What is a platform, and what does it mean for energy suppliers? Robert Hull discusses the rise of the data specialists and asks whether their data trail will lead them into the energy sector

What is a platform? To some it’s a place to catch the packed commuter train, to others it’s a place to pitch Brexit views to voters. But it’s also commonly used to describe the business models used by Google, Amazon, Apple and other technology-centric firms that are dominating the business world.