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There's a macro trend underlying the build out of the smart grid. It has to do with the gradual merging of smart sensor networks to gain synergies and economies of scale.

Alabama-based Intergraph Corporation, which has acquired Augusta (News - Alert) Systems is an example of a company that's on that page. To its current lineup of smart grid applications – GIS, outage management, others – Intergraph now adds the ability to use sensors and cameras to monitor facilities, via its purchase of Augusta Systems.

Augusta (News - Alert) Systems' EdgeFrontier® middleware allows for integration and normalization of data, events and control functions from a variety of sources like sensors, wireless sensor networks, radio frequency identification systems, access control systems, metering and other measurement devices, actuators, databases and other applications, systems and devices.

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