Chema Nebot, VP EMEA/APAC/BR at Idrica, analyses the first six months of the firm’s partnership with Xylem Inc., which has seen the launch of Xylem Vue powered by GoAigua, the integrated software and analytics platform for water utilities.
Xylem Vue powered by GoAigua was officially launched at WEX Global, but what exactly is this solution?
The Xylem Vue powered by GoAigua platform is the result of the integration of the Xylem Vue and GoAigua digital portfolios. This solution delivers the first 360º platform in the water industry, serving the entire water cycle (drinking water, wastewater and reuse) and the value chain (from sensors to operational recommendations).
This solution delivers the first 360º platform in the water industry, serving the entire water cycle
The Wex Global event was the ideal scenario to launch this revolutionary solution, considering that it is a platform developed by utilities for utilities.
WEX Global is a meeting and networking point for industry experts, where Xylem and Idrica specialists participated in the various panels debating the future of the water industry.
Xylem Vue powered by GoAigua is now three months old. What are your thoughts so far on this start-up period?
These first few months have been very positive, both for clients and for our partnership.
From the clients’ point of view, the feedback we have received from day one has been so positive that it has encouraged us to continue exploring the potential of this platform and of our partnership. Both companies have been analyzing our possible cooperation for years, which has simplified our first steps together, and has enabled us to offer integrated solutions to the market.
We are also very satisfied from a team perspective. It has been very easy to start to work together, and to define a common strategy for the short, medium and long term. There is obviously still a long way to go, but considering the initial progress, we are optimistic about the future.
And what are your thoughts about the market?
I think the market is definitely the main beneficiary of this partnership. We have invested a lot of time in this first quarter in visiting many utilities, and as I said before, the feedback we have received has been very positive.
Obviously, any agreement between companies aims for growth, but I firmly believe that it will be the market that will really benefit from the partnership. If we take into account the sector’s current situation, and the challenges derived from global warming, water scarcity and water management, our joint solution seeks to go one step further and increase sustainability by improving water resource management.
For all these reasons, our partnership makes us even stronger and enables us to provide a better service to utilities and communities, while leaving a legacy for future generations based on optimization and sustainability.
This partnership has introduced Xylem Vue powered by GoAigua onto the market, is the starting block for new solutions?
There is a saying: "If you walk alone, you go faster, but if you walk together, you go further". Based on this, I believe that we have a promising future ahead of us. Both Idrica and Xylem have in their DNA the continuous search for new solutions to solve current problems and those that are yet to come. We don’t like to stand still; new technologies are developing quickly, opening new opportunities.
We aim to accelerate the digital transformation of water to improve the management of digital assets, and streamline and democratize operations from a simple, secure, holistic point of view
I endorse the words of Rocio Echeverria, Xylem's Vice President of Water and Energy Metering, when she said at the beginning of this journey that both companies would work to develop new solutions and accelerate the innovation agenda by designing and testing solutions in real-time.
What are your goals for the future?
As I mentioned earlier, we aim to accelerate the digital transformation of water to improve the management of digital assets, and streamline and democratize operations from a simple, secure, holistic point of view.
We want to solve the water problem as soon as possible. In this sense, both companies are joining forces to tackle one of today’s biggest challenges through innovation and awareness. It is from there that we must try to promote solutions focused on optimizing and improving water cycle management. We have the expertise, knowledge, tools and market positioning to accomplish this, so this is not only a challenge for us, but also a responsibility.