In today’s fast-paced digital era, businesses have access to abundant data, making it a challenge to swiftly sift through the different data sources to extract valuable insights for quick, informed decision-making.
Organisations can uncover hidden patterns, trends, and correlations by leveraging advanced statistical algorithms, machine learning techniques, and data visualisation tools. Across various industries, businesses are harnessing the power of data science, analytics, and artificial intelligence (AI) to drive transformative change. From healthcare to finance, manufacturing to retail, these technologies are reshaping how businesses operate, enabling them to make informed decisions and seamlessly adapt to evolving market demands.
Smart water
Singapore’s national water agency, the Public Utilities Board (PUB) found that its operating environment was becoming more complex as Singapore faces emerging challenges such as increasing water demand and climate change. Furthermore, the agency faced constraints in manpower and other resources which meant that scaling operations could be a challenge. In response, PUB transformed how it worked to become a more efficient and effective organisation.
PUB wanted to access real-time information on water resources in Singapore and manage water operations across the entire water supply, water catchment, used water, and drainage systems more efficiently. Besides getting an overview of the entire water supply network, the goal is to ensure an unbroken supply of clean water to the public and optimise incident management.
PUB staff faced the challenges of meticulously logging routine data and circulating that data on Excel spreadsheets. To gather information for daily tasks, staff had to reference multiple systems and go through lengthy email threads to troubleshoot incidents. The time-lag between incidents and when the ground crew and command centre get incident updates delayed incident resolution.
Things changed when ST Engineering built the Intelligent Water Management System (IWMS), marking a significant shift in PUB operations. Serving as the brain and backbone of water operations, this innovative platform integrates various PUB systems into one convenient platform. The IWMS smart platform is powered by ST Engineering’s AGIL® Ops Hub and is equipped with data analytics and AI capabilities. It is configured to help PUB’s joint command centre staff make sense of the entire water loop situation in real time.
As the underpinning system at PUB’s Joint Operations Centre (JOC), it serves as the nerve centre, supporting all real-time and on-demand critical and operational decisions. Deployed as an operations platform, it enhances situational awareness and incident management, and supports all the real-time and on-demand operations.
By integrating both operations and non-operations systems, IWMS analyses data across the water loop, providing valuable insights to improve service delivery and engineering operations. The system pulls sensor data from reservoirs and plants to provide timely updates on the status and health of operational systems, ensuring efficient management of water resources.
Speedy and precise
The IWMS system is in its third iteration, which has introduced several new features:
- Provides daily water demand information
Using historical and continuous real-time data on water usage, the IWMS notifies the operator of the quantity of water needed. Also, it sends an alert when water sources must be redirected, such as when a desalination facility is closed for repair. PUB staff have access to real-time operational dashboards that provide end-to-end situational awareness of water treatment plants, reservoir systems, sewage water systems, field crew deployments and the operational status of the water network. This has reduced the time required for water demand planning by up to 75%.
- Helps staff respond to incidents 20% faster
The IWMS detects if someone calls in for a burst pipe or other malfunctions such as water treatment plant breakdown, water quality deterioration of reservoir water, and water decolouration in the water distribution network. The information is extracted from different digital sources and actions are recommended. The operator is informed and dispatches the appropriate resources to fix it. On-site officers can send incident updates to the IWMS via their mobile devices, without delays in reporting. All levels of staff have easy access to the monitoring of incidents from the time they are reported, including escalation to resolution.
- Encourages cross-functional work
PUB can customise workflow tasks with built-in approval processes to suit different incident types. Additionally, the built-in chat function compatible across desktop, iPad and iPhone allows efficient communications between the JOC and dispatch officers.
- Minimises human error
As all data is captured within the IWMS; there is little room for human error, which may happen during shift handovers and staff turnover.
- Identifies potential trends
Site officers are equipped with relevant information to respond to customer cases and an After Action Review (AAR) portal will provide insights on potential trends for review and improvement, and scenario planning.
Scalable and multi-industry
The IWMS may also receive data feeds from other systems. Social media posts, data from drones detecting algal bloom, and information from field worker sensors and body cameras may all be combined with other operational data for end-to-end water management.
ST Engineering’s AGIL® Ops Hub underpinning the IWMS extends beyond water management. Customised versions of the platform may be used for other critical infrastructure including seaports, airports, hospitals, and emergency services.
For instance, airports can streamline plane taxi-out time by an average of 90 seconds during peak hours, and improve predictability of departure flight timing. Hospitals with over 2,000 beds can implement the platform to achieve a 20% improvement in bed turnaround time, and 50% reduction in required manpower per shift.
In an increasingly data-driven world, the transformative potential of data science, analytics, and AI continues to grow across industries. Embracing a data-centric mindset and leveraging advanced analytics and AI technologies will be key for organisations to stay competitive and thrive in today’s digital economy.
Find out more: https://www.stengg.com/en/digital-tech/data-science-analytics-and-ai
