Stepping into the Future, Implementing AutoCAD Utility Design 2016

Anchorage Municipal Light & Power (ML&P) is using a heavily customized AutoCAD Utility Design 2009 software system for electrical engineering design, and this is the story and lessons learned implementing AutoCAD Utility Design 2016 software. This solution currently integrates AutoCAD Utility Design software, AutoCAD Map 3D software, and the utility financial system. Late in 2014 ML&P contracted with Autodesk, Inc., to implement AutoCAD Utility Design 2016 software. ML&P's geographic information system (GIS) software from Autodesk was 3 years old and engineering was unable to upgrade Windows XP PCs until the AutoCAD Utility Design software upgrade was complete. The AutoCAD Utility Design Project Team streamlined engineering construction standards, flattened the GIS data, and rolled up the tracking of assets in the financial system. The most difficult part of the project was coming to terms how these 3 aspects were going to drive the most integral part of AutoCAD Utility Design 2016 software: the industry model. This implementation will integrate AutoCAD Utility Design 2016 software, Vault software, Laserfiche, AutoCAD Map 3D (GIS) software, and PowerPlant/PeopleSoft. AutoCAD Utility Design 2016 software users will see their design in 3D. ReCap 3D software models can be included to help the design process.