Cowlitz PUD Achieves ERP Project Milestone, Looks Ahead With Tech
Columbia, SC - July 25, 2009
Cowlitz County PUD (Cowlitz PUD) has completed its search for an Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) solution with the selection of Cayenta, a division of Harris Computer Systems. When complete, Cowlitz PUD’s new ERP system will integrate with its current smart meter conversion project and will position the public utility on the cutting edge of smart energy.
Based in Longview, Washington, Cowlitz PUD provides electricity to more than 48,000 residential and commercial customers throughout Cowlitz County. True to its region’s pioneer history, the utility is forging ahead into the green energy frontier, with plans to have all meters in its service area converted to smart meters by the end of next year. Recently, Cowlitz PUD also won a national honor from the Department of Energy for its role in the development of the White Creek Wind Farm, a 205 megawatt wind power project stretched across 9,500 acres of nearby farmland.
The limitations of Cowlitz PUD’s legacy financial, work management, and customer information systems prevented the utility from leveraging technology to take full advantage of its smart meter initiative. The utility contracted AAC Utility Partners to provide independent, third-party consulting in choosing the right technology solution for its unique business needs.
“We understood the importance of getting it right with this technology upgrade. We consider ourselves an innovative utility focused on the needs of both current customers and the future generation of customers. While there were a lot of talented consultants out there, we picked AAC because of their impressive track record, knowledge of the utility and software industries, focus on our business drivers, and cultural fit with our team. We’ve seen throughout this selection that we made the right choice,” said Doug Wood, Director of Information Services and the ERP Project Manager for Cowlitz PUD.
“Cowlitz PUD is an innovative, forward-thinking utility, and AAC is honored to support their goal of being a utility of the future. The advanced ERP technologies they are integrating will not only improve business processes and service to their customers, it will enable them to integrate new technologies in sync with strategic technology plan. It is clear that their embrace of the energy future is an extension of their service to their customers and concern for their naturally wonderful region,” said AAC Managing Partner Rick Cutter.
Cowlitz PUD will begin implementation of its new ERP system in the coming months. AAC Utility Partners will provide it’s proprietary Project Quality Management services to the utility throughout implementation.
AAC Utility Partners serves utilities considering or engaged in complex IT projects by providing independent assessment, selection, Project Quality Management and a number of other client-side implementation services. AAC is also the developer of NavigateOneTM, a proprietary project system comprised of methods, tools, templates and software, completely scalable and customizable to support the specific needs of any utility IT project. Leading utilities have delivered some of the most successful technology projects in the industry by employing NavigateOne early in their process. To learn more about NavigateOne and how we can empower your people for an exceptional project here.
