LEVA i Lysekil has used dpPower and dpWater as part of their service to the community since 2011. When dpHeating was established, they also implemented this product, to further enhance their Network Information System (NIS). Digpro spent a moment with Günhan Ataseven, Head of the LEVA i Lysekil NIS department, to learn more about how they put the Digpro products to practice.
Can you give us a few examples of how you work with our products?
Field work
We have recently started using dpWebmap for our field work, and are taking it in steps. We use the module Maintainer, which supports our inspections. With Maintainer, we set up a plan in the office. Then, we ensure that our field engineers have access to the network information in their mobile phones. For this, we use dpWebmap Maintainer, which is the mobile client. The plan set up in the office, is the plan which our field engineers can obtain in the mobile clients when they are in the field. Our field engineers gain access to the plan, and can follow it when executing and documenting the inspection.
Workflows
Before we implemented dpWebmap, we used the module Organizer to take control over our workflows. For example, we have two groups in our water department that are involved in a workflow: one group is the customer contact for water supply, and the other group is the field engineers who are responsible for daily operations. With dpWebmap, we have one, digitalized workflow for both groups. Our previous routine was to plan and document this workflow in Excel sheets and printed paper. We plan to incorporate more employees within the same workflow. Some of them still use manual methods, but when we map the workflows digitally, we get an overview of who is involved in the different projects. We can see what they do, what has been done and so forth. This gives us transparency and control, which we lacked before.
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Rotten pole survey
Another possibility we found was how dpWebmap Organizer could support us when commencing a rotten pole survey. We create a work request on a specific object with a change set in the office client. Then, we are able to edit the attribute of the specific object directly in the mobile client, whilst in the field. We can also add pictures to it. The rotten pole survey is carried out to ensure that our power supply is secured, as well as protecting our field engineers and citizens from poles that may injure them. We are probably the first customer to do this.
| A rotten pole inspection aims to establish the state and strength of utility poles. A wooden pole which carries electrical line can be subject to rot, decay, insect attacks and so forth. Should a utility pole give out, it can have disastrous consequences. |
How have you made the system work for you?
When implementing digital solutions, departments find new possibilities. One example is that our field engineers can edit the attributes of different objects, such as wells, valves and pipes, in the digital map. This is done directly in the mobile phone when they are out in the field. They can actually see the real object, as opposed to sit in the office and only see the virtual version of the object. This also means that they do not have to document it when they come back to the office – it is already done, there and then.
What are the main benefits of having a digital solution for your networks?
We have control over the entire lifecycle. When all objects, such as pipes in the field, are measured with Real-Time Kinematic positioning (RTK) GPS, we can also benefit from the coordinates of the objects being correct. If we need to for example change or replace an object, our field engineers know exactly where these are when they arrive to the field. This saves us time and money, since we often have to dig up objects, using expensive equipment and special machines.
We also enjoy the benefits of tracing, which is used to prepare for checking how waterpipes are connected. Additionally, we prepare for announcements for our customers. The announcements relay when there are planned or unplanned outages. The information can be about the status of the outage, how long it will last, if the water is drinkable during the outage, and so forth.
What are the benefits of using the same system for different utilities?
One system for all utilities equals easier system administration and system maintenance. Education for employees can be consolidated for one system. It is also easier for employees within the department responsible for the NIS to learn and support.
What does digital maturity mean to you?
Digital maturity starts from the top, and is a process which must ripple down in the organization. This includes document management plans, IT-system and consolidation management. You have to make sure you have functioning IT governance in place. Digitalization emanates from all the different departments within the organization – not only from the IT-department. That is to make sure that all employees within the organization are on the same basic level for using mutual IT-systems. For instance, all personnel must know how to use smart devices, be it an iPhone, an Android, or other, with regards to the used IT-systems. Specific groups of personnel will require more sophisticated level of education. All this is, of course, an iterative process. At LEVA i Lysekil, we have started our journey to a further, digital maturity. The future holds all the parts I have described above, and much more.
Meet Günhan Ataseven
Günhan has studied IT-management on Master level at University of Gothenburg. With extensive experience as a project manager in IT, mainly in large health care organizations, he has supported the IT development of different clinics, as well as managed IT-infrastructure projects. Günhan also has experience as an IT-architect and IT-specialist. Currently, he is heading
the Network Information System (NIS) department at LEVA i Lysekil. Günhan is also responsible for the company digitalization within the NIS perspective, including fieldwork and workflows.
Günhan will share his expertise in the Swedish webinar Organizer dpWater on 2 December. For further information on the Digpro products, do not hesitate to contact one of our experts.