The Public Works Authority (Ashghal) today commenced with IBM the implementation of Enterprise Asset Management Solution (EAMS), an advanced technological system to enhance the efficiency of operations, maintenance and management of all Authority’s procedures related to the road networks and systems, as well as the operations and maintenance of drainage networks, pump and treatment stations and surface and groundwater networks.
This strategic initiative aims to enhance the Authority’s information systems abilities by merging the processes of roads and drainage networks departments and the operation and maintenance procedures into one comprehensive information system, in line with Ashghal’s mandate to contribute to the Qatar National Vision 2030.
EAMS is IBM’s advanced global solution that allows for world-class management of infrastructure networks. By leveraging technology and tools to ensure preventive maintenance and upkeep of national assets, the system helps in providing more responsive services to the community.
During the project kick-off meeting Ashghal’s President, HE Eng. Nasser bin Ali Al Mawlawi said that the implementation of EAMS is a pivotal step towards enhancing and streamlining the services of Ashghal’s roads and drainage operations and maintenance departments according to the goals set by the Authority.
“With this best-in-class solution, Ashghal will gain real time visibility into the country’s asset usage to better govern and manage lifecycle of roads and drainage networks, as well as maintain and improve their performance” he added.
“Building a smarter infrastructure is the foundation to establishing a smarter economy” says Amr Refaat, General Manager, IBM Middle East and Pakistan. “The roll out of the Enterprise Asset Management Solution is a key demonstration of how Ashghal is already executing on Qatar’s journey to a smarter economy leveraging Smart City concepts and enhancing citizen services” he added.
Based on IBM’s Maximo Asset Management Software, the EAMS will transform the way Ashghal collects and analyses the road networks data, and will allow the Authority’s Assets Affairs to rapidly respond to maintenance requirements. The system will also help develop preventative maintenance procedures of those networks through the analysis of their data, in addition to assisting Ashghal in managing the contractor’s performance according to specific quality standards.
The EAMS will identify all engineering and geographical data related to roads and drainage networks in case of any technical problem. It will also plan work requirements and determine resource availability according to priorities. The system will gather and analyse information about the country’s roads and drainage assets through a Geographic Information System (GIS) to allow quick intervention in order to make necessary repairs and preventative maintenance work.
In addition, the system will maintain a central database for asset condition and maintenance records as well as identify the geographic coordinates of the assets locations to enable accurate data saving and retrieval. Specifically designed to provide users with considerable gains in its ease of use, the EAMS will allow the Asset Affairs employees to receive work orders while they are “on the go” and hence make actionable decisions in real time.
Designed to integrate with Ashghal’s existing enterprise information systems such as Customer Relationship Management System (CRMS) and Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP), the solution will be activated by Ashghal in partnership with IBM.
Source : Qatar News Agency
