Case Study: Xcel Energy Implements ActiveBatch Workload Automation

ByRajkumar Updated on

Xcel Energy faced challenges with their outdated job scheduling system, which struggled to keep up with their growing workload and complex IT environment. They needed a solution that could handle their data warehousing and batch processing efficiently without requiring extensive manual monitoring.

ActiveBatch emerged as the perfect fit, offering robust cross-platform support and seamless integration with Informatica PowerCenter. Let’s explore how ActiveBatch transformed Xcel Energy’s automation processes and delivered impressive results.

In this case study, we will see Xcel Energy’s Transformation with ActiveBatch workload automation.

Case Study Xcel Energy Implements ActiveBatch Workload Automation

What is Xcel Energy?

Xcel Energy (NYSE: XEL) is a major U.S. electricity and natural gas company. It serves 3.4 million electricity customers and 1.9 million natural gas customers through its regulated operating companies in eight Western and Midwestern states. The company’s nuclear division operates two nuclear power plants in Minnesota, which produce 30 percent of the electricity provided to customers throughout the Upper Midwest.

  • Industry: Energy
  • Location: Minnesota and Michigan, United States

What is ActiveBatch?

ActiveBatch is a powerful workload automation tool designed to streamline and optimize business processes across various industries. It provides a centralized platform for automating, monitoring, and managing workflows seamlessly.

By integrating a wide range of applications and systems, ActiveBatch helps organizations reduce manual tasks and minimize errors, ultimately boosting efficiency. The tool offers real-time insights and analytics, enabling users to make informed decisions quickly.

With its user-friendly interface, ActiveBatch simplifies complex processes and enhances productivity, making it an ideal choice for companies looking to improve their operational performance in a straightforward and effective manner.

ActiveBatch has received the Informatica Seal of Approval

Why Xcel Energy Chose ActiveBatch

Xcel Energy needed a reliable job scheduling solution to replace their outdated system, which was failing to manage their growing workload effectively. Their previous solution required manual monitoring and was not well-suited for their hybrid Windows/UNIX environment or for direct integration with Informatica PowerCenter. They evaluated alternatives but found them either cost-prohibitive or lacking necessary cross-platform support.

ActiveBatch stood out because of its robust cross-platform functionality and seamless integration with Informatica PowerCenter. It offered direct support for both Linux and UNIX platforms, which was crucial for their needs. Additionally, ActiveBatch provided out-of-the-box solutions for automating data warehousing processes without the need for extensive scripting. Its integrated features, such as advanced scheduling and real-time monitoring, aligned perfectly with Xcel Energy’s requirements, making it a cost-effective and efficient choice for their automation needs. 

Challenges Xcel Energy Faced Before Implementing ActiveBatch

Xcel Energy’s nuclear division faced several challenges with their existing job scheduler:

  • Existing job scheduler becoming unstable with increasing workload volumes
  • Required an overnight IT shift to manually monitor processes
  • Unable to build end-to-end workflows without extensive custom scripting
  • Difficulty in dynamically triggering workflows and managing dependencies between systems
  • Overly complex and unwieldy IT environment
  • Needed a solution for a hybrid Windows/UNIX environment with support for Linux and Informatica PowerCenter

Solution Achieved with ActiveBatch Implementation

Xcel Energy implemented ActiveBatch, which provided:

  • Runtime monitoring for proactive job management
  • Automated alerting and error-handling framework
  • Integrated Jobs Library with prebuilt integrations for cross-platform processes
  • Job Variables for automatic population of workflow parameters at runtime
  • Capability to handle interfaces between primary business applications and data warehousing processes

Final Results

  • Reduced manual database processes by over 80%
  • Eliminated the need for overnight shifts to manually manage datacenter processes
  • Enabled dynamic triggering of workflows and management of key dependencies without custom scripts
  • Simplified the IT environment with a single solution handling all interfaces between primary business applications and data warehousing processes
  • Improved accuracy and data quality through automated workflow parameter population
  • Enhanced ability to handle a hybrid Windows/UNIX environment, including Linux platforms and Informatica PowerCenter
  • Freed IT staff for other projects, leading to increased productivity and employee satisfaction
  • Automated housekeeping and administrative tasks, including file system and database table cleanups
  • Improved monitoring, alerting, and error-handling capabilities, ensuring timely completion of processes within maintenance windows

This case study demonstrates how ActiveBatch significantly improved Xcel Energy’s IT operations, particularly in their nuclear division, by automating processes, reducing manual intervention, and simplifying their complex IT environment.

Testimonial

George Bowen, Solution Consultant at Xcel Energy, mentioned “Having to hard code that into scripts to automate those data warehousing steps takes a lot of time and a lot of testing. That’s why finding a scheduling solution with direct integration of PowerCenter was so important.” and “ActiveBatch provides the flexibitiy and level of control that we require to automate PowerCenter, in addition to the other application processes that PowerCenter is dependent on, all from a single point of control.. no scripting required.”

Conclusion

ActiveBatch proved to be a game-changer for Xcel Energy. By automating their data warehousing and batch processes, Xcel Energy not only streamlined their operations but also freed up their IT staff from overnight shifts. The solution enhanced efficiency, reduced manual management, and provided reliable, enterprise-wide job scheduling. ActiveBatch has become an invaluable tool for Xcel Energy, allowing them to focus on other important projects and ensuring their operations run smoothly around the clock.

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Rajkumar SM is the founder of SoftwareTestingMaterial. He is a certified Software Test Engineer by profession and a blogger and YouTuber by choice. He has extensive experience in the field of Software Testing. Furthermore, he loves spending time with his wife and their cute little kid, 'Freedom.'

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