Live from Metering Billing/CRM-fair in Amsterdam.

Posted 6 October, 2011

The two and a half days in Amsterdam is coming to an end.

Common vision

It's been many interesting hours of listening to insights, discussions with customers, vendors and partners. Smart people. Great companies. Ups and downs in performance. Many similar messages. The industry is getting to a common vision. We are in the middle of a change as has happened in all other industries prior to utility. Now innovation need to be there for companies to become winners. Here are some main reflections from Amsterdam.

An industry in rapid change

An industry that is currently driven by regulation, but maturing into becoming market driven and realizing the competitive benefits of taking decisions based on consumer bahaviour and needs. Still some distance to go, but we need to start somewhere.

Everyone is moving into the same spot

It's interesting to see that most companies attending the event, being it meter makers, component providers or service providers, are aiming at the same vision and provide the same services. Still, I guess it's natural at the stage in an industry change that this is the case. Next step will be to identify key strengths and take a clear position based on those strengths. Competing and cooperating with the players around you in the eco system.

'Smart metering' and 'smart homes' will next year be completely integrated

As in any industry in change, the value chain will consolidate. This will happen here as well. This event has been co-locating smart metering and smart home, but next year this should be the same. Next year the market is ready for this. This is just like M2M and M2H is just different perspectives of the same value chain.

Europe is very diversified

It's obvious that European regulation is difficult. All countries have different cultures and different progress in smart meter implementation and readiness. Sweden, for instance, have come very far and is now ready to become more innovative and market driven.