SIV.AG

SIV.AG was founded in 1990 and has been part of the internationally successful Harris Group since 2016 and is an established solution partner for the energy and water industry. With the freely scalable SaaS platform kVASy®, utility companies can cover all market roles, divisions and supply processes of their commodity and non-commodity core business.

Why ERP software and Process modeling matter for energy and utilities

Germany’s energy utility sector is highly complex, with nearly 900 electricity grid operators, 600 gas grid operators, over 1,000 electricity suppliers, and around 700 gas suppliers—figures that continue to evolve. The Bundesnetzagentur regulates the industry, primarily targeting grid operators, but its policies shape the entire energy market.

Regulatory changes occur twice yearly with strict implementation deadlines, impacting business processes such as supplier switching, energy consumption tracking, contract terminations, and system updates. Changes in the regulations cause a significant challenge for SIV.AG and their customers.

Amid this dynamic landscape, SIV.AG supports over 300 clients, including municipal utilities, energy suppliers, and network operators. Its standardized ERP software is highly configurable to meet diverse operational needs while seamlessly integrating the Bundesnetzagentur’s evolving requirements. This ensures smooth transitions and thorough documentation for clients adapting to regulatory changes.

Previously, key stakeholders collaborated using Microsoft Excel spreadsheets. To better manage complexity, SIV.AG adopted ArchiMate as its modeling language and chose Bizzdesign Horizzon for its database-driven, multi-user capabilities. After initial experimentation, the enterprise architecture team refined its approach, transitioning from a module-based to a process-oriented model. Today, 20 users actively collaborate on the change platform.

Since utility companies’ cross-departmental processes often create responsibility gaps, modeling business processes and integrating them with the kVASy® suite improves efficiency and clarity for clients.

How business process modeling supports regulatory compliance

The enterprise architecture team has modeled key business processes for grid operators, measuring point operators, and suppliers in Bizzdesign Horizzon. These models visually represent business processes and demonstrate how the kVASy suite supports them. Rather than modeling an entire utility company’s enterprise architecture, the enterprise architecture team focuses on business processes and their interaction with the kVASy suite.

For example, changing a measuring point operator involves 85 message exchanges between market participants. The team illustrates in Bizzdesign Horizzon how the kVASy suite facilitates these processes, highlighting automated tasks and those requiring manual intervention.

The team has implemented a structured model packaging approach: standard business processes are published in a reference model that customers can view but not modify. Customers receive a dedicated model package for specific projects where they can add their processes and comments without altering core reference models. The company also provides clients with access to knowledge databases and documentation, helping users effectively understand and implement new processes.

To date, the team has modeled over 200 business processes and sub-processes. In some cases, BPMN is used alongside ArchiMate to meet specific customer needs, such as modeling meter installations.

Additionally, the SIV.AG’s consultancy division also uses Bizzdesign Horizzon to support advising clients on regulatory changes, using the enterprise architecture tool to guide the process.

Key benefits

Using Enterprise Architecture to simplify ERP implementation planning

SIV.AG’s enterprise architecture team uses Bizzdesign Horizzon to create significant benefits for their clients:

Integrating BPM and Enterprise Architecture enhances decision-making
By combining BPM and ERP on one change platform, SIV.AG provides clients with clear insights into operational dependencies and regulatory alignment. This approach supports large organizations, such as grid operators managing millions of metering points, in effectively implementing and using SIV.AG’s software.

Regulatory guidance ensures compliance readiness
With updated business process models, clients can quickly adapt to regulatory changes, ensuring minimal disruption. Continuous updates and structured documentation support ongoing compliance.

Structured reference models enforce standardization
Connecting the reference process architecture with the IT model helps SIV.AG describe the support capabilities of its ERP software. Additionally, regulatory updates are reflected in reference models, allowing clients to adapt without disrupting operations.

Visibility improves collaboration for key stakeholders
Previously reliant on spreadsheets, SIV.AG now enables multi-user collaboration on a dynamic change platform. Key business and IT roles stay aligned throughout ERP transformation.

Modeling reduces ERP software implementation risk
Through modeling and scenario planning, SIV.AG helps clients mitigate budget overruns of their ERP software implementation by breaking down complex systems into manageable components.