Roadshow Aims to Help Utilities Cope with Deregulation Through Intelligent ICT Investments
IDC RESEARCH RO SRL - 9 November 2005
IDC and Energy Insights are hosting a series of events to help utility and energy companies deal with the joint forces of liberalization and the rapid development of IT and communications (ICT). In cooperation with the European Commission and leading industry associations, this roadshow stops in five key cities (Budapest, Bucharest, Prague, Warsaw, and Zagreb) and features keynote addresses from IDC and Energy Insights analysts as well as presentations from leading professional and government authorities on the utilities industry.
Each event addresses the new operational and management challenges facing the industry in light of increased competition and the advancement of IT. In Bucharest, our invited keynote speakers: Mr. Codrut Seres - Minister of Economy and Commerce, Mr. Nicolae Coroiu General Manager, Electrica SA, Felix Enescu CIO, Rompetrol SA and Mr. Cristian Ilie General Manager, National Agency for Cadastre and Land Registration will address the impact of market liberalization on IT systems.
"Energy market liberalization is having a profound impact on IT systems," says Jill Feblowitz, Program Director, Energy Wholesale Strategies, Energy Insights. In 2004, the utilities industry in the five countries included in this roadshow invested more than $607 million in IT and communications technology. Spending is expected to rise to nearly $645 million in 2005 and to $856 million by the end of 2008. "These numbers reflect a new reality in the industry. Providers must change their existing systems as well as develop and deploy entirely new systems that allow for customer choice and keep infrastructure delivery channels open for competition."
To tackle these issues, IDC and Energy Insights are taking their utility roadshow to Central and Eastern Europe. Each stop will not only examine the role of IT in meeting regulatory requirements but will also look at the role of IT in improving business performance. Senior representatives from the European Commission's Directorate-General for Information Society and Media will discuss Power Line Communications and its role in transforming the electricity network into an intelligent grid. "ICT can also be a source of additional services and revenue through broadband connections that allow for the provision of video, telephony, and Internet services," says Paulo de Sousa - Head of Sector, Mobile & Wireless, Directorate - General Information Society, European Commission.
Additional sessions will address:
Development trends in the utilities and energy sectors in Central & Eastern Europe
How advanced technologies change business strategies Geographic Information Systems
Communication technologies for management of utilities and energy companies
Tapping technology to serve your customers better: CRM, Business Intelligence, e-Billing
"The real trick for utilities is not just upgrading or implementing IT solutions that help them meet regulatory requirements," says Feblowitz, "but also using those same solutions to make the business work better."
In November and December 2005 and June 2006, IDC's Utilities Roadshow will stop in the following cities:
Zagreb 1 December 05
Budapest 6 December 05
Bucharest 8 December 05
Prague 9 December 05
Warsaw 8 June 06
Tags: utilities
energy
december
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