Most business sectors around the globe were negatively impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. It should come as little to no surprise that the software industry for utilities management is no exception.

However, the industry in general has surprisingly indicated relatively optimistic growth, with market size maintaining the average annual growth rate from 2014 to 2018. But how is this possible?

The motivation behind such annual growth can be directly attributed to the value-added benefits of software applications in an already fragile property market. Such proven applications, whether on-premises or on servers, help and assist with enabling electric, gas and water utilities to achieve optimal performance and excellence.

Utilities software additionally enables customers to adapt more agilely to market deregulations. The smart software permits the satisfaction of ever-evolving customer demands, and warrants delivery on numerous environmental conservation commitments, which can optimize advanced metering infrastructure for both the utilities sector and its customers.

Networks, assets, and meters all work together to provide an integrated solution with leading enterprise applications as well as database technologies. These are the most fundemental elements to guarantee a significant utility management software solution with the utility value chain being the grid, meter, and end customer.

Landlord and Tenant engagements further allow customers to fully recognise the benefits of utility management software solutions through analytic insight, which provides information on assets whilst reducing damage to distribution networks and optimizing efficiency on buildings’ utilities.

In addition to the above-mentioned advantages, utility management software also provides additional reporting volume and value to the end user, which covers segment data, including type of property segment, industry segment, channel segment and market size. This additional value has shown to further reduce operating costs and call center traffic, billing improvements and other means of technology leads to customer satisfaction.

It is therefore perceptible that utilities software offers an unparalleled value-added service. Not only are customer requirements being met, but higher levels of customer involvement and engagement have facilitated a greater enrollment in utility management programs. This two-way street has shaped and further enhanced the ability to offer new services, which sequentially assist build a flexible foundation, that is technologically adaptable.

“Value-added services help distinguish utility management firms. Firms that recognise the bigger picture by offering tech enabled value-added services to include the customer, will continue to grow” – Christo Myburgh, U Systems CEO, on Value