Date: July 21, 2010 -- POWER Engineers announced today that it was selected by NorthWestern Energy (NWE) for Data Migration Services and Needs Assessment and Implementation Planning Services under separate contracts. POWER is currently migrating landbase and facility data from NorthWestern Energy’s AutoCAD Map dataset, which covers service territory in South Dakota and Nebraska, to the Intergraph G/Technology platform. The migration of South Dakota and Nebraska data to G/Technology will unify NWE on a single GIS platform and extend the use of G/Technology’s geospatial functionality to a greater number of NWE employees. POWER’s migration services include data mapping and configuring the migration software to deliver data in the G/Technology format.

With the focus on expanding the use and benefits of G/Technology, POWER was also selected to perform a Needs Assessment of NWE’s GIS and integration requirements and to develop a “Go-Forward” Implementation Plan. “We have always viewed GIS as one of our core systems. It makes sense for us to work with POWER to validate our direction and help us build an integration road map aligned with our business direction,” stated Jeanne Vold, Lead Director Business Technology, NorthWestern Energy.

Currently in progress, the GIS assessment includes requirements for integrating G/Technology with these other systems: SAP, LD-PRO, CIS and Scheduling. The “Go-Forward” implementation plan also will include strategies for Outage Management, Computer Aided Dispatch, Gas Line Integrity, Field Automation, and Mobile Work Force Management.

Jana Constant, POWER’s Project Manager, commented: “POWER’s team of industry experts look forward to partnering with NWE to bring their system to the next level of enterprise use and integration. Through the course of numerous migration projects, needs assessment, vendor selection and implementation planning projects, our team has developed a proven methodology to ensure the success of NorthWestern Energy’s projects.”

About NorthWestern Energy
NorthWestern Energy is one of the largest providers of electricity and natural gas in the Upper Midwest and Northwest, serving approximately 656,000 customers in Montana, South Dakota and Nebraska. As a fully regulated provider, NWE serves 349 cities through its electric and gas distribution and transmission operations.

About POWER Engineers
POWER Engineers is a consulting engineering firm specializing in energy, facilities, communications, and environmental services. Founded in 1976, POWER Engineers is an employee-owned company with offices throughout the United States and abroad.

G/Technology and other products mentioned herein may be trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective trademark owners.

MEDIA CONTACT: 
Christine Seidl, Business Development Coordinator (920) 432-1820

CONTACT INFORMATION:
Bart Koenig, (920) 432-1820
GIS & Asset Management Solutions Director 
POWER Engineers, Inc.
Email Contact