Dial Before You Dig Vic/Tas has introduced a technology platform that automates processes across construction projects, which is expected to deliver major efficiencies for the states’ councils, utilities and government departments.
The new approach is thanks to a new partnership between Dial Before You Dig Vic/Tas (DBYD) and geospatial technology provider Esri Australia.
Under the agreement’s new premium referral service, more than 250 organisations in DBYD Victoria and Tasmania’s member network will have access to SmarterWX Automate – an automation platform that uses geospatial technology to share data and facilitate routine responses.
For example, a local government authority will now receive a notification of a dig scheduled close to a council-owned asset and have the ability to seamlessly send automated responses – all from the one system.
This removes the process of manually responding to DBYD user enquiries and provides a single service solution for asset-owning members. This is expected to deliver significant time savings for the more than 10,000 utility notifications for works that are received every day.
DBYD Vic/Tas CEO Ben Howell said the introduction of SmarterWX technology into the DBYD portfolio will add value to membership and improve customer service by providing an almost instant response across its entire membership base.
“This technology presents a new, smarter way forward for asset protection and damage prevention – and we are proud to be the first Dial Before You Dig entity in Australia to provide our members with access to a market-leading solution that makes it easier for them to operate and provides an exceptional user experience,” said Mr Howell.
“Dial Before You Dig Victoria and Tasmania continues to see significant growth and the introduction of SmarterWX software will further increase the availability and adoption of our service as we continue to work toward our goal of zero damage, zero harm.”
Esri Australia’s chief innovation officer Gary Johnson commended DBYD for taking a progressive approach that will serve as a blueprint solution for referral services across the nation – and even globally.
“DBYD Victoria and Tasmania has taken the lead in Australia’s construction industry by putting a focus on increasing efficiencies for councils and utilities,” said Mr Johnson. “By providing its members with access to this technology, DBYD Victoria and Tasmania has provided many of the country’s smaller and regional councils with a best-practice approach to asset protection that may previously have been out of reach.
“Benefits of the technology include reducing damage to underground assets and delivering greater cost efficiencies – which will effectively enable the local government and utility sectors to generate smarter and more efficient outcomes for the community.
