ABSTRACT
Geospatial technologies are a core component of operational processes and applications. They have evolved to become a true enterprise system, extending from meager map digitization to meaningful geospatial information system (GIS), to a valuable data resource that crosses many enterprise applications. GIS for utilities has become a business-critical technology, supporting operations as the "system of truth" for the grid. Detailed design of the electrical network is a category at the heart of the geospatial smart grid. These analysis and optimization systems, often including design layout tools, are critical components for designing robust networks. One of the changes with smart grid is the addition of a communications network to the electric grid—a truly smart grid is as much about information flows as electron flows. Even though workforce management software has been a separate category, managed by a different group in the utility and provided by a different set of vendors, it is included because of the strong geospatial link.
