Automating Logistics to Optimize Recovery Efforts

As I’m sure you know, the logistics tasks associated with power outage recovery are difficult to efficiently manage.  The good news is that automating certain pieces of the logistics function can help streamline recovery efforts, and it’s not all that difficult to do.

How to Bring Automation to the Logistics Function

There are many – and I mean MANY – moving parts when it comes to storm recovery logistics.  These include coordinating things like the staging area, vehicle refueling, meals, supplies, work schedules, crew tracking, worker housing, petty cash, and literally hundreds of other items.  And this list does not include the innumerable number of curve balls that can be introduced, such as illness, inability to navigate roads, and incorrect equipment. 

Managing and coordinating all of these moving parts has traditionally been done manually with spreadsheets, whiteboards and even pen & paper.  The problem is that as the number of crews increases – as in the case of larger storms – the difficulty level associated with manual logistics can increase rapidly and exponentially. 

Luckily, in recent years, automated systems have been introduced that can streamline the logistics function.  These are essentially desktop software programs that perform on-the-fly calculations to determine, for example:

• The current and projected number of crews / resources / supplies needed for the recovery effort
• The current and projected cost of the recovery effort
• The number and location of hotel rooms available for yet-to-arrive crews
• The optimal distance from the hotel to the staging area to maximize safety
• The remaining and needed inventory of meals

The list goes on and on, but you get the point.  Many elements of the logistics function can be pre-determined based on specific variables and calculations.  There is no need to manually calculate resource needs when this information can be automatically determined based on key inputs.  And, keeping tabs on crews, supplies, schedules, and similar items can be done digitally, which is much more efficient than hand-writing or hand-tabulating the data. 

I think utility companies that do not strive to automate recovery logistics are missing the boat.  Automation is relatively easy, improves the accuracy of information, and reduces the propensity for human error and miscommunication.  There is no doubt in my mind, logistics automation is the way to go.