Util-Assist
Util-Assist is a Canadian technology consulting and managed services firm serving electric, water, and gas utilities across North America with AMI consulting, outage communications (PowerAssist), managed billing (CustomerAssist), AMI data management (SyncAssist), and AI-powered substation security (SecureAssist).
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2005
- HeadquartersNewmarket, Canada
- Headcount51–100
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingServices
What Util-Assist does
Util-Assist is a Canadian utility technology consulting and managed services firm serving electric, water, and gas utilities across North America. Founded in 2005 in Newmarket, Ontario, and operating as a wholly owned subsidiary of Alectra Energy Services (part of the Alectra Inc. municipal utility family), the company sells into investor-owned, municipal, and cooperative utilities through direct enterprise field sales and event-driven demand generation, with no reseller or marketplace channels.
The company's offering is structured in two lines. Professional Services covers AMI strategy, vendor-neutral procurement, deployment oversight (via the proprietary STEP playbook), organizational change management, data analytics, and testing — engagements are scoped per project, typically 6–12 months for procurement and project-based for deployment. Managed Services comprises four branded offerings: PowerAssist (24/7 multi-channel outage communications serving nearly 2.3M customers), CustomerAssist (managed billing and customer operations on NorthStar CIS supporting 250,000+ accounts), SyncAssist (AMI exception management and Smart Meter Operating Center), and SecureAssist (AI-powered video monitoring for substations and critical infrastructure). Underlying integrations span AMI head-end, MDM, CIS, OMS, and ADMS systems, with technology delivered in part through partners including NorthStar (Harris), SEW, Systems With Intelligence, Camect, and SureView.
Revenue mechanics combine project-based professional services fees with multi-year recurring managed-services contracts priced on shared-resource or fee-per-service models. The customer base is diversified across named logos (Otter Tail Power, Rochester Public Utilities, Lakeland Power, City of Seward, and renewable-energy operators including an Ontario windfarm and the Hagersville battery energy storage park), with five consecutive years of Great Place to Work certification supporting workforce stability. In March 2026, Dr. Andrea Nuesser (ex-Capgemini grid modernization, ex-Hydro One) was appointed President, succeeding Mark Henderson.
Util-Assist firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Util-Assist
- Legal name
- Util-Assist Inc.
- Website
- https://utilassist.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2005
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 51–100 employees
- Short description
- Util-Assist is a Canadian technology consulting and managed services firm serving electric, water, and gas utilities across North America with AMI consulting, outage communications (PowerAssist), managed billing (CustomerAssist), AMI data management (SyncAssist), and AI-powered substation security (SecureAssist).
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Util-Assist industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Utility Technology Consulting & Managed Services
- NAICS
- Custom Computer Programming Services (541511), All Other Business Support Services (561499), Computing Infrastructure Providers, Data Processing, Web Hosting, and Related Services (518)
- SIC
- Services-Facilities Support Management Services (8744), Services-Engineering, Accounting, Research, Management (8700), Services-Computer Programming, Data Processing, Etc. (7370)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Advanced Metering Infrastructure (AMI) Deployment & Managed Services (EUAEANAA)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Customer Grid-Edge Enablement Services (HEMS/DR Device Integration, VPP Enablement) (EUAEANAL), Helpdesk & End-User Support Services (BPAEABAB)
Keywords
Where Util-Assist is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Newmarket
- HQ country
- Canada
- HQ region
- North America
Offices1 record
Markets served
Util-Assist business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure
Revenue model
- Professional Services: Consulting engagements covering AMI strategy, procurement, deployment oversight, organizational change management, data analytics, and testing services. Services are delivered à la carte or end-to-end, with engagements typically running 6–12 months for procurement and project-based for deployment/optimization.
- Managed Services (PowerAssist, CustomerAssist, SecureAssist, SyncAssist): Ongoing outsourcing contracts where Util-Assist manages specific operational functions on behalf of utilities. Revenue is recurring, typically multi-year contract structures, with flexible engagement models ranging from end-to-end delivery to fee-per-service.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Other | Multi-year contract | Flexible managed services with shared-resource model |
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels2 records
Marketing channels8 records
Util-Assist product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Util-Assist delivers end-to-end professional services (AMI consulting, procurement, organizational change management, data analytics, and testing) and ongoing managed services (PowerAssist outage communications, CustomerAssist billing operations, SecureAssist substation security, SyncAssist AMI exception management) to electric, water, and gas utilities across North America. The company specializes in guiding utilities through advanced metering infrastructure (AMI) transformations from business case through deployment and optimization.
Product overview
Util-Assist is a utility technology services company offering a two-part portfolio: Professional Services (AMI consulting, organizational change management, data analytics, and testing) and Managed Services (PowerAssist, CustomerAssist, SecureAssist, and SyncAssist). The professional services guide utilities through large-scale AMI projects from strategy through optimization, while managed services provide ongoing operational support across outage communications, billing, security, and data management. Founded in 2005, the company focuses exclusively on electric, water, and gas utilities across North America.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- PowerAssist: 24/7 outage communications contact center that delivers real-time updates and restoration estimates, empowering customers with choice and reinforcing trust, transparency, and peace of mind.
- CustomerAssist
- SecureAssist
- SyncAssist
Products and services
- AMI Consulting Services Strategic consulting for utilities covering AMI strategy, business case development, vendor-neutral procurement, contract negotiation, system integration, deployment oversight as Owner's Engineer, and AMI 2.0 readiness. Built on a procurement methodology refined over 100+ AMI programs.
- Organizational Change Management Structured change management services embedding role-based support across AMI projects, including readiness assessments, stakeholder engagement, training, and post-implementation adoption reinforcement to ensure lasting adoption of new metering technology.
- Data Analytics AMI data analytics services helping utilities turn meter data into actionable insights for outage prediction, load forecasting, revenue protection, energy efficiency program targeting, and operational efficiency.
- Testing Services Center of excellence testing services for AMI and utility systems, covering system changes, upgrades, patches, and new releases with comprehensive test planning, execution, and defect tracking.
- PowerAssist 24/7 managed outage communications contact center serving utilities through live and AI-powered agents across phone, SMS, webchat, email, social media, and dynamic billboards. Verifies outages via AMI, coordinates dispatch through OMS, and delivers real-time restoration updates. Currently serves nearly 2.3 million utility customers across North America.
- CustomerAssist Managed billing and customer operations service for utilities, including billing operations, payment processing, collections, contact center support, and CIS management, powered by the NorthStar Utilities Solutions CIS. Currently supports over 250,000 end-user accounts across electric, water, sewer, gas, and other utility types.
- SecureAssist AI-powered live video monitoring service for utility substations and critical infrastructure, combining computer vision analytics with trained security agents to deter, detect, actively deter (via talk-down loudspeakers), and defend against theft, vandalism, and intrusions in real time.
- SyncAssist Managed service for AMI exception management and meter-to-cash optimization, monitoring synchronization between CIS, AMI head-end, and MDM systems. Triages and resolves anomalies including missing interval reads, stale meters, tampers, and swapped meters, with Smart Meter Operating Center (SMOC) capabilities.
Quantifiable outcome
- Nearly 2.3 million customers served through PowerAssist outage communications
- +8 more outcomes
Companies that use Util-Assist
Customer profileNamed customers9 records
Segments3 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
Util-Assist technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Integration5 records
AI capability10 records
Feature6 records
Util-Assist partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Four partnerships are on record, tiered core and supporting.
- NorthStar Utilities Solutions (Harris Computer Systems)coreNorthStar Utilities Solutions, a division of Harris Computer Systems, is a business partner for Util-Assist’s managed billing and customer service powered by NorthStar’s industry-leading Customer Information System (CIS). Util-Assist delivers hosted NorthStar services to utility clients, enabling managed billing services for small- to mid-sized municipal utilities. NorthStar’s best-of-breed software and integrated applications provide flexible, industry-leading features for utility billing.
- SEWsupportingSEW delivers digital Customer Experience (CX) and Workforce Experience (WX) platforms powered by AI, ML, and IoT analytics for global energy, water, and gas providers. Util-Assist serves as the system integration partner for clients implementing SEW’s Smart Customer Mobile (SCM) and Digital Workforce Experience platforms, leveraging its breadth in utility system integration and AMI expertise to help utilities adopt SEW’s innovative platforms.
- Systems With Intelligence (SWI)coreSystems With Intelligence (SWI) is a global provider of Touchless monitoring solutions for electric utility applications, coupling thermal monitoring and visual imaging technology with advanced analytic algorithms. SecureAssist combines SWI’s best-in-class technology with Util-Assist’s security monitoring and response services, delivering a turnkey AI-powered video monitoring solution for substations and critical utility infrastructure.
- AcumensupportingAcumen (formerly AESI-US, Inc.) has provided engineering, technical and management solutions to over 600 utilities and critical infrastructure operators since 1984. Util-Assist partners with Acumen through SecureAssist to deliver holistic physical security programs that help ensure safe and reliable electricity supply. Acumen conducts physical security risk assessments, develops security strategies and governance, and creates security plans to meet NERC standards.
Scale indicators12 records
Recent moves10 records
Expansion highlights5 records
Util-Assist competitors and assessment
Company assessmentBroad incumbents
- Accenture (Utilities Practice): Global systems integrator with a large utilities practice covering AMI implementation, customer information systems, and grid operations. Competes with Util-Assist on large-scale AMI and CIS transformation programs, though as part of a vastly broader consulting portfolio.
- Black & Veatch: Global engineering, construction, and consulting firm with a large utility services practice spanning AMI, smart grid, water, and electric infrastructure. Overlaps with Util-Assist's AMI consulting and managed services but operates across a much broader portfolio including EPC and infrastructure.
- Landis+Gyr: Global leader in AMI smart metering and grid management solutions, serving utilities with end-to-end metering, MDM, and analytics. Comparable as a major AMI ecosystem participant that Util-Assist supports through vendor-neutral procurement and deployment oversight.
- Capgemini: Global consulting and digital transformation firm with a utilities sector focused on grid modernization, customer experience, and AMI programs. Directly relevant as the prior employer of Util-Assist's incoming President; competes for the same enterprise utility engagements.
- Leidos: Large government and infrastructure services firm with utility grid modernization, AMI, and IT managed services practices. Comparable on the systems-integration and managed-services side for utilities, though within a much larger federal and commercial portfolio.
- ICF International: Professional services firm with energy and utilities advisory practices covering grid modernization, AMI program management, and customer engagement. Comparable to Util-Assist on the consulting and program-management side, with a much broader advisory portfolio.
Direct peers
- Trilliant Networks: AMI communications and smart-grid platform vendor offering managed connectivity services to electric, water, and gas utilities. Comparable as a technology-and-services partner in the AMI ecosystem, though operating on the vendor rather than consulting side.
- Power Services Group: Utility-focused services firm providing AMI deployment oversight, project management, and managed services to electric cooperatives and municipal utilities. Closely comparable in customer base (mid-market utilities) and in the Owner Engineer / deployment oversight niche.
- West Monroe Partners: Management and technology consulting firm with a dedicated utilities practice covering AMI, customer experience, and grid modernization. Directly comparable as a North American consulting partner serving electric, water, and gas utilities on transformational technology projects.
- OATI (Open Access Technology International): Provider of energy management, AMI, and smart grid software plus managed services to utilities across North America. Directly comparable as a technology and managed-services partner specializing in AMI head-end, MDM, and grid-edge solutions for utilities.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses4 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks5 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
Util-Assist social profiles
Digital presenceUtil-Assist financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Util-Assist leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles6 records
Util-Assist funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Util-Assist M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Util-Assist
What does Util-Assist do?
Util-Assist delivers end-to-end professional services (AMI consulting, procurement, organizational change management, data analytics, and testing) and ongoing managed services (PowerAssist outage communications, CustomerAssist billing operations, SecureAssist substation security, SyncAssist AMI exception management) to electric, water, and gas utilities across North America. The company specializes in guiding utilities through advanced metering infrastructure (AMI) transformations from business case through deployment and optimization.
Is Util-Assist a public or private company?
Util-Assist is a private company. It is classified as corporate owned and is currently operating.
When was Util-Assist founded?
Util-Assist was founded in 2005. It employs 51 to 100 people.
Where is Util-Assist based?
Util-Assist is headquartered in Newmarket, Canada, in the North America region.
How does Util-Assist make money?
Two revenue lines are on record. Professional Services are the primary driver. The others are managed Services (PowerAssist, CustomerAssist, SecureAssist, SyncAssist).
Who are Util-Assist's main competitors?
Broad incumbents on record are Accenture (Utilities Practice), Black & Veatch, Landis+Gyr, Capgemini, Leidos and ICF International. Direct peers are Trilliant Networks, Power Services Group, West Monroe Partners and OATI (Open Access Technology International).
Does Util-Assist have an API?
No public API is recorded for Util-Assist.
What industry is Util-Assist in?
Util-Assist's product category is Utility Technology Consulting & Managed Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is EUAEANAA, Advanced Metering Infrastructure (AMI) Deployment & Managed Services, with a secondary code of EUAEANAL, Customer Grid-Edge Enablement Services (HEMS/DR Device Integration, VPP Enablement). Its NAICS code is 541511 and its SIC code is 8744.