Integrating infrastructure management

EUI. I read recently that Industrielle Werke Basel (IWB) turned to Autodesk Topobase to help it save time and money while operating more effectively. I’d like to focus this interview around the business value of Topobase in utilities. Could you please start by introducing the value of Topobase in utilities?
RR. Sure. Topobase is Autodesk’s platform for integrating infrastructure design and management. Utilities have been gathering data about their infrastructure and operations in spatial systems for years, some for decades. Traditionally, utilities have used different information systems like CAD, GIS and ERP to support different processes like design, construction, operations, administration, finance and customer services. Logically, we know that these processes are all related and that information from each process is useful in other processes. But until recently, managing data logically across the processes was difficult. Topobase changes that. It allows utilities to manage information from planning, design, construction, customer service and ongoing operations in workflows that match the ways that utilities work. Users have found improvements in efficiency and reductions in cost. Topobase is implemented and well established in over 500 installations.

EUI. Can you quantify these benefits in terms of real cost-savings and increases in productivity? Furthermore, how would you define and quantify the business value of Topobase, and is it really worth the investment? These are questions that I guess you hear from customers all the time, right?
RR. Absolutely, they’re all valid questions. To illustrate my answer, I’ll refer to a recent study by IDC to evaluate the business benefits of integrated computer-aided design (CAD) and geographic information systems (GIS) data supporting business processes in utilities. IDC interviewed executives at six companies in North America and Europe using Autodesk Topobase and asked a series of questions about the impact of Autodesk’s Topobase solution on their operations.

The largest area of benefits came in hard cost reductions. IDC found that the companies surveyed were able to increase their project load by 31 percent yet reduce their equipment and operational costs by an average of €1.2 million per 100 users. Half of the companies surveyed were government organisations, and as such their revenue was controlled and growth was limited. Even so, on average, companies were able to increase their revenue by almost €64,000 annually per 100 Autodesk users. This includes users of all Autodesk products, including AutoCAD, AutoCAD Map 3D, Autodesk Utility Design, MapGuide and Topobase.

EUI. Sounds impressive. Could you describe how this was achieved, and what were the key findings of the study?
RR. By automating and integrating CAD and GIS data, companies were able to increase their user productivity by eight percent, which included reducing time for designing workflow as well as reducing the number of users per project and at the same time reducing project completion times. Combined user productivity benefits totalled €640,000 annually per 100 users.

For the Autodesk Topobase customers surveyed, the total benefits averaged more than €1.9 million annually per 100 users. The companies invested an average of more than €700,000 over three years in deploying the Autodesk Topobase solution, resulting in a net present value for the three-year savings of almost €3.7 million per 100 users.

EUI. Finally, how would you summarise the business value of and outlook for Topobase in utilities?
RR. IDC found that utilities saw a payback period from deploying the Topobase solution averaging 11.6 months, yielding an average return on investment of 518 percent. They also found several examples of significant intangible returns like better customer service and the ability to get work done faster. The positive comments about Topobase from the people we interviewed were surprisingly consistent.

The best fit for Topobase is in organisations that need to manage large, complex workflows that have significant spatial elements. Utilities universally fit in that category. Given the strong business value IDC found for Topobase, we expect to build on its current success in utilities and to see continued product uptake driven by tangible returns to end-user organisations.

Richard Rollins is EMIA Industry Marketing Manager for Telco, Utility & Government Solutions at Autodesk. He is responsible for Autodesk’s industry marketing strategy and execution across Europe, Middle-East, India and Africa.