CIMdata PLM Industry Summary Online Archive
16 November 2005
Product News
Autodesk Utility Design Now Certified for SAP® Solution Integration
Autodesk, Inc. announced the Autodesk Utility Design (AUD) solution now integrates directly with SAP R/3® Enterprise 4.7. Infrastructure designers from electric, gas, water, and other utilities who use the AUD solution to automate the planning, engineering and design process can now access valuable customer data from SAP systems and eliminate the need to manually re-enter information. By creating, managing and sharing accurate system design, customer and location information, design and engineering teams and field crews can realize ideas for efficient, cost-effective development and expansion of utility services. The integration with SAP R/3® Enterprise 4.7 is via the SAP Product Management interface (CA-PLM) and its certified Work Order Interface 1.0.
Projects such as new subdivisions and conversion to underground power lines can impact large numbers of consumers and the progress of construction and commerce. With a link between SAP and AUD systems, accurate, up-to-date customer data-from subdivision location to existing service infrastructure-can be quickly and easily integrated into design, engineering, and cost-estimating tasks for all forms of residential, commercial, and industrial utility infrastructure, as well as system maintenance and budget work-orders. Electrical layout, engineering, material ordering, modeling, and cost estimating are automated in order to generate complete construction work orders.
"Utility systems designers must juggle factors from industry regulations to city building codes, existing system design and function, and fluctuating consumer demand," said Chris Bradshaw, vice president of Autodesk. "Autodesk is committed to helping customers make the most of a wealth of customer, location and physical infrastructure data. The interface between AUD and SAP gives designers a new way to use that information and focus on responding to customer requirements, instead of transferring data from one system to another."
Earlier this year Autodesk hosted a Utilities Roundtable with utility operators from around the country to discuss recent trends in the industry. Participants concluded that technology will play an even greater role in rapid expansion, exploration of new power supplies and operational efficiencies that could be passed on to consumers in the form of a slower pace of rate increases.
Utility Solutions From Autodesk
Autodesk helps utilities solve critical business challenges by providing comprehensive solutions that incorporate best-in-class technology with value-added consulting services. For more information, visit http://www.autodesk.com/utilities .
Become a member of the CIMdata PLM Community to receive your daily PLM news and much more.
Tell us what you think of the CIMdata Newsletter. Send your feedback.
CIMdata is committed to your privacy. Your personal information will never be sold or shared outside of CIMdata without your express permission.