Member Spotlight

Matt Rouse, Business Unit Manager – Water – Gentrack

We are entering a new era, with utilities worldwide transforming to meet business and sustainability targets. For over 35 years Gentrack has been partnering with the world’s leading utilities, and more than 60 energy and water companies rely on us. Gentrack, with our partners Salesforce and AWS, are leading today’s transformation with g2.0, an end-to-end product-to-profit solution.

We’re helping water utilities overcome their challenges by prioritising a digital-first approach, leveraging cloud technologies for enhanced efficiency, implementing automation to streamline operations, and simplifying processes for optimal performance. These strategies empower water utilities to adapt swiftly to evolving demands, maximise resource utilisation, and deliver exceptional service to their customers.  By enabling real-time data collection and analysis, our solutions become powerful tools for fighting leaks, and promoting sustainable water management practices. This translates to a reduced environmental footprint and ultimately, improved water security for communities.

Digital transformation is driven by technological advancement, environmental awareness, and evolving customer expectations. What are the key challenges in realising digital opportunities to foster this transformation?

Digital transformation is often seen as a daunting prospect for many businesses, laden with risks and disruptions. However, there’s a shift happening. Technological advancements and the focus on digital journeys are reshaping perceptions. With a stronger emphasis on digital change, transformations are becoming more agile and incremental, departing from the traditional large-scale approaches. This shift not only reduces upfront costs, but also mitigates potential risks to revenue, offering a more efficient and effective path to transformation.

What is the importance of partnerships in the water industry and the digital transformation of utilities? How has being a member of SWAN helped to foster these partnerships?

Partnerships are the cornerstone of the water industry, fostering collaboration among various stakeholders, including customers, regulators, associations, other water providers, and the extended supply chain, to ensure continued success. In an industry characterised by low margins and low revenue, often spread across very small companies, the importance of partnerships becomes even more pronounced. Combined services and strategic alliances are imperative for driving efficiency, innovation, and sustainability in water utilities. By working together, stakeholders can pool resources, share expertise, and leverage economies of scale, ultimately paving the way for the industry’s digital transformation and long-term viability.

As the water sector transitions into the digital age, partnerships play a pivotal role in steering transformations and assessing their impact. At Gentrack, we recognise the significance of collaborating with water providers and are enthusiastic about the industry’s evolving landscape in the years ahead. Specifically, we anticipate smart metering to be a game-changer in the way that water suppliers operate. It promises significant benefits, including streamlined operations, enhanced asset management, leakage reduction, and the delivery of top-notch customer service.

As a solution provider, how do you address the common concern that digital transformation is expensive?

We acknowledge the concerns surrounding the costliness of digital transformation projects. Traditionally, these projects have been expensive, risky, and disruptive. We ditch the “one size fits all” model. Firstly, we engage with our customers and understand their specific needs and budget. What are their priorities? What are their concerns? Then, we build a transformation roadmap, together. Think of it as a step-by-step plan tailored to their specific situation. This plan may involve changes to business processes, adopting new technology, and adjustments to operations. We embrace the power of the cloud. We can rapidly deploy solutions in a ‘greenfield’ or ‘MVP’ (minimum viable product) fashion, followed by incremental migrations. This approach minimises disruptions to business operations, allowing providers and their customers to experience the benefits of transformation more quickly than traditional methods.

What steps can a young professional interested in smart water and innovation take to prepare for a career in the sector?

Smart water is a rapidly growing field with exciting opportunities. Here are some tips to get the young professional started:

• Delve into smart metering: This technology is a game-changer for the water industry, paving the way for further innovation. Understanding how it works in water compared to electricity is key.
• Learn from the energy sector: Smart meters have transformed the energy industry, creating benefits for consumers, businesses, and the entire grid. Studying these advancements will give you valuable insights.
• Focus on customer empowerment: Smart water isn’t just about technology – it’s about empowering people. Explore how smart meters give customers control over water usage, similar to how they manage energy consumption.