Utilities today face new challenges on a constant basis. The push toward renewable energy coupled with increased rate regulation has made it virtually impossible for traditional utilities to compete. This has drastically impacted margins, as high operating costs remain static while the number of paying customers declines. Utilities also must consider how the weather patterns, capital expense vs. operating expense financial treatment rules, and the use of disruptive technologies impact their operations. Digital technologies may be the answer to ease these economic pressures and drive operational efficiency.

"Enhancing customer experience is key to any utility’s success"

Currently, most traditional utilities providers lack a company-wide digital strategy. “It is anticipated that 65 percent of traditional electric utility providers will adopt a digital strategy in the next five years,” says Kevin S. Parikh, Global CEO and Senior Partner, Avasant—a management consultancy headquartered in Los Angeles, CA. Robert Joslin, Partner and Head of the Utilities and Resources Practice at Avasant, has found that many traditional providers operate on a high cost, non-scalable, multi-platform environment. Joslin, along with other industry thought leaders, works with utilities companies to help them make the leap onto new digital platforms. He stresses the need for utilities to understand and capture customer data around consumption patterns and usage preferences. Increased analytics and business intelligence help in predicting future demand and consumption, enhancing the customer experience while simultaneously helping manage costs.