FALLS CHURCH, Va.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--CSC (NYSE: CSC) announced today that it is collaborating with leading wireless network and performance management software provider Proximetry to leverage its AirSync™ platform as the foundation of a first-of-its-kind smart grid network management cloud service. For utility operators seeking to proactively and efficiently manage their smart grid communication networks, CSC’s AirSync Cloud offering provides network management to multi-vendor, multi-radio (LTE, WiMax, WiFi, 4G) public and private networks that is secure, reliable and highly-available. The solution, initially to be offered in the United States with future markets launching later in 2012, will be hosted from CSC’s industry-leading trusted cloud data centers.
“In the age of instant information, rapid response and smart devices, utilities must have an unprecedented level of expertise in managing the change impacting communication networks,” said Jill Feblowitz, vice president, IDC Energy Insights. “Agility, flexibility and the degree to which they’re equipped to extend the same network communication service levels provided in the data center to the grid transformation — with the right people, processes and technologies — will determine when and how well the benefits of the smart grid will gain traction.”
Proximetry’s AirSync software is a comprehensive Smart Grid Network Management System (SGNMS) that provides device configuration and management, software management, QoS and Traffic Shaping, network monitoring and feedback, and network topology visualization for managed devices. By combining this capability with CSC’s market-leading cloud services and deep utilities industry expertise, the companies are helping utilities establish an effective, unified, platform for smart grid communications network management.
CSC’s AirSync Cloud solution supports rapid deployment and scaling of the application, enabling management and monitoring across a comprehensive range of communication endpoint devices, applications and communications protocols. This unique capability will be offered to utilities without the need for investment in data center hardware and infrastructure, and comes at a time when the industry faces a complex, dynamic device market and escalating customer demand.
This solution allows utilities to extend the same robust network management solution used today inside the data center into the field/grid, and provides the utility with many benefits, including:
- Enhanced visibility and control of the network
- Improved and expanded customer service
- Greater financial efficiency and budgeting reliability
- Increased grid availability, resiliency and security
- Better monitoring and measurement
- A foundation to support future smart grid technologies, using standards-based communications and a scalable infrastructure
“Realizing the full potential of smart grid technology requires a sophisticated, adaptable enterprise architecture that can interactively collect, synthesize, report on and respond to vast amounts of data collected in real time,” said Robert Welch, president, Chemical, Energy and Natural Resource Group, CSC. “We’re offering the market a multi-vendor, multi-radio as a service solution that provides enhanced flexibility, improved performance and, in most cases, cost savings that can be passed on to the customer — a key competitive differentiator in these uncertain economic times.”
“The need to actively manage the smart device landscape is growing exponentially,” said Tracy Trent, chief executive officer, Proximetry. “Even leading utilities are struggling to gain a consolidated view of their systems and capabilities. Leveraging CSC’s world-class cloud services, we’re providing utilities with a unified view of their networks and access to supporting information and data that’s essential in operating, managing and maintaining the smart grid communication network at competitively-acceptable service levels. No other alliance is providing utilities with this proven capability in the cloud today.”
CSC serves the global utility industry with capabilities from managed services and system integration, to application development, infrastructure redesign, application support and cybersecurity across the traditional utilities value chain, as well as by implementing strategies that enable utilities to be smart, sustainable and secure. Learn more at www.csc.com/utilities.
CSC will exhibit the capabilities of the AirSync platform at DistribuTECH booth #1645.
About Proximetry
Proximetry is a leading global wireless network and performance management solutions provider for the energy, public safety, telecommunications, and transportation industries, with customers in the United States, Latin America, Europe, and Asia. Proximetry enables wireless operators across multiple industries to easily and seamlessly visualize, provision, and optimally manage their multi-network, multi-frequency and multi-protocol infrastructure, resulting in lower network operating costs, higher revenues via new powerful service offerings and higher customer satisfaction. AirSnc™, the company's carrier-class software system, allows state of the art dynamic monitoring, control, and management of wireless networks from a single network operations center. AirSync™ supports 4G LTE, WiMAX, Wi-Fi, 3G and multiple flavors of RF-Mesh networking technologies. Founded in 2005, Proximetry is privately held, headquartered in San Diego, Calif.ornia, and backed by Munich Venture Partners, Aeris Capital, Investec and Rembrandt Venture Partners. For more information, please visit www.proximetry.com.
About CSC
CSC is a global leader in providing technology-enabled business solutions and services. Headquartered in Falls Church, Va., CSC has approximately 97,000 employees and reported revenue of $16.2 billion for the 12 months ended September 30, 2011. For more information, visit the company’s website at www.csc.com.