What is AMI-HES?
An AMI-HES (Head-End System) is the software layer that manages field devices.
It collects information (measurements/status), monitors communications, and executes remote commands. In the case of data concentrators, a distinction is typically made between the Technical AMI-HES and the Billing AMI-HES, with different objectives and requirements.
The main tasks of the Technical AMI-HES are:
- AMI asset lifecycle management. Commissioning, maintenance, replacement, and retirement of concentrators and smart meters.
- Remote management and monitoring of data and status. Collection of metering and status data (consumption, events, alarms, communications), with operational tracking capabilities.
- Execution of remote commands. Operations such as relay open/close, software/firmware updates, or changes related to contracted power, among others.
What are the real problems with AMI-HES?
- New cybersecurity and audit requirements (NIS2). Greater exposure to incidents and stricter expectations around cybersecurity and evidence.
- Missing measurements and incomplete reads. More manual work, low-confidence data, friction between operations / metering / customer deparments.
- Slow fault diagnosis: “What’s failing: the smart meter, the concentrator, or the communications?”. More tickets, more truck rolls, and longer time to resolution.
- Remote campaigns that overload systems (or are postponed due to risk). Slow changes, a heterogeneous fleet that’s hard to govern, and manual execution.
Solution
Ariadna technical AMI-HES
Ariadna’s Technical AMI-HES is the software that enables the monitoring and operation of data concentrators (and their associated fleet) to ensure data availability, reliable remote operations, and full traceability. It prevents missing reads, reduces manual work, and helps meet OT/AMI cybersecurity requirements.
Compatible with STG 4.0, Smart Meters 2.0, and PRIME 1.4
Key features
- Lifecycle management of concentrators and meters (onboarding, installation, maintenance, decommissioning)
- Communications monitoring and fleet health (status, alarms, operational diagnostics)
- Collection of metering and status data (events, alarms, communications)
- Remote commands and campaigns (configuration/updates, controlled bulk actions)
- Operational KPIs and reporting (success rate, availability, recurring incidents)
- Integration and “open data” to route data to the required systems (ADMS, SCADA, GIS, data lake, etc.)
What changes when the AMI-HES is designed for real-world operations
- Higher data availability for downstream processes such as operations, analytics, and data quality.
- Lower costs: less manual work and fewer recurring incidents.
- Scalability: large-scale, remote operations.
- Better risk control: traceability, audit evidence, and cybersecurity best practices.
Benefits
What benefits does ARIADNA AMI-HES bring to DSOs?
- Compliance with cybersecurity requirements for devices and communications (NIS2).
- Ensures complete reads and reduces missing data gaps.
- Fewer incidents due to communication outages and faster issue resolution.
- Secure execution of large-scale configuration/update campaigns with full control.
- Improved network observability (what is failing, where, and why).
