Case study: How data analytics is helping a gas distribution company power more cities sustainably

The company’s existing data management framework had several opportunities for improvement. Different parts of the business and different geographic locations were using disparate systems for customer record management, operational records, and other business data. In the absence of a common data framework, there was no uniform way to collect and analyze data from different parts of the business.

Because of lack of an integrated data management framework, the company’s leaders relied heavily on intuitive decision-making. This could potentially cause future problems as the company expanded its geographical reach. Thus, to make informed decisions, the organization’s leaders needed a formal data-driven decision-making framework.

Aware of its experience and proficiency in analytics-as-a-service, the company hired EY for implementing a comprehensive data management solution. Some of the core factors behind this decision included EY’s extensive and comprehensive range of data analytics and industry assets, along with its deep understanding of the city gas distribution sector. Also driving the decision was EY’s strong client relationships and the fact that it is the market leader in risk advisory.
 

As part of the comprehensive solution, EY implemented a solution based on a Microsoft platform. Within the solution, input and output data is integrated on to a cloud platform for data mining and analytics. The solution incorporates dashboards in a mobile platform for top management, employees, and field staff to make decisions based on data analytics.
 

The EY team leveraged its vast library of analytics and industry assets, developed over the years, and collaborated with Microsoft to build a prototype for demonstrating mutual capabilities. EY built deep relationships with the client across various levels in the organization which helped it stay informed and connected with stakeholders through the pre- and post-deployment periods. EY and Microsoft’s global alliance helped collaborate to propose a technically superior big data and advanced analytics architecture at a competitive price point.