Vereinfachen.
Like simplification.
Verbesserung.
Like improvement.
Variabel.
Like adaptable.
VIRTIMO COMMUNICATION SERVICE.
Full-service for market communication!
The consistent next step for Virtimo in simplifying the topic of market communication for the energy sector is VICOS [Virtimo Communication Service], the scalable Shared Service for your market communication!
We take on the whole range of requirements for you, acting as a service provider with our own market partner code and certificate management, from installation to everyday operation all the way to eliminating errors and problems with partners.
Our holistic approach combines infrastructure, operation and application and as such facilitates the optimally coordinated execution of market communication according to the latest legal requirements.
Complex, encompassing, time-sensitive – we tackle the paradigm shift in the market communication for you. The BDEW has, in coordination with the BSI, developed an extensive, new communication paradigm and thus laid the foundation for the mandatory market-wide introduction within the next few months.
All current procedures and regulations in force will lose their validity: protocols, certificates, encryption, data storage, software, hardware, personnel, overall organization – no stone will be left unturned. Another factor is the time pressure: the obligatory productive operation for market communication gas and schedule management will start on October 1, 2024. The conversion for redispatch is also expected in 2025.
Under the BSI premise of cryptoagility, new solutions and organizational approaches are required to meet the constantly changing framework conditions. The complex conversion therefore requires a tried-and-tested solution such as VICOS. Thanks to the connection to VICOS, all our clients who are active in the electricity sector can already handle their market communication in an AS4-compliant manner in accordance with the BSI specifications.
VICOS fully maps the new requirements for BSI AS4: VICOS users benefit from the extensive synergies of the Shared Service and 24/7 support, regardless of the market role and company size.
BSI AS4? VIRTIMO FULLY IMPLEMENTS THE NEW ALIGNMENT OF MARKET COMMUNICATION FOR YOU.
Always up to date, proactive, holistic: We make your market communication with BSI AS4 work.
- Installation and proactive central maintenance of partner master data, communication links, and future integration of the new directory service as a complete service to you
- Continuous monitoring and analysis of changes in the market as well as updates of data formats according to regulatory changes
- Acquisition, monitoring and exchange of certificates as well as proactive informing of partners
- Complete mapping of communication requirements AS4, AS2, E-Mail as well as BSI AS4
- Automatic validation of messages and automated generation of confirmation messages
- Proactive analysis and handling of any erroneous communication processes due to false formats, false security guidelines [e.g. missing or false signature/encryption], unavailable partners [e.g. errors, firewall] and other reasons, as well as partner communication for error management
- Geo-redundant regular operation, maintenance and disaster recovery of the new hardware security modules
- Knowledge Base of erroneous partner connections for quick and efficient problem solving
- 24/7 assistance and support for service users: Monitoring using VIMON, the Virtimo Application and Performance Monitoring, multi-channel alerting, error elimination in partner communication and infrastructure
- Redundant multiple-copy long-term archiving of messages with a hold time of ten years to support storage requirements
- Full transparency for you: You will keep track of your messages and have access to all messages with the Virtimo BPC Monitoring
Only the best for our clients: VICOS guarantees highest quality and availability for executing your market communication. The high-quality operation of our comprehensive services is managed cloud-based by Virtimo. A highly available VPN gateway facilitates connections to the TSO Data Center and other cloud services. Virtimo will also efficiently ensure the geo-redundant operation, fault elimination as well as maintenance of the hardware security modules.
The VICOS architecture is based on MCS, Virtimo’s Market Communication Service solution and is built as an Active/Active cluster, which ensures maximal scalability and availability.
An equally available Application Load Balancer functions as an interface for the external communication [AS4, AS2, E-mail as well as BSI AS4] with the database server and mail server [for market communication and alerting] as well as your specific internal systems – regardless of whether these operate on-premise or in the cloud.
To guarantee operation security and service functionality, software and application patches are regularly installed proactively as part of the Virtimo Communication Services. With VIMON [Virtimo Application and Performance Monitoring], we additionally run a separate specialised environment for monitoring, alerting and SLA measuring, which serves as the basis for your SLA reporting.
Infrastructure and operation from a single source: highly available, highest quality.
VICOS provides market communication with top-level security.
Security, of course, is a top priority in market communication! VICOS as a Shared Service Platform is based around a comprehensive security concept which ensures information security with regard to confidentiality, integrity, traceability, authenticity and availability.
For the fundamental safeguarding of infrastructure and servers we provide a well-engineered firewall plan, data encryption, backups, operation system updates, and a continuous turnover of transport algorithms and certificates [transport layer security], among others. The certificate used in market communication is signed with RSASSA-PSS in accordance with the current requirements of the Federal Network Agency. The market partners’ certificates are periodically inspected for validity according to the Certificate Revocation List and updated if necessary.
In addition, application-specific security measures have been implemented for VICOS. The Virtimo Communication Service is technically based on INUBIT, the BPC and MCS [Market Communication Service]; the security concept includes an intrusion detection system, a periodic inspection of all relevant log files as well as certificate-based two-factor authentication for the client’s individual monitoring access points. Certification authority lies with Virtimo, so your employees have quick access to the application at any time.
You gain time.
VICOS is ready to use inclusive BSI AS4: We are ready when you are!
You unburden your staff.
Partner management, updates, problem solving – we do it for you!
You spare your nerves.
Always up-to-date, highest quality service, highly available operation, 24/7 assistance!
You save expenses.
Reduced cost at maximal quality – that’s the VICOS all-round carefree service!
We provide answers.
Your contact at Virtimo.
Steffen Lehmann
Head of Sales
Virtimo AG