EOH: harnessing the power of cloud, IOT technologies to realise smart city vision through Public Infrastructure Management System

Issued by EOH
Johannesburg, 31 Oct 2018

Imagine having the ability to control the infrastructure around you through a generic control framework for multiple Internet of things (IOT) applications. To make this a reality, European leaders in smart city development, AccessFlow and Ziut, have contracted EOH in the Western Cape to co-develop the Public Infrastructure Management System (PIMS).

PIMS enables dynamic, interactive and flexible control of mass networked IOT devices that are installed within urban infrastructure. It enables management of multiple smart city applications all while considering the ever-increasing need to sustain the earth's scarce resources and making a positive impact on our carbon footprint.

The objective was to develop a massive IOT system to manage public infrastructure on a secure cloud platform that would be easy to roll-out across numerous Netherlands municipalities and into Europe. One of the requirements was to provide software that did not lock customers into long contracts or tie them into support agreements in order to make the system cost-effective to users.

The client requested a software as a service platform that effectively allows for work on a month-to-month contract. This meant every element of the management system needed to be written as an individual service that could be switched on and off, depending on the subscription required.

Strategic Delivery Executive for EOH in the Western Cape, Stuart Kelly, says: "EOH has utilised some of the latest technology and has developed an integrated, secure, feature-rich, extensible, scalable and multi-tenanted solution."

The solution has factored in the following elements according to the requirements set out:

* An intuitive AngularJS user experience;
* Interactive geolocation mapping to manage geographical profiles;
* A scalable Microsoft Azure cloud platform;
* Access and identity automation;
* Sizable IOT in the cloud;
* Multiple networks; and
* Multiple devices.

PIMS supports a framework for multiple IOT applications and provides control of urban infrastructure for multiple services via any communication network, with the use of numerous devices from a multitude of suppliers in a safe and secure way.

The system can be deployed as SaaS powered by the Microsoft Azure Cloud or as an on-premises solution. This has resulted in flexible control of public infrastructure, as well as a reduction in IOT deployment costs, infrastructure maintenance, and service costs. In addition, customers benefit by reduced municipal energy costs.

The solution enables management of multiple smart city applications, for example:

* The control of public lighting;
* Traffic lights;
* Waste bins;
* Air quality measurement equipment; and
* Sewer pump installations.

This allows for central and real-time management of connected devices via a browser-based user interface.

The above illustration displays public lighting, with the green dots indicating functional lighting and red points pointing out problem areas around the city.

The client

AccessFlow and Ziut in partnership had a vison to develop a Public Infrastructure Management System (PIMS) software application suite, driven by the belief of a well-architected, generic, open and secure environment in which a large number of objects could be controlled. With an enthusiastic and dedicated international team of experts in this field, the PIMS solution for municipalities was developed. In September 2017, Ziut was taken over by the multinational SPIE (www.spie.com). As part of the Smart City offering of Ziut, PIMS was one of the main assets for the Smart City business unit of SPIE.

EOH

The EOH Group is the largest technology business in Africa, providing the technology, knowledge, skills and organisational ability critical to Africa's development and growth. Following the consulting, technology and outsourcing model, the EOH Group provides high-value, end-to-end solutions to its clients in all industry verticals.

The EOH Group provides the technology, knowledge, skills and organisational ability critical to the development and growth of the companies it serves. It is an ethical and relevant force for good and strive to play a positive role in society, beyond normal business practice.

The group employs more than 11 500 people, delivering technology solutions and knowledge services to over 5 000 large enterprise customers across all major industries. The EOH Group is present throughout South Africa, and has a growing international footprint with 2 500 skilled resources in 30 countries on five continents.

As a leader in driving and supporting digital innovation, the group offers solutions along a simple design- build-operate engagement model through its two independent businesses, EOH and NEXTEC.

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