February 5, 2001 6:30 a.m.EDT
 

Con Edison Taps the Power of OpenViz by AVS to Visualize Manhattan Electrical Usage Data

(Waltham,MA -- February 5, 2001 6:30 a.m. EDT)

Con Edison (NYSE: ED), a subsidiary of Consolidated Edison, Inc., has deployed a Web-based data management system using OpenViz data visualization technology from Advanced Visual Systems Inc. The new system integrates data from five legacy Con Edison applications into an interactive visual display of real-time power usage of Manhattan and Westchester County and has helped to reduce costs and enhance service reliability for power distribution systems at one of the nation's largest investor-owned energy companies.

"Because real-time information is now integrated into one visual image on a single monitor, we are able--for the first time--to watch the use of power as it evolves," said Arthur Kressner, Con Edison's director of research and development. "With the ability to integrate large amounts of real-time data and present the information in a highly interactive, visual format, we can discover and understand many facets of our operation that were invisible to us in the past," continued Kressner. "This new capability is changing the way that Con Edison is managing power usage and planning for the future."

Kressner added, "The visualization system deployed by Con Edison is flexible in design and our next step is to adapt it so that a number of different audiences can use the application." Plans include building in more links to different data sets so that engineers can easily reconfigure the network to create contingency models and instantly see the results of their design changes. Other plans include adapting a version of the application for Con Edison senior management's use in strategic planning; making another version available to the general public and government agencies to help them more fully comprehend power usage concerns; and using the data management system to show the potential impact of development in a given area.

OpenViz is a comprehensive visualization platform that enables data from non-Web enabled business and financial applications to be integrated and viewed using 2D and 3D graphics within a standard Web browser or custom application. OpenViz enables corporate MIS departments, Independent Software Vendors and customers of AVS' Professional Services Group to break through presentation and content delivery barriers, permitting decision makers throughout any organization to experience the benefits of data visualization and bring new meaning to all types of business and financial information.

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About Advanced Visual Systems
Advanced Visual Systems (AVS) is an international leader in data visualization software and solutions that enable computer users to experience and interact with all types of business, scientific and engineering data. AVS offers a complete line of products that bring information to life on all major computing platforms using the latest in graphics, Web-based and collaborative technologies. AVS is dedicated to helping clients in nearly every industry speed the process of data analysis and decision-making. For more information on AVS call (781) 890-4300, write to info@avs.com, or visit www.avs.com.

About Con Edison
Con Edison [NYSE: ED] is a subsidiary of Consolidated Edison, Inc., one of the nation's largest investor-owned energy companies, with approximately $9 billion in annual revenues and $16 billion in assets. The utility provides electric, gas and steam service to more than three million customers in New York City and Westchester County, New York. For additional financial, operations and customer service information, visit Con Edison's web site at www.coned.com.