“MonoM integrates with many systems and technologies, offering independence – key to scalability”
As Global Sales Manager – Infrastructures at Grupo Álava, Sergio Arróniz plays a central role in positioning the company’s flagship platform for end-to-end water management as a transformative tool for utilities worldwide. Drawing on years of experience within Grupo Álava, where he has held diverse roles and gained a broad view of market trends, Arróniz translates this insight into innovative, value-added solutions tailored to client needs.
In this interview, he shares the strategic vision behind MonoM’s use of artificial intelligence to deliver digital solutions for the water sector. He explains how modularity, technological neutrality, and open collaboration, combined with Grupo Álava’s decades of expertise, are enabling greater efficiency, sustainability, and resilience. With successful projects in Spain, Portugal, and the U.S., MonoM is establishing itself as a global reference in digital transformation for the water sector.
MonoM has consolidated a technology proposition based on artificial intelligence to drive digital innovation in end-to-end water management. What strategic vision drives this commitment, and what sector needs does it aim to address as a priority?
In today’s environment, incorporating digital solutions into water cycle management has become a strategic imperative. With millions of data points generated by smart meters and sensors, utilities require more than information: they need intelligence applied to data that enables rapid decision-making. The key lies in two transformative elements: advanced capabilities for predictive management and maintenance of assets and infrastructure, and an integrated operational vision of the entire cycle’s processes, allowing real-time action on data. Backed by a robust platform, these pillars turn complexity into clarity, enabling smarter decisions, faster responses, and a more sustainable future for water management.
By implementing MonoM, utilities can control their network: reducing NRW, lowering operational and energy costs, detecting leaks, and more
MonoM supports utilities in delivering comprehensive, end-to-end water management with precision, foresight, and efficiency. And how do we achieve this? By implementing MonoM, utilities can keep their entire network under control: reducing non-revenue water (NRW), lowering operational and energy costs, and detecting leaks, fraud, and risks of breakages before they escalate, among others.
In a context where fragmented digital solutions proliferate, how does MonoM position itself in terms of integrated value proposition and return on investment for water system managers?
We support organisations throughout every stage of their digitalisation journey. Today, it is essential to instantly and easily know the efficiency of the entire network or complete cycle. With access to accurate data, utilities can justify CAPEX investments or upgrades, identify and quantify NRW, distinguishing between fraud, leaks, or reading errors, plan preventive maintenance of industrial assets, and even improve energy efficiency in treatment plants.
All this is only viable with real integration: when data from different sources and equipment are managed from a single platform. That is when information acquires value. Data becomes informed, measurable decisions, translating into tangible ROI for water system managers and more efficient and sustainable management of water resources.
Modularity and technological neutrality are two hallmarks of MonoM. How do these principles contribute to adoption flexibility by utilities with different levels of digital maturity?
Modularity and technological neutrality are essential aspects of MonoM’s value proposition, enabling easier adoption by operators with varying levels of digital maturity.
With real integration, when data from different sources and equipment are managed from a single platform, information acquires value
Modularity allows each organisation to incorporate only the modules or functionalities they truly need, based on their current situation and priorities. Utilities can begin with basic functions and, as their digitalisation journey advances, gradually incorporate predictive analysis, sensor integration, or hydraulic models—scaling at their own pace. This flexibility reduces risks and makes change easier to manage.
Meanwhile, the platform’s technological neutrality ensures compatibility with a wide range of existing systems and equipment. MonoM integrates with both traditional infrastructure and advanced technologies, removing entry barriers.
Altogether, utilities can progress in their digital transformation gradually, tailoring investment to their specific needs, optimising resources, and ensuring maximum return.
MonoM is presented as a neutral and interoperable platform. How important is this approach to competing in a market dominated by major technology players and proprietary solutions from manufacturers?
MonoM breaks down barriers by integrating with a wide variety of systems and technologies, offering independence that is key to ensuring maximum versatility in scaling solutions and incorporating new capabilities.
This neutrality, in addition to improving interoperability, adds agility to decision-making. It also plays a key role in cost optimisation, since by not being tied to a single hardware manufacturer, users can evaluate and choose among different technologies—for example, in Smart Metering.
We guarantee flexible, sustainable management without technological barriers.
Investments in the digital transformation of the water sector aim not only to improve technical efficiency but also to deliver measurable gains in sustainability and resilience. What economic and operational benefits are your clients reporting after implementing MonoM?
Reducing NRW losses and optimising resources are evident thanks to the platform’s predictive capabilities, which allow anticipating and controlling leaks, fraud, or measurement errors. This translates into more efficient management and significant operational cost savings.
Preventive maintenance planning with MonoM improves asset reliability, avoids unexpected shutdowns, and extends infrastructure lifespan—reducing repair expenses and ensuring service continuity. Another key aspect is optimising energy consumption in treatment plants and associated processes, contributing both to environmental sustainability and reduced energy costs.
MonoM also enhances decision-making quality by consolidating real-time information from multiple sources and systems, providing an agile, comprehensive view that maximises ROI. Combined with technological neutrality and modularity, MonoM not only enhances technical efficiency but also strengthens sustainability and resilience—positioning digital transformation with MonoM as a strategic driver for the future of water.
MonoM is part of Grupo Álava, which operates across several industrial sectors. How does this shape your business model, and what synergies does it create for strengthening your position in the water sector?
We build on more than five decades of technical-industrial experience and a consolidated track record of adapting to technological and market challenges.
Modularity allows each organisation to incorporate only the modules or functionalities they need, based on their situation and priorities
Grupo Álava is made up of specialised companies that generate valuable synergies. For example, Álava Ingenieros contributes expertise in advanced technology and sensor distribution, while Preditec is a benchmark in predictive monitoring and industrial diagnostics. This combination has allowed us to remain in direct contact with the market, understand its needs and challenges, and see firsthand the real benefits technology can deliver.
From this perspective, MonoM was born with a team that continuously listens to the market, possesses deep technological knowledge, and is committed to evolving and adding value. Belonging to Grupo Álava strengthens us as a tech company and allows us to leverage an ecosystem of innovation, knowledge, and shared resources that reinforce our positioning and ability to offer differentiated solutions for digital innovation in the water sector.
From your experience, what are today the main barriers—technological, cultural, or institutional—to real digital transformation in the water sector, and how does MonoM propose to overcome them?
Real digital transformation in the water sector necessarily involves a deep cultural shift, moving from traditional management to one based on data and digital processes. To achieve this, it is essential to have champions within each organisation who lead this change, promote continuous improvement, and have the courage to explore new technological paths without fear of failure.
Currently, systems and teams are often fragmented, and data security is an increasing concern. Promoting training in new technologies is also a challenge. Yet these issues can be effectively addressed with solutions like MonoM.
MonoM enhances decision-making by consolidating real-time information from multiple sources and systems, providing a view that maximises ROI
Tightening sector regulations bring not only higher demands but also uncertainty for utilities. To remain competitive and achieve more efficient, sustainable management, they must anticipate these changes and commit to digital innovation.
As mentioned earlier, MonoM was born from active market listening. We know the current concerns and what technology enables. That is why we designed a robust, reliable, and scalable solution.
Collaboration with major technology partners like Google suggests a commitment to open ecosystems. What role does this philosophy play in your international roadmap and in developing new AI-based functionalities?
Our philosophy is clear: collaboration is vital in today’s technological landscape.
Embracing open ecosystems allows us to integrate the best of different technologies and platforms, enabling flexible, scalable, and neutral solutions that adapt to diverse environments and digital maturity levels worldwide. Cooperation and co-creation are fundamental to accelerating projects and generating sustainable, lasting impact.
The experience in the United States has been a milestone for MonoM. Beyond technology, what business and partnership lessons have you drawn to replicate this model in other international contexts?
The U.S. experience—especially the implementation of MonoM in Burlington, North Carolina, alongside our partner Core & Main—has been hugely significant for us.
Belonging to Grupo Álava strengthens us as a tech company and allows us to leverage an ecosystem of innovation, knowledge, and shared resources
Although MonoM’s technology is versatile and applicable anywhere, true success lies in listening to the customer: deeply understanding their needs, particularities, and objectives in order to deliver value.
We also learned that having the right partner, as with Core & Main, is fundamental. Close collaboration and mutual trust were decisive in overcoming cultural, regulatory, and operational barriers and facilitated deploying the MonoM model in such a demanding, competitive market.
MonoM already has a presence in the U.S. and Portugal. What international markets are considered priorities, and what strategic criteria guide your expansion beyond the Iberian Peninsula?
Our priority now is to continue evolving our product to meet the specific demands of the markets we operate in. As mentioned, the flexibility and robustness of our technology allow us to deploy solutions without geographical limitations.
Moreover, many of our clients already have an international presence, and MonoM is ready to accompany them in implementing solutions wherever needed, regardless of country or context.
Our adaptability and global outlook position us as a strategic partner for addressing digital transformation challenges worldwide.