[영국] UD Group, Water Plus와 영국 수도공공시장 진출

소프트웨어사 UD Group가 영국의 물 유통업체인 워터플러스(Water Plus)와 계약함에 따라 수도공공시장에 진출한다.

이번 계약은 UD Group이 에너지 외의 사업을 맡는 최초의 사례로, 규제 완화로 인한 물 시장의 경쟁 증가에 대한 대응책이다.

워터플러스(Water Plus)는 United Utilities와 Severn Trent의 B2B 부서가 합병 되어 2016년 설립되었으며 청구서, 계량기 판독기, 계좌 관리 및 용수 효율 조언과 같은 다양한 서비스를 제공한다.

워터플러스(Water Plus)의 최고 책임자 Sue Amies-King은 "수도 사업 분야는 전환기를 맞이하고 있으며, 이번 계약이 공급자와 고객간의 상호 작용에 새로운 표준을 제시 할 것으로 기대한다.”며 “무엇보다 디지털 채널을 통해 개인적이고 혁신적인 접근 방식을 취해 UD Group이 시장 선두 자리에서 입지를 확고히 할 것이라고 믿는다."고 전했다.

[원문보기]

Water Plus deal helps UD Group enter UK water utility market

Software company UD Group has entered into the water utilities market following a deal with UK business water retailer, Water Plus.

This partnership marks the first time UD Group have worked with a non-energy utilities.
 
Water Plus was founded in 2016 as the result of a merger between United Utilities and Severn Trent’s B2B divisions.

Its move to partner with UD Group is in response to the increased competition deregulation is expected to bring to the water market when it takes effect in England in 2017.

Water Plus will provide a variety of services including billing, meter reading, account management and water efficiency advice.

Sue Amies-King, chief executive of Water Plus, said: “The water utilities sector is undergoing a major period of transition and we anticipate that this partnership will set a new standard in how providers interact with their customers. We will have a personal and innovative approach, especially through the digital channels, and we believe that UD Group will help us firmly cement our position at the head of the market.”

Steve Armitage, managing director of UD Group, added: “We expect next year’s deregulation to dramatically increase competition between B2B water providers, so to get off the mark with the UK’s largest provider really sets down a marker regarding what our software is capable of. The creation of Water Plus earlier this year highlighted the significance of next year’s changes and it’s no surprise that they’ve made such a bold step in challenging conventional practice.”

[출처 = Water World / 2017년 1월 5일]