NATIONAL GRID SMART SELECTS IFS APPLICATIONS 9 TO SUPPORT MOVE TO SMART METERS


Installation and operation of next- generation meters in UK homes to be managed by IFS enterprise software.


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FS announces that it is supporting UK-based National Grid’s new smart meter business, National Grid Smart, with the deployment of IFS


Applications across the company’s core business operations. National Grid Smart’s goal of introduc-


ing smart meters into UK homes began in November 2016 and the solution supports the procurement, scheduling and installa- tion of new meters. National Grid Smart offers a fully-man-


aged smart meter service to national energy suppliers, with services ranging from asset financing and installation to managed logis- tics and customer communications. Each phase of the company’s rollout is supported by core IFS Applications functionality including financials, procurement, asset man- agement, project management, service man- agement 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 appli- cation, enabling National Grid Smart to monitor progress and address initial chal- lenges swiftly. IFS was selected as the lead software


provider for the programme following a competitive six month selection and pro- curement process, which saw a range of solution providers assessed for their ability


4 IFS WORLD


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:


n The provision of real-time information on energy usage to both consumers and suppliers


n Enhanced ability to manage energy usage, fix problems and save money


n An end to estimated billing – consumers and organisations will only be billed for the energy they actually use


n Easier switching – smoother and faster to switch suppliers to get the best deals


“The implementation of IFS Applications 9 mirrors the concept of smarter thinking that underpins our smart metering pro- gramme, 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 intercon- nected 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 central- ise our data management capability, be deployed and adapted within a tight time- frame and 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


ABOUT NATIONAL GRID SMART


National Grid Smart Ltd was incorpo- rated in January 2016 and is a sub- sidiary of National Grid within the Non-Regulated Business division. National Grid Smart offers a fully- managed smart meter service to national energy suppliers, with ser- vices ranging from asset financing and installation to managed logistics and customer communications.


nationalgridsmart.com


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.” 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.” 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. n


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