Meter Data Management: Important but too Expensive?

摘要

Savvy executives know meter data management (MDM) is an effective way to manage, process and distribute usage information collected by advanced metering infrastructure (AMI) systems. MDM is a critical enabler that helps utilities deliver demand response programs ranging from time-based rates to various load control solutions. MDM also enables customers to learn about their energy use, encourages enrollment in rate programs, improves customer communications, and increases overall customer satisfaction. There are many other significant operational benefits made possible by MDM but the typical enterprise-class MDM system is expensive, obliging a utility to make a major investment in information technology infrastructure. That kind of financial commitment can discourage some utilities from implementing MDM. That's where hosted MDM solutions come in. A hosted MDM solution may provide a lower cost, reduced-risk alternative to deploying these enterprise-class systems on-premise-part of the growing trend of companies buying Software-as-a-Service, or SaaS.