Idaho Power Company
Implements ArcFM 8.1
for Facility Data Management

Fort Collins, CO -- Idaho Power Company, a leading investor-owned electric utility based in Boise, Idaho, with more than 400,000 residential and business customers, has completed its ArcGIS/ArcFM implementation. The utility is currently servicing a territory of 22,000 square miles with nearly 5,000 miles of transmission lines and 20,000 miles of distribution lines. Over the past eight months, Idaho Power with the assistance of POWER Engineers, Inc., the utility’s geographic information system (GIS) consultant, has completed the migration of their facility data from ArcInfo 7.2 into ESRI’s new object-oriented ArcGIS platform.

“Idaho Power sought a solution that will allow the access and use of the data in more powerful ways. The solution was clearly identified with the release of ESRI’s new ArcGIS environment with Miner & Miner’s ArcFM 8.1,” said Jan Bryant, Idaho Power’s information technology delivery leader.

Previously, Idaho Power had utilized TELLUS, an ArcGIS-based software, which uses Oracle as its database. Idaho Power’s new open solution includes Oracle and ArcSDE as tools to organize and manage the migrated data set. The utility also wanted to be able to migrate some aspects of the TELLUS model. Thus, POWER recommended Miner & Miner’s ArcFM 8.1. Currently, approximately 20 Idaho Power employees are using ArcFM, and many others are using the Intranet capabilities of ArcIMS.

ArcFM allows the re-creation of the TELLUS model in an open environment that is readily configurable and useable in the new platform. In addition, ArcFM provides powerful utility-specific tools to support Idaho Power’s facility management and updating process. “Data is much more accessible in ArcFM. Its biggest benefit is that it allows for smoother integration between the different departments,” stated Bryant.

Throughout the implementation, POWER has been providing project management, geodatabase design and creation, data migration, custom interface programming, employee training, and system configuration services. POWER completed the development of the new data model and the migration of the utility’s facility data into ArcFM. Rollout is now underway. Idaho Power’s personnel are now saving time and money while obtaining more powerful and accurate information about their facilities and customers.

“The latest GIS migration project utilizes POWER’s core competency in utility engineering and GIS along with Miner & Miner’s ArcFM product to assist Idaho Power in responding more effectively to the competitive environment,” stated John Terry, POWER’s project manager. “Idaho Power will see cost savings in map production, data querying, engineering analysis, facilities maintenance, and operations management,” added Terry.

Idaho Power implemented a custom ArcIMS Web application, complete with custom data entry pages, to link every customer’s meter number to a transformer in the Oracle geodatabase. This application will be available to all Idaho Power support staff via their Intranet and will track all residential and business customers within Idaho Power’s service territory. In conclusion, Idaho Power is very pleased with the project’s software and implementation. “The combination of GIS map data and easy-to-use forms has created a very user-friendly posting tool for custom data queries by Idaho Power’s customer service staff. We are very pleased with the extra service we received,” stated Bryant.

About Miner & Miner

Miner & Miner (M&M) is a world leader in the development and implementation of geographic information system (GIS) software for utilities. M&M products and services assist electric, gas, water and wastewater utilities in increasing productivity, lowering costs, and improving services by allowing them to effectively manage spatial information. Founded in 1946 as a full-service electrical engineering firm, M&M has been an equity partner of ESRI since 1987. This partnership has enabled M&M to become the world’s leading developer of ArcGIS applications for the utility industry. M&M services include implementation and customization of software to fit the needs of individual utilities. For more information, please visit www.miner.com.

Designer, Responder, Conduit System Management, and DistOps are trademarks of Miner & Miner, Consulting Engineers, Inc.

About POWER Engineers

POWER Engineers, Inc. is a leading utility engineering firm specializing in electrical power transmission and distribution. Formed in 1976, POWER is an employee-owned company based in Hailey, Idaho, with offices throughout the United States. Now in its 25th year of operation, the company employs more than 700 people. POWER brings depth and expertise to power system projects in many disciplines—electrical, civil, structural, environmental, mechanical, communication, and GIS. POWER’s array of GIS services include migration to ArcGIS, application development, needs assessments, geodatabase design, cadastral mapping, data conversion, analysis, and training. POWER has been an ESRI business partner for nearly a decade. For more information, please visit www.powereng.com.

About Idaho Power Company

Idaho Power Company is an 82-year-old investor-owned utility providing electric service to nearly 400,000 residential and business customers throughout a 20,000-square-mile service territory in southern Idaho, eastern Oregon, and northern Nevada. The company owns and operates 17 hydroelectric plants on the Snake River and its tributaries and also has interest in three coal-fired generating stations. For more information, please visit www.idahopower.com.

About ESRI

For more than 30 years, ESRI has been the leading developer of GIS software with more than 300,000 clients worldwide. ESRI also provides consulting, implementation, and technical support services. In addition to its headquarters in California, ESRI has regional offices throughout the United States, international distributors in more than 90 countries, and more than 1,200 business partners. ESRI’s goal is to provide users with comprehensive tools to help them quickly and efficiently manage and use geographic information to make a real difference in the world around them. ESRI can be found on the Web at www.esri.com.

ESRI, the ESRI globe logo, GIS by ESRI, ArcGIS, ArcFM, ARC/INFO, ArcIMS, www.esri.com, and @esri.com are trademarks, registered trademarks, or service marks of ESRI in the United States, the European Community, or certain other jurisdictions. Other companies and products mentioned herein are trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective trademark owners.