Better Together: Centralizing Data for Smart Analytics

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The great Library of Alexandria in Egypt served as a repository for books on law, rhetoric, math, science, history, the arts, and so much more, drawing scholars from all over the ancient world. We know that it was a hub of discussions within and across those disciplines that led to deeper understandings, more scholarship, and greater insights, many of which formed the basis of modern civilization. 

Today companies have “libraries” full of data on anything and everything from customer behavior in the shampoo aisle to soil samples. But just gathering and storing it isn’t enough: users need to be able to make sense of it. To keep up in today’s fast-paced and competitive landscape, businesses need to make sure data is centralized into a trusted repository for easy access and analysis that results in meaningful, actionable insights.  

The resulting visibility and transparency of data analytics from across the enterprise can help businesses identify patterns and trends, increase efficiencies, and uncover new opportunities. Best of all, technology supports this process at a scale and speed beyond human ability, leading to greater growth — and more time for employees to consider the data instead of wrangling it. 

Connecting Data for Better Planning and Improved Outcomes 

Since more SAP customers are rapidly discovering the value of uniting data to support more accurate decision-making in real time, we decided to discuss the concept and its implications for this episode of Better Together: Customer Conversations.  

We’re exploring the topic of centralizing data for smart analytics with Costain Group PLC, a 165-year-old British company with roots in construction that now offers digitally integrated and smart infrastructure solutions for energy, water, transportation, and defense in the United Kingdom. They worked with long-term SAP Partner Keytree—now part of Deloitte, the world’s largest SAP practice partner—to develop an Intelligent Infrastructure Control Centre (IICC). The project was designed to unite operational data from the array of the country’s national infrastructure projects into a common digital platform. 

For this episode, we’re joined by Charlie Davies, Strategic Growth Manager, Costain Group PLC, and Richard Benson, Director of Intelligent Technologies for SAP, Deloitte. They discuss how data unification through SAP not only led to optimized productivity and efficient use of taxpayer funds on government infrastructure projects but also supports social responsibility and environmental sustainability in planning and construction.  

With the new platform in place, Costain has experienced:  

• An estimated 30% in productivity games  


• Over 60% savings in infrastructure costs 


• An increase in data usage from neary 30% to almost 80% 

The IICC partnership between Costain and Deloitte is truly inspiring not only for how they managed to translate insights into cost savings and efficiencies on huge and diverse infrastructure projects but also for the impact on internal users as well as public well-being.  

Find Out How It Happened 

Join us for the thought leadership podcast and the LinkedIn conversation focused on the customer experience: 

• The podcast is hosted by Tamara McCleary, CEO of Thulium, as she talks to Charlie and Richard about what drove the need for a digital solution, differences between the public and private sectors when it comes to data management, the human impact of digital data unification, and lessons learned.  


• During the LinkedIn conversation I talk to Charlie and Richard about their experiences during the project, from justifying the ROI to the snowball effects of leveraging technology to unite data. We’ll also discuss the benefits of a transformation mindset and the importance of getting all stakeholders engaged in the process. 

Looking for more customer success stories around Centralizing Data for Smart Analytics?  

• Heidelberg University Hospital is using data to coordinate medical care and reduce the associated workload for staff. 


• Topgolf Gold Coast drives exceptional customer experience with a 360-degree, 24/7 view of the business while reducing labor costs. 

Visit sap.com/BTP to check out the podcast and the LinkedIn conversation.  

And remember, I’m always looking for feedback! Let me know topics you’d like to hear about and suggest questions we should be asking. You can also contact us if you’d like to be a guest on an episode. 

Join us to hear customers share their candid stories with SAP Business Technology Platform.