This report looks at the advanced metering infrastructure value chain. It covers what is driving utilities to adopt smart meter technology, what technology makes up the infrastructure, how the technology benefits a utility, key players in the ecosystem and the competitive landscape for these players.
Scope
* Discusses the drivers for adoption of smart metering technologies in Western Europe and North America
* Provides insight into what technologies comprise advanced metering infrastructure
* Describes how different utilities will benefit from different elements of the smart metering infrastructure
* Provides recommendations for technology vendors and services companies
Highlights
A full analysis of the current performance of technologies is included, as well as Datamonitor's opinion on future take up of the various technologies underpinning advanced metering infrastructure.
The geographic and utility-specific drivers for adoption are detailed in length, providing insight into what technologies will be adopted where and for what reason.
Reasons to Purchase
* Gain a deep insight into the advanced metering infrastructure
* Understand why utilities are adopting advanced metering infrastructure technologies
* Learn where the current bottlenecks lie in advanced metering infrastructure
Partial Table of Contents:
-- Full ToC is available at http://www.fastmr.com/
Overview 1
Catalyst 1
Summary 1
Executive Summary 2
The SME market is attractive for its sheer size, though the recession will have an impact 2
The SME market was estimated to be worth £5.4 billion in 2008 2
The recession has put pressure on SMEs and is resulting in more insolvencies 2
Package products are the principle means through which SMEs purchase their cover 2
SME insurance needs are varied and encompass a range of products 2
Face-to-face arrangement through established brokers is the main means by which SMEs arrange their cover 3
Brokers dominate among all sizes of SMEs, though they have greater market share among larger SMEs 3
Face-to-face arrangement is popular in the market but is more prevalent among larger SMEs 3
Most SMEs learn of their insurance provider through previous experience or proximity 3
SMEs are generally loyal to their existing insurance provider but there is significant churn to exploit 4
More SMEs considered a change of provider in 2009 than in 2008 4
Approximately one third of the SME insurance market would be willing to arrange their cover over the telephone 4
Most of the SME market is unwilling to use the internet to arrange their insurance cover 5
SMEs are most open to purchasing motor and less complex liability products online 5
Insurance providers need to make the necessary investments so they can offer quality low cost products 6
The recession will make SMEs more price sensitive, requiring brokers to invest in the ability to deliver at a lower cost 6
Direct players need to play up the potential cost savings which an SME can obtain from going direct 6
Banks can market themselves as low cost alternatives, appealing to SMEs' price sensitivity 7
Table of Contents 8
Table of figures 9
Table of tables 10
Market Context 11
Introduction 11
The SME market was worth over £5 billion in 2008, with rates hardening in motor 11
The SME market was estimated to be worth £5.4 billion in 2008 11
A large proportion of brokers reported no change in premium rates over the last year 11
The SME market is attractive for its sheer policy volume, though the recession will have an impact 13
The number of UK enterprises grew by 4.7% to 4.8 million 13
More than 99% of UK companies are small businesses 14
The recession has put pressure on SMEs and is resulting in more insolvencies 16
SMEs often require a range of cover, generating a wide range of premiums for insurers 19
Package products are the principle means through which SMEs purchase their cover 19
SME insurance needs are varied and encompass a range of products 20
SME insurance policies can vary considerably in value, depending on the size of the risk 21
Affinity propositions are increasingly targeting the SME market 22
Traditional affinity partnerships in the SME market have been based on trade associations 22
There has been significant interest from some personal lines affinity players in distributing SME insurance 22
Two high profile affinity partnerships have announced their expansion into the SME insurance market 23
Kwik Fit has teamed up with Moorhouse to target SMEs 23
Heath Lambert and Fortis announced a deal to distribute SME insurance through the Post Office 23
Several insurers have adapted their SME broker offering, reflecting the competitive nature of the market 23
QBE has rolled out a range of online SME products 23
MMA reworked and relaunched its SME product range 23
Chaucer made changes to gear up for an SME push 24
RSA is aiming to increase its SME market share with better and faster service 24
SME insurance giant Aviva closed its direct commercial operations, concentrating on broker distribution 24
Brit Insurance expanded its SME product range with a new PI product 24
Allianz Commercial is targeti
For more information or to purchase this report, go to http://www.fastmr.com/
About Datamonitor
The Datamonitor Group is a world-leading provider of premium global business information, delivering independent data, analysis and opinion across the Automotive, Consumer Markets, Energy & Utilities, Financial Services, Logistics & Express, Pharmaceutical & Healthcare, Retail, Technology and Telecoms industries. Datamonitor's market intelligence products and services ensure that you will achieve your desired commercial goals by giving you the insight you need to best respond to your competitive environment. View more research from Datamonitor at http://www.fastmr.com/
About Fast Market Research
Fast Market Research is an online aggregator and distributor of market research and business information. We represent the world's top research publishers and analysts and provide quick and easy access to the best competitive intelligence available.
For more information about these or related research reports, please visit our website at http://www.fastmr.com or call us at 1.800.844.8156.
