In the heart of Lincoln, NE, the Lincoln Electric System (LES) utility company serves its residential and commercial customers with a dual commitment: powering homes and businesses while championing environmental sustainability.
We’re thrilled to showcase Lincoln Electric System (LES), a beacon of innovation in the electric utility world. This story delves into how LES, driven by innovation and a community-first approach, turned to project documentation technology to revolutionize their operations.
We interviewed three key LES employees: Rod Henagar, Manager of Contract Management; Andy Winkler, Project Inspector; and Keaton Koehler, Underground Distribution Engineer. Their collective responsibilities include managing contractors, overseeing projects, ensuring compliance, and addressing operational diagnostics.
Balancing Infrastructure & Sustainability
In an industry where effective project management and caring for the environment go hand-in-hand, utility companies like Lincoln Electric System (LES) face the dual challenge of keeping their infrastructure strong while reducing their impact on the environment. This balancing act requires utilities to not only ensure their services are reliable and safe but also to adopt sustainable practices.
This mission sets the stage for LES’s commitment to innovation and sustainability in Lincoln, Nebraska. LES goes beyond its basic responsibilities, using new technology to operate more efficiently while staying environmentally friendly.
By focusing on both innovative solutions and environmental care, LES is showing other energy companies that it’s possible to manage a large utility network effectively while also supporting a healthier planet.
Challenges Managing a Large Utility Network
The utility sector often faces difficulties managing large networks that need detailed documentation and communication. LES was no different, struggling with outdated systems for storing photos and tracking projects.
In the beginning, LES dealt with challenges like:
Photo Storage Problems: LES’s photo storage systems were inefficient and couldn’t handle the high volume of photos from various projects. This led to problems in accessing and organizing these important visual records.
Documenting Project Progress: Due to outdated tracking systems, LES encountered issues in documenting project progress, which led to delays and errors in project reports and getting the latest project data to stakeholders.
Rod Heninger, Manager of Contract Management at LES, who oversees contract compliance and efficiency, explained the initial problems: “We needed a tool that could offer instant documentation and improve our communication across various job sites. CompanyCam stood out as the perfect solution.”
Quick Resolution of Issues
In the utility sector, solving problems quickly is key to keeping things running smoothly and reliably. When problems are addressed and resolved quickly, it helps avoid downtime and disruption, which is essential for keeping both residential and commercial customers happy.
Instant Communication
Reduces problem-solving time significantly.
Enables quick photo sharing for immediate discussion.
Minimizes downtime and interruptions.
Tracks contractor progress in the field.
Ensures that project specifications are met.
Andy Winkler, a Project Inspector at LES, responsible for monitoring contractors in the field to ensure compliance with specifications, highlights the transformative impact of CompanyCam: “CompanyCam is not just about taking photos; it’s about providing instant solutions and effective communication,” he notes. His ability to quickly show a photo and discuss issues has cut problem-solving time from days to minutes.
Real-Time Monitoring
Allows monitoring of multiple projects at once.
Eliminates the need for physical site visits.
Simplifies management of large systems.
Increases productivity across projects.
Keaton Koehler, an Underground Distribution Engineer at LES, values how real-time monitoring of photo feeds on CompanyCam allows him to see what’s happening on projects more clearly. He states, “It allows me to monitor multiple projects across Lincoln without the need to travel, which drastically eases the management of our widespread infrastructure.”
Project Management & Planning
For project managers, tracking data and maintaining transparency are key to managing current projects and planning for the future. CompanyCam’s project management tools document every phase, making reviews easier while improving accountability and decision-making.
Features like GPS tagging, project timelines, and guest access have changed how LES manages its utility projects. These tools help track progress accurately while keeping important data secure.
Rod Heninger, Contract Manager at LES, finds the project timeline feature of CompanyCam especially useful: “It offers a historical view of the projects, accessible even to those outside the app, improving stakeholder engagement and transparency.” He adds, “That’s allowed us to share photos with people who maybe in the past wouldn’t have seen them.”
Key Benefits
Timelines: Provides a historical view of projects.
GPS Tagging: Tracks exact locations of photos for better accuracy.
Guest Access: Allows secure photo sharing with stakeholders.
Improvements in Communication
Clear communication helps avoid delays and keeps things running smoothly in utility work, where time matters. CompanyCam makes team communication more efficient by allowing easy sharing of project updates. “Being able to share the link to the timeline with anyone in our company is a lot easier than trying to send emails to multiple people, and sometimes the photos are too large,” explains Keaton Koehler, Engineer at LES.
Instead of long email chains, teams can quickly access real-time updates, keeping everyone on the same page. “Sharing a link to the project timeline is easier and faster than sending emails. It helps everyone stay on the same page,” Koehler adds.
Additionally, the ability to leave comments and annotate photos directly in CompanyCam helps clarify issues quickly. Teams can highlight specific details, provide instructions, and resolve problems faster, reducing miscommunication and keeping projects on track.
Community & Environmental Commitment
In the utility industry, it’s not just about getting the job done — it’s about making a positive impact on the community and the environment. LES uses CompanyCam not only to provide reliable energy but also to stay connected with the community and support sustainable practices.
LES doesn’t just use CompanyCam to improve operations — it helps them serve customers better and complete projects efficiently while keeping the community and environment in mind.
Community Engagement & Transparency
Guest Access for Customers: LES uses CompanyCam to share real-time project updates with customers, keeping them informed on progress without needing constant calls or site visits.
Communication with Stakeholders: With project timelines and photo documentation, LES can easily share updates with local government agencies, contractors, and community leaders to ensure transparency on infrastructure projects.
Faster Issue Resolution: By using real-time photo feeds and comments, LES can quickly identify and resolve service issues, reducing downtime and keeping the community’s power and utilities running smoothly.
Environmental & Sustainable Practices
Reduced Paperwork & Waste: Instead of relying on printed reports and physical paperwork, LES documents everything digitally in CompanyCam, reducing paper use and promoting eco-friendly record-keeping.
Efficient Project Tracking: GPS-tagged photos help LES monitor projects remotely, cutting down on unnecessary travel, lowering fuel consumption, and reducing their carbon footprint.
Better Storm & Damage Response: After storms or natural disasters, LES crews can quickly assess damage using CompanyCam, speeding up repairs and restoring service faster to affected areas.
By using CompanyCam, LES isn’t just improving operations — they’re keeping the community informed, solving problems faster, and reducing their environmental impact along the way.
Powering More Than Just Utilities
The partnership between CompanyCam and Lincoln Electric System (LES) shows how the right technology transforms utility operations. Beyond improving daily workflows, this collaboration raises the standard for efficiency, transparency, and community impact.
The endorsement of CompanyCam by LES staff is strong. Andy Winkler sums it up, “Without CompanyCam, crucial communication and documentation could be missed, rendering efforts ineffective. It’s a game-changer for us.”
At CompanyCam, we focus on building tools that help utility providers like LES work smarter while staying connected with the people they serve. LES’s success proves that better photo documentation and project management can improve operations, ensure compliance, and support sustainable practices.
This story isn’t just about an electric utility company using new software — it’s about raising the bar for the entire industry. With the right tools, companies don’t just power homes; they drive progress.
