Visualising data is essential as assets become more intricate and equipped with connected sensors and virtual structures. They are so complex within a small area that GIS alone struggles to visualise them.

Data visualisation is transforming asset management by shifting from static, textual datasets to dynamic, data rich solutions with the application of visualisation principles in 2D, 3D, and 4D spaces. Our approach to data visualisation ensures that as the Alliance progress on their digital transformation journey, the solution transforms with them.

The next phase is Schematic 3D Navigator, enabling 2D schematics to be converted into interactive 3D models, and for common 3D formats and BIM data to be imported directly into ASSET & WORK MANAGER.

The journey continues with digital twins, technology currently under development, where Thinkproject will combine asset data with real-time sensor data to drive predictive maintenance capabilities.

Thinkproject are collaborating with other private, public and academic sector leadership in the Digital Twin Challenge, led by the Smart Cities Council Australia New Zealand, to progress 13 projects that will accelerate the regions capability. Projects cover a wide spectrum of strategies, roadmaps and frameworks for planning and design, data management and sharing, utilising IoT and AI for digital twin performance, sustainability, education and community engagement, and asset optimisation.

We’re co-leading the Asset Optimisation Framework and GIS to Digital Twin Roadmap.

Thinkproject offers an innovative asset management, operation and maintenance solution with mobile apps enabling live and offline operation in the field. Connecting stakeholders in a single source of truth, it promotes collaboration, transparency and efficiency across the asset lifecycle. With asset hierarchies aligned with national data standards, Thinkproject supports compliance, data quality and consistency while enhancing the ability to aggregate, analyse, and share data insights for evidence-based decisions and reporting on asset criticality, condition, and performance.

Thinkproject’s leading-edge technology combines asset data with 2D schematics, 3D models, and digital twins to accelerate asset performance and optimisation in conjunction with preventative and predictive maintenance capabilities for sustainably managed assets.

Datasets for three waters and water treatment facilities were migrated into ASSET & WORK MANAGER where they are now geospatially represented in a single source of truth, allowing for aggregated data analysis and reporting in line with the national standards.

Data quality is crucial in performing an accurate asset valuation of their entire water infrastructure, an essential process that is now achievable. Further, if asset data defined by NZAMS has not yet been captured or requires validation, Thinkproject’s flexible User Defined Tables system allows them to start their standardisation journey with the information available by deactivating fields, and reactivating as their asset data evolves.

One data source supplied by the Alliance were 2D schematics, the actual piping and instrumentation diagrams, for the water treatment facilities. This presented an exciting opportunity to develop a unique and innovative solution to better visualise asset data in these complex plans and deliver real value for both the asset owner and contractor.

Schematic Navigator was developed in ASSET & WORK MANAGER and implemented with the Alliance. The new module enables them to upload a library of documents and categorise them by the asset hierarchy and asset type. Assets and components are simply outlined on the document and linked to pre-defined asset metadata. When an asset is selected on the schematic, the asset record is displayed on a popup and in the asset hierarchy, and vice versa when an asset is selected on the hierarchy it’s displayed on the schematic.

This allows them to navigate vertical and horizontal asset structures with ease, no matter how complex, to locate and update asset information. Asset records linked directly to the location on a diagram simplifies and streamlines asset management, operation and maintenance workflows.

The Alliance now has its three waters network and 13 water treatment facilities in Thinkproject for asset management, operation and maintenance activities. With its intuitive map interface, assets and task-based workflows are represented geospatially alongside the asset hierarchy.

Custom map layers allow for water infrastructure assets and associated activity to be easily located and managed by the Alliance, whether in the office or out in the field.

They now have a holistic view of critical infrastructure, both transport and water, which produces powerful insights when combined with Thinkproject’s data visualisation technology.

Major capital projects for the water network have now been completed and robust decisions around forward work planning have been made using more detailed, accurate, and specific data. Locating an asset on the map and planning maintenance on other assets in the vicinity has helped the Alliance achieve greater efficiency of resources.

To further leverage the successful outcomes, Thinkproject and the Alliance are now planning the migration and implementation of the asset management functionality for other asset classes – providing a truly single source of truth for all asset data.