The 10 Most Promising Smart City Solution Providers, 2021

VOL 02 | ISSUE 01 | 2021

+ Effortless Living Digital Ecosystem for Smart Cities

SIRADEL

Connected World Improving the Quality of Human Life

Connecting the Physical, Digital and Virtual Worlds

Laurent Bouillot

The 10 Most Promising

SMART CITY Solution Providers, 2021

CEO

Editor’s Desk Delivering a Better Quality of Life

W

ith technologies advancing at a rapid pace, their impact is more evident in the world’s cities.

Like our homes are stocked with intelligent devices, our cities too are being smart with technologies such as smart metering, wireless sensor networks, open platforms, high-speed broadband, cloud computing, etc.

The human’s way of living has changed tremendously.

The urban sectors including transport, energy, waste, water, and buildings are being reshaped and easing the life of people.

Harnessing the power of some pioneering technologies such as Artificial Intelligence, Internet of Things, Big Data, Machine Learning, etc., the smartification of cities is at its peak. The research performed by Mordor Intelligence indicates that the smart cities market is expected to reach a value of USD 1,447.87 billion by 2024. These figures talk about the speed at which the market is growing.

Contributing to this rapid evolution of smart cities are many exceptional companies, who are walking an extra mile to make this world a smarter and better place to dwell. With an intent to admire these change makers, Insights Success has compiled a list of “The 10 Most Promising Smart City Solution Providers, 2021”, which are reshaping the world with their cutting-edge solutions.

Featuring on the cover of this edition is Siradel, a leading company connecting the physical, digital and virtual worlds. The digital representation of any physical object or system has become possible with the use of digital twin technology. Originally focused in the manufacturing sector, digital twin technology has expanded to include large objects such as buildings, and even cities, and has the potential to extend even further. In addition, digital twins

are merging with advanced technologies such as artificial intelligence, Internet of Things and data analytics to offer holistic ecosystem views now and into the future.

Siradel is a company known for its 3D digital twins of cities and its large portfolio of smart city solutions that help in building smarter, more collaborative, resilient and sustainable cities and territories. By creating 3D digital twins using its world-class geodata production capabilities, aggregating georeferenced data, cross-correlating data, running simulations to envision future scenarios and visualizing any and all of the above in 3D, Siradel offers a unique capability in connecting the physical, digital and virtual worlds.

Let’s unveil more alike and inspiring stories of such extraordinary companies and spread the word about their contribution in making this world a better place.

Lastly, you might come across the articles written by our in-house editorial team and CXO standpoints of some of the leading industry experts to have the know-how about the industry. Make sure to scroll through them, while flipping through the pages.

Let’s start Reading!

Hitesh Dhamani hitesh@insightssuccess.com

CONTENTS

COVER STORY

10 SIRADEL Connecting the

Physical, Digital and Virtual Worlds

Listing

22 Metro Quest Award-winning Survey Platform for Online Public Engagement

30 Nordsense

Article

Revolutionizing Waste Management with Iot Sensor Technology and Data-Driven Insights

Connected World Improving The Quality Of Human Life

Effortless Living Digital Ecosystem for Smart Cities

CXO

18 Leader’s Viewpoint Without Trucks, America Stops

34 Risk & Insurance

Important Facts About Insurance And Car Accidents

26 38

Editor-in-Chief Sumita Sarkar Managing Editor Anish Miller

Executive Editor

Assistant Editors

Hitesh Dhamani

Jenny Fernandes Sourabh More

Visualizer

Art & Design Director

David King

Asha Bange

Associate Designer Kushagra Gupta

Co-designer Kartik Balapurkar

Senior Sales Manager

Business Development Manager

Kshitij S

Peter Collins

Marketing Manager

Sales Executives

John Matthew

David, Martin, Sagar, Sanket

Technical Head

Business Development Executives

Jacob Smile

Steve, Joe, Aidan, Binay

Technical Specialist Aditya

Digital Marketing Manager Marry D'Souza

SME-SMO Executive Amol Wadekar

Research Analyst Frank Adams

Database Management Stella Andrew

Circulation Manager Robert Brown

Technology Consultant David Stokes

sales@insightssuccess.com February, 2021

Follow us on :

www.facebook.com/insightssuccess/

www.twitter.com/insightssuccess

We are also available on : Copyright © 2021 Insights Success, All rights reserved. The content and images used in this magazine should not be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise, without prior permission from Insights Success.

Reprint rights remain solely with Insights Success.

Featured Person

Brief

Blocpower blocpower.io

Donnel Baird Founder

BlocPower is a Brooklyn-based energy technology startup rapidly greening American cities. Since its founding in 2012, the company has completed energy projects in nearly 1,000 buildings and delivers results ahead of schedule and under budget.

Cubic cubic.com

Bradley Feldmann CEO

Cubic Corporation is the parent company of three major businesses, Cubic Transportation Systems (CTS) and Cubic Mission & Performance Solutions (CMPS).

Lightguard System lightguardsystems.com

Michael Harrison President/CEO

At LightGuard Systems®, Inc., our mission is to reduce pedestrian accident injuries caused by distracted drivers and in limited visibility conditions with our Smart Crosswalk™.

MetroQuest Software metroquest.com

Dave Biggs Chief Engagement Officer

MetroQuest is market leading Public Engagement software that’s optimized for actionable results.

Nordsense nordsense.com

Anders Engdal CEO

Nordsense is on a mission to redefine the waste management industry with smart sensors and data.

ShotSpotter shotspotter.com

Ralph Clark President/CEO

ShotSpotter (NASDAQ: SSTI) is a leader in precision policing solutions that enable law enforcement to more effectively respond to, investigate and deter crime.

Siradel siradel.com

Laurent Bouillot Chief Executive Officer

Siradel provides the Digital Twin of territories and advanced network planning tools for the design of smarter wireless networks and the building of sustainable cities.

StrataGen strategen.com

Janice Lin Founder & CEO

Strategen is a professional services company that specializes in market development for decarbonized energy systems.

SWARCO swarco.com

Michael Schuch Chief Operating Officer

SWARCO’s leading idea is to improve quality of life by making the travel experience safer, quicker, more convenient and environmentally sound.

Telensa telensa.com

Brent Hudson CEO

Telensa delivers a proven business case, with technology that has been tried and tested for over a decade.

Company Name

COVER STORY

SIRADEL Connecting the Physical, Digital and Virtual Worlds

“

With our tools, it is more about 're-discovering' the city versus 're-inventing' it.

T

he digital representation of any physical object or system has become possible with the use of digital twin technology. Originally focused in the manufacturing sector, digital twin technology has expanded to include large objects such as buildings, and even cities, and has the potential to extend even further. In addition, digital twins are merging with advanced technologies such as artificial intelligence, Internet of Things and data analytics to offer holistic ecosystem views now and into the future.

Siradel is a company known for its 3D digital twins of cities and its large portfolio of smart city solutions that help in building smarter, more collaborative, resilient and sustainable cities and territories. By creating 3D digital twins using its world-class geodata production capabilities, aggregating geo-referenced data, cross-correlating data, running simulations to envision future scenarios and visualizing any and all of the above in 3D, Siradel offers a unique capability in connecting the physical, digital and virtual worlds.

Below are highlights of the interview conducted between Insights Success and Siradel CEO Laurent Bouillot: What led to the inception of Siradel?

In 1994, when Laurent finished his thesis on the theme of wave propagation at Insa (National Institute of Applied Science), in Rennes, France, he quickly set out on a solo adventure. At the time, he had only one thing in mind: to start his own business. Laurent and his wife, Marielle, founded Siradel – Si for simulation, ra for radar and del for electromagnetic diffraction – an engineering company working in the fields of radar and radio communications.

Initially, the company was focused around military applications, however, Laurent envisioned large potential in the civilian, mobile communications world and pivoted the company in that direction. In addition to software solutions focused on radio propagation and planning, Siradel produces high-quality digital maps and, over the last decade, has applied its expertise to provide concrete, efficient solutions to address and solve city and municipality operational, sustainability and resiliency

“Digital Twins are a common database, constantly evolving that allows seeing the city as it is today and how it could be tomorrow.” issues. With its success across the above domains, Siradel was acquired by the ENGIE Group (a global, leading sustainable energy provider (160,000 people, $65B USD)) in 2016. Today, Siradel is present in 60 countries with 250 customers across telecom operators, OEMs, R&D/engineering firms, municipalities and territories.

Describe Siradel's advanced smart city solutions which enhance the living experience of its customers.

Siradel's offer encompasses a large portfolio of Smart City solutions to help build smarter sustainable territories including 3D Digital Twins and collaborative Smart City platforms.

Aggregating all the territory's data (geo referenced data, urban sensors, socio-economic databases, buildings, environmental or climatic data) in a single, interactive and evolutive referential, Digital Twins allow all stakeholders, including elected representatives or citizens, to better understand and transform their territory. Allowing the

collaboration of all stakeholders in a cross-entity/transversal way, Siradel 3D Digital Twins are a unique tool to visualize the city as an entire ecosystem and to anticipate and manage crisis situations with resilience.

Coupled with the Siradel Smart City Explorer platform which offers advanced simulation and visualization capabilities, the Digital Twin becomes a powerful tool to assist cities in their operation and development by allowing better: Understanding of a territory via a comprehensive and transversal vision of all its challenges Ÿ Assessment of the impact of future transformations by simulating and comparing different scenarios Ÿ Decision-making between all the projects' stakeholders to optimize planning and pool resources Ÿ Communication and promotion of the territory and its transformation projects using 3D visualization. Ÿ

Photo credit: Region lle-de-France

How are the company's data management, 3D modelling, and simulation and visualization solutions more advanced comparatively to the other companies' solutions?

Siradel's solutions unique character comes from the fact that it doesn't only sell a product or software, but that it provides its customers with a complete solution from 3D Digital Twin production to data collection and exploitation in an operational Smart City platform. Relying on its transversal approach, Siradel's Smart City Explorer (SCE) platform helps city stakeholders to visualize, aggregate, customize, share and bring significantly more value to their data. Also, developed around a plugin-based architecture, the SCE platform allows 3rd-party simulation software and other computational tools to be integrated and used in an interactive way. Therefore, a large range of urban challenges such as lighting, resiliency, energy, carbon emission reduction, solar potential, security, 5G and small cell deployments, multi-modal mobility, well-being, sustainability and many more topics can be addressed in a single, unique powerful tool, accessible to all.

Give a detailed description of the featured person's influence over the company and the industry.

As CEO of the Siradel, Laurent Bouillot has led the company since its inception, leading and directing all organizational domains. His current, main focus is formulating and positioning the company strategy as well as continuing to drive the company to be at the forefront of innovation.

At an industry level, Laurent’s leadership has influenced many city/territory/municipality leaders over the past decade with advanced solutions, efficient methodologies, KPI establishment and cost-effective projects for addressing urban transformation, sustainability and resiliency.

He is an authority on Digital Twin creation aspects and has and continues to articulate the value that transversal solutions offer to the industry. He is often invited to speak at smart city conferences.

An example of Laurent’s recent influence is in Siradel’s success with Angers Loire Metrople where Siradel is producing the territory’s 3D Digital Twin and guiding the adoption of essential project objectives, defined by Laurent as: Ÿ Study different urban transformation scenarios by simulating the impact of the installation of new infrastructures on energy consumption, pollution or mobility Ÿ Support decisions of elected representatives, allow coconstruction between citizens, public services and elected representatives and facilitate communication Ÿ Create a data management platform to optimize the Metropole’s performance.

Describe, in detail, about the values that drive the company.

From the start of the company, innovation and customer centricity have been key values that have driven the company's direction and success. To that extent, Laurent has always promoted the use of creative, innovative solutions to help customers meet their objectives and to solve current and future challenges whether it be for reduced carbon emissions, cost-reduced operations or unique, new solutions. The concept of transversality is also a key value as this aspect enables envisioning an ecosystem of solutions and data utilization across a customer's jurisdiction.

How are Siradel's solutions contributing in the advancement of the global smart city planning and management industry?

Siradel solutions have, and continue, to demonstrate to the global smart city industry the importance of accurate digital twins, key KPI establishment and the efficient use of and standardization of techniques for data management across a city or territory. As noted previously, Siradel continues to promote innovation and the incorporation of artificial intelligence into its solutions enabling development of new cost-effective solutions for the smart city industry.

Additionally, the numerous, global smart city references

that Siradel already has in place, provide the industry with important examples of replicable solutions for other cities to emulate and follow.

What technologies is the company leveraging to make its solutions resourceful?

Using data coming from a variety of sources such as aerial imagery, satellite and aerial/terrestrial LiDAR and advanced AI-based GIS production techniques, Siradel is able to deliver highly accurate, realistic digital models of cities and territories inclusive of buildings, urban furniture, roads, vegetation and more with precision up to a few centimeters.

By aggregating geo-referenced datasets in a single repository with the city maps, the company creates Digital City Twins. With the use of Siradel's Smart City Explorer platform, Siradel uses self-created or integrated 3rd-party tools and aggregated data sets to simulate numerous scenarios for intelligent decision-making. Furthermore, these simulation results can be visualized in 3D and communicated to any stakeholder via various media including PC, web, tablet, AR and VR. What are the company's future aspirations? What strategies is it undertaking to achieve those goals?

The world is constantly evolving and Siradel continues to innovate and adapt its solutions for new city and territory requirements. Most recently, with the advent of the

COVID-19 situation, Siradel rapidly adapted its platform to assist with associated pandemic crisis management. In the space of 2 weeks, Siradel co-developed 2 specific applications with the Paris Region and 50+ private and public partners to insure suppliers and healthcare workers were able to immediately communicate about precious inventories and to insure that more than 400 hundred organizations could provide needed services to citizens and businesses. These services were built on top of Europe's largest smart city platform in the Paris Region where Siradel provides the 3D Digital Twin and its Smart City Explorer solution covering 12 million inhabitants and 2.5M buildings and incorporating more than 10,000 datasets.

Looking forward, Siradel continues to work closely with cities to assist them in their digital transformation and rapid deployment of new solutions adapted to their specific characteristics and challenges. One such example is the opening of Siradel's Smart City Lab in the South of France to collaborate with the cities and universities of the Region on innovative smart territory projects related to the impacts of climate change (floods, heat islands, sea level, etc.). And certainly, with new use cases related to new 5G wireless networks, green mobility, access to nature, resiliency and sustainability, Siradel will continue to innovate and enable delivery of the next generation of smart city services.

& & 20 The

Most

SUCCESSFUL

BUSINESSWOMEN to Watch, 2020

kimberly Khoury

Paving her Way in Sustainability Development

WITHOUT TRUCKS, AMERICA STOPS

Ellen Voie

18 | February 2021

www.insightssuccess.com

Leader’s Viewpoint

T

he most relevant trend is due to the pandemic.

It has highlighted the importance of the trucking industry and the entire supply chain.

The average citizen is now recognizing the relationship that tractor trailer on the highway has to the toilet paper and cleaning supplies on the grocery store shelf. Despite their size, big rigs and the industry has been mostly invisible as they quietly deliver good across the nation.

This has also shown how the trucking industry still has jobs and that these jobs are vital to the economy and transcend both a pandemic and economic downturn. There is a critical need for professional drivers every day of the year. Without trucks, America stops.

www.insightssuccess.com

The trucking industry has always been an early adopter of technology. First, drivers use communication products such as cell phones, internet and in the past, beepers and toll free numbers, to stay in touch with their families. Carriers use technology to track the driver and the load to more accurately be able to let a customer know when to expect a shipment.

Technology has also allowed us to create a safer environment for all of us. The use of anti-rollover devises, collision warning products, theft protection, keyless door entry and cameras to give greater vision around the truck all lead to a safer driver, truck and highway.

February 2021 | 19

The 10 Most Promising Smart City Solution Providers, 2021

Award-winning Survey Platform for Online Public Engagement

S

uccessful startups are founded by people who are truly passionate about what they do. One such startup is MetroQuest. A digital public engagement pioneer, MetroQuest is changing the expectations of the public for an easy and convenient online option for providing input.

An interview conducted between Insights Success and Dave Biggs - Chief Engagement Officer sheds light on how MetroQuest has made it’s way to become North America's award-winning online public engagement solution for urban and transportation planning.

Please list the popular solutions that make your company standout from the competition.

MetroQuest is the only online public engagement software that is designed to optimize community input and gathers important data that help plans get approved faster. Our delightful surveys are designed to engage thousands of residents across a broad demographic, educate the public about important planning choices and tradeoffs, and collect quantifiable and actionable input to give decision-makers the confidence they need to make critical investment and planning decisions.

Below are the highlights of the interview: Give us a brief overview of MetroQuest, its vision, and its journey since inception.

Since the first meeting in 1993 as grad students at the University of British Columbia, Mike Walsh and I have been obsessing about community engagement technology.

In 1997, we founded Envision Sustainability Tools, a software firm devoted to providing the most effective online public engagement solution for urban and transportation planning.

In the early days, our team ran public meetings and set up polling keypads connected to custom software. As the Internet grew in popularity, we were the first to develop a web-based public engagement software that broadens community outreach, marking the birth of MetroQuest’s current SaaS offering.

Today, our team serves DOTs, MPOs, local planning and transportation organizations across North America. We’re dedicated to perfecting the art and science of great public engagement and helping public entities deliver delightful public engagement experiences online so they can obtain actionable input and make important planning decisions that truly reflect the needs of the communities they serve.

22 | February 2021

Our software supplies a variety of screen templates that agencies and firms can use to build customized, interactive online surveys. Planners can gather public input on visual preferences, scenarios, tradeoffs, priorities, or budgeting to meet their unique project needs. Features such as the Map Marker or Budget Allocation Screens have built-in gamification and education that allows the end-user to intuitively learn about complicated elements of planning and apply their input in an informed and organized way.

MetroQuest makes online public engagement fast, fun, educational, and interactive to ensure diverse participation and collect survey results that are actionable. Our software can also support multiple languages and is compatible with any device—laptops, tablets, smartphones, and kiosks.

As a business leader, what is your opinion on the impact of the current pandemic on Computer Software & Public Engagement software in general?

COVID-19 is having a significant impact on the public engagement landscape. I believe that events in 2020 created a perfect storm for public engagement and pushed planning to new heights. Agencies and firms were forced to establish new protocols for effective community engagement in our new normal, without public meetings.

www.insightssuccess.com

Dave Biggs, Chief Engagement Officer MetroQuest Software

www.insightssuccess.com

February 2021 | 23

What is your opinion on the necessity for businesses to align their offerings with newer technological developments, especially when it comes to SaaS and data processes?

Today’s progression of technology is remarkable, but the rate at which it’s evolving can be daunting for any business.

Advancements and trends change day-to-day so it’s unlikely that any business can align their offering with the latest and greatest technological development. It’s also unwise to chase the new shiny technology without a solid business case.

MetroQuest has remained a leader by keeping the goals of customers top of mind with regard to technology improvements. If new technology will help our customers you can rest assured that we’ll be all over it. We are a very results-driven organization and that focus has served us extremely well and we have happy and loyal clients to show for it.

In your opinion, what could be the future of Software Planning post the COVID-19 pandemic? And how are you strategizing MetroQuest operations for that future?

The COVID-19 pandemic catalyzed a dramatic shift in public engagement. To maintain the momentum of public projects and achieve the mandates of community engagement, agencies and firms were forced to adopt online tools and methods to achieve safe and effective community engagement virtually. Some have achieved outstanding community engagement results by developing expertise and utilizing the tools best suited for public engagement on a wider scale. As agencies have been forced to rapidly adapt to online community engagement, they quickly discover that we are the leader in this space.

We have spoken to many of our customers and industry contacts, and the majority agree that these changes were long overdue and virtual public engagement is here to stay.

The online tools and strategies that many have recently adopted allow for greater reach into communities, bypassing some of the typical barriers to engagement that planners and public engagement professionals often face.

This includes reaching hard-to-reach or traditionally underrepresented communities, through utilizing online engagement opportunities such as MetroQuest surveys,

24 | February 2021

“

Choose a business idea that actually excites and motivates you.

“

I think this shift helped unveil to many that there are key advantages that digital tools have over traditional methods to public engagement. This provided the public engagement industry with a unique opportunity to shine a light on online tools and how their software can be leveraged to achieve exceptional results, during COVID-19 and beyond. Based on the success that agencies are now having with MetroQuest and the changing expectations of the public for an easy and convenient online option for providing input, it’s likely that online engagement is here to stay.

virtual townhall meetings or recordings, and even leaning on community groups to reach deeper into targeted demographics.

For MetroQuest, this both changes a lot, and very little. We expect to see increased interest in our offering as more agencies begin their online engagement journeys. We are having wider-reaching conversations as the industry, together, explores how widespread virtual public participation will impact civic engagement, and how we approach designing our cities moving forward.

How do you envision sustaining your company’s competency in a cutthroat and volatile world of business? Where do you see your company in the next five years?

Sustainable competitive advantage is key to any business’ success. We’ve built genuine relationships with our customers and facilitate ongoing conversations with them to develop a strong understanding of what is needed from a planning point of view and how community engagement is evolving.

Our development team is always analyzing our software and looking for ways to improve it. We’ve developed several iterations to our classic, award-winning survey solution to match what our customers are telling us and to stay relevant in the industry.

We care deeply about our customer’s success and have an incredible support team that stands by our customers every step of their online engagement journey. With one-on-one onboarding, unlimited email support and survey consultation calls, and 24/7 access to our support website and training videos, our customers can expect the best customer service and highest level of support in the industry.

We also have an excellent, high performing team that is built on open and honest communication, mutual support, and collaboration, making us more efficient, creative, and competitive. Every team member plays a vital role in our business and we place high importance on fostering strong leadership and team building to help sustain our company’s competency. www.insightssuccess.com

IMPROVING THE QUALITY OF

HUMAN LIFE 26 | February 2021

www.insightssuccess.com

CONNECTED WORLD

In the world where we have surrounded ourselves with all the smart devices, the smar fica on of ci es is the new entrant. A dras c transforma on has occurred within the infrastructure of the world's ci es.

Technology is con nually advancing and bringing a paradigm shi in human lives. Its impact is more evident in the world's ci es. Like our homes are stocked with intelligent devices, our ci es too are being smart with technologies such as smart metering, wireless sensor networks, open pla orms, high-speed broadband, cloud compu ng, etc.

Earlier, with the rapid increase in urbaniza on, ci es were complex to live in. The advent of the concept of smart ci es has changed the scenario and is con nuing to do so. In fact, the research performed by United Na ons predicts that by 2050, 64.1 percent of the developing world and 85 percent of the developed world, will be urbanized.

It is quite evident how smartphones have brought the en re world to our finger ps.

Similarly, a smart city brings state-of-the-art technologies to advance the infrastructure, proper governance, digi za on, and quality of life for the inhabitants.

Let's have a look at in what areas can smart ci es bring change and create an impact on the lives of people.

E-Goverment

Urban Planning

The utilization of digital technologies, particularly the internet, can make administrative and government functions more efficient and potentially transparent.

The other key area which smart technologies can enhance is Urban planning, as it can boost the well-being of people and their communities for present and future generations. It majorly involves understanding the urban phenomenon, so as to optimize its use and achieve sustainable development, through public and personal management. Besides, it can also be said that smart cities can majorly contribute to improving transport, passenger flows, and road traffic. This way the goal of mobility can be achieved.

Internet governance can be considered as a major breakthrough in making the system work democratically. In addition, e-democracy also brings together all the tools of “digital democracy”, including deliberative practices and styles of I-voting. It allows the transition from democracy during which political participation takes shape and ends with political elections, to a participatory democracy capable of engaging citizens. An accurate application of the types of E-government can contribute to implement and promote kinds of digital democracy.

www.insightssuccess.com

Pollution Control The planning of an intelligent city puts the well-being of its citizens in the middle. This can be achieved by defending ideas to boost water management, increasing the quantity of

February 2021 | 27

open spaces that may be lived in, collecting waste in an exceedingly more organized way, limiting the consumption of fossil fuels to a minimum, and aiming to eliminate nonrecyclable plastic.

technologies can tremendously change the way waste in the cities is managed. For instance, placing sensors inside garbage bins can ease the waste management process as it can help take pictures of the contents, analyze them and then optimize trash collection routes.

Energy efficiency Future Ahead Some well-planned smart city projects can help in maintaining efficiency within the generation, distribution, and consumption of energy. These projects can ensure a sustainable environment by investing in systems that optimize energy consumption, within the creation of green spaces, within the promotion of electrical cars and renewable energy, creating a positive impact on people's health and therefore the economy of the population.

Waste Management

By incorporating the potential of some pioneering technologies such as Artificial Intelligence, Internet of Things, Big Data, Machine Learning, etc., we can safely assert that the smartification of cities is at its peak.

The research performed by Mordor Intelligence indicates that the smart cities market is expected to reach a value of USD 1,447.87 billion by 2024. These figures talk about the speed at which the market is growing. The future of smart cities from here looks promising.

The major issue that can be addressed by smart cities is waste management. Harnessing the power of some evolving

28 | February 2021

www.insightssuccess.com

NO

Revolutionizing W Anders Engdal CEO Nordsense

30 | February 2021

www.insightssuccess.com

The 10 Most Promising Smart City Solution Providers, 2021

ORDSENSE

Waste Management with Iot Sensor Technology and Data-Driven Insights

W

ith a mission to redefine the waste sector by providing data to make waste collection more efficient, Nordsense was incepted. The Silicon Valley funded start-up is based in Copenhagen, Denmark and currently operates in Europe, Israel, and the USA. With over 25 years in the IT industry, CEO, Anders Engdal wants to turn the entire industry on its head, address the inefficiency issues and lack of sustainability within traditional waste management, and create software that gives a competitive edge to waste handlers.

In an interview with Insights Success, Anders sheds light on how Nordsense is making the world’s waste collection greener, cleaner and smarter.

Below are the highlights of the interview: What challenges has Nordsense faced since its beginnings in 2015?

The main challenge Nordsense has faced is going from the infancy stage of technology to an enterprise solution – and building an organization around that. Back in 2015 when we first started, several cities wanted to be part of the smart city trend but didn’t fully understand what that would entail. The challenge is getting them to understand that this technology isn’t a gadget – it’s a scalable solution with far-reaching, transformative potential.

Being an experienced business leader, what is your opinion regarding the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the renewables and environment industry? And how has Nordsense managed to overcome this significant challenge?

We expect to emerge stronger than ever after COVID-19. The pandemic has shed light on our need for real-time data and the ability to react fast to changing behavior and patterns. COVID-19 has acted as a kind of tipping point for many waste authorities to take action and acquire smarter solutions that allow for real-time response. For example, with all of the lockdowns, there were huge changes in waste patterns, with residential waste generally overtaking street and commercial waste. These changes can be easily navigated and taken care of with the Nordsense solution. Plus, digitizing collection routes and waste processes in general during this uncertain time secures services against absenteeism, due to quarantine or illness, as new drivers and sanitation workers can get started immediately thanks to the technology.

What truth does everyone need to know about smart waste with IoT, Big Data, and Machine Learning?

It isn’t so much about the complexity of technology, how IoT works, or the intricacies of

www.insightssuccess.com

February 2021 | 31

Machine Learning. It’s more about what the data can do for you and which worthwhile problems technology can help you solve. Ultimately, smart waste management fueled by IoT provides you with transparency – transparency around your own business processes and your customers’ or citizens’ needs. And this empowers you to approach your waste efforts in a data-driven way, enabling better and smarter decision-making.

What is your opinion on advancements for waste management and smart waste in terms of improving offerings with newer technological developments, especially when it comes in building a positive environmental impact?

Technology and data have a responsibility to disrupt the status quo and contribute to societal improvements.

Advancements in the waste management sector are by no means an exception. The world needs to make bold moves towards a circular economy and that entails a radical transformation of how we deal with waste. Data provide us with an understanding of what kind of waste people are throwing away and how much of that waste can be turned into a reusable resource. We need to become more sustainable and efficient in our waste operations and data gathered from smart waste technology are just one tool that can help us on this journey. Data really are the key to turning waste into a resource.

In what ways has Nordsense contributed to the community? If given a chance, what changes would you bring about in the climate sector in terms of waste management processes?

Nordsense has helped cities and municipalities across the globe take steps to become greener, cleaner, and smarter with their waste management. We’re proud to be working with local waste authorities in two leading C40 cities – cities which are noted for taking ambitious climate action.

Our most recent work includes helping a major Californian city reduce overflowing waste by 80%, empowering a large UK waste authority to monitor and improve their food waste recycling initiatives, and enabling a Danish municipality to adapt their waste services and make significant cost savings in the face of COVID-19 lockdowns.

Where are you focusing your energy now, and where do you hope to make an impact next? What do you think could be the next big change in the waste management and environment industry?

At Nordsense, we are focused on turning waste into a resource and kickstarting a digitalization and transparency

32 | February 2021

transformation across the industry. The next big change in waste management is all about going digital and building a data hub – and most likely, the universal adoption of smart waste containers will play a part in that. There is no denying now that we live in a highly unpredictable world, where we need to be able to adapt and react fast to changing circumstances. This requires access to real-time data about our operations – something that sensor technology can provide. I truly believe an IoT powered waste sector is the future, because it enables us to become more efficient and agile, make data-driven decisions, and positively impact the sustainability and circular economy agenda.

Do you have any advice for up-and-coming business leaders aspiring to make an environmental impact on the world?

Establish your company around the goal of making a positive environmental impact, rather than only concerning yourself with driving profit. If you truly want to make a change in the environment sector and make an impact as an organization, your company must be based around the higher purpose of making the world a better place. In fact, this should come before your corporate revenue goals, because you aren’t just building a company – you are also trying to do something good for the environment. Keep your environmental purpose in mind and the financial benefits will follow.

www.nordsense.com www.insightssuccess.com

“

We optimize waste operations by monitoring container levels, tracking collection routes, applying advanced data analytics, and providing in-depth data insights – all to help make waste collection more data-driven, efcient, and sustainable.

www.insightssuccess.com

February 2021 | 33

IMPORTANT FACTS ABOUT

INSURANCE AND CAR ACCIDENTS Unfortunately, car accidents happen all too often. Even when minor, they are scary. The most important thing is that everyone involved is okay. But beyond that, there's concern about damage to the vehicle or vehicles.

For both personal injury and property damage, good insurance coverage is essential. This is when you would benefit greatly by looking at Root car insurance reviews.

For optimal protection at the most affordable rate, consider the things mentioned below:

1. Multi-Coverage When looking at what different insurance providers offer, try to go with one that covers more than just your automobile. If you piecemeal coverage, you'll pay much higher premiums. So, you want a provider that can bundle policies to include your car, home, business, recreational vehicles, and so on.

2. Applicable Discounts Sure, you want the best protection possible in the event of a car accident, whether it is your fault or another driver's fault. But at the same time, you don't want to spend more than you have to. This is where discounts come into play.

When talking to an insurer, make sure they apply

34 | February 2021

everything they can to lower the cost of your premium. For instance, most insurance companies give discounts to people with excellent driving records, those who own a car with an anti-theft system, and individuals who bundle policies.

3. Teen Drivers You'll pay more for car insurance if you have a teenage driver since, statistically, teens have more accidents than adult drivers do. However, many insurance companies offer unique rate reductions. Here are two examples of how this works. First, you have a teen driver who carries a B average or higher in school. Second, your teenager ranks within the top 20 percent of his or her class. Even more exciting, these discounts stay in effect until your child turns 25.

www.insightssuccess.com

Risk & Insurance

4. Liability versus Full Coverage With liability insurance, the policy covers the other party in a car accident. In other words, if you hit a vehicle, which results in the driver sustaining injuries and their automobile totaled, liability insurance covers the costs. With fullcoverage, you and the other party, as well as both vehicles, have coverage related to a car accident. Although you'll pay more for full coverage, it is generally worth it. Remember, liability insurance is more about the other party than it is about you. Also, if you have a loan on your automobile, you

www.insightssuccess.com

have to maintain full coverage. On the other hand, if you drive an old, beat-up car, then liability would probably make more sense.

5. Change Deductibles Here's a great way to lower your premium but without compromising on protection. Simply increase your current deductible. For example, if you have a $500 deductible, you could bump it up to $1,000. That way, you save money yet have the same coverage. Now, if you were in a car accident,

February 2021 | 35

you would have to pay the higher deductible before your insurance would kick in, but if you're a good driver, you shouldn't have to worry about causing accidents, right?

or apartment in a high-crime area is going to negatively impact your premium. Many insurance companies even factor in the length of your commute to and from work.

6. Credit Score

8. Pay-as-You-Go Coverage

This one might surprise you. So, here's the deal. By improving your credit score, your car insurance premium will go down. Today, credit plays a critical role in all kinds of things, including insurance. So, order a free copy of your reports from all three reporting agencies to include Experian, TransUnion, and Equifax. This is crucial since they don't necessarily rate the same accounts.

Remember…the higher your score goes, the less you'll spend on car insurance.

If you've never heard of this, you're not alone. This particular kind of car insurance helps people with excellent driving records and those who don't drive great distances.

What happens is the insurance provider installs a telemetric device in your vehicle. As long as you stay within the guidelines, the insurance provider will apply the discount.

7. Location Counts This is another factor that a lot of people don't know about.

Where you live is yet another factor that determines how much you pay for car insurance. So, if you're thinking about moving, take this into account. As you can imagine, a house

36 | February 2021

9. Shop Around The best advice for anyone who's looking for car insurance is to shop around. Sit down with an agent and go over various policies so that you can compare what each one of them has to offer. While doing that, keep all the information provided in mind. If you're ever in a car accident, you want peace of mind that you have outstanding coverage but at the same time, the protection you can afford.

www.insightssuccess.com

Digital Ecosystem for

T

he expansion of population or you may call it population outburst has expanded to a larger extent in the cities. It has become difficult to cope up with the requirements and challenges of such a large number of populations, especially in cities. Hence, the need of the hour is smart city solutions with the help of digital and technological innovation.

Yes, developing a smart city is possible with the help of technology. We can start this transformation from small objects to big buildings and finally in the entire cities. With the advancements of technologies like AI, IoT, Machine Learning, and Robotics we can answer to all the complicated questions related to the environment.

Concept of a smart city Building smart cities require companies to have a good knowledge of sustainable cities, towns, and buildings. With the unique capabilities of the physical as well as the virtual worlds this future scenario is very much possible. In fact, there are already companies offering these services with their valuable knowledge.

38 | February 2021

This is also a very creative and unique start for any entrepreneur who wishes to start his career in something adventurous. There is definitely a part of the government which plays a huge role in approving such a plan. But one thing is sure the concept of a smart city will answer the problems related to waste management, environmental hazards, and many more. These issues are increasing and to have a solution to these can be considered as a big achievement for us as humans.

Urban Challenges Today, there are ranging urban challenges such as lighting, energy, carbon emissions, solar-cell deployments, and many more. Installation of new energy tech solutions will not solve energy- related problems but will curb the problems of pollution. The biggest problem right now we are facing is about carbon emissions, we have to come together and focus on reducing our carbon footprints on the planet.

Environmental hazards like the waste sector are also the headache of the urban city and the biggest problem to deal with. Creating a way to answer these difficult issues will turn the face of the urban city. Managing such complex issues – the smart city is the key which will give the www.insightssuccess.com

Effortless Living

competitive edge to us. It’s more about what can we do the smart city solution providers can do because we know with technology, we can reach unbelievable heights.

As technology is not confined to anyone and is not limited, we can make good use of it to create a beautiful future. By connecting cities with AI and related techniques, urban living can be changed. Not to forget, the pandemic situation, and the havoc it brought into our lives. With the help of these technological tools, we can build a hygienic and safer standard of living with cost-effective solutions. In such an emergency situation we should always have a backup plan and smart city solution is the answer.

Ultimately, entering into the smart city should be the approach for us as well as citizens. Because no matter how good the technology is or the company is, it will be only be considered good if it is for the betterment of human mankind and the environment.

Positive long-term effect

that harm the environment in any way. This is a change that needs to be applied on a global scale. The government's authorities and companies should work together in bringing this ambitious change.

The next big thing or the next big change is a smart city and everything related to it. There is no denying to it that building a city full of smart solutions and adapting to it will be truly a revolution. Believing in this change revolution will have a positive long-term effect. If we are really concerned about the environmental effects, smart city providers will make this world a better place to live.

Conclusion The next-generation will definitely feel the impacts if not adapted to the smart city solutions now. Of course, it will have its challenges as well, but to make way for new generation we have to adapt to the rule of Survival of the Fittest!

Technology and smart city companies have a big responsibility today to fight these environmental challenges.

We need to be more open-minded and give up the things www.insightssuccess.com

February 2021 | 39