Outlook for the utlility network infrastrucutre in the City of Salzburg, Austria

The objectives of this project may be split between three levels. On the first level, policy-relevant stipulations are integrated into decisions on extension of the network infrastructure under municipal planning. On the second level, strategic issues for medium term extension planning of the network infrastructures of the municipal utility, Salzburg AG, are addressed. These provide the basis for decisions to be taken on the third level, which is asset management. The general objective of all these decisions is to prepare an integrated future concept for 2025 for structural optimization of the mains-borne energy supplies of the City of Salzburg under consideration of urban planning, which is in effect a road map for energy policy.
The project was awarded the "Daphne - Spirit of Environment" in bronze by the Bohmann publishing group. 

Optimization of business practices 2008, FairEnergie GmbH, Germany
Under the IT Roadmap GPO 2008 Project, structured system concepts for focus topics identified in a quick check were prepared. The focus topics included asset management, workforce management and support to mobile employees. They are the basis for a subsequent implementation of systems for supporting these topics. Key steps were a structured survey of technical requirements throughout the relevant processes and an appraisal of improvement potentials. IT reqirements were derived accordingly and matched to the IT infrastructure. The project also included formulation of technical solutions with comparison of options. A general concept was drawn up as the starting point for implementing the focus topics. In parallel, working practices were analyzed to prepare recommendations for improving the focus process “Site measurements and billing of civil engineering services”.

Planning and recording data acquisition workflow, E.ON Bayern AG, Germany
For this project for data acquisition in the client’s LV and MV systems, a survey is made of the required information while the necessary processes and conditions are defined, with preparation of relevant tools and documents. Together with the client, procedures and documents for project implementation and steering are defined and structured. These include time-tables, acquisition guidelines, staff training, budgetary control, bills of quantity, and QA procedures, as well as compiling manuals for in-company and external project participants.
Fichtner IT Consulting provides ongoing support for putting the defined procedures and structures into practice.

IT strategies in line with actual practice for network operators, SWU Netze GmbH, Germany
Regulation is resulting in fundamental changes of the economic framework and freedom to configure business procedures when operating supply networks. Fichtner IT Consulting is analyzing and developing sustainable IT strategies for network operators to provide effective support of operating and planning tasks. For the SWU Netze GmbH, IT requirements were compiled on the basis of business practices and assessed under relevant performance indicators, for example, profitability and suitability for integrating add-on solutions. The network operator can now apply a strategy with recommendations over the short, medium and long terms for raising process efficiency and the basic information needed for supporting day-to-day control activities and taking decisions.

Concept for E- Mobilization, swb Netze GmbH & Co.KG, Bremen, Germany
To optimize the methods and procedures organization with a lasting increase in efficiency, the network utility introduced a mobile workplace, for which the organizational and technical conditions were defined on the basis of the processes to be supported, and these were put together to form a general concept.

Strategy Infrastructure Data Management, DB Netz AG, Germany

DB Netz AG is responsible for the safe and reliable operation of a rail network of over 34,000 km. To fulfill this task, a wide range of IT systems run in the company divisions, each selected and operated on the basis of specific technical requirements. Because of the different way these model the network and their varying quality requirements, it is difficult to implement enterprise wide utilization and centralized provision of the relevant data.
Fichtner IT Consulting supported DB Netz AG in designing a general concept for management of the network infrastructure data. The objectives of the package were standardization, quality assurance and enterprise wide provision of all relevant infrastructure data, to optimally meet technical, economical and legal requirements.
The project encompassed a weakpoint analysis; identification and survey of the stakeholders; assessment of current procedures, systems and interfaces in outline; drawing up a prioritized plan of action; and preparing a proposal for a functional organization. The project resulted in a specific recommendation for action, together with an evaluated implementation schedule.

Review of IT concept and organization, Tuttlingen District Authority, Germany
On behalf of Tuttlingen District Authority, Fichtner IT Consulting AG prepared an expert appraisal on the economic performance of the IT installations. This indicated that there was a need to take action over the short to medium term for optimization of services and operation as well as for further development of the technical platform. To implement the recommendations, Fichtner IT Consulting supported the District Authority by coaching in methodology and technology in the areas of IT services and operation, further development of the technical platform, and IT controlling and economic performance.

Software selection and implementation support with portfolio management at Stadtwerke Rostock AG, Germany

In order to support structured procurement, a portfolio management system is being introduced at the municipal utility Stadtwerke Rostock AG. Fichtner IT Consulting was contracted as an external consultant on account of its many years of experience in the fields of portfolio management, software selection and implementation support. In the first phase of the project, our experts performed an analysis of the requirements for the portfolio management system on the basis of a study of the operational processes in the trading department; recorded the processes and defined the architecture and functional requirements. In addition, Stadtwerke Rostock AG received comprehensive support with the competitive bidding process, from drawing up of the tender documents through to bid evaluation and steps preparatory to decision-making. After the selection process has been completed, the implementation of the selected system will likewise be supported by our consultants.

Consolidation of IT systems, Nuremberg City Administration, Germany
As part of re-centralization of individual tasks in the IT sector, Nuremberg City Council conducted a project for the consolidation of the IT systems, with the key aims of reducing capital and operating costs while raising the reliability of the information and communication systems and enhancing the quality of service for the recipients. The savings potential resulting from the consolidation of the IT systems was quantified in a pre-project feasibility study as about one million euros per annum, amounting to around 5% of the Council’s total IT costs.

Strategy for IT operation, DB Netz AG, Germany

DB Netz AG provides information systems for the infrastructure of the entire rail network. We have for many years successfully supported DB Netz AG with the design, development and upgrade of these systems. In order to meet new requirements and maintain the existing quality and level of customer satisfaction, DB Netz AG contracted us to develop a strategy for the future operation management concept. In the course of this multi-stage project, information on the existing infrastructure and current operation management situation was first of all collected and documented. The initial situation was documented and evaluated on the basis of the structures of the ITIL (IT Infrastructure Library) standards framework. In agreement with the German rail operator, possible operation scenarios were discussed and defined. The scenarios were then analyzed in several dimensions (costs, personnel, quality, etc.) and evaluated on the basis of the ITIL framework. Building on this analysis, our experts drew up a recommendation for the further course of action.

Process analysis and project management of network documentation, development of an IT strategy, municipal utility München Versorgungs GmbH, Germany

Munich Municipal Utility has decided to develop an integrated system of network documentation. In order to guarantee the success of the project, Fichtner was commissioned to provide support with the entire process of project implementation. A key element of our work involved technical and economic optimization, which, with unchanged quality standards, resulted in a significant reduction of investment costs and ongoing follow-on costs. In addition, our experts developed a strategy for effective IT support of the business processes within the network. All measures are aimed at implementing the requirements of unbundling in the energy sector in a manner which will result in an optimal outcome for the company.

Review of existing situation with regard to technical IT systems, E.ON Energie AG, Germany

As the result of the fusion of different companies, E.ON Energie AG had heterogeneous systems and data which it now intended to merge for common use. On the basis of an analysis of the currently operated systems, Fichtner Consulting & IT prepared a feasibility study for E.ON Energie AG, the focus being on maintenance of the existing systems in order to guarantee the security of previous investments.