Oracle steps up smart grid presence

Do not underestimate the focus that traditional enterprise software players will put on the whole smart grid movement. The latest indicator is a new relationship between Oracle and Grid Net, which develops software platforms for smart grid and smart home applications. The focus is on creating distributed solutions that will help utility companies collect energy usage data and use it to distribute power, improve the reliability of the power network and address outage durations. The deal will bring together Grid Net's SmartGrid Network Management platform (and related software) and Oracle's portfolio of utilities management software applications, including the Oracle Utilities Network Management System, Oracle Utilities Mobile Workforce Management, and Oracle Utilities Work and Asset Management.