Ferranti and Microsoft Sign Global Agreement for Energy and Utility Industry

ANTWERP, Belgium--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Microsoft and Ferranti are proud to announce that a global collaboration for Ferranti’s flagship product, MECOMS™, has been signed, helping energy and utility companies around the world coping with the ever changing market conditions.

“Microsoft Dynamics AX 2012 gives vertical customers the powerful simplicity of a modern ERP solution. To support the specialized needs of these verticals, we need partners like Ferranti who can leverage their deep vertical expertise to deliver world class solutions.”

MECOMS™ is a business support system based on Microsoft Dynamics AX, which is used by utility companies around the world. It extends the standard ERP-functionalities of Dynamics AX with specific utility functionality and best practices. MECOMS™ brings unprecedented flexibility, efficiency and business insight to empower utilities in lowering their ‘cost-to-serve’.

During the past years, Microsoft and Ferranti already worked together to align product development and certification.

Due to the growing international success of MECOMS™ and Microsoft’s determination to grow Dynamics AX in the enterprise market, both parties decided to enter in a multi-year Global ISV Agreement. Ferranti is now officially Microsoft’s priority global alliance partner in the utilities space.

Mr. Jon Arnold, Managing Director Worldwide Power & Utilities Industry at Microsoft: “We’re delighted at Microsoft to be working with MECOMS™. They have committed, not only to the Microsoft platform but they understand the business of utilities. MECOMS™ covers all business processes with regards to billing, the meter-to-cash cycle, asset management and smart-grid rollouts. With MECOMS™ 2012, Ferranti has really stepped up the bar, and offers a complete solution allowing utility companies around the world to outsmart their competition.”

Mr. Dirk Michiels, CEO of Ferranti: “I’m honoured with the recognition we’re getting from Microsoft with regards to our growth strategy. This partnership demonstrates the international breakthrough of our MECOMS™ solution. Ferranti has built a network of distinguished implementation partners, and today both Microsoft and industry analysts recognize MECOMS™ as a refreshing alternative to existing solutions.

Furthermore, I’m proud to announce the global availability of MECOMS™ 2012 in conjunction with the release of Dynamics AX 2012.”

Mr. Doug Kennedy, Vice President Dynamics Partners at Microsoft: “Microsoft Dynamics AX 2012 gives vertical customers the powerful simplicity of a modern ERP solution. To support the specialized needs of these verticals, we need partners like Ferranti who can leverage their deep vertical expertise to deliver world class solutions.

With solutions such as MECOMS™ 2012 and Microsoft Dynamics AX, utilities finally have an alternative to the complexity of traditional utility systems enabling them to outsmart their competition.”

This partnership will further drive the international expansion of MECOMS™. It demonstrates Ferranti’s importance as a major worldwide solution provider in the energy and utilities market.

About Ferranti Computer Systems and MECOMS™

Ferranti, a member of the Nijkerk Group, was founded in 1976 in Antwerp, Belgium focusing on the energy & utilities industry.

MECOMS™ is developed by Ferranti Computer Systems, and is the result of more than 30 years of experience in the utilities industry. Development started in 1994, and in 2005 the first version based on Microsoft Dynamics AX was introduced. Since then, MECOMS™ has been implemented at more than 40 utilities around the world.

MECOMS™ is a business support system for energy and utility companies that combines flexibility, efficiency and smart insights to drastically cut cost-to-serve. It easily and quickly adapts to the changing business needs of any type of utility, both in regulated and deregulated markets. MECOMS™ enables utilities of any size to streamline business processes and combine high efficiency with first-class customer service. MECOMS™ also offers utilities the insight to detect operational inefficiencies and discover new business opportunities.

For more information, visit www.mecoms.com