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 Outage Management System (OMS), to identify the source of outages quickly and disseminate accurate information to crew, customers, managers, and social media outlets.
The OMS integrates with customer information systems (CIS), meters (AMI), mapping (GIS), and SCADA to assemble a complete outage picture. It also comes with a mobile application for crews (WorkPal) so they get instant, accurate information and can provide timely updates.
Customer communication – keeping customers informed during service interruptions is a primary concern for the modern OMS. The DataVoice solution offers multiple ways for customers to interact. They can call into the IVR, send a text, log into a mobile app, or simply visit the utilities' website to report an outage and get status updates.
The OMS 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, increased FEMA reporting, 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 with numerous different metering (AMI) systems. Utilities can assess meter status at individual service locations or down-line from a specific device. In some case, staff can 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 can result 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 different AVL systems. This allows staff to identify the closest crew so they can minimize response time and improve customer service.
Mapping Integration
One of the most essential integrations for a full-fledged OMS is the integration to mapping or GIS. DataVoice can help utilities translate their GIS or CAD data into meaningful maps available to the entire utility, both online and offline.
GIS Publisher
The DataVoice GIS Publisher taps into the utility’s mapping data and extracts the information essential for outage management. Publisher integrates with common GIS tools including ESRI, CAD, 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 module called Outage Replay to reenact 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 automatically. In many cases, we can detect hardware and software issues and intervene before it becomes a larger problem. DataVoice support is available 24/7.
