Supporting corporate customers by offering a diverse range of options, with the aim of supporting the social infrastructure towards carbon neutrality
Unified Services, Inc. (Head office: Minato-ku, Tokyo; Representative Director: Eiji Uda; hereinafter referred to as "the Company"), a provider of industry cloud and digital marketing services, is pleased to announce that it has developed and launched a cloud service, a Customer Information System (CIS), focused on electricity rate calculations for corporate customers, for TEPCO Energy Partner (Head office: Chuo-ku, Tokyo; President and CEO: Momoko Nagasaki; hereinafter referred to as "TEPCO EP"; titles omitted).
■ Background of the introduction
The recent changes and intensification of the competitive environment in the electricity retail industry have made it important for companies to consider optimal information systems that not only improve the stability and efficiency of power supply, which has been the mainstream until now, but also enable flexible and rapid response and cost reduction.
In particular, the sudden rise in crude oil prices due to geopolitical risks, the rise in electricity prices due to power shortages, the reversal of the supply-demand balance due to the introduction of renewable energy, and the appeal of market-price-linked menus arising from the perspective of risks for electricity retailers in addition to the needs of consumers have increased the importance of more detailed responses for corporate customers, so responding to the diversification of rate menus according to requests has become an even more important element. In addition, in order for consumers to optimize their electricity rates while working toward carbon neutrality, we recognize that the diversity of power sources and the provision of various rate menus required of electricity retailers will be an even greater challenge in the future. Rapid response to such future market changes will be an important theme when considering information systems, and for that reason, automating operations and minimizing maintenance were very important elements in the system modification.
■ Identifying issues and the effects of implementation
Based on the above background, the cloud-based electricity CIS system (Quick CIS) that we provided to TEPCO EP this time realizes support for a variety of rate menus, including market-linked menus, and takes advantage of the features of the cloud system to provide an innovative model in which usage fees are charged according to the number of consumers. Furthermore, the optimized cloud system also realizes automation of operations and simple system maintenance, significantly reducing maintenance and operation costs. Taking advantage of the advantages of the cloud system, it also provides resilience (ability to continue providing) in the event of a disaster, along with robust security functions.
In addition, by utilizing our accumulated cloud technology and business system construction know-how that we have cultivated in the energy industry, we were able to provide these systems in just six months, successfully realizing TEPCO EP's plan swiftly. This also means that we will be able to quickly respond to changes in the law, which will be frequent in the future.
[ Comment from TEPCO Energy Partner, Inc. ]
We are pleased that we were able to start providing the high-voltage power CIS we requested from Unified Services, Inc. as a cloud service in such a short time. We are confident that by moving some of our core business operations, which were previously mainly on-premise systems owned by our company, to the cloud, we will be able to further increase our market competitiveness. We intend to expand our business in the future, using our major strengths such as providing corporate customers with detailed fee menus, including market-linked menus, and developing diverse and short-term menus in line with changes in the market environment.
■About "Unisrv Electricity CIS" provided by Unified Services and its contribution to the energy industry
The "Unisrv Electricity CIS", which is the basis of our knowledge for this introduction to TEPCO EP, is a public cloud system that combines the fee rules of general electric power companies and the fee know-how of new power companies. From application acceptance to fee calculation, billing, and collection agency collaboration, customer information is managed in a centralized and automated manner, and it has been introduced and evaluated by more than 30 companies (total of more than 900,000 customers) that have a top share in the new power business. In addition to simply introducing the system, we also support the launch of the power business and the business flow with experienced consultants and system engineers.
In addition to providing electric power CIS systems, Unified Services has also utilized its underlying cloud platform to support Japan's energy infrastructure with a proven track record in the area of energy industry business systems, including:
Renewable energy-related system development, maintenance and operation
We have been commissioned to provide the "FIT application support system," "bidding management system," and "exemption application support system (until fiscal year 2021)" as part of the Agency for Natural Resources and Energy's renewable energy-related project, and we maintain a high level of security requirements by using systems based on Salesforce.
FIT Business Management System
We provide a system that supports the Feed-in Tariff (FIT) scheme for renewable energy based on the Act on Special Measures Concerning Procurement of Electricity from Renewable Energy Sources by Electric Utilities. In a situation where there is a demand for a system with high availability and robustness, high security standards, and operations that minimize operational errors, we have maintained the construction and maintenance operations of this cloud system from its initial construction in 2016 to the present, and are also continuously expanding its functions under the Feed-in-Premium (FIP) scheme.
Bid Management System
Since the initial construction in 2017, our company has been entrusted with the task of conducting bidding under Article 7 of the "Act on Special Measures Concerning Procurement of Electricity from Renewable Energy Sources by Electric Utilities" and has continued to carry out such work while making repeated improvements to the functions in order to respond to requests for improvements that arise every year.
Tax exemption application preparation support system
Businesses that meet certain criteria may be eligible for a reduction or exemption from levies by receiving certification from the Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry. In 2017, we established and are now operating a system for analyzing burden trends and providing reductions and exemptions for special levy treatment.
About Unified Services, Inc.
Unified Services, Inc. provides energy-related industry cloud services, primarily for electricity, as well as web solution services that use AI technology to improve the experience of corporate websites, and next-generation CRM construction services that develop relationships with customers and strengthen marketing activities. While the core of the company is its business of supporting the rapidly changing electricity and energy industry through the cloud, the company will use cloud technology to unify (integrate) the information assets of more corporate customers, provide digital services that bring advanced experiences, and contribute to creating a sustainable society.
【Company Profile】
Company name: Unified Services, Inc.
Head office location: 8th floor, Ginsen Shinbashi Building 2, 5-1-9 Shinbashi, Minato-ku, Tokyo
President and CEO: Eiji Uda
Business description: Energy-related industry cloud services such as electricity and renewable energy,
Digital marketing and CRM promotion cloud services
Established: April 2004
Website: https://unisrv.jp/en/
