UK’s National Grid Smart selects IFS Applications 9 software for move to domestic smart meters
Paul Massey, managing director of IFS
IFS, a global enterprise applications company, is now supporting UK-based National Grid’s new smart meter business, National Grid Smart. It is doing so with the deployment of IFS Applications™ 9 across the company’s core business operations.
National Grid Smart’s goal of introducing smart meters into UK homes began in November 2016 and the solution supports the procurement, scheduling, and installation of new meters.
National Grid Smart offers a fully-managed smart meter service to national energy suppliers, with services ranging from asset financing and installation to managed logistics and customer communications. Each phase of the company’s rollout is supported by core IFS Applications functionality including financials, procurement, asset management, project management, service management, and mobile workforce management.
Among other benefits, IFS’s solution will provide a constant feed of installation and procurement data from engineers in the field via the IFS Mobile Work Order application, enabling National Grid Smart to monitor progress and address initial challenges swiftly.
IFS was selected as the lead software provider for the programme following a competitive six month selection and procurement process, which saw a range of solution providers assessed for their ability to deliver a tailored ERP system within a tight timeframe, and integrate with existing systems used by national energy suppliers and sub-contractors.
National Grid’s smart meter programme is expected to deliver a range of benefits for consumers and organisations, including:
- The provision of real-time information on energy usage to both consumers and suppliers
- Enhanced ability to manage energy usage, fix problems, and save money
- An end to estimated billing—consumers and organisations will only be billed for the energy they actually use
- Easier switching—smoother and faster to switch suppliers to get the best deals
Paul Massey, managing director of IFS in the UK said, “We are delighted to announce this significant win in the UK energy and utilities sector, and especially in the rapidly growing market for smart meters. With the rise of interconnected devices and the Internet of Things, we see smart meters as a major step for the UK on the digitisation ladder, and are delighted that NG Smart chose IFS Applications to deliver the timely, integrated solution it was looking for.”
Kerri Matthews, director of National Grid Smart.
“The implementation of IFS Applications 9 mirrors the concept of smarter thinking that underpins our smart metering programme, helping us access vital information in real-time to ensure that we’re able to meet tight project deadlines and, in the long-term, ensure a smooth roll out of interconnected smart meters,” Kerri Matthews, director of National Grid Smart said.
“IFS’s solution stood out to us as a user-friendly ‘single’ system, which could centralise our data management capability, be deployed and adapted within a tight timeframe and which will work seamlessly with our wider solution landscape. We were particularly impressed with the speed of deployment—we had initial system functionality up and running in two months.
IFS’s solutions have been viewed as trailblazing internally, and we’re excited about the opportunities they’ll create for us as we transform the way consumers and organisations use energy.”
Along with the deployment of IFS Applications 9 across National Grid Smart’s operations, IFS will also provide service support to integrate into the organisation’s current solution set, and automate a number of processes.
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