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| [April 10, 2012] |
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Ferranti Unveils its MECOMS™ "Big Data" Strategy for Utility Meter Data Management and Real Time Billing
ANTWERP, Belgium --(Business Wire)--
Ferranti has today announced its strategy for "Big Data" storage and
handling of smart meter readings, consumptions and tariff structures for
its MECOMS™ solution for the energy and utilities market. This strategy
brings "Big Data" and therefor extreme large volumes of information to
existing functionality of the MECOMS™ product, allowing real smart
metering and smart billing on one single architecture and technology
platform.
Dirk Michiels, CEO of Ferranti: "The introduction of
smart metering and smart grid initiatives requires utility companies to
deal with huge amounts of data. In the old world most meter readings
would be monthly or yearly, but now we see values coming in at a 15
minute pace. In order to make full use of the data explosion that
comes with smart metering data, new architectures are needed. Many
solutions can already deal with large volumes, but they do not provide
sufficient options to use the data is a smart way, let alone integrate
with processes like service management, billing, or even forecasting.
Our system will do that out-of-the-box, in a very cost-efficient and
scalable way on one technology platform."
In close cooperation with Microsoft (News - Alert), Ferranti is using new cutting-edge
technologies, to empower the MECOMS™ solution for big data. With
Ferranti innovations, such as IMA (In Memory Analytics, ensuring real
time data processing) and SVS (Smart Volume Streaming, enabling
optimised large volume handling), all MECOMS™ components will e able to
make full use of the vast amounts of data. The smart metering components
will guarantee input, processing and throughput for millions of records
per second, fully integrated with traditional components such as asset
management, service management, CRM, billing etc. Benchmarks have shown
that the new architecture will easily be able to deal with over 100
million smart meters on standard hardware platforms. Combining this
super-performance with new Microsoft SLQ Server 2012 features for
data-distribution, secondary storage and / or cloud-based Microsoft
Azure storage, offers possibilities without limits.
Johan Crols, MECOMS™ Product Manager: "All MECOMS™ components are
built on a strong architecture, designed for agility, volume and
performance. Integration with all types of AMI's is possible, thanks to
the flexible MECOMS™ integration framework and Smart Metering
Communication Bus. Whenever the data volumes require an upgrade to the
latest MECOMS™ version, we can guarantee a painless migration. In
addition, MECOMS™ runs on one single architecture, drastically reducing
IT costs."
As with the previous MECOMS™ versions, the new architecture will be in
full compliance with Microsoft's Smart Energy Reference Architecture
(SERA).
About Ferranti - Ferranti Computer Systems, founded in 1976, is a
member of the Nijkerk Group. The company's key customers are energy and
utility industry players. Its flagship product MECOMS™ is brought to the
market and implemented through a network of renowned partners such as
Accenture (News - Alert)/Avanade, Logica, GMCS, Euriware and TCS, supported by Ferranti
Engagement Services.
About MECOMS™ - MECOMS™ is a business support system for energy
and utility companies, handling both Meter Data Management (MDM) and
Customer Information Systems (CIS) functionality. It covers VEE,
Plausibilty checking, Contract Management, Billing, CRM (including call
center functionality), Service Management, Forecasting / Portfolio
Management, Market Interaction and much more… MECOMS™ combines
flexibility, efficiency and smart insights to drastically cut
cost-to-serve, even in a changing environment. Based on Microsoft
Dynamics AX, MECOMS™ is highly customisable and well-suited for
deployment in rapidly growing and fast-changing environments. MECOMS™ is
certified for Microsoft Dynamics and is the Microsoft "go-to" solution
for the Energy and Utilities market.
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