A few ETRM vendors are, to paraphrase Charles Dickens, living the best of times and the worst of times.

We’ve seen a market that has experienced tremendous growth in the last two years. High energy commodity prices have brought new market players into the space, many with deep pockets and willingness to spend a lot of money on new systems. For the well positioned vendors, those with solid product offerings and functionality spanning the necessary commodities, the last couple of years have truely been the best of times. And while almost all vendors have reaped the benefits of this rising tide, some have risen faster than others.

Having ridden this wave of market growth, many vendors are starting to transform their companies and seek ways to broaden their reach and grow beyond the constraints of being a specialist product provider in what is a relatively limited marketspace. OpenLink filing of their S-1; Triple Point making serial acquisitions; and other vendors making aggressive investment to expand their organizations and product offerings, are all indicators of a new era for these companies.

Still, despite what would appear to be widespread good times, there are a number of persistent rumors making the rounds that one or more of the larger ETRM vendors may be looking “pop the chute”. If these rumors, which I will not repeat here, are correct (and keeping in mind that they may not be) we could see one of the most significant shake-ups, and shake-outs, that this space has ever seen. Without trying to be too coy, if any of the top vendors were to change control or exit the business, there would be more than a few unhappy customers that would be seriously impacted.

Chinese Saying of the Day…”It’s better to be a dog in a peaceful time than be a man in a chaotic period”

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