Advanced distribution automation (ADA) implies data preparation, decision making, and control of field devices automatically adjusted to real-time changes of the operating conditions of the power system. Automation of data preparation includes real-time data acquisition, automated data retrieving from various utility databases and other automated systems, and real-time comprehensive modeling of the distribution operations. Automated decision making means real-time adaptive optimization procedures. Automated control of devices in distribution systems means execution of the recommendations of the optimization algorithms by using closed-loop control of switching devices, voltage controllers, and capacitors. The description of the experience with the ADA implementation in the utilities mainly addresses the following three applications: the real-time distribution operation model and analysis (RTDM); the fault location, isolation, and service restoration (FLIR); and the optimal voltage and VAr control (VVC). Several North American utilities are in different stages of implementation of advanced distribution automation. The main characteristics of these applications and the implementation results based on the experience of two US utilities: Jacksonville Electric Authority and OG&E Electric Services are briefly described in the paper. (5 pages)