'From Data to Decisions' conference success

Yotta, the infrastructure asset management technology arm of OMG plc, welcomed over 300 industry professionals to its Annual Meeting at the National Exhibition Centre (NEC). Attracted by keynote speakers from the Department of Transport and Surrey County Council the 'From Data to Decisions' conference has grown into what is thought to be the largest event of its kind for asset management practitioners in the UK.

Keynote presentations were followed by industry specific conference streams with topics included Street Lighting, Highways Asset Management, Waste and Street Works as well as workshops and open floor debate sessions. Case studies and industry updates were also provided with presentations by senior representatives of UK Power Networks, BT Openreach, Amey, Kent County Council and Transport Research Laboratory, for example.

Nick Smee, CEO of Yotta, who provided opening and closing presentations at the one day event, commented, "This a fantastic turn out of asset management practitioners making it what we believe to be the biggest industry event of its type in the UK. There was a real vibrancy to the day's proceedings and the mix of end user case studies and industry updates clearly reflected a growing maturity in the asset management arena".

"As this was our first major event since the acquisition of Mayrise Systems last year it was the perfect opportunity to bring all our customers and partners together. The majority of attendees were existing or potential users of Mayrise or Yotta systems and services and there was therefore considerable interest in new developments and in particular the latest Horizons Asset Management platform," continued Smee.

The conference branded 'From Data to Decisions' took place on the 20th May 2014 at the National Exhibition Centre (NEC), Birmingham. The free to attend event attracted over 300 registered delegates in addition to representatives from industry associations, partner organisations and the asset management supply chain. Keynote presentations from Haydn Davies from the Highways Maintenance Efficiency Programme at the Department for Transport and Jason Russell, Assistant Director Highways at Surrey County Council, were followed by four application themed streams.

Delegates on the day could move between a wide variety of hands on workshops, end user case studies and industry and academic updates including presentations from East Sussex, Suffolk and Lancashire County Councils, Telensa, the LANTERNS Project and a past president of the Institution of Lighting Professionals (ILP). To maximise the benefit for attendees the conference was CPD certified and included free onsite parking, lunch and refreshments, and was followed by a well-attended drinks reception.