Microsoft (News - Alert) is more than just Windows these days. From its entry into the unified communications space to its forays into mobile phones, the company is constantly diversifying beyond the desktop computer. One area on which Microsoft has been focusing is the energy and utilities industry, through its development of its own Smart Energy Reference Architecture. Recently, the Washington-based company joined forces with Wiznucleus to create a new software solution for tracking cyber security and NERC compliance.

The solution is intended for use in nuclear power plants, distributed control systems, power generation plants and throughout the infrastructure of utility companies. Specifically, Wiznucleus designed the software to reduce overhead associated with managing and tracking NERC compliance regulations while protecting critical infrastructure, from smart grid to power plants. The solution allows companies to manage and track compliance and configure to the latest standards.

Microsoft provides the framework and foundation for this software suite, and its development platform allows Wiznucleus to leverage its knowledge management and automation algorithms to the fullest extent.

"Utility industry solutions from Microsoft and partners such as Wiznucleus are based on the world's most cost-effective, functionally rich IT platform that helps create a more secure computing experience," said Jon C. Arnold, managing director, Worldwide Power & Utilities Industry, Microsoft, in a release. "By using Wiznucleus solutions to address industry cyber security requirements, utilities will be able to implement faster and more reliably than they otherwise could with solutions offered by competitors."

Wiznucleus, for its part, is confident in the Microsoft-enabled solutions as well. "Achieving risk assessment and compliance management in the critical infrastructure such as power plants and utilities is a complex and heavy overhead task,” said Satish Talekar, chief technology officer with the company. “Our decision to base our development utilizing the Microsoft platform has enabled us to successfully deliver cost effective and easy-to-use software, and deploy them in record time at our utilities customer sites. Our products are aligned with Microsoft's Smart Energy Reference Architecture, and we intend to continue to help evolve and align our platform with the Microsoft architecture."