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Quick Take: Words like "integrated," "merged," "combined" and "unified" are popping up all over the smart grid world. We are moving from the era of standalone apps to the era of integration, as utilities seek to manage multiple applications in one place.

Aclara is by most accounts the leader in smart metering for "small power" with more than 500 utility customers, many of them coops or munis. Calico is the leader in the emerging category of "unified operations." By putting Calico's unified operations center on top of Aclara's communications and metering infrastructure, the joint effort offers a new approach to demand-side programs that is simultaneously more powerful and more simple.  - By Jesse Berst

"Calico's demand response capability complements our solution set," said Brad Kitterman, Aclara president. "This solution enables utilities to review all demand response analytics and potential events through a single dashboard, and to execute those demand response events when needed."

The companies say the benefits of their collaboration include significant cost savings, valuable insights into operations and problem management, improved consumer management and experience, and consumer empowerment.

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