OM-Based Interoperation of ESRI ArcInfo 8 and Stoner Solvers Established

Redlands, California—Stoner Associates and ESRI announced today that the same simulation solver that powers Stoner's SynerGEE product has been implemented as a Component Object Model (COM)-component within ESRI's ArcInfo 8 and ArcFM environments.

This accomplishment enables users of ArcInfo 8-based applications to access Stoner's solvers from within the geographic information system (GIS) application just as if the solver were part of the GIS software's native functionality. Users of GIS-based applications in functions such as design and outage management can now directly tap Stoner's solvers at chosen business process points to analyze network performance. As a result, users can work more flexibly, collaborate more actively, and perform more productively.

Utilizing ArcInfo 8 user interface components and easy-to-use programming languages gives users the freedom to design their own user interface for accessing the solvers that reflect their needs, processes, and preferences. This assures an intuitive and natural look and feel that maximizes productivity in interacting with the solvers and in understanding simulation results.

For example, designers using a GIS-based design application to lay out a new subdivision commonly need to assess the performance of proposed facilities before finalizing their recommendation. Using solvers with Miner & Miner's Designer, a design application built on ArcInfo 8 and ArcFM 8 Energy, designers can indicate their preferences for proposed facilities and analyze those facilities' performance on the fly. Moreover, they can iterate through different designs until they identify the one they want to recommend. The entirety of the designer's interaction with the solvers and data visualization of simulation results is through the GIS and GIS-based application user interface.

In addition, operations specialists troubleshooting solutions in outage management situations enjoy the same productivity benefits as designers, and enjoy added benefits made possible by tighter integration with customer relationship and other enterprise systems. With the solvers integrated in an outage management application, operations specialists receiving a trouble call can pinpoint the call, tap the solver to analyze network performance, evaluate operating changes, and determine action steps needed to resolve the outage cause. Now, knowledge from the solver can also identify other impacted customers so the user can initiate proactive steps to get ahead of the problem curve.

Stoner Solvers will be commercially released in summer 2000.

The information technology solutions division of Severn Trent Services provides information technology-based business solutions to organizations worldwide serving customers through large connected infrastructure, such as energy and water delivery companies, and telecommunication companies. The division's software and services help clients achieve higher levels of operational efficiency and customer service. The information technology solutions division is organized into four business units (BU). Each BU's solutions include software and a full range of related professional and consulting services. The Work Management BU provides enterprise work management, mobile work management, and asset management solutions. The Stoner BU provides network modeling and management and spatial integration services solutions. The Customer Relationship Management BU provides customer information and marketing information system solutions. The Managed Services BU provides outsourced information technology solutions. The information technology solutions division is a division of Severn Trent Services with offices in Australia, France, the United Kingdom, and the United States. Severn Trent Services is a leading provider of water purification products, laboratory and operating services, and information technology solutions. The company employs nearly 3,000 and generates annual sales of $600 million. Severn Trent Services is a part of Severn Trent Plc (London: SVT.L), Birmingham, England, one of the world's leading water and waste utility services companies.

Miner & Miner (M&M) is a world leader in the development and implementation of GIS software for utilities. M&M products and services assist electric, gas, water, and wastewater utilities in increasing productivity, lowering costs, and improving services by allowing them to effectively manage spatial information. Founded in 1946 as a full-service electrical engineering firm, M&M has been an equity partner of ESRI since 1987. This partnership has enabled M&M to become the world's leading developer of ArcInfo GIS applications for the utility industry. M&M services include implementation and customization of software to fit the needs of individual utilities. For more information, please visit www.miner.com.

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