Research pilot program integrates IBM data and analytics
technology into IoT systems for City operational insights
MARKHAM, ON, Feb. 6, 2019 /CNW Telbec/ - The City of
Markham today announced the launch of the Smart City Accelerator
Research Program, a new partnership with Bell. The program will
deploy Bell's Smart City platform, an advanced solution of
interconnected Internet of Things (IoT) applications, to improve
the efficiency of municipal operations and enhance City services
for residents.
Through its Digital Markham strategy, Markham aims to create a "frictionless city"
through innovation and adoption of emerging technologies that will
enhance the customer experience and improve the overall quality of
life for Markham residents. The
Smart City initiative with Bell will advance Markham's digital journey and provide the
opportunity for the City to test various sensor technologies in a
number of different business areas.
"Markham will serve as a living
lab and an incubator for innovation," said Frank Scarpitti, Mayor of Markham. "By embracing smart city
technologies, we will continue to deliver exceptional services to
our residents at lower costs and improve the quality of life. This
partnership with Bell speaks to Markham's commitment to leveraging the latest
digital tools and assets; keeping us connected in an age of great
transformation while reinforcing Markham's position as a municipal leader in
the heart of Canada's innovation corridor."
"We're proud to partner with Markham to extend the City's technology
leadership in the management of municipal operations and enhanced
delivery of city services," said Bell Senior Vice President Gary Semplonius. "By leveraging the Bell Smart
City platform to monitor and manage critical infrastructure and
services, Markham's program will
lead to more efficient operations and improved services for
everyone who lives and works here."
Bell is also partnering with IBM Canada to implement its
components into the Bell Smart City platform. Supported by Bell's
advanced broadband networks, IBM technology helps to aggregate data
gathered from the various IoT monitoring solutions from Bell with
the city's open data to provide a consolidated digital dashboard
view of city operations. Data analytics gathered by the system
enable municipal workers from across city departments to
collaborate in real-time, leading to better-informed decisions
about the management of city operations and delivery of services
for citizens.
"This integration between IBM's technology and Bell's pervasive
broadband networks and IoT applications brings the best of these
two industry leaders in delivering the Markham Smart City program
to the City," said Nathalie Le
Prohon, IBM Canada's telecommunications leader.
Planned initiatives for the Markham Smart City program
include:
- Asset management – Remote tracking of usage and location
of municipal equipment.
- Water leak detection – Sensors on water mains and
hydrants to provide real-time status of water system
conditions.
- Storm/flood water monitoring – Manhole and river sensors
measure water levels to help manage flood risk and mitigate
damage.
- Environmental monitoring – Temperature and humidity
sensors from fixed locations across the city will provide weather
data to guide decisions on management of city operations.
- Energy management – Sensors will monitor and support
analysis of energy usage in municipal buildings to optimize energy
management.
For more information about Bell's Smart City platform in
Markham, please visit
Bell.ca/Markham.
About Markham
Markham, an award-winning municipality with
over 355,000 residents and the largest of nine communities in York
Region, is home to over 400 corporate head offices and more than
1,100 high tech and life science companies. Markham is a leader in attracting foreign
direct investment with more than 210 foreign companies located in
the City. Founded in the 1790s, today Markham is Canada's most diverse community and
enjoys a rich heritage, outstanding community planning and
services, and a vibrant local economy. Markham has received the Excellence Canada
Gold Award for Organizational Quality & Healthy Workplace, and
multiple heritage and environmental awards.
About Bell
Bell is Canada's largest communications company, providing advanced
broadband wireless, TV, Internet and business communication
services throughout the country. Bell Media is Canada's premier
multimedia company with leading assets in television, radio, out of
home and digital media. Founded in Montréal in 1880, Bell is wholly
owned by BCE Inc. To learn more, please visit Bell.ca or
BCE.ca.
The Bell Let's Talk initiative promotes Canadian mental health
with national awareness and anti-stigma campaigns like Bell Let's
Talk Day and significant Bell funding of community care and access,
research and workplace leadership initiatives. To learn more,
please visit Bell.ca/LetsTalk.
About IBM Canada
IBM Canada is headquartered in
Markham, Ontario and is one of
Canada's top 10 private R&D investors; contributing more than
$478 million to Canadian research and
development initiatives last year. IBM has a unique approach to
collaboration that provides academic researchers, small and large
business, start-ups and developers with business strategies and
computing tools they need to innovate. Areas of focus include AI,
cloud and security. Canada is also home to IBM's largest
microelectronics packaging and test facility in Bromont, Quebec and the largest software
development organization in the country, with sites in Markham, Ottawa, and Fredericton.
Media inquiries
Lama Nicolas
City of Markham (Markham Mayor Frank
Scarpitti's Office)
416-671-2890
lnicolas@markham.ca
Erynn Sally
City of Markham (All other media
inquiries for City of Markham)
416-737-2684
esally@markham.ca
Nathan Gibson
Bell
905-614-9596
nathan.gibson@bell.ca
@Bell_News
Lorraine Baldwin
IBM
778-230-5600
lorraine@ca.ibm.com
Bell investor inquiries
Thane Fotopoulos
514-870-4619
thane.fotopoulos@bell.ca
SOURCE Bell Canada