San Francisco, 14 September 2023 - Ferrovial, leading global infrastructure operator, Salesforce (NYSE: CRM), the #1 AI CRM, and NTT DATA, a multinational technology consultancy, have announced a strategic collaboration to develop the next generation of sustainable solutions for the infrastructure market by combining their digital, technological and industry knowledge. The collaboration was made public during Dreamforce 2023, Salesforce’s annual conference and the world’s largest business software event.
The three companies are expanding the collaborative partnership they have had in recent years, to work together on digital transformation projects together. The agreement will be reinforced with the Centre of Excellence (CoE) in Spain recently announced by NTT DATA, from which innovative solutions will be designed for international application. It will also serve as a platform for the subsequent commercialisation of the solutions developed in the CoE, as well as of the infrastructure asset management solution developed by Ferrovial.
The initial focus of this collaboration is the transformation of asset management processes in linear infrastructure environments, such as roads, railways and electricity distribution networks. Additionally, by leveraging this collaboration and the current deployments of Salesforce in Ferrovial, the parties will explore the value of the Salesforce 360º platform in other infrastructure management areas, such as airports.
The company is working on the complete digitisation of its assets throughout their life cycle. This solution will support its approach by integrating data analytics, BIM, IoT, and Digital Twins, in the construction, operation and management of those infrastructures.
The challenge of infrastructure management
Ferrovial, Salesforce and NTT DATA will work to support linear infrastructures, airports and energy infrastructures providing flexibility both in the application of other technological advances, as well as in data models and workflows, reinforcing technological capabilities for the digital management of infrastructure assets.
The goal is to efficiently manage assets, provide a whole life asset perspective, and preserve their sustainability angle. By improving the management of large infrastructures, Ferrovial aims to reduce CO2 emissions in the transportation industry, develop user-centric solutions, extend the life of the asset, and enhance daily operations.
“The infrastructures of the future need to deliver clear value around efficiency, innovation and sustainability to improve the users’ quality of life,” explained Dimitris Bountolos, Chief Information & Innovation Officer at Ferrovial.
“Digital technologies play a key role in the pursuit of this goal, as they can provide a clear vision of the interactions between the assets and the users, as well as the environmental impact of the operations.”
"We are proud to join forces on this journey with Ferrovial, a global infrastructure leader that develops and manages some of the world's most advanced assets," said Arsenio Otero, Executive Vice President and Global Sales COO at Salesforce.
“We will work together to improve the productivity of the whole infrastructure ecosystem along its lifecycle. We will be able to provide an integrated view of the infrastructure asset, the customer, 3rd parties, and employees involved in the project and digitise operations across all the development stages.”
“Infrastructures are backbones that connect us and make the economic development of the regions possible. Through this alliance we combine capabilities, technology and vision of three leading companies that will allow us to solve present and future challenges, generating value for organisations and society,” emphasises Alonso Fernández, Partner Responsible for Industry and Services at NTT DATA.
