Press Release

„ONE Hybrid IT offers end-to-end IT support for grid operators

• Arvato Systems and PDV-Systeme are joining forces to offer an integrated IT solution for grid operators 
• With its hybrid character, the service package is currently the only one of its kind on the German energy market 

Gütersloh/Goslar, Germany – Arvato Systems and PDV-Systeme GmbH have entered a partnership to jointly offer integrated IT services for grid operators of critical infrastructure (KRITIS). To this end, both companies are pooling their relevant expertise: Arvato Systems is a globally active business IT specialist, and PDV-Systeme has been supporting KRITIS operators with high security IT solutions for more than 20 years, including in the energy industry. The joint service package is called ONE Hybrid IT. 

The idea for partnership came to fruition during a project with a joint client. The partners realized that commodity IT and process IT could no longer be considered separately due to the changing situation in the energy market. With its specific character, the ONE Hybrid IT solution is currently the only one of its kind on the German energy market. “This is uncharted territory for us here,” says Bernd Loseke, Sales Director at Arvato Systems. “Working together, we can harmonize the service processes for our clients, making them more efficient in the process,” explains Christian Daniel, Managing Director at PDV-Systeme, highlighting the advantages of integrated IT services.   

There are several factors that are increasingly forcing grid operators to innovate. The energy transition is changing the scope of physical and procedural requirements for stable grid operation. Relevant innovations and investments in grid and business IT infrastructures need to be implemented within the cost framework of incentive regulation. And at the same time, security requirements for IT and processes are rising in all business areas due to the increase in threats from the Internet. In addition, cost pressure is growing on all levels. “Grid operators are looking for an integrated service package that bundles innovation, agility, stability, security, and cost-effectiveness,” states Peter Stemerdink, Key Account Executive at Arvato Systems, summarizing the requirements.  

Orchestrating the different data center types  

Grid operators often use three different types of data centers. First, they map their grid control technology, which requires high security process IT for its operation, in their own data center and IT service organization. Service providers in the KRITIS sector such as PDV-Systeme need to have numerous qualifications and certifications. Second, the business IT for commercial and energy logistics processes is outsourced to the data centers of large IT service providers such as Arvato Systems. These data centers also offer high security and are certified, but they are not always subject to the particularly strict KRITIS requirements. Here, the factors of process stability and cost-effectiveness are the most important. And finally, certain relevant applications are outsourced to a public cloud either directly or through the outsourcing partner, increasingly either for economic reasons or because of the given scalability. For this, Arvato Systems works together with providers such as Microsoft, Google, and Amazon Web Services.  

“We want to provide clients with a solution that is cost-effective, secure, agile, scalable, and efficient when orchestrating these three types of data centers and the processes mapped there,” says Peter Stemerdink. “With our ONE Hybrid IT solution, we manage the entire service spectrum across all systems and sites,” adds Bernd Loseke. “This enables our clients to concentrate better on their core business, while freeing them up from the complexities.” Christian Daniel concludes: “By bridging the gap between process and business IT with our hybrid approach, we create a variety of added values for our clients in a dynamically developing energy market and provide greater flexibility to act.”