We quickly chose Simplifier because we felt we were in good hands with their expertise and experience.

Karl-Heinz Kasel

Head of Customer Connection at SWO Netz GmbH

8 Apps

live

within 6 months

ROI

< 1 year

Investments amortized after just one year

50 %

Savings

Digitization of network processes

Using the example of a supplier network

The transformation of the energy market poses enormous challenges for grid operations and grid sales, which hardly any company can meet today. Many potentials of digitalization and many visions of what is feasible stand in the way of day-to-day business and historically grown IT structures. Outdated systems with competing processes stand in the way of a legally prescribed smart meter initiative.

The only solution for companies in the energy industry to meet the challenges of the future is seamless digitalization in all relevant areas of the company.

The three grid companies SWO Netz GmbH from Osnabrück, SWB Netz GmbH from Bielefeld and münsterNetz GmbH joined forces in 2015 to pursue the path of digitalization together. The aim of the merger is to drive forward joint topics in the areas of technical regulations, grid connection processes and generation plants.

An idea takes shape.
A representative from each of the three companies was chosen to drive the project forward.

The three departments met for the first time in mid-2015 to exchange experiences. It quickly became apparent that each company processes the same type of data. The project brief was then defined jointly:

Creation of a common interface logic for recording the necessary information on grid connection requests from grid customers and their contracted specialist companies.

Within the small project team, 580 input fields, 230 drop-down fields and 85 check boxes were analysed, harmonized and defined in ten joint workshop days.

The result of the workshop is a jointly developed specification of 244 pages. In cooperation with Simplifier AG, the requirements of the specifications were put into practice. The results were three sub-areas of the network portal: house connection, commissioning and installer portal.

From connection application to commissioning – the Simplifier AG network portal covers all relevant steps for an effective application process. It is divided into a total of six modules.

The portal solution is based on a technologically standardized foundation: our low-code platform Simplifier. This intelligently integrates Netzgesellschaft 4.0 with existing systems such as SAP, SAP IS-U, SIV Kvasy, GIS systems or Schleupen. It also serves as both an external and internal portal for communication with market partners.

Customer service
Registering a grid connection is now much easier, quicker and less complicated for customers.

No need to obtain documents
Media discontinuities are avoided
Faster processing of applications
Registration completely from home

Say goodbye to a flood of paper
When registering multi-party buildings, property developers and installers are often confronted with a veritable flood of paperwork. The switch to the network portal makes the process much more convenient.
This functionality saves valuable time and nerves.

The cooperation between Simplifier AG and the supplier network has since been recognized by other network operators. At the end of 2016, Andreas Barth from Stadtwerke Ulm / Neu-Ulm Netze GmbH joined the supplier network. Mathias Scheller, Städtische Werke Netz + Service GmbH from Kassel, followed at the beginning of 2017.