ADMS software enables utilities to enhance grid performance, respond to outages, and manage distributed energy resources. Utilities planning for or implementing an ADMS should partner with an experienced service provider who understands the landscape of solutions, ensuring scalability, compatibility, and reliability.
Address all stages of ADMS implementation with an experienced partner – from readiness consulting through OMS and ADMS software implementation, system integration, and continued maintenance and upgrade.
A common misconception within the utility industry is that the effort to implement an advanced distribution management system (ADMS) and related software requires an army of resources. Proper planning and readiness measures coupled with a focused team, knowledgeable in operational technology and its related systems and data, will enable your utility to implement ADMS in an efficient manner and take full advantage of its advanced capabilities for modern distribution grid management.
Services Overview
ADMS Deployment
Deploying an ADMS is a multistage, strategic process with requirements unique to the individual utility. UDC’s services support the entirety of your Outage Management System (OMS) and ADMS deployment, including all phases of Readiness, Data Refinement, Vendor Selection and Oversight, System Build, Network Modeling, Network Model Build, Integration, and Upgrade.
ADMS Benefits for Utilities
The key benefits of an ADMS for our utility clients include:
- Keeping the lights on – streamlined day-to-day grid management results in reliability.
- Shortened outage duration and scope for enhanced customer service.
- Managing the grid for efficiency through optimization – load profiles can be generated to monitor energy consumption.
- Optimized/automated switching of load to assets – ADMS determines when loads needs to be moved, so operators no longer need to make these decisions manually.
- Enabling distributed energy resource – DER (renewables) integration and management to the grid.
- Supporting utilities to reduce their carbon footprint.
Featured ADMS Service Offerings
UDC’s Grid Modernization team has consulted on numerous ADMS projects for utilities at all stages of planning and implementation.
Roadmap and Planning
ADMS Readiness Assessment
System Implementation Consulting
ADMS System Implementation
The UDC Grid Modernization team can expedite OMS and ADMS system implementation for your utility. We have the expertise to optimize and enhance your system as well as leverage legacy investments for fuller utilization and ROI.
OMS and ADMS System Build
To support good performance, modern ADMS products have been built or refactored to support separation of functions. This allows for better physical tuning of individual servers that comprise an ADMS deployment.
The system build process assures correct operating system patches and 3rd party libraries are on the servers that the ADMS modules require and that the ADMS modules are loaded on the allocated server(s).
It is important in this initial phase to verify that all services are functioning properly and are accessible to the enterprise for successful ADMS operation. UDC can help your utility get started on the right foot by working with your operation and information technologies (OT/IT) teams to perform the system build for your ADMS.
OMS and ADMS Network Modeling
Mapping of source data to your ADMS database
In order for the ADMS system modules to function properly, they must be fed the correct data. During the Network Modeling phase of system implementation, data sources are mapped primarily from the GIS, demand side management, asset management, and distribution planning to the vendor platform. Each ADMS vendor will have its own schema and data requirements. The network modeler provides the detailed layout and mapping instructions for the next phase of Network Model Build.
The UDC team has a strong background in modeling and experience with multiple ADMS vendors and platforms. We work with your GIS and Operations team members to export the required data and/or assist to default any missing data values identified during your current state data assessment. We have the understanding and background in both GIS and ADMS data to build out a comprehensive network model that supports full-fledged OMS and ADMS functionality.
OMS and ADMS Network Model Build
Database buildout and data loading
During the Network Model Build, the UDC Network Configuration Engineer utilizes the designate tools to convert the data mapped during the modeling phase from GIS and other sources to a format that can be consumed by the ADMS platform. The goal of this phase of ADMS system implementation is to build a complete and connected network model in the platform so that the ADMS applications deployed in subsequent phases can successfully run on the network.
Our Network Engineer works closely with the utility GIS team and Operations to ensure network connectivity and distribution application(s) have their required data fidelity. UDC will also work with your ADMS vendor to resolve any issues with the vendor specific extract/import tools. As with network data modeling, understanding of GIS data and ADMS required data, along with the various ADMS vendor platforms, is essential to a successful network model build that supports the myriad of advanced ADMS applications and modules.
OMS and ADMS Integrations
Primary component integrations
No OMS or ADMS system operates standalone; integration is required to ensure everything inside the system is functioning properly. Several integrations, including GIS and other interfaces, are part of the ADMS implementation activities. Interfaces commonly required include:
| OMS Integration | System Name(s) | Function |
|---|---|---|
| OMS < > Trouble Call | Trouble Call Management | Collects and analyzes customer trouble calls and reported outages, reports outage status back out. |
| OMS < > CIS | Customer Information System | Identifies customers affected by an outage, communicates restoration progress back out. |
| OMS < > SCADA | Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition | Enables remote monitoring and control of devices on the grid for failure or abnormal operation. |
| OMS < > AMI | Advance Metering Infrastructure | Communicates meter status back to the OMS. |
| OMS < > GIS | Geographic Information System | Provides required data to the OMS, outage/operations visualization, and spatial awareness. |
| ADMS Integration | System Name(s) | Function |
|---|---|---|
| ADMS < > Trouble Call | Trouble Call Management | Collects and analyzes customer trouble calls and reported outages, reports outage status back out. |
| ADMS < > CIS | Customer Information System | Trouble calls coming in, customer profiles coming in, outage impacts going out. |
| ADMS < > AMI | Advance Metering Infrastructure | Communicates meter status back to the ADMS. |
| ADMS < > GIS | Geographic Information System | Provides required data to the ADMS, outage/operations visualization and spatial awareness. |
| ADMS < EAM | Enterprise Asset Management | Provides asset nameplate and power system characteristics. |
| ADMS < DSM | Demand Side Management | Provides power flow results. |
| ADMS < P&C | Protections and Control | Communicates abnormal power system conditions for corrective action. |
| ADMS < DPS | Distribution Planning System | Provides usage information and peak customer loads. |
As a utility systems integrator, UDC will facilitate the various OT/IT groups and workstreams within your utility, work through OMS integrations, and engage stakeholders for coordination. We work to expand on what integrations your utility already has and enable underlying SCADA capabilities. We can assist with testing efforts and documentation, which can become complicated when several systems are involved.
Successful ADMS component integration will help to ensure fewer system outages and issues, streamlined system operation, better grid visibility with real-time information and consistent communications, more automation with less reliance on manual operations, and greater ROI at the time of implementation and in the future.
Organizational Change Management
Large-scale enterprise transformations can be challenging for any organization, and ADMS is no exception. UDC can support you in managing the transitional changes and adoption of the new ADMS technology by helping you develop and execute an effective organizational change management (OCM) strategy.
We understand that involving your end users throughout the implementation process generates support for the new technology and leads to a smoother adoption at deployment. Our approach begins with establishing your current state baseline by interviewing your employees to understand how they currently perform work and how they will be impacted by the change. We then assist with developing updated business process flow diagrams that identify users or groups by role. Finally, our training support can help identify any issues with using the technology before full deployment.
OMS and ADMS Software Upgrade and Maintenance
For utilities who have already made investments in ADMS to support their distribution grid operations, UDC can assist your software upgrade and ongoing maintenance needs, providing support to meet the specific goals of your organization. Our team is well versed in a variety of ADMS vendor platforms and applications.
Our upgrade and maintenance services include:
- Source GIS migrations from Esri’s geometric network to ArcGIS Utility Network (UN)
- In addition to providing UN migration services, we are here to provide GIS expertise in the ADMS network modeling and model build phases of your data source migration.
- Software Patches for your ADMS software components
- Data and application governance
- Testing and verification
- ADMS upgrade to current products / versions
- GIS extractor updates / upgrade
- Version testing and verification
Staying current with your ADMS software and applications will ensure vendor support and reduce security and cybersecurity risks for your enterprise.
Advanced Distribution Application Deployment
Most utilities will deploy their advanced distribution applications and modules according to the business release schedule identified in the planning stages of their ADMS implementation and based on the specific vendor and product selected. UDC understands the technology dependencies and key business value of logical application groupings. We can be a key advisor and resource to support your organization’s application deployments. As with the ADMS system implementation phases, we have the unique knowledge of utility business processes, technology, and the data they rely on to address the complexities of successful advanced distribution application ordering, deployment, and adoption supporting safer grid operations.
ADMS Integration with Business Systems
Further ADMS integration with your enterprise business systems will enhance operations and customer service and help to support automation, asset management, and reliability for your utility. These integrations will ultimately yield a higher return on your ADMS investment for your organization.
Key business systems and ADMS integrations include:
- Work Management System
- Mobile Workforce Management
- Enterprise Resource Planning
- Enterprise Asset Management
- Advanced Metering Infrastructure
- Distributed Energy Resources Management System
- Graphic Work Design
The UDC team has experience associated with enterprise utility integrations, technologies, and applications supporting Energy Delivery Resource Management (EDRM), as referenced within the diagram below.
A Well-Integrated OMS is Crucial
Integrating real-time and historical data optimizes asset management and increases reliability.
EDRM Portfolio
Integrations across utility LOBs achieve greater digital ROIs around productivity and performance optimization.
