Whanganui District Council selects Brightly for asset management

Brightly has announced a new partnership with the Whanganui District Council in New Zealand to implement its cloud-based asset management solutions.

After a comprehensive selection process, Whanganui District Council has chosen Brightly for its Enterprise Asset Management (EAM) and Strategic Asset Management (SAM) solutions. This move aims to enhance the council's asset management capabilities through modern technology.

The new system is set to replace the council's existing asset management infrastructure. It will offer improved integration with other critical systems, such as the Geographic Information System (GIS), customer request management, finance, and document management systems. This integration is expected to provide a more comprehensive understanding of the council's assets and operations.

Security and data ownership were significant factors in the council's decision to adopt Brightly's platform. By transitioning to a cloud-based environment, Whanganui District Council anticipates enhanced control and visibility of its asset data, moving away from reliance on spreadsheets.

Jim Apostolovski, Senior Sales Executive for Local Government ANZ at Brightly, commented, "We are excited to work with Whanganui Council to centralise its asset data into a single, accurate source of truth, for all above-ground assets, allowing the council to make informed, data-driven decisions that align with community priorities and ensure seamless information for relevant statutory compliances."

The shift from reactive to planned maintenance under this new system will help the council reduce costs and minimise disruptions, promoting a more proactive asset management approach. The mobile platform accessibility will enable council officers to manage tasks directly in the field.

Apostolovski also highlighted Brightly's extensive experience in successfully implementing asset management solutions for local governments in Australia and New Zealand, which influenced Whanganui's decision to collaborate. "As council budgets continue to be stretched, engaging a strategic asset management (SAM) approach allows funding to be allocated to the right assets at the right time. Adopting a standardised, systematic approach around asset-related decisions supports both the engineering and accounting teams' outcomes," he said. 

"Further ensuring the relevant (SAM) information renders into Council's Long Term Financial Plan (LTFP). We are committed to deliver our best-in-class solutions to enable Whanganui Council to improve efficiencies, accurately plan for future spending, and ultimately create a more sustainable model for the council."

Blake Gordon, General Manager for APAC at Brightly, expressed enthusiasm about the partnership: "We are thrilled to welcome Whanganui Council as our latest client in New Zealand. This partnership represents an important milestone as we continue to expand our presence in the Asia-Pacific region. We look forward to working closely with the council to help them unlock the full potential of their asset management and strategic asset management capabilities."