Transforming the Netherlands' Largest Smart Meter Network: A CDMA IoT Cloud Migration

Led the largest smart meter network CDMA cloud transformation project in the Netherlands, achieving high commercial value.
As the project manager, I oversaw the end-to-end delivery — from pre-sales engagement to deployment and go-live — navigating complex technology challenges and unprecedented global conditions.

📍 Project Background
In April 2019, I took on the responsibility of leading a landmark cloud transformation initiative for the Netherlands’ largest electricity meter company. The objective was to migrate its legacy CDMA-based IoT infrastructure to a new, scalable cloud-based architecture — all while ensuring zero service disruption for over 3 million users and supporting a 30% business growth trajectory.
This wasn't just a technical migration — it was a strategic, mission-critical evolution for the client’s long-term digital future.

💡 Challenges We Overcame
• 🚨 Global COVID-19 Pandemic (2020–2021)
When the pandemic hit, the world paused — but our project didn’t. We rapidly adapted to full remote collaboration, keeping momentum without compromising delivery standards.
• 🌍 Cross-Cultural & Cross-Regional Coordination
The team spanned Europe and Asia, combining Dutch precision with Chinese innovation. My role was to bridge cultural gaps, align expectations, and establish common ground for smooth communication and trust.
• 🎯 Customer-Centric Change Management
The client’s business evolved during the project. I ensured our roadmap remained flexible and adapted to new needs, keeping customer value at the center of every decision.
• 🔒 Legacy System Complexity
Migrating a deeply embedded CDMA network — without affecting 3 million active meters — required precision, layered testing, and airtight planning.

🚀 Execution Highlights
• Built a cross-functional global team of developers, testers, and solution architects from multiple time zones.
• Established a clear governance model to ensure speed and accountability.
• Introduced weekly bilingual standups and transparent documentation to support cross-cultural understanding.
• Delivered core cloud modules on time despite lockdowns and travel restrictions.
• Maintained <1% error rate during live migration — exceeding SLA expectations.
• Drove executive-level alignment between client leadership and R&D teams throughout the 2-year lifecycle.

✅ Business Results
• Seamless migration of the country’s largest CDMA smart meter base to the cloud
• Enhanced platform scalability and cost-efficiency
• Enabled future service extensions (e.g., data analytics, remote diagnostics)
• Boosted customer satisfaction with faster update cycles and reduced downtime
• Supported 30% year-over-year business growth post-launch

🧩 What Made This Project a Success
• Execution Discipline — Clear structure, proactive risk management, and on-time delivery
• Cultural Intelligence — Building trust and clarity across East–West teams
• Customer-Centric Mindset — Always aligned delivery with evolving client goals
• Adaptability Under Pressure — Navigated COVID-19 disruptions with agility

👤 Personal Takeaway
This project was more than a delivery — it was a leadership journey.
It showed that resilience, empathy, and structured collaboration can overcome any border, culture, or crisis.
For me, it reaffirmed the value of building bridges between people as much as systems.