Page 3 - TEnnessee

from the desk of
Bill Turner
I’m having trouble coming to grips with the fact that it’s November and the holidays are right around the corner. But, as we approach the end of the year, I want to take this opportunity to express my gratitude for your hard work and commitment to damage prevention.
Earlier this year, in preparation for the end of our license agreement with KorTerra, we surveyed member utilities to gather their feedback on the importance of TN811 offering a software solution for ticket management. Survey responses indicated that member utilities find value in using software offered in partnership with the 811 organization, and that members were likely to switch if the software solution had to be offered through another provider.
While we’ve valued our partnership with KorTerra, we were not able to reach an agreeable solution for a path forward, and we had to explore other options that would allow us to subsidize the price while also
ensuring we could roll out the solution ahead of the end of the current license agreement. Line- Scape, a Texas-based provider of damage prevention software, became the obvious choice as we learned about the customer-oriented focus of their team and their forward-thinking perspective on the future of 811 ticket management.
Planning and logistics started in August, and we’re thankful for two member utilities who helped us pilot the software: Fayetteville Public Utilities and Lumin8. After a successful pilot test, our Support Team (IT/GIS) worked in collaboration with our Liaison Team to communicate the change to members and work towards onboarding users. Member utilities began accessing the platform in early November, and the majority of utilities who were benefiting from the previous license agreement have now switched and are taking advantage of the new license agreement.
The Line-View Essentials package is a great fit for small to mid-size utilities and the Line-Vault platform offers advanced functionality that some of our larger members were already taking advantage of before the license agreement was implemented. We’re especially happy to report that the platform continues to improve based on member feedback, thanks to the responsiveness of Line-Scape’s team.
Whether it’s providing software that aids your damage prevention processes, supplying you
with materials that aid your outreach, or improving the 811 process that delivers you notice of excavation, we’re committed to understanding the needs of our customers to determine where our priorities should be.
With your feedback and support, we’re building a more effective organization and a brighter future. Let’s finish the year strong and prepare for continued success in 2025.
Make time for your family and friends over the holidays – we all have plenty to be thankful for. All the best,
William “Bill” Turner President
Tennessee 811
Tennessee 811’s purpose is Customer Experience.
Our core values are Dedication, Reliability, Partnership, and Expertise.
2024, Issue 4
Tennessee 811 • 1