FRAMINGHAM, Mass.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--IDC Energy Insights announced today the availability of a new report, IDC MarketScape: North America Distribution Management System 2012 Vendor Assessment (Doc #EI232876), providing an assessment of six leading vendors of Distribution Management Systems (DMS) in North America. In the report, IDC Energy Insights provides an opinion on which vendors are well-positioned today through current capabilities and which are best positioned to gain market share over the next three to five years. Vendors evaluated include: Alstom, GE, Oracle, Siemens, Telvent (acquired by Schneider Electric), and Ventyx (an ABB company).
DMS is an assembly of distribution network monitoring and control system applications and functionality operated through a control center based on a network model. The DMS monitors and controls the electric power distribution network of substations, feeders, and field equipment and devices. In advanced environments, the distribution management technology optimizes electric delivery, integrates to enterprise systems, and streamlines field processes with accurate and actionable data. The system's value improves reliability, power quality, and power efficiency. Today, smart grid projects are blooming across North America and the globe. The vaunted advanced metering infrastructure/smart meter projects, together with increasing innovation and adoption of distributed energy resources (DER), create an opportunity, and a need, to adopt DMS in the North American market.
"Smart grid introduces challenges to the centrally controlled distribution network that early generations of DMS have supported for decades. Distributed generation, energy storage, renewable resources, and plug-in electric vehicle (PEV) charging create a need for manageable two-way power flow in the distribution grid. The needed changes require tighter integration between control systems and enterprise systems at a business level, and granular field data at an operational level," explained IDC Energy Insights Research Manager Marcus Torchia, the author of the report.
IDC Energy Insights divided potential key strategy measures for success into two primary categories: the first is the provider's current capabilities and how well aligned they are to customer needs. The second is how well the provider's future strategy aligns with what customers will require in three to five years. Under this category, analysts look at whether or not a supplier's strategies in various areas are aligned with customer requirements (and spending) over a defined future time period.
The document is relevant for a utility preparing to automate greater portions of its distribution infrastructure, to harmonize the impact of distributed energy resources, and/or increase power delivery efficiency, especially through the use of distributed smart sensing, and control devices and advanced analytics. This report gives distribution operations, engineering, and IT a vendor assessment, allowing them to make a better product investment decision, mitigate against investment risk, and be better informed about market options.
The assessment discusses both quantitative and qualitative characteristics that create value in this market. Findings reveal that buyer value is delivered today by the vendors in this review. Differences in near-term scoring can be attributed to current functional offerings, performance and integration, customer base concentration, and adoption momentum. These attributes will play a role in the future success of vendors with long-term utility purchasing decisions being made today. Longer term, scoring was influenced by vendor product strategy, portfolio assets, and ability to meet the North America utility market's needs.
For additional information about this study, or to arrange a one-on-one briefing with Marcus Torchia, please contact Sarah Murray at 781-378-2674 or sarahbethmurray@gmail.com. Reports are available to qualified members of the media. For information on purchasing reports, contact info@idc-ei.com.
About IDC MarketScape
IDC MarketScape vendor analysis model is designed to provide an overview of the competitive fitness of ICT (information and communications technology) suppliers in a given market. The research methodology utilizes a rigorous scoring methodology based on both qualitative and quantitative criteria that results in a single graphical illustration of each vendor’s position within a given market. IDC MarketScape provides a clear framework in which the product and service offerings, capabilities and strategies, and current and future market success factors of IT and telecommunications vendors can be meaningfully compared. The framework also provides technology buyers with a 360-degree assessment of the strengths and weaknesses of current and prospective vendors.
About IDC Energy Insights
IDC Energy Insights assists energy businesses and IT leaders, as well as the suppliers who serve them, in making more effective technology decisions by providing accurate, timely, and insightful fact-based research and consulting services. Staffed by senior analysts with decades of industry experience, our global research analyzes and advises on business and technology issues facing the utility and oil and gas industries. International Data Corporation (IDC) is the premier global provider of market intelligence, advisory services, and events for the information technology market. IDC is a subsidiary of IDG, the world’s leading technology, media, research, and events company. For more information, please visit www.idc-ei.com, email info@idc-ei.com, or call 508-935-4400. Visit the IDC Energy Insights Community at http://idc-insights-community.com/energy.