Case Study 2: Strategic Enhancement of SMOC Capabilities for Smart Meter Deployment

Challenge

A leading utility was set to expand its infrastructure capabilities through an advanced smart metering initiative. The Smart Metering Operations Center (SMOC), initially designed to manage up to 70,000 meters, faced a capacity challenge with the planned simultaneous ramp-up in 28 optimization areas. Analysis showed that without adjustments, meter management would exceed this threshold by 2026, potentially straining resources and affecting service during this crucial upgrade phase.

Solution

Our consultancy was tasked with optimizing the utility's data management to prepare for this expansion. We transformed the existing Excel datasets for better compatibility and integration with Power BI. This process involved reorganizing the data to ensure consistent reporting across all areas, establishing a system for week-by-week analysis over the next five years.

We redesigned the data structure to ensure that each of the 28 optimization areas was aligned and could be aggregated effectively. This setup enabled a comprehensive view of operations and facilitated detailed planning for resource allocation and workload management across the utility’s network.

Result

The revamped data management approach allowed the utility to effectively monitor and manage meters across all optimization areas, providing clear visibility into operations on a weekly basis for five years. This enhanced system supported proactive management of resources, ensuring operational stability and efficiency during the smart meter rollout.

This strategic update not only maintained operational fluency but also positioned the utility as a forward-thinking player in technology adoption, equipped to scale up and tackle future demands with robust solutions.