Commercial software developer Mincom Africa has acquired the customer information and billing systems business of US-based utility industry software developer Conservant.
Conservant's business solutions will be beneficial to the utilities and energy trading sector in the South African and broader African markets, says Mike Evans, MD of Mincom Africa.
The 100% Java-developed customer information system, Customer Watch, forms part of Conservant's business offerings. The solution follows the transfer of energy supplies from distributors to clients in a methodical manner, explains Evans.
He says the acquisition will benefit SA's new deregulated electricity market.
With the recent deregulation of the South African electricity sector, the market has formed regional electricity distributors (REDs), creating multiple distributors. Evans explains REDs are now buying electricity resources from Eskom at wholesale prices.
"This new system means the multiple distributors need to monitor overall energy output to individual clients in an extremely controlled environment."
He expects this would have applicability into Africa as well, because many countries source their power from multiple providers.
Africa is becoming more reliant on multiple energy vendors because of the unreliable power resources in various African markets.
Countries are rapidly rolling out large electricity schemes throughout the continent, says Evans. "Mincom Africa is looking at all these market opportunities to supply the energy trading and management solutions."
Evans believes the solution will complement Mincom's existing Energy Point product, which is used to facilitate interactions between energy trading partners.
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