Webinars

September 5, 2013; 5 PM CET/ 11 AM EDT/ 9AM PDT

[img:StefanW.thumbnail.jpg|Stefan Wolf,
SAP]In the past, utilities primarily communicated with customers through their bill. Today, there are new requirements to interact with customers in real-time. The smart grid enables new products and services, e.g. pre-paid services that require real-time information. Deregulation demands quick responses to market requirements or competitive programs. Political and customer pressure dictates to keep customers informed in a timely manner about planned and unplanned events, e.g. outages and restoration, or customer related threads like bill scams. Increased focus on energy efficiency campaigns and demand response programs requires personalized customer engagement across multiple channels. Managing traditional and new channels like mobile and social in a consistent manner presents a growing challenge.

[img:SiemensL1_0.jpg| ]Historically in utilities, information technology and operational technology have occupied very separate realms -- often for good reasons. But today, utilities can only realize the full benefits of advanced metering systems if they begin to blend these silos into more collaborative teams and projects.

What does IT/OT convergence really mean, and what can it look like? Why should utilities of any size work toward this goal? How might convergence improve the management of generation, transmission, and distribution assets; real-time grid operations; business and customer service processes and more?

Where are the points of resistance: cultural, technical, and organizational? How can utilities address challenges such as interoperability, security, and reporting structures?

We'll hear from executives at Kansas City Power & Light, CenterPoint Energy, Sask Power, and other power providers about how they've managed, and benefitted from, IT/OT convergence. Learn about strategies (such as locating IT and OT teams near each other in control centers) that can help convergence succeed. Learn the crucial role of OT in driving convergence. This is a chance to ask your questions, share your experiences, and discuss your issues.

Wednesday, July 31, 2013
10:00 AM Eastern Time