Greater Shepparton to adopt Schneider Electric's service model

Greater Shepparton City Council has entered into a new agreement with Schneider Electric to shift from a capital expenditure (CAPEX) model to a fully managed service over the next four years. The transition aims to address the challenges associated with CAPEX, including unpredictable costs and high operating expenses (OPEX). Instead, the council will adopt a Secure Power as a Service model, offering a predictable and cost-efficient solution managed by Schneider Electric.

This partnership marks a significant shift for the council, as it will replace the traditional CAPEX framework with a recurring service model. Under this new arrangement, Schneider Electric will oversee the lifecycle of the council's digital infrastructure assets, ensuring their maintenance and functionality. This effort includes the role of a dedicated customer success manager, whose responsibilities will encompass advising, monitoring, and resolving potential issues before they cause significant disruptions.

Uninterruptible Power Supply (UPS) is a key component of the council's operations, ensuring continuous power to essential services despite outages, surges, or other interruptions. The partnership with Schneider Electric will transfer the operational responsibility of maintaining these assets to the company. This arrangement is set to provide the council with access to Schneider Electric's expertise while allowing council employees to concentrate on core business activities.

Chris Teitzel, Greater Shepparton City Council's Director of Corporate Services, expressed optimism about the partnership. "Thanks to this partnership with Schneider Electric, we can prioritise activities and resources to help the council thrive, which will ultimately help us focus on moving the needle for our wider community," he said.

James Hunt, Vice President of Power Systems and Services at Schneider Electric, shared his enthusiasm for the collaboration. "We are excited to work with Greater Shepparton City Council and offer a modern approach to maintaining infrastructure and systems without worrying about capital expenditure and power supply disruptions. This new partnership demonstrates Schneider Electric's commitment to building innovative solutions to help customers meet their business goals for sustainability and efficiency," Hunt noted.

The Secure Power as a Service model introduced by Schneider Electric is reportedly a unique and tailored offering, and Greater Shepparton City Council is pioneering its adoption within the local government sector. This approach reflects a broader trend: the as-a-service model is gaining traction globally, enabling organisations to manage resources more efficiently while focusing on their primary objectives.

The partnership between Greater Shepparton City Council and Schneider Electric is expected to significantly transform the council's digital infrastructure management. By moving to a service model, the council aims to achieve more predictable expenses, reduce operational burdens, and ensure continuous power supply for its critical services. This initiative aligns with the ongoing efforts to modernise public sector capabilities and improve service delivery to the community.