SAM-U

Smart Asset Management for Utilities

Background and challenges

Asset management is an important operational field for any company whose assets play a key role in delivering services or manufacturing products. This is particularly relevant for utility companies generally operating as a monopoly in a regulated market with their business activities limited by legislation and regulation. Asset management is therefore the main business area remaining in the utility company's control and jurisdiction, that could contribute the most to the business value by improving its operation.

For over 30 years, Geometria Ltd. has been supporting its utility clients in managing their assets more efficiently. Despite the differences in technical, IT, industry and business models, domestic utility companies have all been exploring new ways of running a business and, in many aspects, asset management more efficiently. Changes in business needs tend to follow a similar trajectory, which is summarized in the stages of the maturity model below (SAM maturity model). In asset management, implementing a data-driven operating system represents the goals a company can and should aim to achieve.

Business attributes

Geometria's mission is to assist clients in establishing data-driven asset management. To achieve this, we have developed various IT solutions with a collaborative approach resulting in the SAM-U asset management application suite which supports all the critical elements of data-driven asset management.

The lifecycle of each module of the application suite can be traced back 10-20 years with some features now in their 3rd or 4th version. The systems are well beyond the initial implementation challenges with a low number of errors and bugs, low cost and efficient operation. The application and the integration platform are built with the core of the most established software such as Oracle, Bentley and IBM. Geometria warranties the complete solution (both modules and integration) and provides operational support.

The SAM-U asset management application suite can be integrated with enterprise operation systems (ERP, CRM and SCADA/DMS) used by many corporate clients.

In addition to the anticipated data-driven support, SAM-U is dedicated to future upgrades in terms of finding new ways and channels for digitalisation and client-focused approaches, as well as providing more efficient asset optimisation with analytics and artificial intelligence, such as MIRTUS Watch and GeoGIS AR (Augmented Reality).

IT features

Modules of the application suite are interconnected using advanced ESB integration. The core structure of the features follows the modern three-layer architecture (presentation, business logic, data access).

All Enterprise Information Management (EIM) activities can be deployed to the application suite. The modules are built using open database technology, so any aspect relevant to data governance (quality, accountability, data model, etc.) is transparent to and controllable by the enterprise.

The information governance functions include support for the network inventory master data management: this includes, in addition to network data, all asset management data used elsewhere (jobs, breakdowns, costs, status data), as well as the complete lifecycle of assets according to the digital twin concept. The application suite is compatible with the IEC CIM reference model.

Contents of the application suite

Map Portal (GeoGIS)

A Map Portal module that ensures full, fast, and user-friendly access to relevant information for all stakeholders of the company, as well as the use of decision support functions based on this information.

 

Network registry (GeoGIS)

GeoGIS ensures the most accurate and efficient recording and up-to-date management of the information of the physical utility infrastructure, which is essential for the company's data-driven operation.

Workforce management (MIRTUSZ)

GeoGIS ensures the most accurate and efficient recording and up-to-date management of the information of the physical utility infrastructure, which is essential for the company's data-driven operation.

Investment Management

A feature that supports the implementation of planned network deployments on a project basis.

 

Asset Management System (EMER)

An innovative Asset Management System developed by Geometria, that integrates the peculiarities of the utility markets with our international best practices.​

Operations management

Module for real-time management monitoring and analyzing the operational status of networks.