MOST UTLITIES ARE PREPARED TO TELEMETRY SYSTEMS

 João Paulo Almeida started in 2002 to develop projects targeted at the water market. After assuming responsibility for the Information Systems Department at Águas do Porto, he became clearly aware that the profitability and success of a company in this sector depends on accurate decisions supported by global analyses based on a huge set of data. Once the need is detected, João Paulo Almeida started to work on the creation of telemetry systems, tools that allow crossing the most relevant parameters with aggregated data in order to treat the information in a logical and systematized way. Thus, the first lines of the GoReady story begins to be written. An innovative telemetry system with an interface of solutions that allows you to make quick decisionssupported by systematic and rigorous knowledge.

João Paulo, what led GoReady to develop a specific SW for managing the water cycle?

GoReady was formed in 2015 by IT professionals with a strong knowledge on the Water sector. At that time, we identified a big gap in the market. The lack of solutions adapted to the reality of managing entities that depend on accurate decisions and actions, supported by global analysis from a huge set of data. This led us to create the telemetry system MyWater, a solution designed from scratch to respond to this reality.

What are the main potentials of this application?

There are numerous advantages for managing entities in implementing a telemetry project. MyWAter is a platform that was designed from scratch to manage telemetry information automating the reception of thousands of data transforming and calculating various indicators. All this information is presented in a simple and intuitive interface allowing the managing entities to draw the important conclusions for the daily tasks of their company.

What makes it different from other applications available on the market?

GoReady has extensive experience in the water sector which allowed us to develop this application targeting the specific needs of the sector. However, we develop and adapt the application to the particular needs of each customer in order to maximize its use. The solutions currently available on the market are the ones from the major worldwide manufacturers which means that they are not prepared for customization and usually have long development cycles that are often out of step with market needs.

What motivated you to establish this partnership with JANZ?

The partnership with Janz is strategic for GoReady. Janz is a company that has been operating in the sector for many years with high quality products and a very strong notoriety making our offer complementary to the products already sold. We consider that it is differentiating to present ourselves in the market with an integrated solution in order to facilitate equipment and software integrations thus making projects simpler for customers.

What kind of concrete information can a water utility obtain with SW Mywater?

The process of collecting readings for invoicing is critical for managing entities however the telemetry system implementation provides a set of advantages for the utilities that allows considerable gains in efficiency. The SW MyWater allows you to rigorously manage the entire telemetry park and obtain readings every hour or every 15 minutes allowing you to make complete water balances in DMA (district metered areas). Additionally, it provides a set of alarms generated by the water meters.

All this information is aggregated and represented in a very simple way allowing the utilities to identify leaks, fraud or anomalous consumption events with an impact on the network. SW MYWATER promises to be a powerful ally for the utilities to efficiently manage their supply systems.

At what stages in the water supply cycle can SW Mywater make a contribution to the sustainability of the entire system?

GoReady develops and implements a set of solutions that are integrated with MyWater as well as with other platforms on the market such as GIS (geographic information system), maintenance management system, among others. The use of these platforms in an integrated manner allows entities to efficiently manage the entire water distribution network.

What is this contribution?

Through the automatic processing and crossing of all relevant data the software is able to identify areas with a poor operating performance enhancing the identification of leaks, bursts or frauds.

What human and technical resources are needed for a Utility take full advantage of this tool?

MyWater is a very simple to use software with a very short learning curve. Entities do not need additional human resources to manage the platform. With the automation of all data processing and the sending of alerts and reports it is possible to minimize human intervention throughout the process freeing them for actions with added value.

SW Mywater collects a huge source of information that when properly handled by the Entities, allows knowing and solving problems that jeopardize the economic and environmental sustainability of its water supply systems. But are the Managing Entities prepared to handle with this huge amount of information and take full advantage of their telemetry systems?

With most of the supply networks completed most managing entities are currently preparing or implementing projects to obtain efficiency gains. whether through the sectorization of the network, the implementation of pressure management systems, the atomization of some tasks using remote management systems or even the implementation of telemetry systems. We have observed that even small entities through association with neighboring municipalities gained the necessary scale to carry out a more efficient management.

The regulatory authority has also played a very important role in leading entities to seek these efficiency gains. I believe that currently most entities are prepared and receptive to implementing telemetry systems. With IT solutions like MyWater it is easier to take advantage of these systems.

What could be the main obstacles for a management entity not to make the most of its telemetry system and consequently of the SW Mywater application?

The cost of equipment and technology still remains the biggest obstacle to the massive implementation of these systems.

The water preservation requires a profound change in the mindset of those who consume it, that is, all of us. The SW Mywater allows Utilities to use information that goes far beyond the monthly water bill. What additional information can be made available to the final consumer, and how, so that they can play their role in transforming this collective mindset?

I believe that in the near future all consumers will have access to the same information from the managing entities, that is, hourly consumption and alarms triggered by equipment or via software. There are already some projects of this nature in the sector and soon all entities will have these tools available free of charge, both for domestic and non-domestic consumers.

Give us 3 reasons for a Utility to choose SW Mywater?

There are numerous reasons however I could highlight these three:

/ Simplicity of use

the platform is very simple and intuitive and can be used by different stakeholders within the managing entities without great technical knowledge;

/ Experience acquired

The platform benefits from an experience of 6 years and a group of users who enhance its daily improvement;

/ Integration with the manufacturer

The Platform was developed and is continuously maintained with the manufacturer of the meters freeing the managing entities from all the tasks inherent to the integration of the two components which is not always easy.

If you had to choose an example where SW Mywater is used to its fullest potential, what would it be?

The MyWater Software is used to its fullest potential in entities that have sectors of the network with 100% telemetry counters thus allowing for an hourly water balance. An hourly water balance allows the management of the network in a much more efficient way enhancing the identification of leaks, bursts, anomalous events, frauds.

We currently have several projects with this approach all of them with significant gains for the entities.