Welcome to our latest newsletter packed with exciting updates in the utilities industry. The newsletter delves into the topic of how AI is shaping the world of utilities, from optimizing renewable energy production to enhancing customer experiences. It also features updates on various events and sessions related to SAP utilities solutions, as well as customer experiences from companies like Energy Queensland, GEG, and Farys.  ... View more

Hello to all, I'm in a atypical situation, according to requirement when consuption cover a normal period I have to do calculation on monthly period basis but if I'm on a prorrated period like price changing or device replacement I have to do billing based on day period basis. I've try using IF11, IF16 and IF17 variants but none of them do what I need. Does anybody knows if this is posible? Thanks in advance. ... View more

Last July we kicked off a new SAP Continuous Influence session to collect your suggestions for improvements related to SAP S/4HANA Utilities. Here is a status update on this session, including links to all details about the first delivered improvements. ... View more

AI-driven solutions can speed response times and cut customer service workloads. ... View more

We are excited to invite you to participate in a live session focused on SAP S/4HANA Utilities - Innovations and Benefits. This session will be held on June 27, 2024, at 16:00 GMT+2 and will last for approximately 1 hour. https://learning.sap.com/live-sessions/sap-s-4hana-utilities-innovations-and-benefitsSAP S/4HANA Utilities, Innovations ... View more

In a fast-paced world of Energy Transition, where changes are continually occurring, the challenge of effectively monitoring all these developments presents itself to the Utility Industry. The Utility Industry must keep track of an increasing number of units installed at residential, commercial, and industrial customers, such as solar panels, batteries, heat pumps, and other energy assets in numerous combinations. This is where SAP Cloud for Utilities foundation, also known as the Measurement Concept Management, or MCM for short, comes into place. This cloud-based solution enables the Utilities Distributors and Integrated Utilities, to manage the increasing complexity and lifecycle operations of metered installations in a world of Distributed Energy Resources. Let’s observe a use case that aims to explain and take us through the process of a change of a residential units’ measurement concept, start to finish. Here we have an example of a simple consumer, within a residential unit: a standard consumption model that everyone is quite familiar with (Figure 1).   Figure 1: Graphical representation of a residential unit in a standard consumption use case But now, what happens if the owner of this residential unit decides they wants to upgrade, and they have a solar panel, as well as a charger for their new EV installed (Figure 2)?   Figure 2: Graphical representation of a residential unit in a prosumer use case The unit's measurement concept has been altered, shifting from that of the consumer into the one of a prosumer → a unit that both generates its own power and uses the power from the grid. As the measurement concept tied to the residential unit evolves with time (e.g. adding a storage system, or a heat-pump) the way business processes related to the end customer, the energy and the assets operate, have to change as well (e.g. billing) MCM makes it possible to track each of these changes and allows to seamlessly conduct updates for each end customer when needed. Now, how is this done? There are three dimensions to MCM: classes, models, and instances. An MCM class serves as a general measurement concept. It consists out of Actors (e.g. consumer, generation unit) and Metering Locations. These Metering Locations and Actors succeed one another in a way which forms the final class. A succession relationship serves to ensure that the energy is flowing out of the grid and is being consumed by the Consumer. To better understand and visualize this, let’s look at how a measurement concept for the two cases we mentioned beforehand would look like inside of MCM (Figure 3 & Figure 4).   Figure 3: Schematic depicting a standard consumption use case     Figure 4: Schematic depicting a prosumer use case MCM Models are built on top of the MCM Classes, using them as a basis to which they get a certain set of characteristics assigned, such as the market locations and formulas for billing, settlement, usage, etc. Visually, the models do not differentiate from the classes, and are graphically represented by the same schematic, only having this “background” additions set them apart. Finally, an MCM instance is an exact end customer occurrence that has a model being put into place at a certain point in time. So, each residential unit has their own instance of the model. Multiple households can follow the same model, which is built on top of a certain class. To reiterate, one class can be a basis for several models. Through instances, one can access a variety of available information: Master Data Objects, Process Documents, Clarification Cases. For each step of instance creation , MCM generates a process document and a clarification case, along with an abundance of other data such as Master Data Objects, This is made possible through the native integration of the MCM Cloud Application with the SAP S/4HANA Utilities MCM Add-on using SAP Event Mesh to orchestrate the master data updates.   Figure 5: Technical Overview of the Integration between MCM and SAP S/4HANA Utilities MCM Add-On To delve into it a little deeper, we see that the application is split into two parts. At the top in the center, we see the cloud application built on the SAP Business Technology Platform, and at the bottom we see SAP S/4HANA Utilities MCM Add-On in which all the master data changes are reflected.   Figure 6: Technical Overview of the Measurement Concept Management This way, we have the best of both worlds. On one hand, the SAP Business Technology Platform gives us a flexible solution and the connectivity with the SAP Event Mesh, which is crucial to integrate third party systems. On the other hand, SAP S/4HANA Utilities stays as the stable system of records for the Utilities relevant master data. This architecture will change based on the customer landscape, and processes in Device Management or Energy Data Management could be handled in SAP S/4HANA Utilities, SAP Cloud for Energy, or third-party applications. Now with a knowledge of all this, let’s look at the bigger picture for the previously described use case, and see when and by whom are these changes in the measurement concept triggered, and what is the role that the utility company plays in this entire setup.   Figure 7: From Consumer to Prosumer with Measurement Concept Management Example Process So, the owner of the residential unit wants to upgrade to e.g. solar power and an EV, and this this triggers the change. The change process is then set into motion. Firstly, the customer voices their desire to upgrade their system, and based on that, an instance change is requested (Figure 7). The following part, pictured in the green rectangle on the image above is under the “jurisdiction” of the solution itself. After receiving an instance change request, a change process is started, the master data gets prepared, the devices needed are getting installed, the commercial data gets ready, and this results in an active new instance according to which the measurements are now done. To provide more insight into the process (Figure 8): when the owner of a residential unit wants an upgrade, an energy advisor from the utility company steps in to identify the best solution for the customer, presenting them with a tailored offer. If the customer accepts the offer, a highly standardized process for implementing the new instance is set into motion. This sequence of steps, outlined below, ensures a seamless transition. Following the installation of the necessary devices and the completion of the MCM process, the customer adopts a new measurement concept. Should the customer opt for further upgrades or anticipate future changes, this process repeats itself, demonstrating MCM's ability to accompany an instance throughout its lifecycle.   Figure 8: Transition from Consumer to Prosumer Finally, what happens in the background of the process that we are discussing, that is, behind the curtain for the end-customer (Figure 9)? Based on a new installation requirement, the Metering Expert defines a new physical location structure for the identified use case. Together with Billing Experts and Product Management colleagues a commercial model is defined based on the Measurement Concept Class and created via a Measurement Concept Model. This new product is then offered to the customer.   Figure 9: What happened before the processes we previously described This means, that the utility company already has a list of defined measurement concepts, meant to cover most possible use cases, with, of course, a possibility to model any new ones that have not already been predefined. This way, all flexibility regarding the complexity of the model is kept, while keeping the simplicity of just choosing an option from the list for most use cases. Finally, what is the value that the MCM adds? Firstly we had a chance to see how it streamlines the entire process, for installation, modification, dismantling and decommissioning.   Secondly, MCM offers a great user experience, by comprehensive definition of measurement concepts using an easily understandable visualization within a network diagram (Figure 3 and Figure 4).   Thirdly, it offers seamless SAP S/4HANA Utilities integration support out-of-the-box via SAP S/4HANA Utilities MCM Add-On within market process management for utilities for SAP S/4HANA.   Fourth, MCM allows for event-based architecture, and open OData APIs allow easy integration of 3rd party systems into the standard process.   Fifth, the quality of data improves, by automatizing and validating the master data updates, avoiding manually produced errors in prosumer data changes.   And finally, the multidivisional support as the standard process across divisions enables synergies to be created and reduces the quantity of different approaches within the company. In conclusion, at its core, this solution enables the utility companies to manage, streamline, and unify processes around installations, including decentralized energy resources throughout their entire lifecycle, from creation to their final shutdown. The significance of this capability becomes increasingly evident as the energy transition gains momentum, highlighting the need for robust systems that can effectively adapt to the ongoing transformations in the energy landscape. Had fun reading this? Check out our Introductory Video about the MCM for a visual guide through the solution: MCM Introduction Video Also check out our video on MCM Classes and MCM Models for more information about this solution! ... View more

On your way into SAP’s Utilities cloud, with SAP Utilities Core, you are going to meet some experts from SAP who want to support you getting up there. (By the way: for a refresher on what SAP Utilities Core is and what it contains, please read this blog: click on this link). For this blog, what you need to know is that its main elements are SAP S/4HANA Utilities in the private cloud, SAP Measurement Concept Management (SAP MCM) and, for German customers, SAP Market Communication Cloud on SAP Business Technology Platform (SAP BTP), and that the whole thing is based on RISE with SAP.) Not all these experts are going to show up at once – whom you meet depends on where you are in your journey: Are you considering a subscription to SAP Utilities Core or negotiating a contract with SAP? Is the contract signed and you´re now getting ready to have the systems provisioned, or are the systems already there and you are busy implementing or running the solution? Let´s have a closer look:     SAP Experts along your journey For your entire cloud journey your primary SAP contact person remains – your Industry Account Executive (IAE). He takes care that the right solution and services are ordered for your business needs. The Cloud Architect & Advisor (CAA) works alongside the sales colleagues. The CAA essentially must make sure that your order can be delivered to avoid unwelcome surprises later. His role in supporting you to fill out the Customer Onboarding Form (COF) is essential, as the handover from sales to delivery (S2D) relies heavily on the information from the COF. After S2D, the CAA’s job is done, and other colleagues take over. However, for sufficiently complex change requests to your subscription and landscape, the CAA will re-appear, again making sure that what’s commercially agreed in the change request can also be delivered. Once your contract is signed, you will meet the Enterprise Cloud Success Partner (E-CSP), potentially further Specialized Customer Success Partners (S-CSPs) and the Onboarding Advisor (OA): The E-CSP is essentially the successor of the Account Executive throughout your cloud subscription lifecycle. She or he takes care of your cloud experience with SAP at the highest level and is the prime contact for your senior management.   The S-CSPs support the E-CSP with a focus on specific areas of SAP’s portfolio such as BTP, Human Experience Management (HXM), or Customer Experience (CX). Very often, the E-CSP is also the Customer Success Partner focusing on the mother ship of SAP’s portfolio, S/4HANA Cloud.   In a series of online sessions, the Onboarding Advisor (OA) provides guidance, enablement, and services focused on developing your internal experts and delivering a successful implementation. In most engagements, S/4HANA is the most important building block of your SAP-related cloud landscape. Hence, for medium to large subscribers, Enterprise Cloud Services (ECS) organisation ensures that all goes smooth via three dedicated roles. The appear on stage when you are getting ready to get your systems provisioned: The Project Lead (PL) is responsible that SAP builds and delivers exactly those systems that were sold and contractually agreed upon. His engagement with you is temporary during the system build phase. However, if, over time you need to enhance or change your landscape, the PL (and the CAA, as explained above), will reappear to deliver the changes you ordered. The Client Delivery Manager (CDM) is responsible for the 'run' phase of the systems sold and provisioned and serves as the single point of contact during that phase. She or he coordinates the operational aspects of your S/4H Utilities setup and operations. Technical Service Managers (TSM) is the hands-on person when it comes to your S/4HANA Utilities subscription.  She or he usually is an experienced SAP technology consultant who works closely together with the CDM. The TSM is the primary technical contact person for all technical and infrastructure-related topics. For customers demanding that specific dose of extra care and security, you can hire an Launch Advisor (LA). LAs are very experienced multi-purpose black belts who help you plan and navigate through all phases of your cloud journey, coach and educate you and your organisation, detect problems or risks early, and help fixing those problems on the way. An LA can be engaged anytime in the process for as long as you need her or him. Our experience suggests: having a Launch Advisor is an important success factor for those still demanding SAP Utilities Core projects, and engaging this role earlier is better than doing this late – or not at all. Finally: There are also specific services, the so-called SAP Cloud Application Services (CAS) that you can subscribe for extra support and operations tasks. Please click on the following link to learn more about these CAS. ... View more

Summary of the Executive Value Network for Water and Waste Water service companies which took place in Monterrey, Mexico, in may 2024 hosted by the Water and Drainage Services Company of Monterrey - SADM.  Inspirational keynotes Implementing Water Management platforms:  motivation and use case experiences  track Embedding a customer centric culture: Sharing experiences on how technology and innovation help in the customer engagement area:  social impact and adaptation track Sustainability track   ... View more

The first step for integration SAP Service Cloud Version 2 to S/4HANA using the utility specific functionality is the replication of master data. Here I am describing the setup for the 3 master data objects needed.  ... View more