Abstract
This Energy Insights report discusses the mobile technology landscape in the
North American utility industry and how utilities are using those technologies
for their field crews in the asset life-cycle business processes. Mobile
personnel - including field crews and plant operations personnel - and remote
assets are a way of life for utility companies. Information technology for
these groups is a different story. Paper and pencil have been the traditional
choice for mobile communications and data sharing, but things are changing. As
operational efficiency and reliability demands grow, more utilities are
considering ways to use technology to better support their mobile personnel and
equipment. To provide a better understanding of the status of mobile
technologies in the North American utility industry, this report:
- Briefly reviews key mobile business processes and technologies
- Discusses the results of in-depth interviews with utilities and mobile technology vendors to understand the drivers, uses, and ongoing challenges for mobile technologies in the utility industry
- Based on the results of in-depth interviews with utilities and mobile technology vendors, recommends key areas utilities should consider when undertaking mobility initiatives
"Because of rapidly changing technologies - such as short cellular phone useful
lives and changing communications networks - Energy Insights found early mobile
technology adopters are still grappling with many of the same issues as
utilities just venturing into the world of mobility." - H. Christine Richards,
senior research analyst, Energy Insights
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