In a recent Esri study of electric utility professionals, nearly half reported a more than 10 percent increase in productivity due to the use of geographic information system (GIS) technology. The study was designed to assess electric utility geospatial technology in terms of return on investment. Results were analyzed and compiled into a benchmark report, The Business Benefits of GIS for Utilities, now available for download.

“We really wanted to find out about the benefits utilities have experienced with GIS from customer care or supply chain or accounting,” said Bill Meehan, Esri Director of Utility Solutions. “GIS and IT professionals can access the report in order to communicate technology needs to management, assess their utility’s use of GIS, or identify areas for needed GIS expansion.”

Additional major findings of The Business Benefits of GIS for Utilities include:

• 45 percent reported more than 10 percent productivity gain due to use of mobile GIS
• 41 percent report savings of 7 percent or greater in plant accounting
• 65 percent report saving more than 6percent in system and distribution planning
• 25 percent reduced System Average Interruption Duration Index (SAIDI) by 7 percent or more

View the webinar presentation of The Business Benefits of GIS for Utilities, and read the report at esri.com/roisurvey.

[Source: Esri press release]