Swisscom and IMD want to make cities smarter

For the study "Smart City: Essentials for City Leaders", the experiences of 25 cities, companies and start-ups were compiled, all of which are pioneers in this field. It suggests specific tools that cities can use to become smarter and more innovative. As a provider of digitalization services in Switzerland, Swisscom wants to use this study to demonstrate its commitment and expand its expertise in the areas of the Internet of Things and smart data, as Swisscom wrote in a press release on Wednesday.

Like all other economic sectors, the public sector is not exempt from digitalization. The use of digital technologies brings with it new challenges, but above all represents an opportunity. In this context, Swisscom is demonstrating its expertise in project support, enabling public authorities in particular to improve or create new services for citizens, optimize city administration, reduce energy consumption and offer a better urban quality of life. In short, digital technologies enable cities to transform themselves into "smart cities".

Increasing the chances of success for smart city projects

The attractiveness and benefits of smart city projects are well known. However, cities often lack the structures and skills to manage the complex implementation and evaluation processes, the press release continues. The study "Smart City: Essentials for City Leaders" aims to close precisely this gap. It offers an analysis tool, the "Smart City Piano", with which the various projects can be evaluated on the basis of three pillars. Firstly, the process offers the opportunity to assess the potential of projects. Secondly, it enables optimal preparation of the framework conditions of the project, in particular the aspects of political regulation. Finally, the tool provides important practical information so that the implementation of the project can be managed under optimal conditions.

The study also examines the main reasons for cities to implement smart city projects. The results will be implemented by Swisscom's consulting teams. According to Blaise Vonlanthen, Head of Consulting at Swisscom, there are many lessons to be learned from the study: "Smart City Piano is an evaluation tool that enables us to provide cities with effective and structured support in their digitalization considerations. In this way, we can help cities to focus on the most relevant projects and increase their chances of success".

Project support through to implementation

Swisscom has already demonstrated its expertise in the field of smart city management. In Pully (VD), for example, it is developing an urban mobility monitoring center in collaboration with the city to improve the planning of infrastructure facilities and increase the attractiveness of the city center. "This analysis tool completes Swisscom's range of services. It allows synergies to be exploited by combining the various solutions and integrating several city departments," emphasizes Raphaël Rollier, responsible for Swisscom's Smart City programme.

For those who want to see how "Smart City Piano" is used in practice, a demonstration will take place on May 31 on the campus of the Lausanne University of Technology (EPFL) during the "Swisscom dialogue expérience" conference. The topic of intelligent luminaires will also be discussed, which can be used to reduce electricity consumption, optimize maintenance, manage traffic and track water meter consumption.

All urban areas, regardless of their size, can find answers in the "Smart City: Essentials for City Leaders" study. The "Smart City Piano" is being used for the first time in the Aigle region at the suggestion of the "ecovillages" association. In this way, innovative "Smart Village" projects relating to tourism, transport and energy are likely to be developed and implemented.

Study "Smart City: Essentials for City Leaders"

Registration for the "Swisscom dialogue expérience 2016" conference