Xcel Energy is partnering with global cloud enterprise software company IFS to undertake a gas and electric distribution end-to-end scheduling transformation, a press release announced on May 20.

As a part of the transformation, Xcel Energy will utilize mobile workforce management and planning and scheduling optimization software from IFS, with an integration to SAP via an add-on component.

"Planning, scheduling, and dispatching are manual processes for our teams today," Xcel Energy director of scheduling Jesse Seering commented in the release. "We are excited on behalf of our customers and employees to digitize, streamline and simplify our process."

Minneapolis-based Xcel Energy provides the energy that powers millions of homes and businesses across eight western and midwestern states. The company is an industry leader in responsibly reducing carbon emissions and producing and delivering clean energy solutions from a variety of renewable sources at competitive prices.

Swedish company IFS develops and delivers cloud enterprise software for companies around the world who manufacture and distribute goods, build and maintain assets, and manage service-focused operations. Within its single platform, its industry specific products are innately connected to a single data model and use embedded digital innovation.

"As energy providers rise to meet changing consumer demands, their digital transformation journeys are a priority," IFS president of SMBU Marne Martin added. "To continue exceeding customer and stakeholder expectations, companies are adapting their business models to focus on connected assets, projects and service, as they are ultimately the key to empowering companies to stay ahead of the competition."