Role of Systems Integrator in Smart Metering Implementation

Role of Systems Integrator in 

Smart Metering Implementation 

Bebin Thomas 

WIPRO TECHNOLOGIES

TABLE OF CONTENTS 

Introduction ........................................................................................3 

Smart Metering Market Facts .............................................................4 

Smart Metering Implementation – Key Focus Areas ...........................5 

Role of System Integrator ....................................................................6 

Conclusion .........................................................................................11 

Appendix ...........................................................................................12 

References .........................................................................................12 

About the Author ................................................................................. 

12

Role of Systems Integrator in Smart Metering Implementation 

Smart Metering has become the latest buzzword world over for all, including Governments, Utilities and Regulators owing to 

significant benefits achieved by its implementation. Due to continuously evolving technology and lack of global standards, 

there lie immense challenges in Smart Metering Implementation for System Integrators. 

This white paper focuses on various implementation challenges faced by System Integrators (SI) in terms of choosing right 

technology, processes and approach owing to constraints in cost, market structure and size of Utilities.. 

Introduction 

Today, Smart Metering is no more an “if” but a “when.” Governments, Utilities and Regulators world over understand the 

benefits they may get with Smart Metering implementation. 

An efficient implementation of Smart Metering can transform the Utility to an entirely new, higher plateau of business 

performance and in order to achieve this, IT Systems Integrator (SI) play a pivotal role. 

Studies show that as many as 80% of projects fail to meet their technical, cost, or schedule objectives. Some 30% of projects are 

cancelled and approximately 50% exceed their original cost estimates. Advanced Metering Infrastructure (AMI) programs are not 

immune from these metrics. This white paper outlines the current smart metering market position, key focus area and typical 

role of an SI in implementing a Smart Metering Solution. 

3 | www.wipro.com/industryresearch 

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Smart Metering Market Facts 

Smart Metering Market Facts 

The Smart Metering subset is 

expected to show a much 

healthier 24% CAGR through 

2013. 

Figure 1: Findings from ABI Research 

Following graphs show the Smart Metering implementation growth in Europe & in the US from 2006 through 2012 and Smart 

Meters installation and expected evolution in Electricity sector in Europe. 

In such a rapidly growing AMI market, SI’s play a pivotal role in Smart Metering implementation. Before we see the various roles 

that an SI can play, let us see the key focus areas for an SI during a Smart Metering implementation. 


Smart Metering would 

experience a 24% annual 

growth rate through 2013. 

(Although world markets for 

electric, water and gas meters 

are increasing at a compound 

annual growth rate (CAGR) 

of only 2%) 

By year 2013, 28% of electric 

meters are expected to be 

"smart." 

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Smart Metering Implementation – Key Focus Areas 

Due to the evolving nature of AMI Technology and Mergers & Acquisitions within Utilities, SI's face an ever increasing 

challenging situation in any Smart Metering implementation. Utilities expect SI's to have vertical industry experience where in 

the SI has complete knowledge of the industry, local/federal regulations, market trends and solutions. It is very essential that an 

optimal program approach is taken for any Smart Metering implementation. The key areas where SI's should focus are – 

Business Process Assessment, Technology Assessment, Solution Implementation and Benefits Realization 

Business Process Assessment: AMI will fail if “Smart Meters” and “Smart System ” are implemented without “Smart Processes” 

to support them. Hence it is essential to assess the existing business processes, gaps and AMI regulatory requirements before 

arriving at a TO-BE Business process. 

Technology Assessment: Technology in AMI is still evolving and arguably in infancy stage. Therefore selecting the right 

technology is a big challenge for any SI. Choosing the right vendor for metering products, Meter Data Management (MDM) 

solution, communication network and softwares for integrating the various IT systems is very important. 

Solution Implementation: Solution Implementation strategy would be different for different Utilities. A smaller Utility may opt 

for SaaS Solution. A larger Utility may first want to go for Pilot implementation to verify the proposed business benefits before 

taking a Big-Bang approach. 

Benefits Realization: What next once “Smart Meters”, “Smart Systems” and Smart “Processes” are put in place? Utilities would 

then like to see the ROI of their colossal investments in Smart Metering. Smart Metering implementation promises a lot of 

benefits to the Utility. The ultimate success of an SI depends on the Benefits Realization which it can offer to the Utility through 

their implementation. 


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Role of System Integrator 

Today Systems Integrators are capable of playing a wide spectrum role in Smart Metering implementation. With their vertical 

industry knowledge they position themselves as an expert. Utilities may want SI’s to not only focus on Assessment, Solution 

Implementation and Benefits Realization; they may also want them to play an imperative role in the Business Case 

Development. Typically SI’s would perform following roles in any Smart Metering Implementation. 

Business Case Development: 


Business case for a Smart Metering implementation is quite well established. Everybody 

understands the benefits of transformation from a “dumb” to a “smart” grid. However, if a Utility engages an SI for Business 

Case Development, the prime focus for an SI should be to identify the key drivers and challenges of the Utility for Smart 

Metering implementation and ascertain a roadmap with clear visibility of Benefits Realization. Once the Business Case and 

funding for the proposal is approved by the Utility, it’s time for the SI to walk the talk! 

Assessment: 

before the Utility. 

A detailed Business Process and Technology Assessments are required before the Solution options are placed 

• Business Process Assessment: SI should carry out a detailed study of the existing business process and plot the AS-IS 

Business Process Map. Some of the Utilities may already have the AS-IS Business Process Map. In such case SI should 

verify the AS-IS process before taking the next steps. A To-Be Business Process Map should be plotted based on the 

Utility requirements, features of the products selected and industry best practices to arrive at the Gaps. SI should 

keenly focus on ensuring that the Gaps are filled as they implement the solution as it is a very essential parameter 

measured during Benefits Realization. 

• Technology Assessment: Success of an AMI program largely depends on the technology assessment, which includes 

selecting the right products, fit for purpose, from a vendor who has strong market credentials. Technology assessment 

should mainly include a feasibility study of the product against the Utility requirements. Currently, there is no 

universally adopted AMI specification. Hence, the functionality that is required within the AMI solution needs to be 

carefully defined by the SI. Following are the basic requirements of an AMI Solution which an SI should evaluate during 

the Technology Assessment. 

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An Interoperable Solution with open standard technology for interfaces and data to prevent the solution from being locked 

into a single vendor. 

A Secure Metering Solution which can ensure protection of customers’ personal information in accordance with the legal 

and regulatory requirements. 

A secure, open standard, scalable two-way communication network for data exchange. 

A remotely programmable and controllable meter having the ability to remotely energize/de-energize, upgrade the 

metering settings, firmware which should be reversible if not successful and can operate in both credit and debit mode. 

Meter which is capable of recording demand and usage over configurable time periods enable Time of Use metering and 

can record bidirectional energy flow so that customers are encouraged for micro-generation or distributed generation. 

Meter with the ability to store data for a configurable duration for any diagnostic purpose, can self locate using GPS and 

can act as a gateway for devices connected to the meter at customer end. 

An AMI Solution with robust network management capabilities having the ability to remotely diagnose meters, network 

components and detect & repair (Self Healing) network problems. 

An intelligent AMI solution where it can detect outages, can detect theft or tampering of meter. 

An MDM Solution which is capable of furnishing following data requirements for different 

market players. 

Parties Involved Use of Data 

DSO (Systems Operator) 

Supplier 

Generation (distributed) 

Customer 

Third Party (ESCOs) 

Government Body or Regulators 

Table 1: Application of data obtained by MDM solution 

As part of the Technology Assessment being done for the solution provided by vendor, a thorough Vendor Assessment is 

also required about their credentials like – market presence of their product, total cost of ownership, integration ease, 

future offerings from the vendor and most importantly, their delivery capabilities. 


Grid operation, billing, forecast, loss detection, customer service, 

process automation, customer switching, power quality monitoring 

Billing, Tendering, Forecast, Trading 

Plant operation 

Decision making 

Energy efficiency measures, Input to home and building automation 

Power quality monitoring, Statistics 

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Solution Implementation: Implementation Approach aspects of Solution Delivery are two important aspects of 

Solution Implementation 

Implementation Approach would primarily depend on the Utility requirement and to some extent the size in terms of 

customer base of the Utility too. Implementation Approach options should be given due consideration and should be discussed 

with the Utility before finalizing the recommended approach. 


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Solution Delivery: is another important aspect of Solution Implementation which includes System Engineering, Testing 

and Management. 


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Deployment: 

Benefits Realization: 


Deployment of Smart Metering Program is very different and challenging from any other Utility systems 

integration program. This is mainly attributed to its complexity. Three main challenges in Smart Metering deployment are given 

below. 

What after Smart meters, Smart Systems and Smart Processes are deployed? Utility would want to 

evaluate the ROI which the SI had shown during the Business Case Development. Benefits Realization primarily depends on 

how rightly the solution was implemented for the Utility. SI should also be providing solutions for continuous improvement for 

the Utility and show them a clear path for reaping more benefits. 

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Conclusion 

Smart Metering implementation definitely is not ‘One Size Fits All’. Hence, such implementation requires a lot of due diligence 

so as to arrive at an acceptable and customized roadmap. A few utilities may opt for some services under SaaS model. Due to 

the colossal investment cost associated with such a program, a Pilot implementation would be a good fit in today’s scenario so 

that the performance, customer satisfaction and ROI can be measured faster and learning from the last implementation can be 

put in the next implementation. 

Political Leaders world over are worried about the energy losses and global warming. They see Smart Metering implementation 

as one step in the movement towards minimizing energy losses, which opens up an ocean of opportunities for Smart Metering 

System Integrators. 


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Appendix 

References 

• [2007]. Factiva, Accenture Research analysis. Smart metering in the Energy and Utilities Sector, Datamonitor. 

• [2007]. ERGEG. Smart Metering with a Focus on Electricity Regulation. 

• [2008]. Ketchledge, James. Electric Energy T&D Magazine. Challenges of Implementing AMI. 

• Gentry, Malinda; Lich, Joshua. Advanced Metering Infrastructure: The Case for Transformation, 

Utilities Project. 

• Utility AMI High-Level Requirements Revision 2.7 

About the Author 

Bebin Thomas is a Senior Consultant working with Wipro’s Energy & Utilities Domain consulting group. He has been a part of 

various large Systems Integration programs in WAM & CIS domain. He can be reached at bebin.thomas@wipro.com. 


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ABOUT WIPRO TECHNOLOGIES 

Wipro is the first PCMM Level 5 and SEI CMMi Level 5 certified IT Services Company globally. Wipro provides comprehensive IT 

solutions and services (including systems integration, IS outsourcing, package implementation, software application 

development and maintenance) and Research & Development services (hardware and software design, development and 

implementation) to corporations globally. 

Wipro's unique value proposition is further delivered through our pioneering Offshore Outsourcing Model and stringent Quality 

Processes of SEI and Six Sigma. 

ABOUT WIPRO COUNCIL FOR INDUSTRY RESEARCH 

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the needs of customers by specifically looking at innovative strategies that will help them gain competitive advantage in the 

market. The Council in collaboration with leading academic institutions and industry bodies studies market trends to equip 

organizations with insights that facilitate their IT and business strategies 

For more information please visit www.wipro.com/industryresearch 


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Role of Systems Integrator in Smart Metering Implementation

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