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Information Systems ~ Keeping LVMWD ConnectedCOMPUTER technology recreates itself almost daily. There’s new software, new hardware, and new ideas everywhere. Water providers increasingly rely on evolving technology for a multitude of daily functions; monitoring and controlling water production, water distribution, and wastewater treatment; customer information, service orders, and billing; and financial information. Keeping up with this exponential growth, managing an ever-growing internal computer network, and providing district-wide computer support keeps LVMWD’s five member Information Systems (IS) team busy. In less than two decades, LVMWD’s Information Systems have evolved from a single PC in engineering and a "mini-system" for billing into the current system of 100 networked PCs district-wide, a wide area network to connect multiple sites and an AS/400 for enterprise management software. The result is more reliable water and wastewater systems and greater efficiency for customers and district staff. SCADA AND CIS One important responsibility of the IS team is the SCADA (Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition) program. An automated computer system linked to mechanical elements of the water systems, SCADA provides instant access to track and analyze what’s happening in any part of the water and wastewater systems, any time and from anywhere. This is important in daily operations, but is critical in those situations that require immediate action, when time matters most. As an example of continuing changes and improvements implemented by IS, a new Customer Information System (CIS) has just been installed, which is at the core of services to the district’s more than 20,000 customers. CIS provides information on customers, generates and tracks service calls, prints bills, keeps a record of all customer contacts, meter installations and locations, and meter readings. The new CIS saves time and provides a more complete customer record. It enables the district’s service representatives to more quickly access and organize customer data, resulting in more complete and timely information for customer service. COMPUTER TECHNOLOGY Computer technology reaches every facet of district operations and administration. Internally, the IS team supports finance and administrative staff in accounting, accounts payable, inventory, payroll, and human resources. The IS team provides technical assistance to get the most out of software, help dig out data, organize information, and generate and update reports. This can be quite complex with LVMWD’s variety of locations and staff responsibilities. To ensure a stable computer environment, the IS team monitors ongoing updates for virus protection, software, e-mail and Internet services, and software and hardware troubleshooting. On a day-to-day basis, they address user problems ranging from “my mouse doesn’t work”, to analyzing the best approach to track water quality data. IS is a vital function in any business, but perhaps even more so when it’s part of LVMWD’s ongoing, 24-hour service to provide water to tens of thousands of people. Often un-noticed, the IS team has a significant role in the quality and reliability of services provided by LVMWD | |||||||||
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