Why Utilities Need More Than a Systems Integrator in Their Transformation

“We thought the integrator was going to do that.”

That’s the line we’ve heard from utilities in the middle of a massive transformation. At first, it makes sense. You’ve hired a big-name SI, take your pick. They’re smart, seasoned, and they know the tool.

But here’s the reality: your SI is laser-focused on delivering their scope — and that’s exactly what you hired them to do. What they’re not designed to do is manage everything outside that scope, or protect your internal bandwidth. That’s where the gaps, and the scramble, usually show up.Suddenly, the integrator says, “We thought you knew you needed to do that.”

That’s when you’re pulling staff off day jobs to meet the SI in the middle.

Which means those staff are leading workstreams they’ve never touched before — at the most critical moment of your transformation.

By then, delays are piling up. Costs are mounting. Burnout is real.

The Consulting Partner Gap

That’s why some utilities are turning to a consulting partner like Veracity. Not to replace the integrator — but to sit on the client side of the table and make sure nothing falls through the cracks.

Utilities who bring us in early avoid the scramble, and it shows:

• Foresight — Our Project Managers anticipate the “gotchas” before they hit. A big one? Managing third-party integration points. This isn’t just a handful of mini-projects — it’s a massive lift on its own. Every external vendor connected to your new ERP system has to be ready for go-live, and without oversight those dependencies can derail timelines fast. We manage that lift, we know what to look for, we know the questions to ask, and we know when to push. We also prepare the client side through Business Process Mapping and Business Readiness — ensuring processes, people, and partners are aligned long before go-live.

• Testing & Defect Management — While SIs often include testing in their scope, the reality is much of it still falls to the client. Our professional testing services provide full transparency across every cycle, with rigorous defect management that keeps everyone accountable and eliminates surprises.

• Translation & Partnership — We speak the SI’s language and make it easier for your team. And every Veracity consultant brings not just their own expertise, but the strength of the entire Veracity team behind them. One face in the room. Dozens of experts at their back. Because no one person has seen it all, but together we have.

Why This Matters in Utilities

ERP transformations in Utilities aren’t just IT projects. They’re tied to rate cases, regulatory scrutiny, and the daily lives of customers who depend on you for heat in the winter and cooling in the summer. The stakes couldn’t be higher.

That’s why Utilities can’t afford to assume the SI will “do it all.” They won’t. And they shouldn’t. Their role is critical — but it’s incomplete.

Veracity fills that gap. We’re the partner who ensures your implentation succeeds on your terms, not just your integrator’s.

If you’re a Utility leader stepping into an Oracle or SAP transformation, don’t wait until the scramble starts. Get a consulting partner who sees what’s coming — and makes sure you’re ready for it.