- arvato Systems is expanding its solution portfolio for smart metering services with M2M communication products from Telefónica
This strengthens the arvato Systems service portfolio in smart metering services. The company, part of the Bertelsmann Group, successfully launched a newly developed full-service offer for smart metering at the start of the year. As well as the IT operation, the package includes comprehensive business process outsourcing services for multi-branch metering services, smart meter gateway administration, and the switching of facilities covered by the Renewable Energy Resources Act (EEG). The future service range will also include BSI-compliant certification management in the role of sub-certificate authority (sub-CA).
Beyond these services, arvato Systems also offers services for rolling out smart meters with end-to-end hardware and installation logistics, as well as supplementary call center services. “We are extremely pleased to welcome several public utilities as customers at this initial phase of our new solution. Experienced service providers such as Telefónica allow us to broaden our range of services and expand it in the long term. Together, we can increase our innovative strength,” summarizes Thomas Nautsch, CEO of arvato Systems perdata.
Telefónica will support arvato Systems in the future with innovative products for M2M (machine-to-machine) communication. It secures transmission of energy consumption data from the measuring device and is therefore essential for all other services in the area of smart metering. As the first provider in Germany, Telefónica is launching a clever solution on the market: The largest mobile network operator in Germany is extending its reach to smart meters with wireless mesh network technology. “Telefónica Smart Meter Connect successfully demonstrates how important it is to understand the requirements of digitalization and the Internet of Things for specific applications,” says Sven Koltermann, Head of Energy Sales at Telefónica Germany. “At Telefónica, we follow a simple maxim when it comes to our offers: We focus on the customer.” Furthermore, Telefónica is currently in a strong position after the acquisition of E-Plus.
Smart metering and innovative business models based on this concept will become increasingly important in the coming years as a part of future intelligent energy networks for energy suppliers. For this reason, Telefónica, together with arvato Systems, will support companies in the energy market as they begin to use this future-oriented technology. “This cooperation will further strengthen our performance in the area of digitalization to meet an increasing market demand. As a result of numerous electricity producers and volatile production, the energy market is becoming increasingly complex, and the operation of distribution networks is also becoming more complicated. Market players thus require new, flexible M2M products, technologies, and services that will allow them to securely handle the growing complexity as components become increasingly networked. The combination of solutions we offer for smart metering services means we can provide even more extensive support for public utilities and at a lower cost,” confirms Sven Koltermann. Thomas Nautsch adds: “Our partnership for smart metering services will stand out on a fast-moving growth market. But it’s our customers who will benefit the most from this partnership as they will be able to establish and further develop our end-to-end offer from a single source.”
