September 12, 2011

Central Vermont Selects Powel Inc.’s Mobile Software to Equip Foresters with More Accurate Data

St. Paul, MN (September 12, 2011) — Central Vermont Public Service (CVPS) recently announced its move to incorporate Powel, Inc.’s , VegWorks mobile client to obtain more accurate data and improve its transmission right-of-way (ROW) management system and practices.    

VegWorks is a multi-functional, user-friendly work management tool for assessors, vegetation crews and auditors. VegWorks allows the utility to:

• Apply standardized work units and take GPS readings to pinpoint threats
• Uncover three to four times as many threats as an aerial inspection
• Divide work up by type and disseminate to vegetation crews
• View work orders categorized into detailed job packets using with maps that show where work is scheduled
• Deliver job packets electronically through VegWorks
• Generate random work samples to evaluate the trimming crews and contractors

“Our crews will be better equipped with work orders and maps so there are fewer questions and gray areas while they are completing their assignments in the field,” says Bertram Stewart, CVPS transmission/substation forester.  “Using our right-of-way inventories coupled with VegWorks, we will have the ability to accurately assess the acreage for a job and determine the associated costs based on our historical data.”

CVPS maintains more than 600 miles of transmission lines covering approximately 7,000 acres, and the utility serves 160,000 customers in 163 communities.  CVPS crews and contractors will use Panasonic Toughbook H2 handheld tablet PCs with the VegWorks software installed in order to strategically plan, prioritize and document foot and aerial patrols.  VegWorks will enable CVPS to automate its current manual system for streamlining its scheduling, invoicing and inventory processes as well as reports for regulatory compliance with greater accuracy.

The system is scheduled to go live in fall 2011.

About Powel, Inc.

Powel, Inc., (www.powelinc.com) headquartered in St. Paul, MN, delivers software solutions that realize our mission of “Helping Utilities Work Smarter.”  Powel WorkStudio is a Mobile Work Management platform with office-based analysis that helps utilities work smarter through the entire asset lifecycle, from design to construction to service, including right-of-way clearance, maintenance and storm assessment.  WorkStudio incorporates Powel’s industry leading StakeOut field design application.  Powel, Inc. is a wholly owned subsidiary of Powel AS, a privately held company serving customers worldwide.

Contact

Marc Marton
marc@themcdonnellgroup.com
404-583-0003