JUNO BEACH, Fla., June 7 /PRNewswire/ -- Florida Power & Light Company
says it is entering the second year of a five-year technology modernization
program aimed at applying the latest, state-of-the-art technology to help the
company respond quicker to its customers' electricity needs.
"Improving the way we deliver electricity to our customers -- and doing so
as efficiently as possible using the latest in computer technology -- is an
important element in our efforts to meet our customers' needs. FPL employees
are proud to be ahead of the technology curve," said Armando Olivera, senior
vice president of power systems.
Since early last year, FPL has been modernizing its work processes to
improve operational efficiency and customer service. "Tech 21, as FPL's
program is called, is embracing the tools of the 21st Century to improve work
processes just as our customers are incorporating high-tech tools into their
daily lives -- tools such as cell phones, personal data assistants (PDAs) and
the Internet. Our ultimate goal is to make it easier and more convenient for
our customers to communicate with us and for us to more quickly respond to
their needs," Mr. Olivera said.
Linda Whalin, Tech 21 director, said, "The bottom line is we can continue
to provide -- and more importantly improve on -- the services our customers
expect and deserve." She outlined some recent examples of Tech 21
improvements:
* Design of distribution systems for new residential real estate
developments is now performed with a software program that produces
schematic drawings that can be generated in half the time (11 days
versus 22 days) of the previous system. Software pinpoints the exact
positioning of FPL equipment so that developers can begin construction
more quickly.
* Customers can now take advantage of several improvements to FPL's Web
site -- http://www.fpl.com -- to report service and streetlight outages and
check account status online.
* Builders and contractors can click on a section of the Web site to
request electric service for their projects, review project checklists,
get fee information, check on policies and standards and download
necessary forms.
* FPL crews are using hand-held electronic devices to receive work
assignments to connect or disconnect services. And they can update the
status of their work on-line using the same work management software.
For the future, Ms. Whalin said, FPL already is creating a unified
database to enable employees throughout FPL's 26,000-mile service territory to
access up-to-date information on the status of customer requests from a
centralized system.
Additionally, along with its work management system, FPL is nearing
completion of new voice and data radio systems throughout the service area to
improve communications between dispatchers and crews, a critical factor in
moving crews to areas affected by storms or other emergencies.
Later this year, FPL will test a far-reaching work management system that
incorporates new business processes for scheduling and performing work and
managing customer relationships. The system will enable the company to
automatically send out letters, post information on the FPL Web site and even
page or e-mail customers depending upon their preference.
Florida Power & Light Company is the principal subsidiary of FPL Group,
Inc. (NYSE: FPL), one of the nation's largest providers of electricity-related
services with annual revenues of more than $7 billion. The company serves
approximately 3.9 million customer accounts in Florida. FPL Energy, LLC, FPL
Group's U.S. and international energy-generating subsidiary, is a leader in
producing electricity from clean and renewable fuels. Additional information
is available on the Internet at http://www.fpl.com.
SOURCE Florida Power & Light Company
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Related links:
http://www.fpl.com
http://www.fplgroup.com
CONTACT:
Florida Power & Light Company Corporate
Communications Media Line, 305-552-3888
EDITOR'S ADVISORY: Photo opportunities can be arranged to show
Tech 21 applications in your reader-viewer area by calling FPL
Corporate Communications at 305-552-3888.
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