Riverside Public Utilities has contracted AAC Utility Partners (AAC) to provide independent selection consulting as it prepares to replace its customer information system (CIS), technology used to manage the usage, billing and service information of its more than 100,000 customers.

In recent years the City of Riverside, California, has garnered national attention and awards for both its economic development efforts and green initiatives, among which is the first ever Emerald City designation awarded by the State of California Department of Conservation. The utilities division itself has received both a Platinum RP3 designation from the American Public Power Association as well as a Best Management Practices award from the California Municipal Utilities Association (CMUA) for its Blue Riverside program, among many other accolades.

Technology has played a key role in Riverside’s development successes, as evidenced by the SmartRiverside program, designed to establish the City as a leading technology hub in the region. The program’s initiatives include an effort to provide all residents with access to free Wi-Fi and a project that offers free refurbished computers and computer training to low-income households. This type of connection between improving residents’ lives and improving technology is at the heart of the Utility Division’s CIS project.  

“By updating our customer information system, Riverside Public Utilities will be able to better serve our residents and improve operational efficiencies at the same time. This modernization will improve customer care and service call response, and RPU will benefit from improved metering and rate capabilities as well as laying a foundation for future smart grid initiatives,” noted Riverside Public Utilities General Manager Dave Wright.

“For this effort that’s so important to our customers and our utility, we wanted the expert guidance of a consulting firm like AAC that’s engaged in projects like ours day in and day out,” Wright continued.

In the months ahead, AAC will guide Riverside Public Utilities through a careful analysis of technology and operational needs related to its CIS system, followed by a thorough review of the many solutions available in the marketplace and then the selection of a best-fit solution.

AAC Managing Partner Steve Wenke noted, “We’ve always sought to work with utilities like Riverside that take pride in their work and their communities. We’re honored to play such a key role in helping Riverside Public Utilities position itself for a technological future that enhances service to customers, improves operational efficiency, and supports its green energy initiatives.” 

 

 

---

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.

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