The Utilities Telecom Council (UTC) Launches A Program To Guide Modernization Efforts at Utilities
Washington, DC, 5 November 2015 — UTC announced today the release of the Utility Modernization Advisor (UMA™), a program that works with electric, gas and water utilities to address the complexities of modernization by guiding them through a proven and innovative mentored process. As a leading global trade association supporting the utility industry’s efforts to develop solutions for utilities based on advanced information and communications technologies, UTC leveraged access to utilities from across the country and globally, to create methods, tools and processes to align business, technical and strategic goals, and create a cost effective plans to implement solutions.
The launch was attended by over thirty utilities including a trade mission contingent of three Brazilian utilities. Conway Corporation, the first utility to utilize the completed UMA™ program, participated in a panel session to share their experiences. Industry participants included Itron and Landis+Gyr who provided grant support for the initial research effort, as well as Alcatel Lucent, Sensus, Trilliant Networks, MW Consulting, and the US International Trade Administration.
“This program, more than a year in development, was built to address persistent concerns raised by UTC members. While many utilities, particularly small and mid-sized organizations, have strong drivers to modernize they are challenged by the financial and staff resource commitments of traditional approaches, as well as the lack of credible data sources necessary to ensure success,” said Connie Durcsak, UTC President and CEO. “The UMA is a modular, mentoring approach that has been proven to provide utilities with a cost effective and timely means to do-it-themselves.”
The UMA is the summation of knowledge from leading US and international utilities representing over 200 million electric, gas and water customers. The UMA is a four-module toolbox designed to help utilities take advantage of lessons learned by others who have already modernized, thus saving both time and cost, and thus accelerating deployments and providing realized benefits faster. Each module is designed for a distinct project phase and utilities may implement any mix of modules. The following is a breakdown of the program:
- Module 1 — Foundation: vision, strategy, justification. Built to educate utilities on how to formulate a modernization vision, a deployment strategy unique to their needs, and a benefits case for modernization based on guidance from actual performance/results data gathered from the UMA project participants. This program is built to support the needs of electric, gas and water utilities of all types.
- Module 2 — procurement: RFP templates, proposal assessment, recommendation. Standardized RFP documents and assessment procedures allow utilities to leverage pre-developed proposal elements tailored for their own use by inserting organizational information and general bid requirements. The module also provides processes that qualify bid proposals so that they can be justified on best value — as opposed to the lowest initial cost.
- Module 3 — Contract: master agreement, schedules, project documents. Once the proposals are received and accepted, the UMA includes standard contract language documents that help define and cover the scope of services, performance requirements, etc. Utilities can modify the contracts to comply with individual local and state laws, and internal procurement, all while feeling confident that they have accounted for the major areas of risks identified by peers having successfully deployed these technologies.
- Module 4 — Implementation: project management office, project documentation, key performance indicators. With the contracts awarded, this module arms the utility with project management tools that will help them stay on track and get the level of performance needed from the implementation partners. Module 4 helps utilities deliver on time, and on budget.
Mike Oldak, UTC’s VP Strategic Initiatives & General Counsel and UMA Program Manager added: “UTC does not send a toolbox with spreadsheets and watch as utilities attempt to assemble projects. The program includes facilitated workshops with the utility project team to mentor them through the process and arm them with the knowledge be successful. We also provide ongoing support to clarify or qualify objectives, better utilize the modules, or just offer insight based on the experiences peers. An interesting realization from this approach is that it engenders corporate learning and a process discipline that translates into other projects and programs within the utility.”
To support utilities in their current efforts, and to expand the program to support future opportunities and technologies, the program will include the formation of the Utility Modernization Council (UMC). This roundtable of UMA participants, utility practitioners and a curated group of leading technology partners will assemble to move the industry forward. The work of the UMC will ensure utilities have access to the thought leadership, knowledge, and general wherewithal to the tools necessary for the continuous improvement, a requirement to successfully service their customers and members.
For more information on UTC’s Utility Modernization Program, contact Mike Oldak at [email protected].
About UTC
Utility telecommunications is integral to reliable and secure utility services. UTC is the premier trade association navigating the convergence of telecommunications, operations and information technology to identify, innovate and enable mission critical solutions for essential utility services. Since 1948, UTC has served as the source and resource for information and communications technology (ICT) solutions, collaboration and advocacy for utilities and other critical infrastructure industries. For more information visit www.utc.org.
