eSmart systems is a Norwegian AI software solution provider with the mission of bringing cost-effective big data analytics to the public service sector. The company’s premier product is a cloud-based, big data platform that collects, visualizes, and analyzes data in real-time – providing companies with the means to effectively utilize their big data analytics without having to invest in costly IT infrastructure. Designed primarily for companies in the energy sector, eSmart helps utilities organizations optimize their energy distribution operations (electricity, water, and heating) by connecting all available data points — including Line of Business systems, sensors, markets, building automation systems, SCADA, etc. – to one centralized platform. This enables companies to drastically reduce their energy consumption and energy costs, while providing the framework for the establishment of “smart cities”.
A member of the BizSpark program, eSmart has received extensive recognition throughout Europe, including invitations to the most prestigious energy events in the region. Building on their early success, the company recently inked a partnership with ASKO Vestby (Norway’s largest solar panel plant and wholesaler) in an effort to reduce local energy consumption by 20% and source 100% of its energy requirements from renewables.
According to eSmart CTO Erik Asberg, Microsoft technology has been the key to the company’s success from the beginning. Born in the Azure cloud, the system is based on Azure PaaS and utilizes Azure Machine Learning and IoT Hub to provide advanced analytics and real-time capabilities. The company has also utilized a variety of Azure databases and storages, while leveraging Service Fabric for micro services and Azure ML for predictions, classifications, and image recognition.
Overall, eSmart has been very happy with their BizSpark membership, says Asberg, “There’s no doubt that Azure technology has been instrumental to our success. Thanks to the Azure cloud, we have never needed to own an on-premises server. Everything runs smoothly and the technology has allowed us to share code between our apps, something that our services don’t provide. As a small developer team, Azure has been essential in keeping our time-to-market low. It is definitely the industry leader.”
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About BizSpark: Microsoft BizSpark is a global program that helps startups succeed by giving free access to Microsoft Azure cloud services, software and support. BizSpark members receive up to $750 per month of free Microsoft Azure cloud services for 3 years: that’s $150 per month each for up to 5 developers. Azure works with Linux and open-source technologies such as Linux, Ruby, Python, Java and PHP. BizSpark is available to startups that are privately held, less than 5-years-old and earn less than $1M in annual revenue.