Power/Utilities

If not already done, Power/Utilities organizations should focus on updating their configuration information from analog to digital, increasing the speed and efficiencies of operations. Power/Utilities organizations should also regularly update software and hardware to maintain efficiency and help prevent risks of being targeting due to outdated software and systems. There are many cutting-edge technologies that can be deployed to help improve operational efficiencies at Power/Utilities organizations, such as those from QED National’s valued partners Commvault, ServiceNow, Splunk, Check Point, Veracode, Schneider Electric, etc.

IT asset management (ITAM) can be defined as tracking and management of IT assets to ensure that all assets are properly used, maintained, upgraded and disposed of at the end of their respective lifecycles, applying to both hardware and software assets.

Power/Utilities organization’s leverage asset management to manage critical assets (IT and OT), tracking age, usage, maintenance history and a range of other variables. Asset performance management (APM) enhances asset management, with data analytics, condition monitoring and predictive maintenance, to support better operational decisions.

Many Power/Utilities systems were established before digital technologies were widely used to track, monitor and improve assets critical to the operations of Power/Utilities organizations. The capability to collect real-time data and instantly compare it to past performances or similar systems provides a tremendous benefit for Power/Utilities organizations, improving standard processes and maintenance but also giving better insight into future performance of critical systems and infrastructure.

The success of IT projects are dependent on a number of varying factors and capabilities. At the base level, there needs to be clear and effective lines of communications between the client and vendor, ensuring both parties are on the same page from a time, budget, and desired impact standpoint. Both parties should have qualified individuals in place to respectively perform and approve the work required, ensuring the project’s intended goals are being met. IT projects should also move through proper stages/milestones to ensure success at each step in the project’s lifecycle. Common controls to ensure success include but are not limited to: testing, quality assurance, compliance, knowledge transfer, training, etc.