DETERMINATION OF REQUIREMENTS FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF AN ONLINE FAULT REPORTING SYSTEM FOR UTILITY COMPANIES

Abstract

This research work is therefore targeted at determining the requirements of the system suitable for developing an effective web-based fault reporting system for public utility companies. An electricity distribution company’s fault reporting system with correct system requirements will serve as a viable channel for reporting faults that occur at the users’ end. This will facilitate quick and efficient clearing of these faults for timely restoration of the electricity supply to users. This supports an electricity distribution system that will facilitate reliable and consistent delivery of quality services to users, reduce outages and downtimes, thereby enhancing productivity and national development. To achieve this, different online fault reporting systems were reviewed, including the existing case study power distribution company fault reporting system. The features and functions found present or lacking in the reviewed systems were critically analysed. and then with the help of a survey, determine accurately all requirements needed to build a fault reporting/management system that will not just be effective and efficient but also designed to overcome the lapses observed in the reviewed systems. Two groups of potential users were identified: the PHCN customers and the PHCN staff. PHCN customers will use the system to report electrical faults in their domain while PHCN staff will use the system for both system/fault management and fault reporting. Some requirements were proposed and packaged in the form of a questionnaire and then randomly distributed to the identified two groups of potential users. A total of 55 questionnaires were sent through e-mail to the respondents. The result and analysis of the survey conducted to determine the requirements of the online fault reporting system for Ikeja electricity distribution revealed that for the web-based system to be effective and efficient it should possess the following features: dynamic database, web interface, information display page, Fault description page, registration and login page, fault update page and track progress page.