Geographic Information Systems (GIS) is the backbone of any Utility’s asset management functions and is used in roles that can vary from map production and digital terrain modeling to demographic analysis and network asset registers. Hydro-Comp Enterprises is one such company that specializes in the provision of Systems and Services to various Government, Municipal, and Utility industries. Thanks to Hydro-Comp’s industry specific systems and massive experience in the water industry, it is now a leading expert in the world of Water Distribution Management. The group includes EDAMS technology; manufacturers of the EDAMS Products. These products include billing and customer information systems and Integrated Asset Management systems for Utilities as well as Environmental Management systems. Hydro-Comp Services include Technology (Supply, implementation, and support of EDAMS Products), Outsourcing (from simple Hosting/ Cloud to comprehensive in-sourcing) and Consulting services (mainly Institutional strengthening and Data Quality improvement projects for Water Utilities) aimed towards the improvement of organization’s performance.
When two Engineers Led the Way
Hydro-Comp was founded way back in 1986 in South Africa by two leading engineers, Dr. Dinos Constantinides, Group MD and Dr. Petros Kolovopoulos, who heads the development of the EDAMS Products to embark on a wide range of water engineering consulting projects. While undertaking engineering projects, the practical experiences led to the development of industry specific methodologies that, in turn, formed the basis of the “EDAMS” suite of Management Systems in use today.
Dr. Dinos is also an author of three books and more than a hundred publications in the field of water supply, and is regarded as a world authority in the field. On the other hand, Dr. Petros is an author of more than 70 publications in the field of water supply and utility management, and is regarded as an authority in the field of Utility Asset Management.
Increasing Overall Utility Performance
Hydro-Comp has developed a structured methodology – The EDAMS Roadmap towards Effective Utility Management – a methodology with the unmatched ability to make a difference through the novel blending of people, processes and information systems. According to the company, success is measured not only in terms of increasing operational performance, but also in terms of increasing overall utility performance. Most of the users of EDAMS products have a success story attached with them. As an example, the best performing governorates of Egypt are using the system for quite some time now, which has resulted in increased revenues by more than three times and reduced Non-Revenue Water by more than two thirds. Similarly, Tanzania-based Dar es Salaam Water and Sewerage Corporation has doubled their revenue since they started using EDAMS.
Sky is the Limit for Company’s Growth
Recently, the company has seen rapid growth in few sectors including,
Asset Management Hubs: Hydro- Comp has signed a Strategic Partnership Agreement with GIZ acting on behalf the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development to carry out 3-year long programs offering AM capacity to small and medium sized utilities through EDAMS AM software available and offering technical assistance and support in AM procedures. The first project of the program has been already carried out in areas of Bosnia and Herzegovina, Serbia, Macedonia, and Montenegro by targeting a group of 70 to 100 selected water utilities. Eventually, the program will be expanded into areas like Albania, Ukraine, Kosovo, etc.
Asset Management Projects: The organization is now carrying out joint venture with Seureca- Veolia on behalf of the Millennium Challenge Account Zambia, a large institutional strengthening AM project including the implementation of the EDAMS AM products. Hydro-Comp intends to capitalize on the experience gained and the association established through this project in carrying out similar projects elsewhere.
Future Roadmap
Hydro-comp believes, at least in terms of Water Utilities, future of the GIS solution lies in, System Integrators teaming up with consultants in providing a full solution, and the cost of software, and manpower for such solutions needs to be more affordable to suit small to medium size of utility.
The holistic approach of Hydro-Comp addresses all management levels and functions of the water services provider from strategic to operational levels, and from the commercial function to the technical and engineering design functions. It does not only provide the software solutions but institutional strengthening services as well.
Today, more than 20 million people are now being billed by Hydro-Comp’s EDAMS Billing and Customer Information System in Egypt for water services. Governorates of Fayoum, Beni-Suef and Al Minia are using the system since 2002. In last two years, the company has been awarded with new projects in 2 additional Governorates as well as for several new cities. The company intends to continue its aggressive expansion program in Egypt, as Hydro-Comp has found the right formula for the market. When it comes to the future of the company, Hydro-Comp is expanding its operations in Africa and South- Eastern Europe.
Source :- The 10 Fastest Growing GIS Solution Providers 2017