“Increasing the efficiency of the staking process is the main goal in implementing StakeOut. This will let us connect customers faster,” said Bruce Maurhoff, Central Virginia Electric's engineering manager. Central Virginia's staking work load has increased in recent years, especially in summer, and StakeOut will help the utility keep up with the faster pace of demand, while delaying increased staffing costs.

“StakeOut's work order tracking will let us respond to customers more quickly and accurately when they ask about the status of a job. Central Virginia has three offices. Currently, moving work orders from one location to another can take several days. With StakeOut's server-based process, any location will be able to view and print any work order at anytime. We expect our work order-related paperwork to decrease significantly,” said Maurhoff.

Maurhoff continued, “StakeOut will use GPS and laser range finders to collect GIS ready data in the field and automate the updating of our new GIS. This is another area where StakeOut will enable us to maintain our current staff levels, even as we implement a more robust mapping program.” Central Virginia recently implemented an ESRI-based GIS.

Central Virginia Electric also plans to integrate StakeOut with its Daffron accounting system to give customers on-site cost estimates and create pick lists for warehousing.

Corey Maple, MiniMax Corp.'s president, said, “Central Virginia's project demonstrates the wide variety of ways StakeOut can help a utility improve customer service while keeping costs down. By providing total work order automation, from staking to construction to close out, StakeOut's potential to create savings and process improvements is huge.”
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