As our customers strive for efficiency and security in a dynamic and constantly changing environment, they need to consider new operational models. This explains a growing interest in Managed Services, delivered by specialist external partners to manage utility’s AMI (Advanced Metering Infrastructure) operations and processes – like AMI software and IT system hosting known as “Software as a Service” (SaaS).

 I recently had the opportunity to review the “Electric Grid Managed Services Report – 2018” published by IHS Markit. There is no question that the report is excellent reading for anyone interested in service business in the energy industry. In their report, IHS Markit describes the key steps of AMI evolution, which inspired me to discuss the steps from the service business perspective.

When joining the Landis+Gyr EMEA organization years ago, I was joining a famous energy meter manufacturer known mainly for its high-quality smart meters and advanced software for collecting metering data. At the time, the term ‘service business’ was not a key word in the organization or in our industry in Europe, except in the Nordic countries where smart metering has been offered as a service since the early 2000's.

The growth pace of the global Smart Grid as a Service (SGaaS) market is increasing as more and more utilities are turning to service-based delivery of smart grid operations. Multiple challenges, such as regulatory pressures, rising consumer expectations, and increasing complexity of the smart grid infrastructure to name a few, drive distribution system operators to embrace Managed Services as an opportunity to optimize their physical assets and business processes.

When utilities look into the future, they see a market in a state of constant change. The ongoing industry transformation including digitalization and changing market landscapes means that the utilities market of the future will be vastly different to how it is today.

Landis+Gyr, the global leader in transforming how energy is delivered and managed, has a long track record as a smart meter solution provider and of offering managed services to utilities. With more than 15 million metering points in managed services in the US, the company is also proud to be a leading AMI service provider in Finland since 2002. Today, Landis+Gyr has taken an important step in extending its service business in Europe with the addition of Caruna’s service operations.