Utility companies - Be prepared for your GIS!

In order to maintain competitiveness in the utility provider marketplace, and to snore efficiently react: to consumer outage complaints, many companies are considering implementing an. AM/FM/GIS. If your utility plans to implement source record data conversion, there many tasks and processes that must be performed in preparation for this transformation. This presentation will. cover a number of preparatory tasks that a utility company must understand before letting out art RFP for data conversion services. These tasks include: applications planning, selection of a hardware/software provider, analysis of staff requirements, QA/QC development, source preparation, and others. Additionally, important information must be developed for inclusion in the RFP, including a database design and graphic placement guidelines. Determining how to select the most qualified vendor to perform the data conversion, or deciding whether to do the work in-house, are other options that must be considered. Utility companies can also choose to work with one of the many consulting firms that specialize in assisting with data conversion, A well-informed GIS Manager can save his/her company money and better control tile data conversion project. Being prepared is half the battle.