Utilities in Digital Transformation: Project-Based Collaboration with SAP & Microsoft, Digital Meters, Partner Portals and Future Opportunities with AI
Introduction
The utilities sector is currently facing significant challenges as well as opportunities. Organizations must operate more efficiently, sustainably, and future-proof, while expectations around digitalization, security, compliance, and innovation continue to grow. Topics such as contextual collaboration, connectivity, NIS2, data sovereignty, and artificial intelligence are accelerating this evolution.
During this inspiration session, we bring together practical experience and expertise around digital architecture, integration, and the role of technology in the transformation of utility companies. You will gain insight into how organizations handle complex integration challenges, data exchange, and new digital applications, as well as the strategic choices required to remain agile and future-ready.
A central part of the session is a real-life case from Pidpa, demonstrating how portal solutions and technical architecture are applied in practice. This case provides valuable insights for organizations looking to further develop their digital strategy.
Microsoft will build on the AI and data insights presented earlier and demonstrate how utility companies can evolve into future-oriented organizations through intelligent agents, generative AI, and modern cloud architectures. The focus will be on concrete applications, data sovereignty, continuity, and the strategic use of innovative technologies such as MCP within the utilities sector.
This session combines vision, practical experience, and concrete examples, offering inspiration to approach your own organization and challenges with fresh insights.
After this session, you will have a clear understanding of how utility companies are making their digital architecture future-proof and how integrated portal solutions contribute to more efficient service delivery and improved collaboration with municipalities, customers, and partners.
You will also gain insight into:
✅ How integration and data exchange between systems are implemented in practice
✅ The impact of regulations such as NIS2 on IT architecture and security
✅ Strategic choices regarding data sovereignty and continuity
✅ Concrete use cases and best practices applicable within your organization
✅ How real-life cases such as Pidpa inspire similar transformation initiatives
✅ The role of AI and innovative technologies within the utilities sector
You will leave with practical insights and inspiration to further shape your digital strategy.
✅ Business Analysts
✅ Architects
✅ CFOs
✅ Transformation Managers
✅ Decision-makers
✅ ICT and architecture professionals
Program Overview:
09:00 – 09:30: Welcome with breakfast and coffee
09:30 – 09:45: Introduction and objectives
09:45 – 11:45: Pidpa use cases with technical deep dives by Ometa
Topic 1 – Contractor connectivity
Explanation of the contractor portal: Task allocation, follow-up, orders, and date confirmations.
Speakers: Stefan Meys & Koen Vorsselmans, Pidpa
Technical deep dive : Integration from SAP to contractors via BAPIs, ADM connection, and architectural choices.
Speaker: Nathan Swannet, Ometa
Topic 2 – Collaboration per case with municipalities (OCMWs) and partners
Collaboration between contractors, municipalities, and other stakeholders within one case, with centralized data consolidation.
Speakers: Stefan Meys & Koen Vorsselmans, Pidpa
Technical deep dive: Project portals, case management, contextual collaboration, and the role of AI.
Speakers: Joey Lemmens & Merlijn Stefels, Ometa
Topic 3 – Digital meter integration
Combining data such as service orders, invoices, and customer data into one integrated flow.
Speakers: Stefan Meys & Koen Vorsselmans, Pidpa
Technical deep dive: Integration of digital meters within the architecture.
Speaker: Liese Verhoeven, Ometa
Topic 4 – Data in context and AI (Copilot experiment)
Insights into contextual data and AI applications, including hands-on experience with Copilot.
Speakers: Stefan Meys & Koen Vorsselmans (Pidpa) and Luc Deleu (Ometa)
Microsoft will build further on this in the afternoon session.
Topic 5 – From NIS2 to Permission Management: Control over Data, Roles and Lifecycles
Impact of NIS2 and data sovereignty, with a focus on RASCI, logbook, lifecycles, and permission management.
Speaker: Luc Deleu, Ometa
11:45 – 12:30: Demos (with coffee break)
Demo 1 – Integration in practice: from SAP to external partners
Demo 2 – Case Management & project portals
Demo 3 – Digital meter integration
Demo 4 – Governance & security in action
12:30 – 13:00: Lunch
13:00 – 13:30: The Frontier Utility: from Intelligent Agents to Sovereign Cloud Operations
Microsoft shares its vision on how utility companies can evolve into future-ready organizations, focusing on continuity, data sovereignty, and the strategic use of AI. You will also gain insight into the workings of an MCP server and concrete applications and sector insights demonstrating how these technologies already create value today.
Speaker: Bart Willem, Microsoft
13:30 – 14:00: Q&A and networking
Practical Information:
🕛Date & Time: Thursday, May 28, from 09:00 to 14:00
📍Location: Microsoft Belux | Passport Building, Brussels National Airport 1K, 1930 Zaventem
🗣️ Language: English
🏢 Format: In-person
💸 Cost: Free of charge
📝 Registration: Via the form below
