Case Studies
Enabling Open and Interoperable AMI Implementation
As utilities move forward with their vision of enabling Smart Grid using Advanced Metering Infrastructure (AMI), many still are concerned about the rapid pace of changing technologies and solutions in this space. Investments in AMI and Smart Grid technologies typically cost tens of millions of dollars, so utilities want to make sure that they are not going to be stuck with one-off proprietary solutions that are risky to implement and costly to maintain. This is exactly why a large electric and gas utility in US engages Xtensible to help it establish open-standards based integration and information management framework to drive its AMI solution integration and implementation. Standards such as IEC CIM/61968-9 and MultiSpeak are important enablers for the market, and Xtensible is helping this utility take full advantage of and drive the market momentum of the standards.
Enabling a Large Scale SOA Implementation
Xtensible played a key role in a major US ISO market redesign program that included the implementation of large commercial off-the-shelf systems, the integration to many legacy systems, and the implementation of master data management and data marts for near real-time reporting and analysis. Xtensible was engaged to establish a methodology and toolset for designing the common services for enterprise integration by leveraging industry standards IEC CIM to deliver a complete SOA design solution. The Xtensible team was responsible not only for developing the semantic model, but also for designing the interface service contracts for all systems (new or legacy) involved.
Building an Enterprise Data Management Solution
Xtensible Solutions is engaged with a large east coast utility in North America with its implementation of a Data Warehouse and Business Intelligence (DW/BI) solution for power system management. The MD3i approach is used to leverage industry standard IEC CIM and other application specific metadata to drive the utility Enterprise Semantic Model (ESM). The ESM is then used to drive the design of data integration and data warehouse database, using ETL for batch processing and ESB for real time data exchange needs. This approach enables the utility to establish a long term solution for its enterprise data management as it expands the current implementation into other business areas.
Establishing and Executing an EIM Strategy
One of the largest US electric and gas utilities turned to Xtensible for help in establishing an Enterprise Information Management (EIM) strategy and framework so that data and information assets can be managed consistently across enterprise programs. Once the EIM strategy and business case were established, they provided the necessary framework and guidance for coordination between major programs. Xtensible has also been involved with the development of the enterprise information model and associated integration services or these programs. The goal is to enable consistent implementation of core EIM constructs that support a complete SOA design for enterprise integration and information management, so that the future business changes can be managed with more flexibility and less total cost of ownership.
Building a Foundation for Smart Grid Implementation
When a large US IOU started to execute its vision for utility of the future and build out its smart grid, it engaged Xtensible for help with integration needs around its core business applications such as GIS, OMS/DMS, WMS, and WFMS with a strategic and service-oriented approach for enterprise integration and information management using open standards such as IEC CIM and 61968. Such an approach allows the company to expand the application portfolio toward Smart Grid solution with full confidence that the foundation for enterprise integration and information management is solid and flexible.