Project Goal
The lack of real-time visibility into inspection and repair progress made it difficult for managers to track the status of problem areas. We needed a more efficient way to manage inspections and ensure data accuracy. Specifically, we struggled with analyzing inspection data and providing real-time visibility into the progress of inspections and repairs.Business Problem Solved
To address these challenges, we implemented ArcGIS Field Maps and ArcGIS Dashboards, leveraging its Small Utility Enterprise Agreement. Implementing Field Maps and Dashboards was a strategic decision to modernize the inspection workflow.
New mobile inspection forms automatically capture location, time, and inspection details. Field Maps allow crews to access critical information about assets and infrastructure in real time, improving data accuracy and reducing the risk of errors. We also use Dashboards to provide real-time visibility into inspection and repair progress for managers. All viewers see consistent color coding and a single source of truth for inspection status and repair types.
Technology Implemented
ArcGIS Online, ArcGIS Pro, Dashboards, Experience Builder, and ArcGIS Enterprise
Development Team Biography
Mark Dinkel, GIS/OMS Manager
Mario Diaz, GIS Coordinator
Jeanine Biera, Dispatcher II
Brandon Barrett, Director of Operations
Company Overview
Wheatland Electric Cooperative, Inc. (WECI) is a member-owned utility dedicated to providing affordable, reliable energy to its members.
We maintain a vast and essential system to serve our community, encompassing:
Over 20,000 homes and businesses (approx. 32,000 meters).
A service territory covering 14 Kansas counties and parts of 3 Colorado counties.
More than 4,500 miles of power lines and over 100,000 poles, ensuring power reaches even the most remote areas of our region.
Return on Investment
The implementation of ArcGIS at Wheatland Electric Cooperative yielded significant results, including very positive employee feedback. The main benefits include streamlined fieldwork and reduced time to analyze inspection and repair information.
The cooperative improved documentation, reduced the time required to analyze inspection and repair information, and enhanced managers’ visibility into inspection and repair progress. The cooperative experienced a notable improvement in the accuracy and completeness of its inspection data, enabling more informed decision-making. Similarly, WEC addressed other inspection workflows by placing them on the same map, including meters, pad mounts, and instrument-rated meter examinations.