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Shockingly Great:�The Many Uses of ODK at GPL

Vijay Datadin

Div. Director – Information Technology

Guyana Power & Light Inc

vdatadin@gplinc.com

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Guyana Power & Light Inc

  • Main electric utility in Guyana
  • Serves 90% of the population
  • 230,000 customers

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The problem: paper-based information flows

  • Computerised systems used but initial data capture often on paper
  • Information flow is slow, prone to transcription errors, manipulation, etc.
  • Reports generally monthly, varied in accuracy from delays and handoff-errors
  • Basedata often out-of-date; so field checks always needed for routine work like transformer installations

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Fast, Structured, Digital, Spatial Data

  • One solution could be a sophisticated work management system with two way information flow!
    • $$$$$, special devices, change in work processes, need lots of time to implement
  • Or use ODK to digitalise field data capture
    • $, retail phones, overlay existing processes, little time to get running

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The System

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The Many Uses

  • Meter installation/ investigation
  • Fault response
  • Network condition inspections
  • Network expansion surveys
  • Network asset-inventory
  • Generation station reports
  • Outage reports
  • Renewables inventory
  • Community surveys

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What Outcomes for GPL?

  • Same form(s) in use from Anna Regina to Corriverton for consistent, comprehensive datasets
  • Inexpensive device already in users’ pockets. Quick. Convenient.
  • Data directly from each source. Via one method. In one place.
  • Structured (tabular), geospatial, digital data swiftly, independently available to all supervisors, managers, executives at same time
  • Data can readily go to multiple systems of record.

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Fault Response

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Fault Response

  • Task completion reports are always up-to-date
  • Call Centre staff say it’s easier to do their job maintaining records
  • Invoicing by fault response contractors easily checked for accuracy
  • Maps help long term analysis

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Metering

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Renewables

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Shockingly Great:�The Many Uses of ODK at GPL

Vijay Datadin

Div. Director – Information Technology

Guyana Power & Light Inc

vdatadin@gplinc.com