AstroSoft of an APCS

Automated control system for technology accession to power supply networks

AstroSoft has the solution on automation of process of acceptance and processing of requests for technology accession to the electric networks in the asset. A system is implemented in two options: on the platform MS SharePoint or 1C. An APCS can be integrated into already existing management system for process of technology accession.

Perspective

Processing of requests for technology accession to networks of power supply — a labor-consuming task for any distribution grid company. It is connected with the fact that at stages of the organization of accession packets of diverse documents form: requests for technology accession with a set of registration documents of the applicant, specifications and tasks, agreements, related documents (schemes, calculations, drawings), acts of technology accession. The similar document package may contain more than 100 sheets. The staff of different divisions of the network organization needs access to this documentation: department on technology accession, contractual, financial, analytical and technical departments.

Fig. 1. General scheme of processing of the request for TP

Work planning with requests, tracking of the movement of documents on divisions, monitoring of execution of works, etc. should be performed at the scheduled time regularly. It is caused by the fact that the procedure of technology accession is performed according to requirements of "Rules of technology connection of the power accepting devices" ^[1] which accurately regulate time frames of process. The quality of rendering services to the population in view of their high social and economic importance is controlled by government institutions. For this reason for the management of distribution company it is required to have up-to-date and reliable information about accomplishment of requests as in real time, and for the selected period.

Solution

The APCS developed AstroSoft automates work of personnel on management, control and accounting in the course of registration, processings and storages of requests.

Fig. 2. Purposes and problems of an APCS

APCS on MS SharePoint

The solution is implemented on the Microsoft SharePoint Server 2010 platform. The choice is caused by the fact that this platform can serve as the general point of collection of information from different corporate systems (1C, SQL and other DB, ERP and the CRM system, federal data sources). In some cases completion depending on the used information source is required.

In an APCS as the data warehouse the Microsoft SQL Server is used. A system is integrated with different electronic archives (the specification, terms of reference, agreements, etc.), reference books by partners, the systems of accounting, systems of accounting of the power equipment, etc.

The developed system has no analogs for distribution companies where process of registration and processing of the request includes a set of types of requests, routes and stages, requires approval and work of a large number of internal divisions and adjacent organizations. AstroSoft has experience of scaling of an APCS on a branch network.

APCS on 1C

APCS based on 1C can be implemented in two ways:

Fig. 3. Sales opportunities of an APCS based on 1C

Functionality of a system

A system supports routing of the request in processing, the organization of document flow, tracking of regulations of processing of requests. An APCS allows:

• Register and process different types of requests for accession
• Configure routing depending on request type
• Trace regulations of execution of works on each stage of a route of passing of the request
• Separate informational and functional filling of a system depending on a role of the user
• Enter data in the request depending on a role of the user
• Put documents in electronic form to the request
• Appoint executives in charge according to the specific request depending on a work stage
• Fix the history of actions according to requests, turning-on information on the operator of change, date and time of change, the description of change
• To quickly trace provision and control of accomplishment of the request
• Carry out analytical work and create reports

Fig. 4. Functionality of an APCS

Features of an APCS

• The document, but not a task is the cornerstone of process
• A possibility of approval in each block depending on the entered data
• Possibility of copying and binding of similar requests
• Return of the request to the initiator for collecting of additional data. After data preparation the request returns to a stage from which it was transferred (it is not necessary to pass again all cycle)
• Routes are based on organizational and role structure
• An opportunity to attach additional documents in electronic form (decrease in dependence on paper document flow that significantly reduces terms of processing of the request)
• A possibility of status monitoring of the request in real time (ensuring transparency of process and increase in employee performance)

Fig. 5. Results of implementation of an APCS

The complex of functional solutions providing the necessary depth of automation

Components of this complex are intended for:

Fig. 6. Problems which are solved by a complex of functional solutions for an APCS

Electronic TU-TZ

The subsystem automates a part of work of staff of technical unit and the block of economic evaluation and also is basis for the subsequent analytics of technical and economic performances of process. The subsystem gives the chance:

• determine by the developer of specifications - the main quality and quantity characteristics of structure of the works performed by the network company (works on construction or reconstruction cable, overhead power transmission lines, transformer substations and other network objects);
• fix communications between the works planned according to different requests for TP;
• the subsequent automatic formation of the text of specifications on the basis of the entered parameters and document templates entered into the system;
• to automatically calculate the cost of the agreement according to the order of regulating authority of the power (at the standardized rate, at the rate for unit of the maximum power, on a discount fare);
• to automatically estimate the cost of these works on the basis of specific cost indexes of construction.

Fig. 7. Problems which are solved by a subsystem "Electronic TU-TZ"

Using the calculated cost of the agreement and value assessment of works, the subsystem creates preliminary information on profitability or unprofitability of the considered technical solution and informs the employee creating specifications on need of optimization of the selected technical solution.

The subsystem "Electronic TU-TZ" helps to analyze the planned load of network objects. Thanks to fixation of communications between structures of works at the initial stage planning process of targeted investment program significantly becomes simpler. It is possible due to formation of optimal blocks of works for contract organizations.

Mobile workplace of the head

The solution you provide visualization of qualitative indexes of works on accession and rendering of services. It represents the information center obtaining the data which are stored in an APCS and systems, adjacent to it, and preparing visual representation of final information online and also for a certain interval of time.

The solution visualizes the following indicators of operational activity:

• The number of the accepted requests, requests with an incomplete set of documents, the requests which came back from other services, the cancelled requests
• The number of the agreements issued for the signature, signed, delayed and terminated
• Average term of agreement signature and execution of contractual commitments

Data are presented in the form of the evident charts and diagrams allowing:

• make selection of information for different intervals of time (year, quarter, month, week, day)
• browse the current distribution of requests by structural divisions and generally on the company.
• limit area of the analysis to the specific territory.
• obtain up-to-date information about the number of agreements on connection by capacities and the total connected power for the selected time frame.

The solution is implemented on the Microsoft Windows 8 platform and can be used on mobile devices and desktop computers that does it convenient for use in any place and at any time.

Personal account website of the electric grid company

The website serves for registration of addresses for the purpose of submission of requests for technology connection to networks of the electric grid company.

Registration in a personal account is made on the basis of the electronic request. The user fills a form set samples and adds necessary documents in the JPG, PDF format. The request comes to the workflow system. If in the request are absent / necessary fields are not specified, there is a possibility of sending from the workflow system of necessary requests. These requests will be broadcast in a personal account and duplicated on e-mail of the client.

After the end of reconciliation procedure of the request for technology connection the notification of the client about a possibility of signing of documents at office of the company of the electric grid company is made. This procedure is optional and can be configured at the request of the customer. In addition other methods of the notification of clients, for example, SMS services can be implemented.

Data which are not required for a personal account are stored in the workflow system. It allows to minimize responsibility on the party of the website. At data transmission from the website in EDMS check on a malicious code which can contain in the sent documents is made. The HTTPS protocol and authorization on IP and the mac-address is used.

Examination AstroSoft

1. The company has unique experience of development and deployment of the solutions which are based on the platform Microsoft SharePoint and 1C.

2. SharePoint developers have specializations:

• MCTS SharePoint 2010 Developer,
• MCTS Microsoft Office SharePoint Server 2010 Application Developer,
• MCTS Microsoft Office SharePoint Server 2010 Configuration,
• MCTS WSS 3.0 Application Developer.

3. Extensive experience of integration with different data sources: • SAP R/3 • 1C • Oracle Db, MS SQL • Microsoft Office.

4. Profound knowledge of architecture of the different systems that allows to avoid errors at implementation of an APCS.

5. Own staff of the business analysts necessary for high-quality inspection and development of terms of reference on completion or solution development.

6. Experience of development of the subsystems and APCS blocks necessary for the customer (electronic TU-TZ, investment program, Personal account website, mobile workplace of the head, etc.).

Notes