Utilities are being challenged to operate smarter, faster and more securely than ever as electrification accelerates, distributed energy resources (DERs) proliferate, and customer expectations rise. Meeting all these demands requires both technological upgrades and a new operational mindset.

At the center of this transformation are advanced distribution management systems (ADMS) and operational technology (OT) service management. These are two powerful enablers that, when aligned, form a foundation for the modern, resilient grid.

ADMS is revolutionizing how utilities operate by uniting traditionally separate systems — from supervisory control and data acquisition (SCADA) and outage management systems (OMS) to distribution management systems (DMS) — into one intelligent, data-driven platform.

By integrating these capabilities, ADMS gives operators a unified, real-time view of grid performance. It connects devices and data, creating the situational awareness needed for decision-making to manage an increasingly dynamic grid.

Key outcomes enabled by ADMS include:

• Shorter outages. Automated fault detection and isolation reduce downtime and accelerate restoration.
• Smarter fault detection. Real-time insights from sensors and smart meters improve accuracy and reduce reliance on customer reports.
• Faster restoration. ADMS reconfigures the network automatically to restore unaffected areas within seconds.
• Operational efficiency. Integration with SCADA, OMS and DMS streamlines workflows and reduces manual intervention.
• Data-driven field response. Intelligent dispatching enables the efficient and effective deployment of crews.

Beyond making the grid more responsive, ADMS makes the entire operation more connected, predictive and resilient.

The power of ADMS becomes most apparent when paired with automation systems like fault location, isolation and service restoration (FLISR) and integrated distributed energy resource management systems (DERMS).

Together, these systems enable a self-healing, adaptive grid capable of responding to faults and disruptions in real time. FLISR leverages ADMS intelligence to detect and isolate faults automatically, restoring service to unaffected areas within moments. DERMS extend control to distributed energy resources, enabling utilities to manage load balance, support islanded operations and maintain stability during disruptions.

The result is an agile, data-driven grid that not only reacts to events but anticipates and adapts to them. 

As utilities expand their digital footprints, OT service management becomes a critical success factor. ADMS, DERMS and FLISR systems depend on complex, interconnected infrastructure that must run flawlessly at all times.

OT service management provides the structure and governance to sustain these mission-critical systems. It adapts best practices from IT service management to the unique realities of operational environments, emphasizing reliability, security and continuous improvement.

Effective OT service management enables:

• Rapid incident response. Streamlined processes help teams identify, escalate and resolve operational issues.
• Controlled system changes. Governance practices support safe and predictable updates, patches and integrations.
• Proactive performance monitoring. Continuous tracking of system health helps prevent downtime before it occurs.
• Cybersecurity integration. Security protocols are embedded into daily operations as a foundation, not merely as an add-on.
• Life cycle optimization. Systems remain current, supported and aligned with the needs of the utility.

By applying disciplined service management to operational systems, utilities can maintain the stability and confidence required to support innovation at scale. 

Technology alone does not deliver transformation. Sustaining ADMS performance requires a long-term OT service management strategy that connects technology investments to people, processes and governance.

For utilities, this means:

• Developing standardized OT service processes to maintain consistency and accountability.
• Embedding cybersecurity and compliance into everyday operations.
• Fostering collaboration among IT, OT and engineering teams.
• Investing in workforce skills to support new tools and technologies.
• Publishing normalized performance metrics for service availability.

This alignment transforms ADMS from a project into a strategic capability that evolves with the organization and continues to drive operational excellence.

The convergence of ADMS and OT service management marks a turning point for the utility industry. Together, they empower operators to make faster, smarter and safer decisions, enabling a more reliable, efficient and customer-centric grid.

As the energy landscape grows more complex, utilities that embrace this integrated operational model will lead the transformation toward a truly digital, resilient and sustainable energy future.