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- Avista makes IVMS a central component in its vegetation management operation
Avista makes IVMS a central component in its vegetation management operation
Avista is a leading utility provider based in Spokane, Washington that serves more than 400,000 customers across 30,000 square miles with roughly 8,000 line miles. Three years ago, Avista partnered with AiDASH to enhance their vegetation management efforts using the Intelligent Vegetation Management System™ (IVMS).
Avista’s location in the Pacific Northwest means it deals with and needs to be prepared for many extremes, including heavy storms and frequent wildfires.
___________________The Problem: A pressing need to modernize operations.
Avista’s previous vegetation management approach relied on a traditional cycle-based system that was increasingly outdated and inefficient. Older software was cumbersome, susceptible to user errors, and lacked the granularity they needed to make precise decisions. Additionally, the utility industry’s shift towards wildfire resiliency placed more pressure on Avista to adopt advanced methods for managing vegetation in wildfire-vulnerable areas.
Key challenges included:
- Outdated technology: Avista’s previous work management software was slow to adapt , lacked GIS integration, and made it difficult to track data precisely.
- High risk of errors: User errors in data capture could have a significant impact on operational efficiency and safety.
- Lack of visibility: Limited real-time tracking and analysis capabilities slowed field operations and led to inefficient resource allocation.
- Need for wildfire resiliency: There was an urgent need to strengthen wildfire mitigation efforts with a more data-driven approach, especially as traditional fieldwork became less viable.
The Solution: A powerful software platform and a single source of truth.
In response to these challenges, Avista adopted AiDASH IVMS in 2021. The integration process has been gradual and aimed at addressing Avista’s specific needs:
- Satellite integration: The core of IVMS lies in its satellite-first technology. It provided Avista with the ability to monitor vegetation in a cost-effective and remote way, reducing reliance on traditional field assessments.
- Unified platform: IVMS served as a single, web-based solution that brought together multiple data sources, allowing crews to access up-to-date and accurate information daily.
- Training and collaboration: Avista’s development team worked closely with AiDASH to customize IVMS to their operational needs. The involvement of contractor teams in the implementation process ensured that those directly using the system were actively contributing feedback and driving adoption.
- Change management: AiDASH played a key role in the transition, guiding Avista through the shift from traditional methods to a more tech-driven approach. Training focused on helping crews understand that AI was there to augment their work, not replace it.
Impact: Transformation across the vegetation management organization.
The introduction of IVMS led to several positive outcomes for Avista::
- Operational efficiency: The transition to a web-based platform enabled real-time monitoring of crews and operations, greatly enhancing coordination and resource management.
- Reduced errors: The switch to IVMS reduced the potential for user errors during data collection, making operations smoother and more reliable.
- Wildfire resilience: IVMS’s satellite analytics allowed Avista to identify high-risk areas more effectively, improving wildfire mitigation planning and reducing the need for extensive manual inspections.
- Data integration and visibility: The platform’s ability to incorporate GIS data into fieldwork provided Avista with better clarity and real-time information, allowing for faster decision-making and more accurate vegetation management.
- User adoption: With contract crews directly involved in the development and training process, adoption rates increased, and the teams gained confidence in using the new system, reducing resistance to change.
Avista’s partnership with AiDASH has transformed their approach to vegetation management, setting new benchmarks for the organization. The implementation of the IVMS platform not only streamlined operations but also elevated Avista’s wildfire resiliency efforts.
By investing in technology that empowers teams and enhances visibility, Avista has demonstrated a commitment to modernizing its operations while ensuring safety and efficiency. The success of this initiative showcases the potential of AI and satellite-driven solutions to revolutionize vegetation management, enabling Avista to meet the challenges of the future head-on.
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About AiDASH
AiDASH is an AI-first vertical SaaS company on a mission to transform operations, maintenance, and sustainability in industries with geographically distributed assets by using satellites and AI at scale. With access to a continual, near-real-time stream of critical data, utilities, energy, transportation, water and wastewater, and other core industries can make more informed decisions and build optimized long-term plans, all while reducing costs, improving reliability, and achieving sustainability goals. To learn more about how AiDASH is helping core industries become more resilient, efficient, and sustainable, visit www.aidash.com.
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