AusNet Services invests in its future with cloud, data and AI
Partners with Microsoft, LAB3, SoftwareONE and Wipro to maximise insights impact from extended Azure ecosystem
Microsoft News Center
Microsoft is delighted to announce a five-year strategic partnership with diversified Australian energy infrastructure business, AusNet Services, which has selected Azure as its preferred cloud platform for a major digital modernisation initiative.
The cornerstone of the work involves transitioning applications including its SAP ERP and the majority of AusNet Services’ data collection, off on-premises equipment and into Azure.
Steven Worrall, Managing Director, Microsoft Australia said: “We are proud to work alongside our industry partners LAB3, SoftwareONE and Wipro on this important modernisation program that will accelerate AusNet Services’ opportunities to derive real value from its data, and empower its purpose to connect communities with energy and accelerate a sustainable future.”
ASX-listed AusNet Services owns over $11 billon of electricity and gas network and connection assets which deliver energy to more than 1.5 million customers across Victoria.
Keith Hopkins, AusNet Services Chief Digital Officer, said: “AusNet Services connects communities with energy and recognises the importance of building technology capability and capacity to allow it to rapidly respond to changing market needs, support customer choices and the transition to renewable energy.”
We recognise that our success in the highly competitive sector demands intelligent use of data and that we need to invest in a scalable, resilient and secure digital foundation for the future. This will allow us to make use of our own data, overlay that with third party data such as weather forecasts, and increasingly integrate data from SCADA networks and the Internet of Things.
The organisation is also planning to make more use of AI and machine learning in order to automate and speed up analysis. This could streamline maintenance scheduling or replacement, which could ultimately mean more reliable services for customers.
AusNet Services is also exploring the use of digital twins. According to Hopkins: “We have both vehicle and helicopter-based capture going on across the network, providing analytics that will help us make better decisions on how we manage our assets.”
About AusNet Services
ASX-listed AusNet Services owns and operates the Victorian electricity transmission network, one of five electricity distribution networks and one of three gas distribution networks in Victoria. Its commercial arm, Mondo, provides a range of energy and infrastructure products and services.
About Microsoft
Microsoft (Nasdaq “MSFT” @microsoft) enables digital transformation for the era of an intelligent cloud and an intelligent edge. Its mission is to empower every person and every organisation on the planet to achieve more.
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Rudolf Wagenaar, Commercial Communications Lead, Microsoft Australia
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