Canal Isabel II modernizes its business processes with SAP IS-U

Canal de Isabel II is a state-owned company responsible for all aspects relating to water management across the Community of Madrid. As part of its Strategic Plan, it is immersed in a process deigned to drive modernisation and sustainability. This involves introducing new technology whilst maintaining its high service levels.

Canal de Isabel II currently uses a digital platform that supports its business processes. However, this has become largely obsolete. As such, its aim is to now replace it with a solution that meets all its business needs and is based on best practices.

This will allow the company to push ahead with its process of digital transformation as well as accelerate innovation, something that will undoubtedly improve its processes and way it interacts with its customers.

Known as YARA, the new solution will enable Canal de Isabel II to manage all aspects relating to water management in the Community of Madrid. This involves a complex collection, supply and reuse system that serves more than 6.2 million people.

Canal Isabel II has opted for the industry-specific solution SAP for Utilities (IS-U) and has established a framework for the following functional areas: core business, customer management, field services and communications management.

The project will be undertaken by a joint venture, made up of Atos IT Solutions And Services Iberia, S.L. (65%) and Ayesa Advanced Technologies S.A. (35%). This will be done in three phases:

• Phase 1 (basic implementation): the aim of this phase is to make sure the products offered cover the core requirements of Canal de Isabel II. This will involve defining and implementing all the requirements, processes and interfaces necessary for the basic implementation of the solution (level 1). During this phase, 10% of all current business data will be migrated to the new system.
• Phase 2 (full implementation): the solution will be fully implemented and go live. This will involve defining and implementing all the necessary requirements, processes and integrations. During phase 2, all current business data held by the company will be migrated to the new system. Any data not included must be accessed through an on-demand solution.
• Phase 3 (maintenance): during this phase, the system will be stabilised, and maintenance, support and upgrade services will be provided. Innovation projects will also be undertaken.

SAP for Utilities (IS-U) is an innovative platform, which will allow Canal Isabel II to:

• ensure the reliability of data through a single source of truth;
• have in place fully integrated E2E business processes, based on best practices;
• generate consolidated self-service business reports on aspects such as finances, sales, maintenance and operations;
• offer mobile services for accessing information, featuring GIS integration;
• significantly enhance the user experience by offering easy access to usage data, bills and a whole host of other information;
• implement cutting-edge technology, such as smart meters and IoT for operations;
• begin the transition of the solutions implemented to S4;
• bring the new system in line with current SAP solutions in place at Canal Isabel II, such as its economic and financial system, in order to maximise synergy for integration and training as well as optimise change management; and
• maximise the value of investments made as well as increase the organisation’s knowledge of SAP, something it will be able to draw on for new solutions in the future.