Energy & Utilities
Next Page »
Datamatic seeks a beachhead in Commercial and Industrial (C&I) interval meter data collection and processing with CommSTAR, a product focused on matching industry trends. Will this one-product market be receptive to their entry? We investigate the CommSTAR solution (www.datamatic.com) and the resulting prospects for successful market entry in this highly specialized market. Background In the [...]
Read more...
Itron’s MV-90 meter data collection and processing application has had an unrivaled market presence in North America. Recently, a new entrant has chosen to challenge their dominance. Many factors indicate that Itron can defend their dominant market share, yet can one product meet all customer demands? We investigate the MV-90 solution (www.itron.com ), its evolution, [...]
Read more...
In December of 2003, Harry Debes, CEO of SPL, announced his intent to execute an acquisition strategy. A few months later, on May 4, 2004, he signed a definitive agreement to acquire CES. Acquisition strategies are fraught with risks. Research has shown that acquisitions increase shareholder value only 20% to 50% of the time. The [...]
Read more...
How are prices set at the industry level? In a competitive market, Adam Smith’s invisible hand drives prices to a dynamic equilibrium set by suppliers’ willingness to produce at a price and consumers’ willingness to purchase. Yet residential electricity markets are hardly competitive. Since the Public Utility Holding Company Act of 1935, government regulations have [...]
Read more...
The Metering Billing CRM/CIS Americas 2004 conference organized by Spintelligent was distinguished by a depth of information provided through speaker sessions, development of professional relations created during refreshment breaks, and identification of opportunities and possibilities through the matching of needs. Entering with the voice of reason, Compos Mentis clarified the importance of this meeting and [...]
Read more...
In spurts and fits, industries change rapidly. The conversations and sessions at the recent Metering Billing CRM/CIS Americas 2004 organized by Spintelligent once again indicated how fast this industry is evolving. The opening session kicked off a fury of concerns over who would be paying for the deployment of Automatic Meter Reading (AMR) and Demand [...]
Read more...
The Utilities Customer Information System (CIS) industry appeared to be in a funk at The Metering Billing CRM/CIS Americas 2004 Conference. In many ways, this industry is tracking with that of the CRM and ERP industry cohorts. Worrisome Market Prospects Even during the Pre-conference Executive Workshop presented by Warren B. Causey, Ltd, it became suspect [...]
Read more...
Several speakers at The Metering Billing CRM/CIS Americas 2004 Conference had thoughts about the origin of the value in this industry, but the fun of it was that each speaker had a slightly different take on the subject. Consider the following quotes. Ross Malme, President of PLMA, stated the “product isn’t the meter, the product [...]
Read more...
Securing initial investments for a new venture is an early hurdle for entrepreneurs. While most executives are delighted to receive a cash injection from any legitimate investor, a few executives have the privilege of receiving more than cash for equity. For them, the investor will bring not just money, but Smart Money. When I first [...]
Read more...
In partnerships with utilities, MeterSmart provides commercial and industrial (C&I) submetering solutions through hardware and services. Born out of a project in South Texas with a Hunt Power L.P. affiliate, they initiated operations as an independent division in 1999. Differentiation As a young company, MeterSmart faces numerous entrenched competitors in the submetering industry. According to [...]
Read more...
Next Page »
