Case Study: FortisBC achieves application modernization at one-tenth the replacement cost with Software AG

Fortis modernizes application at one-tenth the cost of replacement

FortisBC, a fully integrated electric utility serving about 120,000 customers in British Columbia, faced a critical challenge: its decade-old customer information system—built on Smalltalk, Natural and Oracle—was out of warranty, hard to support and in need of interface, language and database updates. Replacing the system would have cost tens of millions, but FortisBC needed to add a web front end, improve security and remote access, and create a platform for future processes without that expense.

Using Software AG’s webMethods (EntireX and CAF) with Global Consulting Services and partner Techlogix, FortisBC modernized the application at roughly one-tenth the cost of replacement by leveraging on-site, nearshore and offshore teams (cutting development costs ~30%). The result: a modern web front end, mobile/remote access, faster rollouts (days), improved reliability and user experience, millions saved, and an ROI projected in three years as internal staff were trained to maintain and enhance the system.

FortisBC

Tim Swanson

Director, Information Systems