Esri-centric solution received highest score for function and price over 13 other software systems  

TORONTO – March 21, 2013 – Esri Canada is pleased to announce that Azteca Systems Inc. has received the top ranking in the 2012 Comparative Review of Municipal Maintenance and Infrastructure Asset Management Systems by the Water Finance Research Foundation (WFRF). Azteca’s Cityworks, exclusively distributed in Canada by Esri Canada, was selected as the best asset management system for municipal and utility use over 13 other software systems. Cityworks received the highest score based on various criteria including functionality, price, support and integration with Esri’s geographic information system (GIS) technology.  

“Cityworks is one of the most highly developed asset management systems available today,” says Gregory M. Baird, president, WFRF. “It offers hundreds of advanced templates for work orders, service requests and condition assessment inspections, and is backed by Azteca Systems’ proven expertise in the municipal and utility space. The solution’s tight integration with Esri’s ArcGIS allows for all assets and their related activities to be connected, providing an intelligent and cost-effective computerized maintenance management system.” 

The solution received a 99% functional rating due to its superior and comprehensive capabilities for managing work orders and workflows, asset inventory, license and permitting, condition assessment and risk management. It also delivers advanced GIS mapping capability, easy integration with other systems such as 311 and enterprise financial systems, and can be deployed on desktop, mobile and Web environments. Cityworks is built on Esri’s ArcGIS platform, which provides powerful mapping, data integration and management, and analysis capabilities. It maximizes ROI from Esri investments that many municipalities already have by leveraging asset data stored in their GIS. This eliminates the need to develop a separate asset database as well as risky synchronization. 

“Cityworks enables a proactive approach to asset maintenance,” notes Alex Miller, president, Esri Canada. “It provides organizations with a complete, accurate view of all their assets and their condition so they can effectively allocate resources, prioritize work orders and support long-term capital planning. It allows them to make asset replacement decisions based not on an asset’s age alone, but by incorporating other critical data such as the asset’s maintenance, performance and life cycle costs, as well as environmental conditions.” 

Numerous municipalities across Canada have adopted Cityworks to better address the challenges of managing aging infrastructure, rising service demand and regulatory requirements. In Ontario, the City of Barrie used the solution to centralize its asset data, automate work management and streamline the maintenance and repair of its growing infrastructure. Now, the City’s operational staff can track incoming service requests, distribute them to the appropriate staff member, schedule required work and monitor the progress of projects across the municipality in real time through a GIS-generated Web map. The City also plans to investigate a mobile solution that would allow field crews to update asset information on site, which will keep their data accurate and current.  

The City of Brandon in Manitoba replaced its asset management system with Cityworks to leverage data in their ArcGIS solution in support of a more efficient, integrated asset management process. Asset information updates, service requests and work orders can now be viewed in real time by operational staff in the office and in the field using a cost-effective, dynamic Web map. Crews can also quickly look up an asset’s entire work history by selecting an asset on the map. This allows them to better plan work and make decisions based on the most current, complete and accurate data. Soon, citizens will be able to submit service requests through a new Web site directly integrated with the Cityworks system, making the process even more seamless and enabling a rapid response.  

View the full WFRF report. For more information on Cityworks, visit esri.ca/cityworks.  

About the Water Finance Research Foundation

The Water Finance Research Foundation is dedicated to finding solutions which help local governments and utilities address the challenges of aging infrastructure, funding and a declining workforce. The WFRF supports and provides research, surveys, analysis, publications and training concerning best practices for municipal and utility management.  For more information, visit waterfinancerf.org.    

About Azteca Systems Inc.  

Since 1986, Azteca Systems Inc. has been providing innovative GIS-centric Management Solutions to agencies that own and care for critical infrastructure, capital assets, and property.  Built exclusively on Esri’s ArcGIS technology, Cityworks is a powerful, scalable, and affordable solution for asset management, permitting and licensing. Time-tested and proven technology, Cityworks is Empowering GIS™ at more than 450 user sites around the world. More information is available at cityworks.com.  

About Esri Canada
Founded in 1984, Esri Canada provides enterprise geographic information system (GIS) solutions that empower businesses, governments and educational institutions to make timely, informed and mission-critical decisions by leveraging the power of geography.  The company distributes the world’s leading GIS software from Esri, along with a comprehensive portfolio of complementary GIS products and services. Headquartered in Toronto, the company serves over 10,000 customers from 16 regional offices across Canada. Esri Canada is a 2012 winner of Canada’s Best Managed Companies program and has also been named to the Branham Group’s Top 250 Canadian IT Companies and Top 25 IT Professional Services Providers in Canada, as well as Computer Dealer News’ Top 100 IT Solution Providers in Canada lists. Information about Esri Canada can be found at esri.ca.

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