The application is designed to automate the request, scheduling, and approval process for planned equipment outages across a utility’s network. As part of the process, OutageIQ facilitates grouping of related requests to help users optimize outages and minimize overall equipment downtime.

Construction, maintenance and other utility departments can initiate outage or switch requests. These outage requests are routed to network operations for preliminary approval and further planning. Outage related information, such as switching orders, contacts, affected customers, and links to related work orders and other relevant records are maintained against an outage request, so that the requests become a portal for all related data. Built-in e-mail functionality further supports communication in this preparation and coordination phase of the process.

In OutageIQ, requests can be displayed in a standard queue or in Gantt chart format with flexible sort and filter options to facilitate the identification of related requests. In addition, logic-driven color codes alert the users of requests that are not proceeding through the process in a timely manner.

Final approval of an outage request locks all information from further editing. Upon completion of the outage, the request is archived with actual start and end information providing data for automated process performance indicators. These integrated indicator reports and data export functionality help reinforce good processes and facilitate communication with regulatory agencies.

The application was developed with input from a major electricity distributor. This organization has implemented OutageIQ as part of their solution to optimize planned outage processes.

For more information about this application or IKS’ new product development process, please contact Peter Dijstelbloem, IKS Project Manager at (484) 259 1718 or via e-mail at pdijstelbloem@insertkey.com

About Insert Key Solutions

Founded in 2000 and headquartered in Chadds Ford, PA, Insert Key Solutions is a software company which specializes in delivering Equipment Reliability (ER) solutions to the power industry. Insert Key Solutions combines software technology and business process knowledge to deliver powerful, user friendly software tools that are web-based and easy to deploy.