Ferguson Partners with VODA.ai to Support Decision-Making Through Artificial Intelligence

Rhea-AI Summary

Ferguson has partnered with VODA.ai to utilize AI software for enhancing decision-making in utility infrastructure. VODA.ai's daVinci ML engine aids Ferguson Waterworks in predicting pipe failures, allowing utilities to prioritize replacement projects based on risk assessment. This collaboration aims to streamline capital investment and resource allocation, enhancing operational efficiency for water utilities. Ferguson, a major player in plumbing supplies, continues to strengthen its innovative offerings with this integration of advanced machine learning technology.

Positive

• Partnership enhances Ferguson's decision-making capabilities with VODA.ai's AI software.
• daVinci ML engine improves predictive analysis for utility infrastructure projects, reducing service disruptions.
• Collaboration allows utilities to better allocate capital investment for pipeline maintenance and replacement.

Negative

• None.

BOSTON, March 30, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- VODA.ai is honored to be selected by Ferguson as their exclusive provider of artificial intelligence software. This partnership adds to Ferguson Waterworks' best-in-class solutions and quality products. VODA.ai's daVinci ML machine learning engine supports the Ferguson commitment to expert decision-making through a wide range of products and services for customers to improve their operations, construction, and maintenance projects.

Ferguson selects VODA.ai and machine learning to help utilities choose which pipes to replace.

The VODA.ai and Ferguson partnership takes the guess work out of prioritizing infrastructure projects. Whereas many utilities choose which water pipes to replace based on material, pipe age, or failure history, the VODA.ai daVinci ML engine provides more accurate predictive data regarding pipe life expectancy. "The Ferguson - partnership combines world class products and services with VODA.ai's powerful machine learning to prioritize every pipe segment by risk using both likelihood and consequences of failure," said Nick Lanza, Director of Municipal Sales for Ferguson.

The daVinci ML technology identifies pipe segments that are more likely to fail in the future, provides tools to help a utility calculate and understand the consequence of failure and the associated business risk. Then, the technology provides the remaining useful life for every pipe in a given network. With these insights, utilities can prioritize mains for rehab or replacement and target areas for leak monitoring or condition assessment. 

Utilities can use reports powered by daVinci ML to understand how much capital investment is needed over the long term and where to target these resources to reduce service disruptions and failure rates. This makes it easy for utilities to plan their operating and engineering programs by tailoring their course of action and focusing their resources on the highest risk assets. 

"Each utility has different combinations of pipe materials, ages, sizes, soil, weather, proximity to roads, railroads and bridges, rainfall, contractor skills, and even seismic activity. Machine learning doesn't 'care' but instead simply looks for patterns that led to prior failures and assigns probabilities of future health based on those patterns," said Lanza.

"The team at Ferguson is a great partner for us. Their industry leadership will help VODA.ai with greater market access and delivery of additional benefits to utilities. By creating this partnership, we will work with their talented team to support smarter decision making and continue to serve the water industry," said George Demosthenous, CEO at VODA.ai.

About Ferguson
Ferguson (www.ferguson.com) is the largest wholesale distributor of residential and commercial plumbing supplies and pipe, valves and fittings in the U.S. The company is also a major distributor of HVAC equipment, fire protection systems, waterworks and industrial products and services. Founded in 1953 and headquartered in Newport News, Va., Ferguson has sales of $18.9 billion and approximately 26,000 associates in 1,400 locations. Ferguson and its subsidiaries serve customers in all 50 states, Puerto Rico, Mexico and the Caribbean. Ferguson is part of Ferguson plc (www.fergusonplc.com), which is listed on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE:FERG) and the London Stock Exchange (LSE:FERG) and is in the FTSE 100 index of listed companies. 

About VODA.ai:  VODA.ai uses artificial intelligence to virtually assess the condition of water mains and help water utilities make smart decisions based on science. VODA.ai is a Software as a Service company serving utilities worldwide. It is headquartered in Boston Massachusetts. VODA.ai's patent-pending machine learning and deep learning technology discovers patterns from previous pipe failures and enables science-based decision making. 

For more information, send an inquiry at email@voda.ai.

Source: VODA.ai      

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SOURCE VODA.ai

FAQ

What is the partnership between Ferguson and VODA.ai about?

Ferguson has selected VODA.ai as its exclusive provider for artificial intelligence software to enhance utility decision-making regarding infrastructure projects.

What technology is being utilized in the Ferguson and VODA.ai partnership?

The partnership leverages VODA.ai's daVinci ML machine learning engine to assess the life expectancy of water pipes.

How does the daVinci ML engine benefit utilities?

It provides accurate predictive data, allowing utilities to prioritize pipe segments for rehabilitation or replacement based on risk.

What are the financial implications of this partnership for Ferguson?

The partnership is expected to streamline capital investment and improve resource allocation for maintenance projects.

When was the Ferguson and VODA.ai partnership announced?

The partnership was announced on March 30, 2021.