"Barrie Hydro is an excellent example of how enterprise GIS can be leveraged for managing complex networks and the assets that comprise their business," said Mr. Houweling. "The consolidation of all of their asset information has improved the organization's ability to make better informed decisions about their assets."

Barrie Hydro is implementing an enterprise data model that will capture asset and network information to support various business requirements throughout the organization. The approach is based on a phased implementation with the technology and data as the foundation which can support future applications such as design and cost estimates, outage management, schematic representations, work management, and field data access and collection.

Phase one of the implementation is an enterprise geodatabase using ArcFM to enable Barrie Hydro to consolidate their asset and network data in a relational database. In addition ArcIMS will provide a platform for sharing geospatial information throughout the organization.

"The GIS database allows us to keep our electrical data in one central location which improves the accuracy and integrity of our data," said Rusty Hastings, Engineering Supervisor, Barrie Hydro. "With ArcFM we are able to update one map as opposed to multiple maps that had to be updated in the past. When there are data changes in the GIS database the maps are automatically updated. We are very pleased to be receiving this award from ESRI Canada for our efforts."

The executive management of BHDI has recognized the value of GIS in terms of improving data integrity and making it accessible to a variety of users in the organization. Through Barrie Hydro's Intranet site, all staff can view maps and asset information. The tools are designed to be intuitive so that the staff can easily maintain, analyze, and access information as well as provide reports in the form of maps, tables, or graphs. The database will help support several business applications and help reduce redundant work processes.

About Barrie Hydro Distribution Inc:
Barrie Hydro Distribution Inc. ("Barrie Hydro") is a corporation incorporated under the laws of Ontario and the Local Distribution Company (LDC) that owns and operates the electricity infrastructure, distributing a safe, reliable supply of electricity to homes and businesses within its service areas within Simcoe County.  It is a wholly owned subsidiary of Barrie Hydro Holdings Inc. Barrie Hydro is the 11th largest electrical distribution utility in the Province, serving over 64,000 customers in seven service areas.

About ESRI Canada:
Established in 1984, ESRI Canada is a Canadian owned company specializing in geographic information systems (GIS) solutions. We distribute the world's leading GIS software solutions from ESRI Inc., Miner and Miner, and Azteca. In order to provide organizations with complete industry-specific solutions we have established an extensive business partner program that includes more than 125 Canadian organizations. ESRI Canada also provides professional services including consulting, training, technical support, and enterprise GIS implementation. We are leaders in providing world-class enterprise GIS solutions for many industries including local government, utilities, public safety and defence, business demographics, education, natural resources, and transportation. ESRI Canada has thirteen regional offices across the country, with headquarters in Toronto, Ontario. For more information, please visit http://www.esricanada.com/ or call 1-800-447-9778.

Media Contact:
Heather Adams
Communications Specialist
ESRI Canada
T: 416-386-6463
E: hadams@esricanada.com  

Rusty Hastings
Records & Standards Supervisor
Barrie Hydro Distribution Inc.
T: 705-722-7244 Extension: 263
E: rhastings@barriehydro.com
W: http://www.barriehydro.com/