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AWWA ACE54486
- Understanding the Benefits of Technology Planning: A Case Study of the Sanitary District of Decatur
- Conference Proceeding by American Water Works Association, 06/01/2001
- Publisher: AWWA
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The goal of Technology Planning is to answer the question, "How can controls and information technology help this utility achieve it's business/strategic goals?" Starting with a careful examination of the utility's business goals and strategies, the next step involves a thorough review of the business processes and the current level of technology being utilized by the utility. The technology plan then presents off-the-shelf proven solutions, budgetary cost estimates, and project schedules based upon the client's priorities, needs, and fiscal restraints. A close study of the Sanitary District of Decatur, Illinois, illustrates the benefit of utilizing the technology plan, which examined all of the District's existing systems. The plan then examined which of those systems could be integrated so that information could be shared between departments, helping management to make better plant operating decisions. Once implemented, Technology Planning helped the District to understand the type of controls and information technology available to the industry, and the costs to implement such technologies. The District was given suggestions for how information technology could help them achieve their business goals. The plan set forth several different projects to be implemented over a 5 year period. Further, the plan established project budgets so that the District could plan for the changes. The District continues to implement projects, which were recommended in the plan. Projects currently implemented include: plant wide LAN, hardware and software standardization, TPPC system upgrade, computerized maintenance management software, laboratory information software, electronic O&M manuals, and web browser technologies. Includes figures.