SAN RAFAEL, Calif., Dec 07, 2010 (BUSINESS WIRE) --

Autodesk, Inc. (NASDAQ:ADSK), a world leader in 3D design, engineering and entertainment software, today announced that Okaloosa Gas, a private utility serving over 37,000 customers in four counties in northern Florida, has implemented Autodesksoftware to help them better plan, design, build and manage their natural gas transmission and distribution infrastructure. With more complete and accurate planning and design information now available across the utility, Okaloosa Gas can manage their gas distribution network more effectively.

"From the onset, we have been impressed with Autodesk as a business partner to us on all fronts--technology, sales, and consulting," said Deeter Smith, GIS Administrator, Okaloosa Gas District. "Autodesk's strength in design technology and their understanding of our utility business processes were key factors in choosing them as a partner. Autodesk's solution allowed us to improve the accuracy and availability of our planning, design and as-built asset information; share more accurate geospatial and customer information with the field; and more easily generate key reports for all of our departments."

"Autodesk's approach is to provide our utility customers with an open, standards-based solution so they can more easily and accurately plan, design and implement a complete model of their networks," said Paul McRoberts, senior director, Infrastructure Modeling Product Line Group, AEC solutions division for Autodesk. "Autodesk believes that maintaining the accuracy and completeness of the asset data initially established in the planning and design process throughout the asset life cycle is critically important to the success of utilities like Okaloosa Gas, especially as they roll out new systems across departments and service areas."

Complete Solution

Okaloosa Gas took a phased approach to improving the quality and availability of its natural gas transmission and distribution asset data. First, they transitioned from paper maps to AutoCAD-based digital maps--enabling them to improve data accuracy and quality. By using AutoCAD Map 3D software, Okaloosa was able to incorporate a broad variety of spatial data including utility, road, cadastral, topographic, environmental, and image data. With Autodesk MapGuide software providing more secure access, a broader set of users can access spatial and network data, including marketing employees who need access to the data for tasks such as notifying customers about planned outages.

"By allowing field personnel access to a secured Autodesk MapGuide site, they can better plan their day, find the job location, and access relevant gas system information. That helps to increase their productivity and makes their jobs easier," said Jeremy Maines, IT manager at Okaloosa Gas.

After completing the first phase of the project and improving the quality of its data, Okaloosa Gas implemented Autodesk Topobase software to help them turn better data into better information. With Topobase, users can link to various other databases and build interfaces with other systems such as SunGard CIS and accounting applications. Using consolidated information, the team assists in financial planning and operational needs assessments, helping the utility provide more comprehensive improvement and compliance reports.

"Topobase is an enabler to our analytical and reporting needs. With all of this information in a single data model, we can pull valuable information together and report on things such as length of pipe, size, type and condition. We can even identify the number of active and inactive customers by cycle and route. We can generate cathodic protection reports and pipeline integrity reports--helping us to positively impact the safety of the system, our customer base and the general public," said Smith.

Outcome

In little less than a year, Okaloosa Gas has been able to make the corrections to the maps and data--helping to improve accuracy and integrity. During this time, the utility has also generated various spatial reports for outage management, active customer information, and project planning.

About Okaloosa Gas District

Okaloosa Gas District (Inc) is a private company categorized under Natural Gas Transmission and Distribution and located in Fort Walton Beach, FL. Okaloosa Gas District was chartered in 1954 as an independent special district of the State of Florida, with member cities of Crestview, Niceville, Valparaiso and Fort Walton Beach. Okaloosa Gas services 37,000 customers through 352 miles of transmission and high pressure distribution, 1564 miles of gas distribution, and 1293 miles of service lines.

About Autodesk

Autodesk, Inc. is a leader in 3D design, engineering and entertainment software. Customers across the manufacturing, architecture, building, construction, and media and entertainment industries -- including the last 15 Academy Award winners for Best Visual Effects -- use Autodesk software to design, visualize and simulate their ideas. Since its introduction of AutoCAD software in 1982, Autodesk continues to develop the broadest portfolio of state-of-the-art software for global markets. For additional information about Autodesk, visit www.autodesk.com.

Autodesk, AutoCAD, Autodesk MapGuide and Topobase are registered trademarks or trademarks of Autodesk, Inc., and/or its subsidiaries and/or affiliates in the USA and/or other countries. Academy Award is a registered trademark of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences. All other brand names, product names or trademarks belong to their respective holders. Autodesk reserves the right to alter product and services offerings, and specifications and pricing at any time without notice, and is not responsible for typographical or graphical errors that may appear in this document.

© 2010 Autodesk, Inc.All rights reserved.

SOURCE: Autodesk, Inc.

Autodesk
Brett Smith, 415-547-2405
brett.smith@autodesk.com