According to recent examinations by Zpryme and Pike Research (News - Alert), the U.S. market for smart grid network management systems – deployed by utilities – is projected to grow from $225 million in 2013 to $1 billion by 2020.

Consequently, the projected number of devices under management will grow from 65 million in 2013 to 330 million by 2020.

As a result, this creates a big challenge to monitor, control and manage millions of communicating grid devices from multiple vendors.

In an effort to help utilities better manage millions of communicating grid devices, and to improve grid reliability, Siemens Smart Grid has partnered with Proximetry (News - Alert) to jointly deliver advanced end-to-end communication network management solutions – for smart electric, gas and water grids in the North American market.

Announcing their collaboration at the recent 2013 DistribuTECH event, both companies revealed a joint solution that will improve the management of millions of communicating grid devices for electric, gas and water grids for the North American market.

As a network and device management software platform provider, Proximetry has integrated its Airsync Network Management System (NMS) solution into Siemens’ (News - Alert) PM@Siemens delivery and integration process.

Proximetry's Airsync is a smart grid network management software platform designed to help electric, gas and water utilities manage multiple networks, protocols, and millions of devices from a single control center.

The PM@Siemens is used in Siemens’ Integrated Drive Systems, which allows utilities to purchase, implement and maintain all drive train components through a single point of contact. The PM@Siemens, in general, is a project management methodology adopted by Siemens to add more value to each Integrated Drive Systems project.

"The challenge to monitor, control, and manage millions of communicating grid devices from multiple vendors continues to grow dramatically as grid modernization drives usage of a few thousand devices to tens of millions," said Thierry Godart, president of Siemens smart grid division North America. "This partnership will allow utilities to better manage this vast proliferation of information and make strides in improving grid reliability."

Siemens will reportedly deliver Proximetry's Airsync NMS solution to utilities using the PM@Siemens integration process, in order to ensure that NMS solutions are delivered on time, within budget, and configured to meet the critical demands of the utility operational environment.

"Siemens and Proximetry share a vision that advanced energy and water networks require comprehensive, end-to-end management," commented Tracy Trent (News - Alert), CEO at Proximetry. "We are very excited to be collaborating with Siemens, a company with immense knowledge and capabilities in the utility industry. Their world class products, software delivery, and systems integration capabilities, coupled with their cross-domain expertise in power systems and telecommunications, will allow us to deliver the right solutions for the market."

In recent news, Proximetry and Airspan (News - Alert) announced extending their partnership to address the unique scalability and security network management requirements of end-to-end multiservice smart energy networks.