Orion Energy Systems Moves Data to Windows Azure

Orion Energy Systems is using the Windows Azure platform to host InteLite, a sensor-and-control solution designed to help Orion customers save energy and control lighting costs. This move will enable building managers to view energy-consumption data from multiple facilities on the Windows Azure platform, while providing Orion with approximately a $57,000 savings each year in hardware, labor and maintenance costs.

“With Windows Azure, we’re giving our customers access to all their data at a competitive price point,” said Jason Young, chief technology officer at Orion Energy Systems. “We’re taking the money we would have invested in server space and putting those funds directly into product research and innovation for our customers.”

With customers asking to view facility data in aggregate, Orion had a choice: either create the server space to host gigabytes of data on site or find a third-party hosting alternative. By choosing Windows Azure, Orion expanded its software to a platform that could easily scale to changes in demand. Orion now can deliver software updates more frequently and improve reliability and security for customers.

“Companies like Orion have discovered the benefits of cloud computing for themselves and for customers,” said Prashant Ketkar, director of product marketing, Windows Azure at Microsoft Corp. “Orion is using Windows Azure in a way that empowers customers to access aggregated energy consumption data, analyze it and gain powerful new insights.”