IBM Solution Architecture for Energy and Utilities Framework

Accelerating solutions for smarter energy

Create your own industry agenda for Transformation by implementing each solution one project at a time.

Your roadmap for transformation

The IBM Solution Architecture for Energy and Utilities (SAFE) framework uses the full power of IBM software to integrate systems and processes across a broad range of business functions. Utility decision makers can incorporate new and improved technology capabilities across utility company business domains, including better approaches to:

Supply (electricity generation; gas procurement; water treatment and resource management)
Market operations
Transmission operations
Distribution operations
Customer operations
Enterprise services

The IBM Solution Architecture for Energy and Utilities (SAFE) framework is anchored by distinctive, leading-edge practices that make realizing new technology capabilities viable, affordable, and flexible even in complicated system environments. SAFE incorporates IBM service-oriented architecture (SOA) techniques and industry standards so utilities can build flexible data integration capabilities only previously imagined.

This solution platform enhances and transforms your company’s business models.

Streamline and accelerate your company’s performance operations through integrated systems and analytics
Drive business agility and more intelligent networks by integrating and optimizing assets, devices, servers, applications and data across your enterprise
Increase the reuse of assets for each successive project, improving ROI and speed of implementation.

SAFE framework provides technology capabilities to address E&U business initiatives

With the framework approach, you develop a plan to streamline and upgrade your technology infrastructure as your business needs evolve. Select your highest priority projects and add others as you need them.

Asset, Device and Service Monitoring capabilities: Visualize infrastructure availability and performance through device, event and usage data, providing real-time control and analysis to speed time to resolution.
Asset Lifecycle Management capabilities: Track, document and make decisions about the procurement, deployment, operation, maintenance and retirement of generation plant, transmission or distribution field assets.
Business Process Automation capabilities: Model, manage, and optimize business processes for faster time to market, increased customer satisfaction and higher productivity.
Improved Customer Experience capabilities: Deliver a convenient, personalized customer experience with interactive communications, providing consumers more control of their energy sources and usage.
Informed Decision Making capabilities: Use data aggregated from business and operation systems to analyze events, develop insights and correlate reactions to change to improve business flexibility and performance.
Intelligent Utility Transformation Management capabilities: Articulate vision and strategy and successfully plan, execute and manage the delivery of complex transformation initiatives.
Regulatory, Risk and Compliance Management capabilities: Manage large quantities of utility documents and processes to comply with government mandated regulations.
Security capabilities: Comprehensively manage and prevent security risk across all business domains.

Benefits of the SAFE framework

The SAFE framework delivers solutions designed to give you speed, flexibility, and choice in solution deployment.

A scalable common architecture that consolidates systems and provides flexibility for future growth.
Best practice methodologies that promote standardization across solutions.
Industry models that help you build solutions faster.
Pre-built assets that reduce development costs.

Learn more

To learn more about how the IBM SAFE framework can help your business grow, contact your IBM representative or IBM Business Partner.

Virtual Briefing Center

Explore new thinking and innovative solutions that will help your business to ensure a cleaner energy supply, develop a smarter utility network, and empower consumers to make smarter energy choices.

IBM Smarter Energy Virtual Briefing Center