ICT Services
ICT services were developed
One of our most significant new services in 2008 was energy performance certificates, which we started to provide to Helsingin Energia's real estate customers through the Internet-based Sävel service. Another new service launched last year is consumption reporting aimed at customers with hourly metering. Among the new services are also an electronic consumer invoice and an alarm service for price changes occurring on the stock exchange. A project on expanding remote reading in Helsinki city centre required improvement of installation work management. The fact that the gathering of metering data has increased created a need for integrating the dissemination of information.
In addition to the continuous improvement of telecommunication links, the links were upgraded further by constructing a fault-tolerant Prolan network which can be used in process and automation systems.
Data processing capacity was improved by acquiring energy-saving server enclosures for our new-generation blade servers; the new enclosures can save approx. 30% of the energy consumed by the servers. Energy-efficiency was increased also by disposing of a large number of under-utilised servers.
Customer service was improved
We adopted a new operating model for deliveries of workstations and GSM cell phones, according to which equipment deliveries are carried out in co-operation with an external partner. Owing to the new operating model, the times required by equipment deliveries were shortened and our own resources could be directed to more demanding duties, such as business operations support.
High-standard services for external customers
The HelenNet system is a mobile radio network based on digital TETRA (Terrestrial Trunked Radio) technology which, from the point of view of continuity of Helsingin Energia's operation, is a very important communication system in, e.g., emergency conditions and abnormal situations occurring under normal conditions. Helsingin Energia uses HelenNet mobile radios when carrying out maintenance and operation related duties in demanding underground conditions, such as the Salmisaari coal store, in substations, as well as in multi-utility tunnels in collaboration with Helsinki Water. Furthermore, the HelenNet mobile radio network plays an important role in control of public transport in the City of Helsinki and in various security services
The digital exchange for TETRA of the HelenNet system was upgraded in the operating year. In this way, we secured the operational reliability of the services far into the future. The new digital exchange also allowed for the adoption of new software versions and, at the same time, features that improve the availability of the mobile radio network.
ICT Services is specialised in the design, construction and maintenance of optical fibre networks. In the operating year, we designed and documented telecommunication networks and acted as an expert in the Vuosaari Harbour completed in autumn 2008.
The Arabianranta district expanded according to the schedule of areal development. ICT Services expanded the regional optical fibre network in accordance with a contract concluded with Arabian Palvelu Oy.
ICT Services is responsible for providing information system, information technology and telecommunication services, as well as for communication technologies including the operations of HelenNet and Optical Fibre Networks at Helsingin Energia. ICT Services provides its customers with comprehensive information and communication technology services.
