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Outage Management Systems: A Customer Retention Initiative Author: J. Rafael Ochoa 208 South Rogers Lane Phone: 919-250-5438 De-regulation and competition in the electric utility industry are causing an industry-wide restructuring. Electric utilities are engaged in re-organizations, re-engineering of their internal business processes, and the purchasing of alternative energy companies (e.g., natural gas). Utilities are also focusing on the distribution field since this part of the system "interfaces" to their ultimate customer. The distribution of electricity appears to be one of the areas where traditional electric utilities may remain profitable. In order to transform the traditional distribution areas into those which are first-class, competitive, and "valuable" to customers, electric distribution companies are exploring the different technologies available that can help them be premier distribution companies. |