SAP Named Top IT Vendor for Utilities

by Evan Welsh

SAP Reigns in CIS Technology Vendor Analysis Matrix for Municipals, Investor-Owned Utilities and Deregulated Markets

Solidifying its market leadership in the utilities industry, SAP AG today announced that UtiliPoint(R) International, Inc., a prominent research-based consulting firm, places SAP as the number one business software provider in three of its 2007 Technology Vendor Analysis Matrix (TVAM) rankings. UtiliPoint's annual study evaluates customer information systems (CIS) vendors for the North American utility and energy market based on primary research and data collected from vendors, utilities and peers in the marketplace. SAP tops the rankings "CIS Providers to Municipals," "CIS Providers to IOUs (Investor-Owned Utilities)," and "CIS Providers to Deregulated Markets."

UtiliPoint International, Inc. developed the Technology Vendor Analysis Matrix (TVAM) as a proprietary survey and analysis tool to examine the North American utility technology market, with a special focus on utility and energy vendors as well as service providers. The TVAM allows utility and energy companies to compare heterogeneous vendors across many capabilities, functions and business values. Criteria include awareness and reputation, industry focus and market share, channels and partners, customer satisfaction, functionality, integration as well as product testing, support and development process. This year's study included rankings for IOUs, municipal utilities, cooperatives, deregulated markets and meter-to-cash business process outsourcing (BPO).

"The utility industry today faces a number of pervasive issues and challenging economic conditions that increases the need for an innovative IT and customer service strategy, with CIS being one of the core elements, "said Jon T. Brock, chief operating officer, UtiliPoint International, Inc. "SAP consistently obtained high scores in our market evaluation that is based on a complex set of criteria spanning customer satisfaction, market reputation and product offering, setting it in first place in our CIS rankings for municipalities, IOUs and deregulated markets."

SAP has more than 35 years of experience helping companies become best-run businesses. By leveraging enterprise service-oriented architecture (enterprise SOA) and SAP(R) NetWeaver, SAP continues to execute on its mission to provide a solution portfolio for the industry, SAP for Utilities, that drives efficiencies while enabling greater flexibility to adapt to market challenges.

"This industry recognition validates our commitment to our customers-more than 1,150 utility and energy companies around the world-to deliver innovative IT solutions that empower them to conquer market challenges such as dynamic energy prices, aging assets and looming environmental issues," said Chris Camino, senior vice president and general manager, Utilities, SAP Americas.