One of North America’s Largest Utilities Deploys Tensing’s Next-Generation Integrated Work Management Solution

ROCKVILLE, MD, August 24, 2012 – To significantly improve its field operations work processes, one of North America’s largest utilities is deploying the Tensing Integrated Work Management Suite (IWMS), a next-generation, comprehensive mobile solution that Tensing developed in partnership with the utility. Completed in the first phase of the utility’s multi-phase, mobile workflow project, the product of that collaboration is Tensing IWMS, which is now available as a commercial-off-the-shelf (COTS) solution.

The genesis for Tensing IWMS was the utility’s unsuccessful efforts to find a market-ready, utility-specific mobile solution on a single platform to replace the existing, disparate software platforms used by the field operations of its largest business unit. The utility selected Tensing with its global expertise and proven, COTS mobile GIS and workflow applications to develop an integrated work management solution to meet its needs and those of other utilities ‘out-of-the-box’. When fully deployed, Tensing IWMS will automate all mobile workflow processes between the utility’s back office and potentially some 4,000 field workers on mobile devices who help ensure reliable power delivery to roughly 14 million people.

Tensing is a recognized global expert in solving GIS and mobile work management challenges for field service organizations. The company specializes in delivering the best total enterprise mobility solution for each client using its highly configurable, modular COTS applications.

Tensing IWMS seamlessly integrates disparate enterprise data with intelligent graphics, such as GIS and CAD, timekeeping and comprehensive work management capabilities to connect field workers to the back office in real-time via mobile devices. Empowering field crews with essential information as it is needed enables greater safety and efficiency in operating the utility’s complex, interconnected infrastructure assets.

This powerful suite optimizes the entire workflow process from work order initiation, scheduling and dispatch to project completion, materials usage, timekeeping, and analysis and reporting. Tensing IWMS also provides on-demand, detailed vehicle location information, as well as optimized route navigation via integrated GPS capabilities.

The end-to-end execution of information and work processes between the back office and the field provides a ‘complete information round trip’ – a unique capability of Tensing IWMS. It securely and intelligently integrates and dispatches essential data to and from the field, enabling workers on mobile devices to use and manage enterprise asset data specific to each work order, including ‘As Built’ and ‘As Is’ information.

Workers can modify and update information, including redlining sketches or drawings on GIS/CAD-enabled maps and correcting tabular data, in either a connected or disconnected mode. Tensing IWMS easily manages asset data remotely and sends field updates to the respective back-office systems, including ERP, EAM, OMS, AMI, GIS and CAD, for reconciliation. This eliminates individual system updates, improves data accuracy and worker safety and productivity, while supporting a higher level of customer service.

To address the issues of its multi-tiered workforce, the utility collaborated with Tensing to develop the unique, comprehensive IWMS Timekeeper module, an integrated component of Tensing IWMS. The powerful, advanced functionality and configurable business logic of IWMS Timekeeper easily handles the most challenging mobile work environment, including shifts, break-in services, upgrades and overtime, as well as union, non-union and contractor requirements to cut administrative costs and time.

“Labor is often one of the largest, most variable cost components of mobile field operations,” said Gerry Hibbard, Managing Director for Tensing USA. “Efficiently managing the complex timekeeping requirements involved can be one of the most demanding tasks utilities face. An application with the sophisticated functionality and flexibility of IWMS Timekeeper can deliver significant value to a utility’s bottom line.”

In addition to Timekeeper, Tensing IWMS also includes Mobile Workflow, Mobile GIS, Navigator, Fleet Tracker, Reporter and Dashboard. The modular architecture of Tensing IWMS enables quick configuration of the standard modules, tailored to each utility’s unique requirements.

Tensing is now working with the utility on phase two of its enhanced mobile workflow project to add client-specific functionality to IWMS.

About Tensing
Tensing is a recognized expert in solving GIS and mobile work management challenges through innovative enterprise mobility solutions. For more than 25 years Tensing has specialized in delivering the best total solutions that seamlessly connect mobile field workers to the back office through in-depth knowledge of its clients’ business processes and its proven COTS applications.

By leveraging the configurability of its innovative applications, the clients’ existing enterprise information assets, and intelligent graphics such as GIS and CAD, Tensing delivers mobile work management solutions that enable the faster realization of value and lower cost than custom solutions. With a proven track record of success, Tensing solutions are well established with thousands of field workers in North America, Europe and Australia in the Utilities, Field Service, and Transportation & Logistics industries.

Like its namesake, Tensing Norgay who guided Sir Edmund Hillary to the summit of Mt. Everest, Tensing helps its clients reach their most challenging mobile enterprise goals. The company has offices in Europe and North America. For more information, please visit www.tensing.com

Tensing North America Company Contact
Chris Kennedy, Director of Marketing
[email protected]
+1-240-403-6001