Issue Q1 · 2008

Ferranti e-Newsletter

Ferranti Will Install MECOMS for Microsoft Dynamics AX at SPE to Support the Grid Fee Invoicing Settlement Process

SPE is the second largest player in the Belgian energy market, with a turnover of approximately 2 billion euros, and is in the Top 30 of the largest Belgian companies. SPE produces electricity at 19 power plants in Flanders and Wallonia. SPE-Luminus has more than 1.5 million customer accounts, both householders and companies and approximately 1000 employees. SPE supplies householders and companies with gas and electricity under the brand name Luminus.

The Grid Fee is a fee which in the Belgian liberalized energy market model is billed by the DGO (Distribution Grid Operator) to the Supplier(s) for the usage of the distribution grid. It is based on consumption data. The process of reconciling these invoices with the validated consumption data is often not supported by the Backoffice systems in place. Suboptimal systems and workarounds take a lot of time and often lead to errors and related rectification processes. This is why SPE has chosen for MECOMS for Dynamics^TM AX to support this process.

MECOMS “Read-Process” stores all invoice-, consumption- and master data (including tariffs) using its market-compliant messaging system. The “Treat-Process” then starts validating and checking on correctness and completeness of these data and will start the reconciliation. Also, for B2B customers where more complex algorithms apply, MECOMS validates the full cycle before passing this information to the billing system. This validation takes place before billing of the customer takes place.

In the end, the reconciliation and settlement process is performed in a much shorter cycle with fewer errors. Also, MECOMS’ built-in flexibility will allow SPE to faster respond to changing market conditions due to regulation or other related to grid fee.

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Ferranti Implements Customer Information and Billing System for Water Cycle Company Waternet

MECOMS now also widely applicable to water companies through cooperation with Waternet 

As part of the project, Ferranti was also responsible for the supply and installation of the ICT infrastructure necessary for the management and hosting of the MECOMS technology. The management and online monitoring are also carried out by Ferranti.  

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Scada RTAP for VMW, Vlaamse Maatschappij voor Watervoorziening, a Major Flemish Water Company

VMW, Vlaamse Maatschappij voor Watervoorziening, a major Flemish Water Company has chosen Ferranti for the implementation of a new, modern, secure, reliable and internally manageable SCADA system and accompanying telemetrics as a replacement to their existing system.

Industrial Defender’s RTAP will be implemented as the central SCADA system. This object-oriented real-time database includes all typical SCADA features such as alerts, visualisation, trend analysis, etc. Seeing as SCADA has a critical public function when it comes to drinking water, a great deal of attention is devoted to cyber security. An appliance specifically developed by Industrial Defender to secure critical infrastructure has thus been integrated in the project.

The project is a true collaborative effort between Ferranti Computer Systems and VMW employees. A number of VMW employees participated in the project, producing, among others, visualisation images and control logic. In the same sense, VMW are also able to maintain and expand the system themselves.

With regard to the telemetrics, the aim is to gradually phase out the current outdated telemetrics over 5 years, replacing it with new modern RTU’s.

Ferranti is also responsible for the supply and infrastructure necessary for hosting the SCADA application.

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The Brussels Airport Company Chooses Microsoft Dynamics AX and MECOMS for Microsoft Dynamics AX

The Brussels Airport Company, the operator of Brussels Airport in Zaventem has chosen Ferranti for the implementation of its ERP project. Alongside the standard ERP functions such as Finance, Budgeting, Procurement and Management Reporting, CRM and Human Resources, the project also comprises typical airport processes with regard to Aeronautic and Commercial Billing which are to be covered by MECOMS for Microsoft Dynamics AX. The whole will also be integrated with MS Sharepoint and Performance Point.

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Dynamic Passenger Information System for Drechtsteden

Ferranti Computer Systems will supply Drechtsteden with a Dynamic Passenger Information System (DRIS). The project comprises the supply and installation of 30 bus and tram stop displays and the implementation of a central presentation server. Ferranti’s existing platform will be further developed and adapted to the new standard according to the “Transmodel”, the new protocol standard in the Netherlands.

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New MECOMS Forecasting Module

Ferranti recently finished the new MECOMS Forecasting module which has been completely integrated into the MECOMS for Microsoft Dynamics AX product suite.

This module supports the forecasting of energy consumption and production based on a variety of information such as historical data, parameters, correction factors, … In addition the Forecast module supports the administration and management of purchase and sale or import and export of energy. These data are available through the Forecasting Module which facilitates the user to manage its position anytime. MECOMS Forecasting can for example be used for the role of a balance responsible. The messages that are related to this role are also available within MECOMS.

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