Cowlitz County PUD is set to begin implementation of its newly selected enterprise resource planning (ERP) system. The project follows a rigorous selection process, during which Cowlitz PUD identified Cayenta, a wholly owned subsidiary of Harris Computer Systems, as the ERP solution best fitting its unique operational needs. 

Having contracted AAC Utility Partners (AAC) for guidance through the selection process, Cowlitz PUD will continue its relationship with the independent consulting firm during implementation. AAC will provide client support throughout the project through its proprietary Synchro Services.

Among the many benefits of the new system will be a website portal through which customers can access both historic and real-time power usage information, enabling them to make better choices about consumption.

This empowerment of customers is in keeping with Cowlitz PUD’s history of innovative and “green” energy management. True to its region’s pioneer history, the utility continues forging ahead into the smart energy frontier, with plans to have all meters in their 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.

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 and has operating revenues of over $210 million.

“Cowlitz PUD is committed to quality in both how we provide energy and service to our customers. Throughout our selection project, AAC worked hard to ensure that the system we selected would support the ways in which we do so. They understand what’s important to us and we’ve come to trust their guidance,” said Doug Wood, director of information services and the ERP project manager for Cowlitz PUD.

“Our experience with the Cowlitz PUD team has been very positive. They are committed public employees who share the environmental values of the neighbors they serve. It has been clear through their selection that quality is key to their business model, and we look forward to helping the Cowlitz PUD project team lead a top-level project in the months ahead,” said AAC Managing Partner Rick Cutter.

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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 NavigateOne^TM, 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.

Contact:
Jason Ferster
Media Liaison
AAC Utility Partners
jferster@teamaac.com