MultiSpeak
MultiSpeak is a membership-based interoperability specification standard for electric utilities, defining standardized web services interfaces across 40 functional endpoints. Operated by NRECA subsidiary CES, it serves 800+ utility sites and 90+ vendor members across 21+ countries.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2000
- HeadquartersArlington, United States
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingSoftware
What MultiSpeak does
MultiSpeak is a membership-based software interoperability specification standard for electric utilities, founded in January 2000 as a collaborative initiative between the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association (NRECA) and a small group of vendors serving U.S. electric cooperatives. Operated through NRECA's wholly-owned subsidiary Cooperating Energy Services (CES), with headquarters at 4301 Wilson Blvd, Arlington, VA, MultiSpeak defines standardized XML-based data objects and WSDL web services contracts that enable data exchange between disparate enterprise software applications in utility operations. The current specification (Version 5.0, issued February 2015) covers 40 functional endpoints spanning meter reading, connect/disconnect, meter data management, outage detection, load management, SCADA, demand response, distribution automation, AMI/AMR, work management, and GIS, with a companion security standard based on WS-Security for confidentiality, integrity, authenticity, and accountability of messages.
The core technology is the specification itself, which uses web services for real-time exchanges and batch files for offline transfers, supporting request/response, publish/subscribe, and asynchronous message exchange patterns in a platform-independent manner (hardware, database, and language agnostic). Complementing the specification are an 8-hour Integrator Training program (which has certified 360+ personnel), a tested-products and interoperability certification process, an active Technical Committee meeting 3-4 times per year, the federally registered MultiSpeak® trademark, and a forthcoming MultiSpeak Marketplace App Store. The specification is platform-independent and supports internationalization through ISO 4217 currency codes, international telephone and address fields, and configurable unit/value pairs.
MultiSpeak monetizes entirely through tiered annual membership subscriptions: Vendor Memberships starting at $6,000/year (voting rights, early specification access, voting for Advisory Board, integrator training, trademark license), Utility Memberships at $500-$1,200/year (documentation, RFP templates, technical support), Auditing Memberships at $400-$1,200/year (non-voting meeting access), and Sponsoring Memberships (trade organizations and governmental entities) priced by arrangement requiring advisory board approval. The two primary customer segments are electric utilities (cooperatives, IOUs, municipal utilities, and public power districts) and software vendors serving the utility market, with a secondary vertical expansion into water and gas utilities. The ecosystem spans 90+ vendor members—including GE, Siemens, Schneider Electric, Itron, Landis+Gyr, Honeywell, Eaton, Aclara, Milsoft, NISC, NRTC, Sensus, Tantalus, Trilliant, and many others—and 800+ utility deployment sites across at least 21 countries including the USA, Canada, Mexico, Brazil, China, India, the Philippines, Israel, Sweden, and Turkey.
MultiSpeak firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- MultiSpeak
- Legal name
- Cooperating Energy Services, Inc
- Website
- https://multispeak.org
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2000
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- MultiSpeak is a membership-based interoperability specification standard for electric utilities, defining standardized web services interfaces across 40 functional endpoints. Operated by NRECA subsidiary CES, it serves 800+ utility sites and 90+ vendor members across 21+ countries.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
MultiSpeak industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Utility Integration Software
- NAICS
- Computer Systems Design and Related Services (54151), Computer Systems Design and Related Services (5415)
- SIC
- Services-Computer Integrated Systems Design (7373)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Standards, Interoperability & Certification (DLMS/COSEM, ANSI C12, IEEE 2030.5) (EUADAFAO)
Keywords
Where MultiSpeak is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Arlington
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices1 record
Markets served
MultiSpeak business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Software
- Cost components
- Technology or R&D, Personnel, Marketing or Sales, Operations, Infrastructure
Revenue model
- Vendor Membership Fees: Software vendors serving the utility market pay annual membership fees starting at $6,000/year. Membership provides early access to specification developments, influence over future plans, voting rights at technical and business planning meetings, integrator training, and trademark usage rights.
- Utility Membership Fees: Electric utilities (IOUs, munis, co-ops, public power districts) pay annual membership fees ranging from $500/year to $1,200/year. Membership provides technical support, full documentation, RFP templates, and access to the MultiSpeak Marketplace.
- Auditing Membership Fees: Auditing members pay annual fees ranging from $400/year to $1,200/year. Auditing members can attend but not vote at technical or business planning meetings.
- Sponsorship Fees: Trade organizations or governmental entities can provide significant funding as Sponsoring Members. Acceptance requires special action by the MultiSpeak Advisory Board.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Subscription | Annual | Vendor Membership — Starting at $6,000/year |
| Subscription | Annual | Utility Membership — $500/year or $1,200/year |
| Subscription | Annual | Auditing Membership — $400/year or $1,200/year |
| Subscription | Annual | Sponsoring Membership — By arrangement |
| One time/ perpetual license | Multi-year contract | Integrator Training (Non-Members) |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels3 records
Marketing channels8 records
MultiSpeak product offering
Product offeringCore offering
MultiSpeak is a software interoperability specification standard for electric utilities that defines standardized XML-based data objects and WSDL web services message structures enabling data exchange between disparate enterprise software applications. The platform-independent specification covers 40 functional endpoints across utility operations (meter reading, outage management, SCADA, AMI/AMR, GIS, work management, demand response, distribution automation) and is sold through tiered vendor, utility, auditing, and sponsoring annual memberships, supplemented by integrator training and a security standard.
Product overview
MultiSpeak is a software interoperability specification standard for electric utilities, not a unified software product. The core offering is the MultiSpeak Specification, currently at Version 5.0, which defines standardized web services-based interfaces among enterprise software applications used by utilities. The specification enables data exchange between systems including Customer Information Systems (CIS), Geographic Information Systems (GIS), Outage Management Systems (OMS), SCADA, AMR/AMI, Meter Data Management, Work Management, and more. Beyond the specification, MultiSpeak offers Integrator Training programs, testing and certification services, and membership subscriptions with varying tiers (Vendor, Utility, Auditing, Sponsoring). The ecosystem includes over 90 vendor members who develop MultiSpeak-compatible products and over 360 trained integrators. MultiSpeak is an initiative of the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association (NRECA).
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- MultiSpeak Specification Standardized specification defining interfaces among enterprise software applications commonly used by electric utilities. It enables software products from different vendors to interoperate without requiring extensive custom interface development.
- MultiSpeak Version 5.0 Current major version of the MultiSpeak specification with comprehensive use case definitions, improved testing procedures, streamlined endpoints, enhanced work management interfaces, and best practices in web services design.
- MultiSpeak Integrator Training An 8-hour training course covering the foundational building blocks needed to implement MultiSpeak integration/interoperability projects, including web services functional endpoints, messaging models, data model objects, use case definitions, and certification testing procedures.
- MultiSpeak Membership Subscription Four-tier membership program (Vendor, Utility, Auditing, and Sponsoring) providing access to technical documents, training, integrator certification, technical support, influence over specification development, and trademark usage rights.
- MultiSpeak Security Standard Companion standard providing security mechanisms based on WS-Security and related standards, along with implementation guidance for securing MultiSpeak-enabled applications and grid-triggering messages.
Quantifiable outcome
- Upwards of a half million dollars a year in savings for some co-ops
- +3 more outcomes
Companies that use MultiSpeak
Customer profileNamed customers15 records
Segments3 records
Ideal customer profiles2 records
MultiSpeak technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature7 records
MultiSpeak partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
18 partnerships are on record, tiered core.
- ARIESPRO for UtilitiescoreARIESPRO, a cloud-based AI, Machine Learning and Analytics Software company specializing in AMI/AMR, Smart Grid, Substation Automation, Outage AI, Enhanced Beneficial Electrification, Clean Energy, Solar PV, Battery Storage, Microgrid AI, and Electric Vehicles Charging Network for Electric Utilities, partnered with MultiSpeak. ARIESPRO's cloud-based analytics enterprise service bus (ESB) interfaces with AMI/AMR, GIS, Meter Data Management, and Outage Management to build real-time machine learning analytics.
- Neocom Software (TRBOnet)coreNeocom Software, a strategic Motorola Application Partner for MOTOTRBO systems known worldwide as TRBOnet, announced a partnership with MultiSpeak. The partnership enables businesses to utilize GPS Location Tracking software and provide location data to the visual representation of the electric grid. TRBOnet products include TRBOnet Enterprise and TRBOnet PLUS (IP-based GPS tracking and dispatch solution), TRBOnet Watch (diagnostic and monitoring tool), hardware IP gateways, and Option Boards for MOTOTRBO radios.
- ARCOS LLCcoreARCOS, the market leader for utility and critical infrastructure resource-management solutions, signed an agreement to support the MultiSpeak specification. ARCOS now offers the MultiSpeak interface as part of its resource-management platform, enabling utility managers to easily take data about power outages from NISC's Outage Management System, create work orders, and assign them to the closest available crew via ARCOS Mobile Workbench. ARCOS provides pre-defined connection points with outage management systems, SCADA systems, and work management systems commonly used by cooperative and municipal utilities.
- Invoice CloudcoreInvoice Cloud joined the MultiSpeak Community. Invoice Cloud provides trusted, secure e-payments and Electronic Bill Presentment and Payment (EBPP) solutions. Founded in 2009, Invoice Cloud has over 2,100 clients across the United States and processes over 50 million payments annually.
- NovaTechcoreNovaTech, a supplier of substation automation, measurement and recording solutions to global utilities and industrials, joined the MultiSpeak community. NovaTech products include the Orion Automation Platform and Bitronics Panel Metering and Recording products. NovaTech planned to add MultiSpeak support for Orion WEBserver SCADA applications, enabling interface to Outage Management, Dispatch, Metering, and GIS systems.
- PrimeStonecorePrimeStone, a privately held software development company founded in 1990 with over 25 years of experience in meter data collection, management and analytics, joined the MultiSpeak community. PrimeStone's PrimeAnalytics+ platform is interoperable with HES, GIS, OMS, CIS, ERP, SCADA and other back-office systems. Using MultiSpeak standards further ensures interoperability with other utility systems.
- GE (General Electric)coreGE, a world energy leader providing equipment, solutions and services across the entire energy system from generation to transmission to distribution, joined the MultiSpeak community. GE hardware generates one third of the world's electricity and their software manages 40 percent of all global electricity. GE's Digital Energy portfolio connects and orchestrates energy systems across a common data fabric.
- Software Solutions, Inc.coreSoftware Solutions, Inc., a national employee-owned company offering web-based ERP software including complete billing, accounting, and payroll solutions, joined the MultiSpeak community. Founded in 1978, Software Solutions serves counties, cities, villages, townships, libraries, and water companies. Their ERP solutions are found in over 400 locations.
- Electrical Grid Monitoring Ltd. (EGM)coreEGM, an award winner of grid digitalization systems, announced support for the MultiSpeak Initiative. EGM's Meta-Alert nerves-like analytical probing systems enable effective power grid modernization, converting legacy static grids into digitized, integrated, dynamic and adaptive networks. Supporting MultiSpeak enables EGM's Meta-Alert to be effortlessly integrated into coop utilities management systems.
- QEI, LLCcoreQEI, an automation solutions provider in the utility marketplace and a MultiSpeak member for decades, uses MultiSpeak to enable its Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) System to integrate with Outage Management Systems (OMS) and Automated Meter Infrastructure (AMI) Systems. QEI is headquartered in Springfield, NJ.
- On Now DigitalcoreOn Now Digital joined the MultiSpeak community to support interoperability and data standardization for utilities. On Now Digital centralizes and analyzes health data on electrical assets, consolidating data from monitoring devices, work orders, inventory systems, field inspection tools, lab systems, pole inspection results, and aerial/drone results.
- Mapbis Inc.coreMapbis Inc. announced its membership within the MultiSpeak community. Mapbis provides Powernet Maestro, an Electricity Distribution Network Management Application Suite with modules for mapping, network and business analysis, and mobile users. MultiSpeak enables Powernet Maestro users to easily integrate with other subsystems in their IT and operation platforms.
- El Sewedy Electrometer Group (EMG)coreEl Sewedy EMG, a world class provider of end-to-end metering solutions and services including field-upgradable metering products, communications devices, cutting edge meter management software and IT infrastructure, joined the MultiSpeak community. El Sewedy EMG operates factories in Egypt, the Czech Republic, Ethiopia, Ghana, Zambia, Brazil, Mexico and India. MultiSpeak was chosen as their interoperability standard to enable seamless integration throughout their electricity, water and gas smart metering solutions.
- ConnixtcoreConnixt, a California-based provider of break-through cloud-mobile solutions for utilities, announced support for MultiSpeak specifications. This enables easy connectivity for the Connixt iMarq with MultiSpeak compliant back-end systems, enabling direct access for field crew through their award-winning mobile app suite.
- NISC (National Information Solutions Cooperative)coreNISC is a supporting partner of MultiSpeak and a major contributor to the initiative. NISC's iVUE platform and OMS products are MultiSpeak tested and interoperable with multiple other products. NISC hosts Technical User Group meetings at its Saint Louis office. NISC is a subsidiary of NRTC and serves as both a vendor member and a supporting organization.
- NRTC (National Rural Telecommunications Cooperative)coreNRTC is a supporting partner of MultiSpeak, providing technology solutions to its member cooperatives. NRTC's representatives participate in the Advisory User Group and Technical Committee meetings.
- Milsoft Utility SolutionscoreMilsoft is a supporting partner of MultiSpeak and one of the most active vendors in the MultiSpeak interoperability testing ecosystem. Milsoft products including DisSPatch (OMS), WindMil (Engineering Analysis), Porche (IVR), and Web Server have been tested for MultiSpeak interoperability with numerous other products.
- 90+ Vendor Members (collective)coreOver 90 vendor members actively contribute to and use the MultiSpeak specification. Key members include Aclara, Advanced Control Systems, Aerinet Solutions, Applied Technology Solutions, ARCOS, AriesPro, CGI Technologies, Clevest, Connixt, Cooperative Response Center, Daffron & Associates, DataVoice International, Eaton, ElectSolve, Exacter, Fleet Complete, Honeywell, Invoice Cloud, Itron, Landis+Gyr, Milsoft, NISC, NRTC, On Now Digital, Open Systems International, OSIsoft, PrimeStone, QEI, Sagemcom, Schneider Electric, SEDC, Sensus, Siemens, Smart Energy Water, Software Solutions, Survalent, Tantalus, TRBOnet, Trilliant Networks, Utilismart, Verizon Wireless, Vision Metering, Zerion Software, and others.
Scale indicators6 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights6 records
MultiSpeak competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Milsoft Utility Solutions: Milsoft is one of the most active vendors in the MultiSpeak interoperability testing ecosystem, supplying OMS, engineering analysis, IVR, and web server products for electric cooperatives. As a peer, it both consumes MultiSpeak specifications and offers complementary integrated software products.
- Survalent Technology: Survalent is a SCADA/OMS software vendor for electric, water, and gas utilities, listed as an active MultiSpeak member. It both consumes the MultiSpeak specification for utility integrations and is a directly comparable vendor serving the same cooperative and municipal utility customer base.
- IEEE 2030.5 (SEP 2.0): IEEE 2030.5 / Smart Energy Profile 2.0 is an application-layer protocol for energy management and DER communication. It competes with portions of MultiSpeak's AMI, demand response, and home area network endpoints and is increasingly adopted by California utilities.
- OpenADR Alliance: OpenADR is a standards/specification body for automated demand response messaging, overlapping with MultiSpeak's demand response and distribution automation endpoints. Both serve as interoperability specifications adopted by utilities and vendors in the smart grid ecosystem.
- ARCOS LLC: ARCOS is a resource management software vendor for utilities and critical infrastructure that has committed to supporting the MultiSpeak specification. Its Mobile Workbench, Crew Manager, and Callout products integrate with MultiSpeak-compliant OMS, SCADA, and work management systems.
- OpenADR (Open Automated Demand Response): OpenADR is a specification standard for automated demand response signaling between utilities and customer sites. It directly competes with MultiSpeak's demand response and DER endpoints and is the more widely deployed standard for utility-customer DR programs.
Broad incumbents
- DLMS User Association (DLMS/COSEM): DLMS/COSEM is the IEC 62056 standard for metering data exchange, widely used for AMI interoperability globally. It overlaps with MultiSpeak's meter reading and meter data management endpoints, particularly in international and water/gas utility deployments.
- IEC TC57 (CIM - Common Information Model): IEC 61968/61970 CIM is the primary interoperability standard for utility transmission and increasingly distribution systems. It competes with MultiSpeak for the same utility software interface specification role but is backed by IEC's global standards apparatus and is dominant outside the U.S. cooperative segment.
Regional players
- NISC (National Information Solutions Cooperative): NISC is a supporting partner of MultiSpeak and a major contributing vendor developing MultiSpeak-tested CIS, OMS, and billing software for U.S. electric cooperatives. As a vendor it both competes (alternative platforms) and complements (MultiSpeak-compatible integrations) the standard's reach in the cooperative utility market.
Others
- Smart Electric Power Alliance (SEPA): SEPA is an industry association convening utilities, vendors, and policymakers on grid modernization. It complements MultiSpeak's interoperability mission through research, working groups, and events that shape how utilities adopt interoperability standards.
Market position
Strengths1 record
Weaknesses1 record
Competitive moat6 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
MultiSpeak social profiles
Digital presenceMultiSpeak financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
MultiSpeak leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles3 records
MultiSpeak funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
MultiSpeak 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 MultiSpeak
What does MultiSpeak do?
MultiSpeak is a software interoperability specification standard for electric utilities that defines standardized XML-based data objects and WSDL web services message structures enabling data exchange between disparate enterprise software applications. The platform-independent specification covers 40 functional endpoints across utility operations (meter reading, outage management, SCADA, AMI/AMR, GIS, work management, demand response, distribution automation) and is sold through tiered vendor, utility, auditing, and sponsoring annual memberships, supplemented by integrator training and a security standard.
Is MultiSpeak a public or private company?
MultiSpeak is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was MultiSpeak founded?
MultiSpeak was founded in 2000. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is MultiSpeak based?
MultiSpeak is headquartered in Arlington, United States, in the North America region.
How does MultiSpeak make money?
Four revenue lines are on record. Vendor Membership Fees are the primary driver. The others are utility Membership Fees, auditing Membership Fees and sponsorship Fees.
Who are MultiSpeak's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Milsoft Utility Solutions, Survalent Technology, IEEE 2030.5 (SEP 2.0), OpenADR Alliance, ARCOS LLC and OpenADR (Open Automated Demand Response). Broad incumbents are DLMS User Association (DLMS/COSEM) and IEC TC57 (CIM - Common Information Model). NISC (National Information Solutions Cooperative) is listed as a regional player. Smart Electric Power Alliance (SEPA) is listed as an others.
Does MultiSpeak have an API?
No public API is recorded for MultiSpeak.
What industry is MultiSpeak in?
MultiSpeak's product category is Utility Integration Software. Its primary akta.pro industry code is EUADAFAO, Standards, Interoperability & Certification (DLMS/COSEM, ANSI C12, IEEE 2030.5). Its NAICS code is 54151 and its SIC code is 7373.