Manage and resolve outages
Web-based outage management
For over three decades, DataVoice has deployed battle-tested systems to help utilities mitigate outages in the most challenging conditions. Ice storms, hurricanes, operational mishaps – our solutions stand tall against external forces of all kinds.
Core Product Integration
Utilities across North America use DataVoice Manage, our outage management systems (OMS), to identify the source of outages quickly and disseminate accurate information to customers, managers, reporters and social media outlets.
OMS integrates with meters (AMI), mapping (GIS) and SCADA to assemble a complete outage picture. It also comes with a a mobile application for crews (WorkPal). With that crews get instant, accurate information and provide timely updates.
Customer engagement – keeping customers informed even during service interruptions – is now a primary concern for modern OMS. The DataVoice solution offers multiple ways for customers to interact. They can call into the DataVoice IVR, text, interact with an app (SmartCE) or simply visit a website that provides status and reporting.
OMS goes beyond immediate needs in the middle of a disaster. It collects accurate data for further analysis, and utilities can build a growing picture of problem-prone service areas. OMS can lead to decreases in overtime costs, minimized revenue losses and overall increase in customer satisfaction.
Systems Integration
CIS/FIS
The DataVoice OMS integrates with the CIS and or the FIS for the up to date customer information. This allows the customer’s key contact information to be part of the outage for quick communication. The FIS data integration allows a customer that was disconnected for non-payment to not be able to report an outage, but be directed to the appropriate solution.
Meters
The DataVoice OMS integrates and numerous different metering (AMI) systems. Utilities can assess meter status at individual service locations or down-line from a specific device. In some case, users can even get access to blink analysis, tamper detection and other real-time AMI data without ever leaving the OMS.
SCADA
The DataVoice OMS offers several different options for integrating with SCADA. When SCADA indicates a device has locked open, it results in an immediate outage in OMS. In certain case, OMS can even track switching changes as they happen in SCADA or a distribution management system (DMS).
Vehicles
The DataVoice OMS can provide direct access to vehicle location data from numerous different AVL systems. Users will know automatically the closest crews. It minimizes response time and improves customer service.
Mapping Integration
One of the most essential integrations for a full-fledged OMS is the integration to mapping or GIS. For years now, DataVoice has led the way in helping small and medium sized utilities translate their GIS or CAD data into meaningful maps available to the entire utility.
GIS Publisher
The DataVoice GIS Publisher taps into the utility’s mapping data and extracts the information most essential for outage management. Publisher integrates with most common GIS tools including ESRI, CAD, QGIS and various engineering analysis tools.
Training and Disaster Recovery
Daily Backup and Training System
Just as the name suggests, the daily backup and training system makes a copy of the live OMS each day. While it doubles as a backup system, users can also use it to run scenarios and practice using the system. They can even use a special module called Outage Replay to take a closer look at past events.
Replicated Backup
For utilities that want a more robust disaster recovery option, the replicated backup is a secondary OMS system that sits in the background. Its database is continuously updated to match the production system, and it stands ready to go live as soon as it is needed.
Continuous System Monitoring
DataVoice monitors all OMS systems continuously. In many cases, we can detect hardware and software issues and intervene before it becomes a larger problem. DataVoice support is available 24/7 for OMS clients.