Why would a utility need systems integration?
Three factors are driving utilities to integrate their systems. The first is that many utilities do not have the capital funding to invest in new infrastructure that they used to. Expanding into new facilities is now more difficult—local, environmental, and customer costs are higher. Utilities now need to do more with less, and need their internal computer systems to work at peak performance to avoid adding more staff than necessary. Secondly, the Web is now a major source of information for companies and the public. Computer systems all over are more integrated. To keep up with these changing times, utilities need to do the same. Finally, there is more accountability at the executive level for how money is spent. As a result, more detailed information on how funds are allocated and utilized is necessary. Utility systems integration allows this. What are the benefits to a utility? To operate efficiently, utility managers need to have ready access to critical summary information, from p
