Integrating and managing smart meters

A head-end system enables utility companies to monitor meters and keep these devices up to date.

Keeping up with millions of smart meters

To cope with the ever-growing demand for electricity, governments and utility companies are looking into new ways of increasing efficiencies and optimizing processes. Smart meters play a key role in this effort – these devices form the basis for turning conventional power grids into smart grids. Energy providers can integrate these meters into their advanced metering infrastructure (AMI) with the help of a head-end system. Serving as the central interface between smart meters and the metering data management (MDM) entity, a head-end system has to meet many different requirements:

A head-end system has to operate dependably, regardless of how many smart meters are out there in the field.
Scalability and security are key considerations. A head-end system must shuttle data back and forth reliably, even as the number of connected devices grows.
Interoperability is another important element. A head-end system must provide all the interfaces needed to integrate it into an existing system landscape.
Given the varying requirements of different target markets and customer scenarios, a head-end system has to be very versatile indeed.

Benefits at a glance

Utility companies can collect metering data automatically at definable intervals.
An automated system for rolling out software updates ensures smart meters are always brought up to speed.
Based on state-of-the-art cloud architecture, the system scales to meet growing requirements while ensuring reliable operation.

How utility companies benefit from a head-end system

A reliable tool for retrieving metering data

Utility companies can lighten their day-to-day workload by automatically retrieving readings from smart meters. They can define which readings they need as they see fit. Additionally, they can define rules to determine what happens if the data retrieval fails.

Ready for the rollout of smart meters

A head-end system based on state-of-the-art cloud architecture keeps operating reliably even if the smart meter count keeps growing and growing. With the benefit of SaaS components, energy providers are free to focus on key tasks and can even reduce their total cost of ownership (TCO).

Secure and up to date

High security standards demand that software running on smart meters remains up to date. An automated system smoothly rolls out updates and enables utility companies to quickly resolve security issues.

How energy suppliers master their digital transformation

Read the white paper

The Bosch.IO head-end system

Utility companies can enjoy the benefits of a sophisticated head-end system featuring the device management and software updating capabilities of the Bosch IoT Suite.

Our comprehensive device management solution enables utility companies to keep a watchful eye on the status of their devices. Our scalable solution ensures that their advanced metering infrastructure continues to operate dependably as more and more smart meters come on line. What’s more, our head-end system helps utility companies automate large-scale software updates to get new versions up and running that much faster and more smoothly.

Our head-end system may be deployed as a standalone solution or in conjunction with our add-on smart meter management solutions. A readily extendible modular system, it can accommodate other metering applications, for example, for gas, water, or heat. Standard interfaces (APIs) enable easy integration into legacy systems and processes.