TAMPA, Fla. -- (BUSINESS WIRE) --

Together with Microsoft, Ferranti Computer Systems has launched the MECOMS™ 2012 2.0 system for utilities at the CS Week conference in Tampa Florida.

MECOMS™ is a utilities software suite developed by Ferranti Computer Systems, a utilities technology provider since 1885. MECOMS™ is built on top of Dynamics AX, Microsoft’s flagship ERP platform and has been designated as Microsoft’s preferred utilities solution. After having won and completed successful MECOMS™ projects in Europe, system integrators Avanade and Accenture have brought MECOMS™ to the North American market, as an alternative to legacy utility systems.

Utilities face severe new challenges: the advent of smart metering and its big data requirements, increasing demands for customer service and the integration and maintenance of ageing assets. For many utilities, their current landscape of outdated and fragmented IT systems is quickly becoming untenable.

Dirk Michiels, CEO of Ferranti Computer Systems: “With the launch of MECOMS™ 2012 2.0, utilities are finally offered an option they did not have before. Firstly, our 2.0 release extends the existing design into an architecture optimized for big data. Utilities will be able to do real-time processing of 15-minute interval metering data from millions of smart meters. Secondly, MECOMS™ leverages these new MDM capabilities in other areas, thus enabling new business scenarios, such as time-of-use billing.”

MECOMS™ is a refreshing new alternative to the classic big two ERP vendors on one hand, and the countless niche software packages on the other hand. It leverages Microsoft’s leading Dynamics AX ERP platform and adds a complete solution for all utility back-office processes. MECOMS™ covers meter reading (manual, smart and automatic), billing, credit management, CRM, asset management, performance management and more.

Johan Crols, Director Product Management at Ferranti: “Many utilities have been waiting for a credible alternative. The entrenched customer information and meter data management solutions have become too expensive and inflexible to cope with an increasingly dynamic utilities industry. Our MECOMS™ solution is used by utilities around the world, with great success. It combines Ferranti’s extensive utilities expertise with Microsoft’s technology leadership. With the backing of our strong worldwide MECOMS™ Partner network, utilities can rest assured that they are buying into a reliable, future-proof platform.”

As it expanded its footprint beyond Western Europe to CEE, Middle East, APAC, India and North America, Ferranti’s MECOMS™ product has entered the CIS and MDM shortlists of every major industry analyst, and has been rising steadily ever since. What makes MECOMS™ unique is its unparalleled flexibility to cope with ever-changing business requirements. Moreover, MECOMS™ offers very efficient standard-processes, based on decades of experience in utilities. Finally, a proven implementation methodology, extensive training capabilities and a network of certified partners ensure smooth and reliable project deliveries.

About Ferranti – Ferranti Computer Systems is a member of the Nijkerk Group. The company’s key customers are energy and utility industry players. Its flagship product MECOMS™ is brought to the market and implemented through a network of renowned partners. As of today, the MECOMS™ Partner Network includes Accenture/Avanade, ADACTA, CGI, Euriware, Giza Systems, GMCS, NCS, Praxis, Prodware, Sterlite, Tata Consultancy Services, WBI and Wipro.

About MECOMS™ – MECOMS™ is a business support system for energy and utility companies, handling both Meter Data Management (MDM) and Customer Information Systems (CIS) functionality. MECOMS™ combines flexibility, efficiency and smart insights to drastically cut cost-to-serve, even in a changing environment. Based on Microsoft Dynamics AX, MECOMS™ is highly customisable and well-suited for deployment in rapidly growing and fast-changing environments. MECOMS™ is certified for Microsoft Dynamics and is the Microsoft “go-to” solution for the Energy and Utilities market.

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CONTACT:

Ferranti Computer Systems
Thibaut Vos, +32 3 540 49 11
Marketing Manager
thibaut.vos@ferranti.be