these criteria are no longer sufficient. Today, the true measure of success is related to the delivery of real benefits to the users of the information. Real benefits are obtainable only by the ''application'' of the converted data to improve the day to day operations of the organization. The magnitude of these benefits, and hence the level of success of the project, depends upon the early availability of both data and applications and on enterprise-wide access to them. This paper outlines the important aspects of an AM/FM project that affect the timely availability and distribution of applications and data. It describes key features of modern AM/FM systems such as integrated CASE tools, GUI builders and Object-Oriented programming languages and goes on to explain how they are being used to drastically reduce the lead times so often associated with new AM/FM projects. This paper also explains how the provision of powerful ''out of the box'' data access tools, facilitated by the AM/FM system architectures available today, are enabling utility companies to obtain immediate benefits from ''instant'' applications. It goes on to explain how these companies are able to respond to fast-paced changes in their information systems requirements by employing these advanced software technologies in the maintenance and enhancement of their existing data and applications.