Enterprise architecture for energy utilities: the target picture that holds the programmes together
The end of SAP IS-U maintenance in 2027, smart meter back ends, grid control systems and new data obligations meet grown system landscapes. innobu designs the target architecture, places the programmes in it and holds the architecture governance so that every project pays into the same picture.
Enterprise architecture for energy utilities is the discipline that brings business processes, applications, data and technology of a utility or grid operator into one target picture and measures every project against it. innobu delivers the target picture, the capability map, the transition plan for the IS-U replacement and the governance, vendor-independent and with an architect who co-leads the programmes.
Who this service is for
You have to decide by 2027 how to proceed with IS-U and need a target picture that is more than a vendor presentation.
You want to know which projects pay into the same picture and which investments block each other.
Smart meter back end, grid control, portals and MaKo systems should fit together, not grow side by side.
You need to understand the German utility system landscape, its market roles and where your product fits.
What you get
1. IT target picture and transition plan
Application landscape today, target architecture 2030 and the path in between: which systems stay, which go, in which order.
2. Capability map
Capabilities, gaps and responsibilities made visible as a shared language for business, IT and vendors.
3. IS-U replacement without vendor bias
Options S/4HANA Utilities, Clean Core, alternative platforms and transition operation assessed with cost, risk and dependencies to rollout and MaKo.
4. IT/OT and data architecture
Grid control, smart meter gateway administration, data spaces and master data in one picture, including the requirements from NIS2 and §5c EnWG.
5. Architecture governance in operation
Architecture board, decision rules and review criteria that measure new projects against the target picture before budgets flow.
How it works
Four stages, a tangible result after each.
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As-is assessment of the landscape
We capture applications, interfaces, data flows and contracts, assess condition and risk and lay them out as a map.
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Target picture and options
We design the target architecture and assess options with cost, risk and deadlines, understandable for management.
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Transition plan and programmes
The target picture becomes a sequence: programmes, milestones and dependencies, aligned with rollout, MaKo and portals.
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Governance and support
We set up the architecture board and support the programmes so that vendors and teams stay within the target picture.
Backed by
Reference: municipal utility in northern Germany. Since 2025 innobu has led the grid division of a municipal utility in northern Germany as external portfolio and programme lead: grid portfolio 2025 to 2030, the §14a control programme with five sub-projects, the smart meter rollout across electricity, district heating and water, the customer and grid connection portal up to fibre, plus programme office, roadmap and decision paths. Mandate details on request, anonymised for confidentiality.
Related topic fields and tools
Next step
Facing the IS-U decision or want to bring the programmes into one picture? In a first conversation we assess your landscape and name the first architecture decisions.
Frequently asked questions
Enterprise architecture brings business processes, applications, data and technology into one target picture and measures every project against it. At a utility or grid operator this covers billing and market communication, smart meter back ends, grid control, portals and data platforms.
Mainstream maintenance for SAP ECC and IS-U ends on 31 December 2027; extended maintenance until 2030 costs a surcharge. Migrations to S/4HANA Utilities take 18 to 36 months, so the decision on path and sequence has to be made in 2026.
No. innobu does not implement and has no contracts with SAP, Schleupen, Wilken or other vendors. The target picture assesses options by cost, risk and fit with your programmes.
TOGAF as framework, ArchiMate as notation, capability maps and transition plans as working tools, LeanIX or comparable repositories where the customer has them. The framework is published openly on innobu.com.
Smart meter back end, gateway administration, MaKo formats and portals use the same master data and interfaces. The target picture defines which system owns which data so that one release does not block the next programme.
As-is assessment and target picture with option assessment usually take eight to twelve weeks. Transition plan and governance follow within the programmes.