Having identified a need for real-time situational awareness among cities, utilities and many commercial and industrial property owners, data and AI company The Awareness Company has recalibrated its HYDRA Technology to suit the ever-evolving needs of clients in these sectors.

“The clients all face similar data challenges, but, historically, lacked the tools to respond with speed and clarity,” says The Awareness Company CEO Priaash Ramadeen.

The effects of poor planning and a lack of situational awareness meant that the commercial property sector was ill-equipped to manage surging energy and water costs, and evolving sustainability demands, which require operational efficiency.

The founders of The Awareness Company, who had previously been involved in the design of an anti-poaching platform for the conservation of rhinos across South Africa, joined forces to develop the HYDRA Technology.

The company developed HYDRA as a modular, AI-powered platform that would unify fragmented data sources and turn raw data into real-time, actionable insights, whether to protect rhinos, manage energy use across buildings or reduce operational risk in complex portfolios.

“HYDRA allows clients to know what is happening, where and when, with the aim of supporting timely and informed action,” Ramadeen adds, noting that HYDRA has been well received by property owners and facilities teams requiring more control, visibility and efficiency in their utility and sustainability operations.

While he says it has “transformed previously manual, reactive environments into data-driven, proactive ones”, clients have highlighted HYDRA’s ability to centralise information, reveal hidden inefficiencies and improve cross-functional collaboration.

“Users especially value the shift from delayed, spreadsheet-based reporting to real-time alerts and dashboards, as this has enabled faster decision-making, the early detection of risks – such as leaks or power spikes – and improved confidence in sustainability and utility data.”

Information Integration

HYDRA is built to be flexible and modular, which makes integration relatively straightforward.

It can ingest data from any source, including existing smart meters and sensors, previously installed building management systems, excel files or manual uploads, as well as external application program interfaces such as security systems and weather feeds.

Ramadeen says that, in many cases, clients do not need to invest in entirely new infrastructure as “HYDRA can work with what’s already installed”.  

However, for maximum benefit, clients are encouraged to install Internet of Things devices in areas with limited monitoring; The Awareness Company can offer recommendations on sensor or partner integration if needed.

Ramadeen stresses that these small changes can mitigate many of the initial ‘teething problems’ that a client may encounter and can mitigate some of challenges experienced by “archaic technologies”.

One of the largest challenges faced when introducing new technology is often the fear of change, as “shifting from manual to digital systems can be met with resistance, as teams are often comfortable with existing processes and may not immediately see the value of real-time, automated insights”, he explains.

To address this, The Awareness Company provides training, workshops and dedicated customer support to ensure that teams feel confident when using the platform and can see the results of their actions in real time.
 

Ramadeen cites a recent case study in the healthcare sector of Johannesburg, South Africa, where a leading hospital group in the Southern African Development Community embarked on a transformative journey to overhaul its utility management practices.

With operations running 24/7, managing substantial energy and water costs proved daunting. Traditional methods left “much to be desired”, leading to the decision to adopt a data-driven approach for utility consumption across its network of 19 facilities.

The technologies improved the hospital group’s continuous real-time monitoring, engagement and operational efficiency through advanced data analytics and integrated data analysis.

Real-time monitoring and alerts enabled the operational team to optimise energy and water use, significantly reducing costs.

“The reduction in energy consumption across the group's facilities translated to monthly savings of about R950 000,” lauds Ramadeen, concluding that this figure underscores HYDRA's immediate impact on the bottom line.