Operations Manager

The Operations Manager is the standard Map Viewer augmented with dynamic map data, which are usually queried from a database or other datafiles. Initially, this information is targeted by dispatchers but is potentially useful anywhere that dynamic map data are needed. For the complete list of Operations Manager features, click here or check out the Operations Manager Quick Reference.

For details on cost, see the pricing page. For recommended hardware and software specifications, click here. To see the Operations Manager in action, call Partner at 800-964-1833.

The user guide for the Operations Manager is available in the HTML and printer-friendly versions.

IVR/Outage Viewing

The Operations Manager allows you to view consumers and line sections that are reported out from an interactive voice response (IVR) or outage analysis system. Generally, there is some kind of icon associated with consumers that are out, and line sections are color-coded to indicate potential and confirmed outages. Data from the IVR/outage system are displayed when these items are clicked. We are also exploring tighter integration with IVR/outage vendors, to support control features as well as display.

Currently, we have working viewing setups for the following vendors:

• dataVoice International,
• Milsoft's DisSPatch Outage Management System,
• Milsoft's PORCHE IVR,
• Twenty First Century Communications.

Outage Management

An additional feature that can be installed in your Operations Manager is Outage Manager. The Outage Manager allows you to manually mark outages and then delete and clear these outages as they are fixed. Print the Outage Manager Quick Reference to become familiar with this software.

Truck Locating

Clients have built their own truck locating systems using the Operations Manager. Using any available database, the Operations Manager can visually show where a truck is now, where it is going, or both. The data could be provided from GPS units in the actual truck or the data could be as simple as the location (e.g., consumer, construction job, etc.) to which the truck is assigned.

Construction Management

In conjunction with our design and work order system, the Operations Manager provides construction management assistance. It is intended to assist construction superintendents in scheduling construction jobs based on the status of the job—including such variables as whether all the paperwork is complete, the design is approved, etc.

SCADA Viewing

It seems fairly natural to extend the Operations Manager viewing to SCADA and other remote facility display. Some of this will be available through our outage interfaces. Currently, we have a working interface for Hunt Technologies' Turtle System.

Operations Manager Features

Operations Manager features include:

• all the capabilities of the Map Viewer—redlining, plotting, reports, printing, etc.;
• ability to view any type of dynamic map data over your static map set;
• data shown as a graphical symbol or line (click the symbol or line to view additional data);
• ability to view crew assignment locations;
• fully configurable legend, with ability to separately identify based on query parameters;
• site license, allowing you to deploy the Operations Manager wherever needed;
• simple, easy to learn and use graphical interface, which adds only a few additional controls to the Map Viewer.

In addition, the Operations Manager allows you to:

• build custom applications rapidly, using only a database;
• dispatch from home;
• integrate fully with dataVoice IVR;
• interface with Automated Vehicle Locating (AVL) systems to provide GPS location, speed, direction, and other information;
• interface to outage and Integrated Voice Response (IVR) systems to view customer and line outages, including true outages and predicted outages;
• interface to Automated Meter Reading (AMR) systems to show meter status and outages;
• interface with SCADA systems to view device status;
• interface with work management software to view scheduled constructions and their status;

Partner's Operations Manager supports:

• PORCHE IVR—both PORCHE 2000 and OS/2 version,
• outage and other features from a variety of customer information systems—SEDC, NISC, SCT, etc.,
• RASTRAC^® AVL systems.