Compare 10 SAP Utility Solutions based on 3,000+ reviews in '24

1,500+ companies utilize SAP utility solutions like SAP IS-U, one of the leaders in utility Customer Information Systems (CIS). ¹ However, adoption still faces significant challenges, primarily due to integration issues. The main hurdles include:

1. Poor integration with third-party applications
2. Complex integration processes
3. Specialized skills requirement for SAP developers.

Given these challenges, selecting an SAP utility solution that addresses and mitigates these integration issues becomes crucial for ensuring successful adoption and maximizing the benefits of SAP IS-U. Therefore, this article explains and compares top tools that can seamlessly integrate with SAP utilities module and help utility firms automate and manage their SAP utility processes. 

The table above compares SAP utility solutions in terms of their respected category and review data collected from Gartner Peer Insightswhere all tools have presence. The list is sorted in alphabetical order for each category except the sponsors.

Comparing top SAP utility solutions

Process automation and management tools

Workload automation and job scheduling tools

Workload automation (WLA) can integrate into SAP utility solutions such as SAP IS-U to: 

• Orchestrate and precisely schedule core business processes, facilitating the seamless flow of intricate workflows
• Automate batch processes such as billing, meter readings, and data uploads, ensuring efficiency, timely scheduling, and successful completion monitoring
• Streamline end-to-end workflows through seamless cross-system integration, enhancing overall operational coherence.
• Optimize resource allocation and respond to specific conditions or changes in a given environment Manage dependencies effectively by sequencing activities, ensuring that downstream processes are triggered in the correct order. This ensures a synchronized and efficient execution of tasks within the SAP IS-U environment.

Some of these WLA tools that can integrate with SAP include:

1.) RunMyJobs by Redwood: RunMyJobs is a workload automation (WLA) and job scheduling software that is certified as part of SAP’s Industry Cloud Portfolio for Utilities, including SAP IS-U and SAP S/4HANA. RunMyJobs’ SAP certifications also include SAP Integration Suite, SAP Cloud Platform Integration and SAP Data Services. The platform’s adaptive workflows and pre-built templates facilitate quick setup and integration, enhancing utility providers’ capabilities for a modernized and efficient operational landscape.

By integrating to SAP utility environment, RunMyJobs can ensure efficiency, reducing manual intervention and enhancing resource management. RunMyJobs by Redwood can deliver:

• Efficient meter-to-cash process management from meter data collection to customer billing and payments
• A clean core by avoiding customization and integrate with S/HANA and other SAP platforms without special software or infrastructure
• Automation of complex operations like large-scale transactions in utility operations
• Real-time visibility into billing and cash flow, offering control and optimization with up-to-date information
• Improved security and protection for sensitive data by leveraging full encryption and single-tenant architecture.

For example, Stadtwerke München (SWM), a municipal utility provider of electricity, natural gas, district heating and cooling and drinking water to Munich residents in Germany integrated RunMyJobs with its SAP platform to automate and orchestrate its critical processes such as meter-to-cash. The company could gain full control over their utility billing, reduce customer support inquiries and optimize their cash flow.

2.) ActiveBatch: ActiveBatch is a workload automation (WLA) solution which can be applied to SAP utility environments to enhance operational efficiency, reduce costs, and facilitate digital transformation. ActiveBatch provides a single dashboard for all integrated workflows, systems, and tasks across the entire hybrid environment. The way ActiveBatch can empower utility providers include:

• Automating a multitude of energy-industry-specific workflows from a centralized point of control, such as meter-to-cash operations, smart meter readings, or IoT data handling.
• Building end-to-end automations for customer-facing processes such as chatbots and appointment notifications
• Integrating with common utility tools such as SAP NetWeaver, SAP BusinessObjects DataServices
• Reducing the likelihood of human errors, which minimizes manual intervention, save time to focus on strategic initiatives.
• Ensuring real-time end-to-end visibility with its policy-driven framework.
• Enhancing the security by delivering a multi-tenant architecture that allows administrators to define access and permissions based on organizational needs.

Explore more WLA tools in our comprehensive vendor lists.

BPM tools

Business Process Management (BPM) tools orchestrate and optimize end-to-end workflows within SAP utility solutions such as SAP IS-U. Utility companies may leverage BPM platforms for comprehensive process management. Two notable BPM tools are:

3.) Infosys Utilities: Infosys is an SAP certified BPM tool that offers a diverse range of services and solutions tailored for the utilities sector, addressing various aspects of the energy and power industry. Their utility services encompass the following key areas:

• Asset management by tracking asset information, maintenance schedules, and performance metrics for power plants, transmission lines, and distribution networks.
• Utility theft, leakage and fraud management by analyzing and monitoring the irregularities in consumption patterns or billing discrepancies
• Customer Information System (CIS) by managing and storing customer information, including billing details, consumption history, and contact information
• Contact center, providing a centralized platform for handling customer inquiries, service requests, and issue resolutions.
• Meter-to-cash management by optimizing and automating the billing cycle from capturing meter data to generating invoices and processing payments.
• Net metering by tracking energy production, consumption, and the exchange of excess energy with the grid for efficient management and monitoring of renewable energy sources integrated to the smart grids.

4.) UiPath process automation platform: UiPath automation suite offers robotic process automation (RPA) solutions to automate repetitive tasks, which can easily integrate with SAP utility solutions as a part of SAP certified ecosystem. UiPath’s RPA software excels in:

• Automating data entry tasks, ensuring accurate and timely input of critical information like customer details, meter readings, and billing data into SAP IS-U.
• Streamlining invoice processing by automating data extraction from invoices, verification against SAP IS-U records, and seamless updates with payment details.
• Facilitating invoice generation based on predefined rules and customer data, enhancing billing efficiency.

Infrastructure management tools

Utility infrastructure management systematically plan, monitor and optimize essential facilities such as power lines, water pipes, and equipment. These tools help establish the reliability, safety, and efficiency of utility services by tracking assets, coordinating workforce coordination and ensuring compliance. Some of these tools include: 

Geographic Information System (GIS)

Geographic Information System (GIS) tools help utilities enhance their spatial analysis and infrastructure management by

• Enhancing asset management and network planning
• Facilitating real-time monitoring and spatial-enabled customer services 
• Optimizing emergency response planning 
• Ensuring compliance with regulatory requirements.

Top GIS Tools:

5.) Alteryx: Alteryx is a data analytics and data blending platform, recognized for its capabilities in data preparation, blending, and advanced analytics. Altered platform allow utility firms to:

• Derive valuable insights from various data sources, providing a comprehensive approach to data analytics and spatial intelligence for effective decision-making in utility operations
• Perform spatial analytics by overlaying geographic information with operational data, enabling a deeper understanding of spatial relationships.
• Optimize network planning by uncovering patterns, trends and correlations, leading to enhanced infrastructure management
• Increase efficiency in utility customer experience by monitoring real-time spatial-enabled customer services

6.) Esri ArcGIS:

Esri ArcGIS is a Geographic Information System (GIS) software designed for mapping and spatial analysis. It provides advanced tools for creating, managing, and analyzing geographic data, enabling users to make informed decisions based on spatial insights. Esri’s ArcGIS can connect to SAP utility environment through connectors. With ArcGIS, utility providers can

• Facilitate spatial-enabled customer services
• Improve their real-time monitoring and emergency response planning within utility operations
• Enhance asset management and networking planning, ensuring infrastructure reliability, safety, efficiency and compliance with regulatory requirements.

Master Data Management (MDM)

Master Data Management (MDM) is critical for maintaining consistent and accurate master data across an organization. When integrated with SAP IS-U, MDM tools can: 

• Contribute to data consistency and quality
• Support cross-system integration
• Enforce data governance policies.

Top MDM Tools are:

7.) Informatica MDM: Informatica MDM provides a comprehensive platform for managing master data across diverse systems. It offers features for data quality management and data governance. Integrated with SAP IS-U, Informatica MDM contributes significantly to:

• Data consistency by harmonizing and standardizing master data across the entire organizational landscape, improving data-driven decision-making.
• Cross-system integration, enhancing interoperability of data, promoting a unified approach to data management.
• Data governance compliance by establishing, enforcing, and monitoring data governance practices, regulatory requirements and internal policies.

8.) TIBCO EBX: It is an enterprise data management platform developed by TIBCO Software manage, govern, and share master data across an organization. Integrated with SAP utility tools like SAP IS-U, TIBCO EBX enables organizations to create a centralized and consistent view of their master data. This way, TIBCO can provide:

• A centralized repository for master data with accurate and up-to-date information essential for customer interaction, operational efficiency and decision-making
• Robust mechanism to validate, cleanse, and standardize master data, preventing inconsistencies and errors to maintain data integrity throughout the utility landscape
• Cross-system integration, enabling seamless data exchange and interoperability across diverse systems within the utility infrastructure
• Tools and frameworks to establish, enforce, and monitor data governance policies, improving compliance with regulatory requirements and internal standards and fostering a controlled data environment.

IoT devices and sensors

IoT devices(e.g. smart meters) and sensors can help utility companies by

• Capturing real-time data on energy consumption data, monitor usage patterns and optimize energy distribution
• Facilitating utility asset management via continuous monitoring, predictive maintenance and proactive maintenance scheduling
• Optimizing smart grid performance by detecting faults and disruptions in real-time
• Achieving efficient service management by delivering personalized service such as energy efficiency recommendations and real-time billing information. 

IoT players include: 

9.) IBM Watson IoT: The tool offers advanced analytics and device management capabilities by supporting the integration of IoT data into ERP systems. This integration enables utilities to:

• Optimize operations by employing advanced analytics to process and analyze the vast amount of data generated by IoT devices to improve energy distribution and identify areas of efficiency.
• Implement predictive maintenance strategies for enhanced equipment reliability by continuously monitoring the condition and performance of equipment through IoT sensors, preventing unplanned downtime and ensuring enhanced equipment reliability
• Improve customer experiences by collecting and analyzing customer behaviors, preferences, and usage patterns, and tailoring the service to anticipate customer needs, like

10.) Microsoft Azure IoT: It is a comprehensive platform, facilitates the integration of IoT data into third party systems like SAP. It empowers utilities to

• Optimize operations by harnessing real-time insights for efficient resource allocation such as preventing equipment failures and streamlining workforce scheduling
• Enhance customer service by responding proactively to potential issues, emerging patterns and trends In data.

Choosing the Right Tools for SAP Utility Integration:

Selecting the most suitable tools for integrating with SAP utility solutions involves considering various factors that align with organizational needs. 

Among the available options, WLA and job scheduling tools emerge as standout solutions. These tools, such as Redwood, not only excel in delivering extensive automation features for orchestrating critical business processes but also offer a unique advantage by encompassing analytics and data management capabilities within their functionalities. 

This comprehensive approach ensures that utilities can streamline operations, optimize workflows, and derive valuable insights, making WLA tools a compelling choice for organizations seeking a well-rounded integration solution with SAP.

Transparency statement

AIMultiple serves numerous technology vendors, including Redwood.

Disclaimer

AIMultiple acknowledges that this categorization may exclude various specific tools that can help SAP utility automation and management. These categories are identified based on the most relevant and comprehensive ones. However, AIMultiple aims to improve our article by time.

Further reading

If you want to transform your utility services, check out other top tools and technologies:

• Top 7 Meter-to-Cash Solutions: A Comprehensive Guide
• 30+ IoT Applications & Use Cases
• SAP Meter to Cash Process: 10 Technologies to automate it.

If you have more questions, do not hesitate: 

External sources

• 1. McCelland, J. (2017). “SAP Named a Leader in Gartner Magic Quadrant for Utilities Customer Information Systems“. SAP Blog. Accessed at January 18, 2024.
• 2. Singh, U. (2020).”SAP ISU explained like never before.” SAP Blog. Accessed January 18, 2024.