The digitalisation of the energy industry is no longer a topic for the future – it is the key prerequisite for harmonising supply quality, economic efficiency and sustainability. Municipal utilities and local energy suppliers in particular are facing a double challenge today: they must modernise their operations while actively participating in the energy transition.
As an IT service provider specialising in the KRITIS industry, the HWS Group from Neustadt an der Aisch supports energy and water suppliers on their way to a digital future with solutions such as Microsoft 365, Windows 11 migration, cloud infrastructures, modern workplace concepts and offline LLMs (local AI language models).
Digitalisation as an enabler of the energy transition
Digital technologies are now considered key to achieving climate targets, automating processes and managing supply networks more efficiently. Municipal utilities that provide electricity, gas, water and heat can use smart IT solutions to reduce their operating costs, increase network stability and develop new services for end customers, from online portals and intelligent billing to digital meter services.
IT water management and electricity grids in particular benefit from automation, monitoring, IoT sensor technology and central data platforms. Municipal IT is thus evolving into a control centre that processes data in real time and enables informed decisions to be made.
Modern workplace: Microsoft 365 and Windows 11 as the foundation
A key component of digitalisation in municipal utilities is the modernisation of workplace IT. The HWS Group supports municipal utilities throughout Germany with:
- The implementation of Microsoft 365 – for efficient, secure and location-independent collaboration.
- The migration to Windows 11, as strategic preparation for the end of support for Windows 10 and to take advantage of new performance and usability benefits.
- Developing a modern workplace with hybrid working models, mobile IT and seamless integration into existing systems.
Modern workplaces not only promote employee productivity and satisfaction, but also contribute to long-term competitiveness and employee retention, an important factor given the shortage of skilled workers in the industry.
Case study: Successful Microsoft 365 rollout at Erlanger Stadtwerke, a public utility company
A concrete example of a successful digital transformation: Together with the HWS Gruppe, Erlanger Stadtwerke modernised its IT infrastructure and introduced Microsoft 365.
The challenges: decentralised teams, increasing communication requirements, growing need for location-independent collaboration.
The solution: HWS planned, supported and implemented a smooth rollout of Microsoft 365 – including user management via Azure AD, cloud connectivity, migration of existing data and intensive training measures for employees.
The result: a significant increase in productivity, reduced IT operating costs and a flexible, secure workplace for all employees.
Find out more about the implementation at Erlanger Stadtwerke:
Cloud and hybrid infrastructures for municipal utilities
Für viele Stadtwerke ist der Weg in die Cloud ein logischer Schritt – aber nicht immer ist eine vollständige Public-Cloud-Strategie sinnvoll. Die HWS Gruppe bietet maßgeschneiderte hybride Cloud-Lösungen, bei denen kritische Systeme on-premise verbleiben, während weniger sensible Dienste in die Cloud ausgelagert werden.
Das Ergebnis: Höhere Skalierbarkeit, schnellere Innovation, geringere Kosten – bei voller Kontrolle über sensible Daten. Typische Anwendungen umfassen:
Kundenportale
Abrechnungssysteme
Netzmonitoring-Tools
Dokumentenmanagement
Kollaborationsplattformen wie Microsoft Teams
Green IT: Sustainability through digitalisation
Digitalisation not only contributes to efficiency – it is also a driver for sustainable business. Optimised data centres, paperless processes, virtual meetings and automated workflows can significantly reduce the ecological footprint of municipal utilities.
Green IT is more than just a trend; it is a crucial component of modern energy supply. The HWS Group supports municipal utilities with scalable, resource-efficient IT solutions that contribute to the implementation of the energy transition.
Innovation with offline LLMs: Artificial intelligence conceived locally
An exciting field of innovation is offline LLMs, i.e. large language models that are not operated via public clouds but locally in the company’s own data centre. This technology opens up new possibilities for municipal utilities:
- Automated use of internal knowledge databases
- Reduced customer service workload through intelligent chatbots
- Faster response times to internal enquiries
- Support for employees with digital assistants
The advantages: No data leaves the company, full control over infrastructure and data protection, available at any time – independent of external platforms. The HWS Group advises municipal utilities on the selection, implementation and operation of LLMs on site.
Thinking ahead with digitalisation: technologies as tools, not ends in themselves
The technologies presented in this article – from Microsoft 365, Windows 11 migration and cloud solutions to offline LLMs – are just a small sample of the many possibilities that digitalisation offers the energy industry. They are intended to stimulate thought and show how specific technologies can help overcome the major challenges of the energy transition, customer focus and the shortage of skilled workers.
In reality, the solutions are always unique. Every organisation and every municipal utility has different prerequisites, goals and requirements. That is why digitalisation is not about a rigid product portfolio, but about tailor-made strategies that are developed and implemented together with an experienced partner.
Whether process automation, data utilisation in water management, the expansion of digital services for end customers or the development of completely new digital business models: the possibilities are vast – and they are constantly growing. It is important to shape the digital transformation proactively and strategically.
The HWS Gruppe sees itself not only as a technical service provider, but also as a source of inspiration and a sparring partner for municipal utilities on their way to a digital, sustainable and high-performance future.
Conclusion: Shaping digitalisation in the energy industry with the HWS Gruppe
The digitalisation of the energy industry offers enormous opportunities – provided it is strategically planned and consistently implemented. The HWS Gruppe is your partner on this journey: specialised in municipal utility IT, experienced in the energy industry, reliable in implementation.
Whether Microsoft 365, Windows 11, cloud, modern workplace or AI: we bring your IT into the future – step by step, securely and precisely.
🎯 Download the Erlangen municipal utilities success story now and find out how digital transformation works in practice!
Are you an IT manager or managing director of a municipal utility? Let’s talk – for individual advice on digitising your IT infrastructure.
Download the white paper on Windows 11 migration with Microsoft Intune now, specifically designed for municipal IT infrastructures and public utilities.
Learn how to modernise your device fleet, increase security standards and make the transition efficient, without unnecessary complexity.
Are you an IT manager or managing director of a municipal utility?
Let’s talk – for individual advice on digitising your workplace IT.
