With the previous vendor, we were charged for the size of every single table in the database. If we needed to change a table size, a dragged-out process of receiving a new license key was painful. Having the flexibility in Survalent has opened our ability to set up communications and devices how we would like.
The Challenge
For more than a decade, Ozarks relied on its previous SCADA system, but the model proved unsustainable. Major upgrades often required a full system repurchase every few years, driving costs higher without delivering additional value. Even simple adjustments, like resizing database tables, triggered lengthy licensing processes and fees. Projects were frequently delayed, and vendor communication declined after corporate changes. As the cooperative grew, adding substations and hundreds of field devices, these limitations created frustration for Ozarks staff. Ozarks needed a reliable, cost-effective SCADA system that could scale with their growth, simplify operations, and provide better long-term support.
The Solution
In early 2024, Ozarks selected SurvalentONE SCADA to modernize its operations. Over just five months, the co-op migrated control of 33 distribution substations, 3 transmission substations, and 193 downline locations – more than 650 devices in total. Survalent’s SmartVU interface accelerated operator adoption with an intuitive design that mirrored familiar control panels while offering improved usability. Flexible licensing eliminated the need for repetitive purchases, and streamlined configuration allowed the team to add new devices quickly. Sinc going live, Ozarks has integrated 150 additional devices and a new substation – proving the system’s scalability and positioning the cooperative for broader automation and future growth.
Ozarks Electric Cooperative is a not-for-profit utility headquartered in Fayetteville, Arkansas, serving approximately 93,500 members across Northwest Arkansas and Northeast Oklahoma. The cooperative operates 34 distribution substations and 3 transmission-level (161kV) substations across a growing service area. With continued growth in both membership and infrastructure, Ozarks is focused on improving cost control, operational efficiency, and modernizing its grid.