Since the new application
is Web-based, there is no longer a need for TransCanada
to install software on customer desktops, making upgrades
simpler for customers and for TransCanada. Additional
customer features, such as electronic requests for contract
assignments and the ability to electronically administer
agent agreements, will be included in upcoming versions
of NrG Dovetail scheduled for this fall.
NrG Dovetail Alberta Contracting is part of
a longer-term project to replace the legacy systems
inherited at the time of the mergers of TransCanada,
NOVA Gas Transmission - Alberta System, and Alberta
Natural Gas (ANG) - BC System.
"At the time of the merger, our legacy gas management
systems included 22 individual applications written
in 13 different programming languages or environments
with 41 separate databases on a total of 67 servers,"
explains Steve Emond, Director of Customer Service.
"All these numbers added up to a group of systems that
was extremely complex with high maintenance, support
and enhancement costs."
Since these systems are business critical for TransCanada
and for our customers, the Dovetail project was initiated
to put all of these systems on a common technical platform
while taking advantage of opportunities to integrate
the design and processes where practical. "In short,
the goal was to reduce costs for TransCanada and our
customers," Steve says.
The Alberta Contracting system implemented on July
21 was the third component of the Dovetail project but
the first component to be used by customers. The Enterprise
(database of customer information) and Mainline Contracting
components were implemented last year for TransCanada
internal use. Work is continuing on the remaining parts
of our legacy gas management systems.
For more information on NrG Dovetail Alberta
Contracting, please contact Jim
Nicholas at 403.920.5836.
