IFS eyes smart metering projects

Enterprise resource planning (ERP) software developer IFS claimed it was on the verge of signing a New Zealand utility to use its software in a smart metering project.

The company was also pursuing deals with local utilities, particularly in the state of its headquarters, Victoria, where a major rollout of the technology has begun.

Victoria's smart grid plan, announced in April, would provide 2.5 million Victorians the ability to monitor their own energy use and allow utilities to read, connect or disconnect meters remotely and respond faster to power outages.

"They're [Victorian utilities] all talking to us about how to structure their systems," said Rob Stummer ,managing director for IFS in Australia and New Zealand.

Stummer said IFS' software would likely be used for workforce management in smart metering projects.

He said the company was also targeting aerospace, defence and mining industries.

"We're still a bit of a sleeping giant down here," Stummer said.

"We'll never be an SAP or Oracle nor do we want to be, but we're a serious player in the verticials [we target]."

The company has 20 staff at offices in Melbourne and North Sydney.

It entered the local market a decade ago through a joint venture with a Melbourne reseller, Parade Software. Parade's stake was bought out by IFS' Swedish parent of the same name three years ago.

For more on smart grids, visit CRN's Smart Power coverage.