In this interview, we speak with Eng. Ahmed Nada, Chief Executive Officer of E&Power, an Egyptian company established in 2014 that specializes in distributing and selling electricity and water. Our conversation delves into their partnership with Iskraemeco, the evolution of their smart meter technology, and how the digital transformation is redefining energy management for both businesses and consumers.
Can you share more about your partnership with Iskraemeco, including when and how it began?
Our partnership with Iskraemeco began in 2018, at a time when we were exploring smart meter solutions. The recommendation for collaboration came from Waleed Raouf, a former Elsewedy executive, along with our founder. Initially, it was challenging because the meters available were primarily hardware components. Through trial and error, we worked together to finalize the product, and by the last quarter of 2020, we had achieved a smart solution that met our customers’ expectations. This included developing a mobile app, which became a cornerstone for customer satisfaction, integrating a user-friendly, smart solution.
What shared ideals and principles did your organization and Iskraemeco have that led to this collaboration?
The late Waleed Raouf played a key role in fostering this collaboration, as he shared our vision of enhancing utility management through technology. His values of innovation and customer-centricity aligned well with both E&Powers’s and Iskraemeco’s goals of providing efficient, smart solutions for energy management. This shared commitment laid a strong foundation for our ongoing partnership.
Given the recent increased focus on digital transformation and smart technologies, how does that impact your business?
Digital transformation has been crucial for E&Power, as it aligns with our core mission to modernize utility management. By implementing digital solutions for smart metering, we can transition customers from traditional analog systems to modern digital interfaces. Through mobile applications, customers now have better visibility in their usage, enabling remote monitoring and greater control over their consumption. This shift to digital enhances transparency, reduces manpower requirements, and lowers both production and operational costs, making our processes more efficient. Ultimately, digitalization is central to meeting evolving customer needs and staying competitive in the smart technology space.
Prior to implementing Iskraemeco’s Symbiot Energy 360 solution, what were the primary difficulties faced by utilities and end customers at E&Power?
Before implementing the Symbiot Energy 360 solution, our main challenge was establishing transparency with customers. We initially sold smart meters as standalone hardware, lacking features like remote monitoring. We realized that a mobile application was essential to create a comprehensive smart solution, allowing clients to access real-time data on their usage. The Symbiot Energy 360 app and associated portal strengthened our credibility and enhanced long-term customer relationships. With this full solution, customers could see the benefits of smart technology firsthand, leading to improved customer satisfaction and trust.
What were the key benefits or improvements Symbiot Energy 360 brought to your customers?
Symbiot Energy 360 solution provided several significant benefits. First, it offered customers real-time insight into their energy usage, enabling them to monitor and manage their consumption more effectively. Additionally, the solution allowed for greater transparency, giving users control over their energy expenses and providing features like consumption ceilings and usage tracking. These enhancements not only improved customer satisfaction but also promoted energy savings, aligning with E&Power’s mission to support sustainable energy consumption.
How do you see the fruitful collaboration between Iskremeco and E&Power in the future and in what ways can we improve the solution for better service to end users?
We envision a future where our collaboration with Iskraemeco continues to innovate and expand the functionalities of our smart solutions. To better serve our customers, we plan to enhance the software aspects of our offerings beyond just billing or payment solutions. Future improvements could include user-friendly features that allow customers to set consumption limits, actively control their energy usage, and receive personalized energy-saving tips. This would differentiate us from competitors, who focus primarily on payment functions. By prioritizing energy management tools, we can add more value for our customers and help them save energy efficiently.
