Powering Smarter Utilities: Itron Deepens Strategic AI Collaboration with Microsoft

Rhea-AI Summary

Itron (NASDAQ: ITRI) expanded its AI partnership with Microsoft on Jan. 28, 2026, introducing an Itron Intelligent Edge Operating System (IEOS) Connector for Microsoft 365 Copilot to surface trusted meter and operations data in natural-language queries.

The integration links IEOS, Itron Enterprise Edition MDM and Operations Optimizer, preserves access controls, and will be offered via Microsoft Marketplace; live demos are planned at DTECH Feb. 2-5, 2026.

News Market Reaction

+0.21%

1 alert

+0.21% News Effect

+$10M Valuation Impact

$4.53B Market Cap

0.0x Rel. Volume

On the day this news was published, ITRI gained 0.21%, reflecting a mild positive market reaction. This price movement added approximately $10M to the company's valuation, bringing the market cap to $4.53B at that time.

Data tracked by StockTitan Argus on the day of publication.

Key Figures

Share price: $99 52-week high: $142 Distance from high: -30.28% +4 more

7 metrics

Share price $99 Pre-news current price for ITRI

52-week high $142 52-week high level before this announcement

Distance from high -30.28% Price vs 52-week high prior to AI collaboration news

Citizens served over 1.2 million EYATH S.A. water program coverage in Thessaloniki

Water footprint goal 20% reduction by 2030 Targeted reduction in EYATH’s water footprint

AMI modules 250,000 modules Cellular 500W modules in Tucson AMI deployment

Endpoints under management over 100 million endpoints Global endpoints cited in Tucson AMI project description

Market Reality Check

Price: $99.08 Vol: Volume 306,622 is below t...

low vol

$99.08 Last Close

Volume Volume 306,622 is below the 20-day average of 507,356, suggesting limited pre-news positioning. low

Technical Shares around $99, trading below the 200-day MA of $115.5 and 30.28% below the $142 52-week high, about 9.87% above the $90.11 52-week low.

Peers on Argus

Sector moves appear stock-specific. Among close peers, BMI showed notable downsi...

1 Down

Sector moves appear stock-specific. Among close peers, BMI showed notable downside (scanner move -8.16%) tied to its own earnings headline, while other peers had mixed, smaller moves. No broad, AI-related rerating is evident around this announcement.

Common Catalyst Peer news flow is dominated by earnings (e.g., BMI results), not AI or grid-edge partnerships.

Historical Context

5 past events · Latest: Jan 08 (Neutral)

Pattern 5 events

Date	Event	Sentiment	Move	Catalyst
Jan 08	Earnings date notice	Neutral	+0.9%	Scheduled Q4 and full-year 2025 results release and conference call details.
Jan 06	Water partnership	Positive	+0.9%	Five-year smart water deployment with EYATH S.A. serving over 1.2 million citizens.
Dec 09	Water AMI project	Positive	-0.3%	City of Tucson AMI Essentials rollout to enhance water conservation and operations.
Dec 04	Annual meeting notice	Neutral	-0.9%	Announcement of 2026 shareholder meeting date and director nomination timelines.
Nov 19	Smart lighting deal	Positive	-1.0%	Channel partnership with CLS in Australia to expand smart lighting infrastructure.

Pattern Detected

Recent partnership and operational announcements have typically driven modest, often sub-1% price moves, with several positive-sounding updates followed by flat-to-negative reactions.

Recent Company History

Over the past few months, Itron has focused on strategic partnerships and operational milestones. Notable items include water-modernization projects in Greece and Tucson, and a smart lighting collaboration in Australia, alongside routine governance updates like the May 7, 2026 annual meeting notice and the upcoming Feb. 17, 2026 earnings call. These generally produced modest single-day moves, suggesting the market has treated such announcements as incremental rather than transformational.

Market Pulse Summary

This announcement deepens Itron’s collaboration with Microsoft by connecting its Intelligent Edge Op...

Analysis

This announcement deepens Itron’s collaboration with Microsoft by connecting its Intelligent Edge Operating System to Microsoft 365 Copilot, aiming to enhance utilities’ access to meter and grid data for analytics, exception handling and predictive maintenance. In recent months, Itron has highlighted multiple infrastructure and partnership initiatives, suggesting a consistent strategy around smart water, lighting and grid management. Investors may watch how this AI integration translates into deployments, marketplace traction and future earnings commentary.

Key Terms

microsoft 365 copilot, meter data management (MDM), predictive maintenance, demand forecasting, +2 more

6 terms

microsoft 365 copilot technical

"introducing the Itron Intelligent Edge Operating System (IEOS) Connector for Microsoft 365 Copilot"

An AI-powered assistant built into a suite of office and cloud tools that helps users draft documents, summarize information, create presentations, analyze spreadsheets and automate routine tasks — like having a knowledgeable colleague embedded in your apps. For investors, it matters because such a feature can make productivity software more valuable, encouraging higher subscription sales, stronger customer retention and potential margin expansion, while also carrying costs and competitive or regulatory risks.

meter data management (MDM) technical

"surface insights across Itron Enterprise Edition (IEE) Meter Data Management (MDM) and Operations Optimizer"

Meter data management (MDM) is the system and processes that collect, clean, store and organize electricity, gas or water meter readings so they can be used for billing, reporting and analysis. Think of it as a central filing and quality‑control system that turns raw meter readings into accurate bills and reliable usage data. Investors care because MDM affects a utility’s revenue accuracy, operating costs, demand forecasting and regulatory compliance, all of which influence cash flow, margins and risk.

predictive maintenance technical

"Integrate advanced AI solutions for predictive maintenance, demand forecasting and grid optimization."

Predictive maintenance involves using data and technology to monitor equipment or machinery in real time, identifying potential problems before they cause failures or breakdowns. By predicting when maintenance is needed, it helps prevent costly repairs and downtime. For investors, it highlights how companies can reduce expenses, improve efficiency, and maintain reliable operations, which can positively impact financial performance.

demand forecasting technical

"Integrate advanced AI solutions for predictive maintenance, demand forecasting and grid optimization."

Demand forecasting is the process of predicting how much of a product or service customers will want in the future, using past sales, market signals and trend information—like a baker estimating how many loaves to bake for next week. It matters to investors because these predictions drive revenue planning, inventory, production and spending decisions; accurate forecasts support steady profits and efficient use of capital, while big misses can hurt sales, margins and company value.

grid optimization technical

"Integrate advanced AI solutions for predictive maintenance, demand forecasting and grid optimization."

Grid optimization is the process of improving how an electrical power network delivers energy by using better controls, software, sensors and planning to balance supply and demand, reduce waste, and smoothly add renewable or distributed sources. For investors it matters because better-optimized grids lower operating costs, delay costly upgrades, improve reliability and create new revenue streams or regulatory benefits—think of it as tuning a highway system so traffic flows faster, costs fall and new vehicle types can join safely.

grid edge intelligence technical

"a joint vision to redefine grid edge intelligence by applying AI at scale"

Grid edge intelligence means placing sensors, controllers and small-scale computing near where electricity is generated, stored or used — for example on homes, solar panels, batteries and local substations — so decisions can be made locally instead of relying on a distant central office. For investors it matters because it enables faster response to outages, better use of distributed energy, lower operating costs and new services (similar to adding smart assistants around a house to manage energy and cut bills), creating opportunities in hardware, software and services.

AI-generated analysis. Not financial advice.

New Intelligent Edge Operating System Copilot Connector Empowers Utilities to Achieve New Levels of Efficiency

LIBERTY LAKE, Wash., Jan. 28, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Itron, Inc. (NASDAQ: ITRI), which is innovating new ways for utilities and cities to manage energy and water, is deepening its long-standing collaboration with Microsoft to accelerate AI innovation at the edge, delivering solutions that empower utilities to achieve new levels of efficiency, resilience and customer engagement. Building on years of joint work across cloud, analytics and grid modernization, this expanded AI collaboration brings together Itron’s expertise in energy and water management with Microsoft’s advanced AI capabilities, reinforcing their shared commitment to leading the AI transformation in the utility industry.

As part of this ongoing collaboration, Itron is introducing the Itron Intelligent Edge Operating System (IEOS) Connector for Microsoft 365 Copilot which grounds Microsoft 365 Copilot in trusted IEOS data. With this integration, utilities can ask natural-language questions and surface insights across Itron Enterprise Edition (IEE) Meter Data Management (MDM) and Operations Optimizer (OO). Built on Copilot connectors, the solution integrates IEOS content, preserves existing access control lists and aligns with enterprise governance. The solution will enable users to easily find information like consumption patterns, outage history, tamper or reverse rotation, low voltage and transformer associations.

Shared Vision for Grid Edge Intelligence:
Through this strategic expansion, Itron and Microsoft are aligning around a joint vision to redefine grid edge intelligence by applying AI at scale to optimize operations, enhance predictive insights and enrich the customer experience. Together, the companies will:

• Integrate advanced AI solutions for predictive maintenance, demand forecasting and grid optimization. This helps utilities anticipate issues and balance supply and demand more effectively.
• Make Itron’s solutions available via the Microsoft Marketplace, providing utilities and partners easier access through Microsoft’s unified data and analytics ecosystem.
• Deliver actionable outcomes today while enabling long-term transformation, supporting immediate operational improvements and laying the foundation for an AI powered future of utility management.
  

“Utilities are under increasing pressure to modernize infrastructure, reduce operational costs and improve reliability. By building on our established relationship, we are delivering new AI capabilities that help utilities address these challenges head on,” said Don Reeves, senior vice president of Outcomes at Itron. “Together, we are automating exception handling and reducing manual effort. For example, AI-driven workflows will streamline billing exception handling, one of the most resource-intensive utility processes, by identifying discrepancies earlier, improving accuracy, accelerating revenue cycles and freeing staff for higher value work. We look forward to providing deeper analytics and personalized engagement opportunities.”

“Our expanded collaboration with Itron brings the power of AI to the grid edge—helping utilities unlock measurable gains in efficiency, resilience, and customer engagement today, while laying the foundation for a smarter, more sustainable grid for tomorrow,” said Hanna Grene, Global GTM and Operations Leader, Energy and Resources Industry at Microsoft.

Itron and Microsoft will showcase these joint innovations, host live demos and preview the AI roadmap at DTECH^® from Feb. 2-5, 2026, in San Diego, CA in Itron booth 2715. This expanded collaboration marks an important milestone in AI-driven grid modernization, combining the strengths of both companies to advance intelligent, efficient and sustainable utility operations worldwide. More details and information about Itron and Microsoft’s expanded collaboration will be available soon.

About Itron

Itron is transforming how the world manages energy, water and city services. Our trusted intelligent infrastructure solutions help utilities and cities improve efficiency, build resilience and deliver safe, reliable and affordable service. With edge intelligence, we connect people, data insights and devices so communities can better manage the essential resources they rely on to live and thrive. Join us as we create a more resourceful world: www.itron.com.

Itron^®, the Itron Logo and are registered trademarks of Itron, Inc in the United States and other countries and regions. All third-party trademarks are property of their respective owners and any usage herein does not suggest or imply any relationship between Itron and the third party unless expressly stated.

For additional information, contact:

Itron, Inc.

Alison Mallahan
Senior Manager, Corporate Communications
509-891-3802
PR@Itron.com

Paul Vincent
Vice President, Investor Relations
512-560-1172
Investors@itron.com

Itron, Inc.

• LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/itroninc
• X: www.x.com/itroninc
• Newsroom: https://itron.com/newsroom
• Blog: https://itron.com/blog

FAQ

What did Itron (ITRI) announce about the IEOS Connector for Microsoft 365 Copilot on Jan. 28, 2026?

Itron announced the IEOS Connector for Microsoft 365 Copilot to surface trusted utility data in natural-language queries. According to the company, the connector links IEOS with Itron Enterprise Edition MDM and Operations Optimizer while preserving access controls and governance.

How will the Itron and Microsoft collaboration affect utilities using Itron systems (ITRI)?

The collaboration aims to improve operations, predictive insights and customer engagement for utilities. According to the company, AI-driven workflows target billing exception handling, predictive maintenance, demand forecasting and grid optimization to reduce manual effort.

When and where will Itron (ITRI) and Microsoft showcase their joint AI innovations?

Itron and Microsoft will showcase joint innovations and live demos at DTECH from Feb. 2-5, 2026 in San Diego. According to the company, Itron will present in booth 2715 and preview the AI roadmap during the event.

Will the IEOS Connector for Microsoft 365 Copilot be available through Microsoft Marketplace for Itron customers?

Yes, the companies plan to make Itron solutions available via Microsoft Marketplace for easier access. According to the company, this will integrate Itron offerings into Microsoft’s unified data and analytics ecosystem for partners and utilities.

What types of utility data can users ask about using the IEOS Connector with Copilot (ITRI)?

Users can query consumption patterns, outage history, tamper or reverse rotation, low voltage and transformer associations. According to the company, the connector surfaces these IEOS data points while respecting existing access control lists.

Does the Itron-Microsoft integration preserve enterprise governance for utility data (ITRI)?

Yes, the integration preserves existing access control lists and aligns with enterprise governance frameworks. According to the company, the solution is built on Copilot connectors to maintain governance while enabling AI-driven insights at the grid edge.