PCSG’s work supporting a UK retail chain to transform its management and use of information about its vast estate, was outlined at the FutureScot conference in Edinburgh.
Fast access to accurate, up-to-date information about their portfolios is critical for owners and managers of large estates seeking to answer everyday questions (‘Where are…?’ ‘Why is…?’ and ‘How many…?), unlock insights into their business and provide the highest-quality service to their customers and users.
But in retail and beyond, finding and tracking the information about particular assets is a common challenge. Overlapping IT systems and the slow degradation of information quality over time are among problems which result in unwanted cost and time.
Dr Jennifer Macdonald provided a detailed overview of how PCSG has worked with its client since 2016 to support a major ‘digital estate’ programme that would help it to meet its business objectives.
She explained how our support, across areas including road-map development, information management; process reviews; the introduction of a new Common Data Environment and staff engagement and training, has generated a range of positive outcomes. These include significant operational savings, better-informed business decisions and risk reduction.
The conference, Public Sector Asset and Estates Management 2020, was held in Edinburgh. It is Scotland’s largest gathering of building design, construction and operational management professionals.
Its focus was how the public sector in Scotland is embracing digital and more effective use and exploitation of data to transform its approach to traditional asset and estates management practices.
Other speakers included Nigel Stroud, Expansion Information Management Lead at Heathrow and Joann Russell, Head of Estates at Historic Environment Scotland.
Jennifer noted that, “it was really great to see the digital journeys undertaken by a wide range of public and private sector clients at the conference.
“There was a real spirit of open information sharing and pragmatism. We heard about the challenges of managing 700+ years’ worth of data at Scottish Heritage, Scottish Canal’s approach to management of its critical assets ranging in age from Victorian structures through to the unique Falkirk Wheel boat lift, and how Scotland is addressing its Zero Carbon targets (again aided by high quality, accurate, reliable data. It was also fantastic to hear about the digital transformation programme underway at NHS Scotland.”
Common themes across all presentations, Jennifer said, were the importance of getting the basics right in terms of information management; a focus on long-term lifecycle data; and how we can use this data to anticipate and mitigate some of the effects of climate change on our critical and heritage infrastructure.”
For further information on how PCSG supports large estates owners to achieve their business objectives through the effective capture and management of information about their assets, please contact our Business Development Director, [email protected]
Image via @FutureScot_News