Outsourcing is generating significant interest in the user community. High performance SCADA systems require specific expertise and can be costly to implement and maintain. UTSI can provide all, or a portion of a pipeline company’s control center equipment, software, and maintenance for a monthly fee that is very attractive to the client. Listed below are some of the important features of the program. In the US, this allows a recurring capital expense to be converted to an operating expense that can also have attractive tax benefits to most companies.

SCADA Outsourcing

As an overview, UTSI SCADA Outsourcing is a program with features that are tailored to the needs of each individual client. As a minimum, the program involves UTSI taking responsibility for the server system that is supplying data acquisition and the control functions to your system operators. In fact, UTSI is the owner of this system, and provides the data stream as a service to the client. As such, UTSI will provide a highly reliable system and maintain it as such.

UTSI has significant experience with the most of the SCADA system products in the market today. We also provide custom applications programming, and interface to third-party products such as Pi, (OSI), and real-time models (e.g., Stoner, Energy Solutions International, etc.). Our client list includes many of the largest liquid and gas pipeline corporations in the US, and many international corporations.

Companies today outsource such tasks as IT, communications carrier(s), LAN management and consulting, as well as business functions such as employment searches, legal services, accounting, payroll, etc. Outsourcing permits a company to apply focused, technical, and knowledgeable talent to a very critical segment of their operation. This enables the client to focus on their core business, such as the transportation of gas or liquids via pipeline, or the distribution of electricity.

It is important to note that outsourcing is not a lease, or a financing vehicle. Rather, it is a service in which UTSI provides the SCADA system and all associated attributes to the client company for a fixed monthly fee. At the end of the agreement, the parties can renew the agreement, or transition to a client owned system. We feel that we will provide significant value to the client and that contract renewal is very likely.

Benefits of Outsourcing

Outsourcing shifts the costs involved with updating, and maintaining a SCADA system from a capital expenditure, to monthly operating expenses. This can have significant financial advantages to the client company. Additionally, it is difficult to recruit, train, and retain personnel with specific in-depth knowledge of the internal workings of a particular SCADA system. UTSI’s broad experience base permits us to apply the proper resources to maintain your system reliably and at a reasonable cost.

Perhaps the most compelling feature of SCADA Outsourcing is the mitigating of risk. The client will not have to be concerned with the cost and effort involved in upgrades, system maintenance and downtime, personnel issues, etc.