When data benefits manufacturing: AdvanGrid monitoring platform for industrial efficiency

AdvanGrid is a Latvian technology company that has developed a modern monitoring platform for the digitisation of production processes and resource consumption. The solution allows for the monitoring of electricity, gas, water, heat, temperature, microclimate, and other production indicators in one place, providing company management with accurate and timely data for daily decision-making. 

The AdvanGrid solution consists of two main parts: smart sensors and a cloud platform. The sensors are easy and quick to install in any low-voltage electrical network, without having to stop production or reconstruct existing infrastructure. The data obtained is automatically processed using various algorithms and displayed in a user-friendly digital interface. 

This allows companies to monitor resource consumption in real time, analyse the efficiency of production lines and work shifts, assess the technical condition of equipment, accurately calculate product costs, and even determine the company’s CO₂ footprint. This makes it possible to streamline work processes, reduce costs, and increase production volumes, while minimising downtime and technical risks. 

“Electricity and other resources are the lifeblood of industry today – by monitoring them in real time, you can understand very precisely what is actually happening in the production processes,” emphasises Oskars Gūtmanis, CEO of AdvanGrid. 

Outpacing competitors with precision 

AdvanGrid’s competitiveness is not based on a single technological feature, but rather on a set of mutually reinforcing competencies that enable it to create real and measurable value for its customers. First, the AdvanGrid team possesses in-depth expertise in electricity and power grid operations. 
The company not only collects data, but also understands its physical meaning, causal relationships, and impact on production processes and infrastructure. This competence allows customers to receive practical, interpretable information that helps them identify problems in a timely manner, reduce downtime risks, and make informed technical and business decisions. 

AdvanGrid also develops both high-precision sensors (with a reading error of less than 1% compared to ~10% for other industry solutions) and software. Unlike many market players who only integrate ready-made third-party solutions, AdvanGrid controls the entire technology chain, from measurement to data analytics. This ensures high flexibility, the ability to tailor solutions to specific customer needs, faster implementation of new functionalities, and, in the long term, cost efficiency, as the solution is not dependent on the limitations of external suppliers. 

Finally, AdvanGrid focuses on creating value for the customer, not just selling technology. The company offers various cooperation models and services – sensor rental, software subscription, data analytics, consulting, and customised solutions. This allows customers to start using the solution without large initial investments, achieve results faster, and use the technology exactly according to their actual needs. 

“This combination of elements – deep industry expertise, complete control over technology, and a focus on customer results – allows AdvanGrid to compete successfully in both local and international markets,” Mr Gūtmanis explains. 

From spin-off to international technology company 

AdvanGrid was founded in 2015 as a spin-off of Intelligent Systems, a developer of fleet management and GPS solutions. Initially, the solution was developed with a view to collaborating with an electricity distribution network company, but since 2019, the company has purposefully refocused its efforts on industrial customers. AdvanGrid has been operating successfully in its current commercial format for six years. 

The company’s main customers are companies in the wood, food, metalworking, and processing industries – organisations with a large number of employees, complex production processes, and high consumption of electricity and other resources. 

AdvanGrid currently serves more than 130 end customers directly, and last year the company achieved a 20% increase in turnover. The most rapid growth was experienced during the peak in electricity prices, when companies were particularly actively seeking solutions to optimise resource consumption. AdvanGrid’s clientèle includes such well-known companies as Printful, Sadales tīkls, Stiga RM, Virši, Binders, APF Holdings, Pillar, as well as one of the world’s most valuable companies, Aramco. 

Growth in Latvia and exports 

AdvanGrid’s development focus is on balanced growth in both the domestic market and service exports. Currently, approximately 60% of the company’s operations are related to the Latvian market, while 40% are exports. The main target markets are Latvia, Lithuania, and Estonia, where the company operates directly, while also forming strong partnerships in Belgium, the Netherlands, Spain, Italy, and Saudi Arabia. 

The company took a significant step forward last year with the support for digitalisation provided by the Investment and Development Agency of Latvia (LIAA). AdvanGrid abandoned external software maintenance services and switched completely to its own IT infrastructure, creating an internal IT team. The server infrastructure is currently located at another Latvian company, while the funding has been used to create virtual servers, migrate the system, and maintain the infrastructure. 

“Our own IT team and infrastructure allow us to focus entirely on product development and creating new solutions,” Mr Gūtmanis highlights. 

Full-service cycle and new sustainability solutions 

To expand the range of services offered and provide customers with a full-cycle solution, in 2024 AdvanGrid acquired LBRA, one of eight accredited energy auditors in Latvia. This step has allowed the company to combine monitoring, data analytics, and professional energy auditing into a single service, providing customers with comprehensive support in improving resource efficiency. 

Planning for the company’s future growth, AdvanGrid, in collaboration with Riga Technical University, has developed an automated CO₂ calculation and sustainability reporting platform, which is planned to be actively introduced to the market in 2026. The solution also integrates artificial intelligence elements that significantly reduce the manual work of sustainability specialists in complex calculations and help companies to more effectively meet the European Union’s sustainability requirements. 

As sustainability monitoring requirements become increasingly stringent and gradually become an integral part of business, this solution marks a significant step forward in AdvanGrid’s growth, opening up new opportunities in both Latvian and international markets. 

Information material prepared with the support of the Recovery Fund. The author is solely responsible for the content of this publication. The views expressed herein do not reflect the official position of the European Union or the European Commission.