CGI Group Inc. (NYSE: GIB; TSX: GIB.A), a leading provider of information technology solutions and services, announced today the successful deployment of its Mobile Workforce Management Solution suite (MWFM) to Baltimore Gas and Electric (BGE) Co. for its electric and gas operations. A member of Constellation Energy based in Baltimore, BGE serves more than one million business and residential electric customers and more than 600,000 gas customers in a 2,300-square-mile area encompassing Baltimore City and all or part of 10 Central Maryland counties.
"The CGI Mobile Workforce Management solution will enable us to further improve our ability to respond quickly to the needs of our customers," said Kenneth W. DeFontes, BGE's president and CEO. "We can now provide real time status information that results in even greater responsive customer service."
The project consists of integrating the PragmaCAD automated dispatch module with work order source systems via BGE's Integration Bus using CGI's XML Application Programming Interface (API). The first phase entailed integration to BGE's customer care interface (GUIdance) in order to optimize its outdoor lighting operations. Subsequent phases of the project involved extending the automated dispatch functionality across other business units, including electric operations & maintenance and gas emergency response, by implementing mobile data capabilities via CGI's PragmaROAD wireless gateway technology with BGE's CDPD and 802.11b wireless networks.
BGE can also map, view and locate vehicles in real time with the addition of SkyVIEW, CGI's dynamic GPS-based geographical display module. Further expansion of the CGI MWFM solution suite is foreseen in order to meet the diverse needs of other business units and to accommodate BGE's enterprise-wide implementation strategy in order to facilitate managing work and resources universally.
Frank Bender, vice president of BGE's Gas Distribution and New Business division, stated, "Considering the critical nature of gas emergencies, state-of-the-art technology is indispensable. CGI's Mobile Workforce Management solution will help us improve the overall efficiency and safety of our dispatch operations, allowing for quicker response and more efficient use of our field personnel."
"We are pleased that BGE has chosen to join our growing community of satisfied customers," commented Thérèse J. Filion, sector vice president of CGI Utility Solutions. "We are very proud of what BGE and CGI have accomplished together. The BGE project is an excellent example of how wireless mobile solutions can be successfully implemented to increase the efficiency of mobile field resources and reduce restoration time during emergency situations."
Since its introduction, nearly 1,000 BGE personnel have been trained to take advantage of this new technology to enhance service restoration efforts.
About BGE
BGE is a member of Constellation Energy (NYSE: CEG), a Fortune 500 integrated energy company based in Baltimore. Constellation Energy is the nation's leading competitive supplier of electricity to large commercial and industrial customers. It owns and operates a diversified fleet of 35 power plants in 12 states. Additionally, Constellation Energy markets energy nationally and manages the associated risks, providing value-added services for its customers. The company also delivers electricity and natural gas through the Baltimore Gas and Electric Company (BGE), its regulated utility in Central Maryland. In 2003, the combined revenues of the integrated energy company totaled $9.7 billion.
About CGI
Founded in 1976, CGI is among the largest independent information technology and business process services firms in North America. CGI and its affiliated companies employ approximately 25,000 professionals. CGI provides end-to-end IT and business process services to clients worldwide from offices in Canada, the United States, Europe, Asia Pacific as well as from centers of excellence in India and Canada. CGI's annualized revenue run rate is currently CDN$3.8 billion (US$2.8 billion) and at June 30, 2004, CGI's order backlog was CDN$13.2 billion (US$9.8 billion). CGI's shares are listed on the TSX (GIB.A) and the NYSE (GIB) and are included in the S&P/TSX Composite Index as well as the S&P/TSX Capped Information Technology and MidCap Indices.
Website: www.cgi.com/en/utilities .
For more information:
CGI Utility Solutions
Heather Tracy
(514) 228-8888
