OHM Advisors, an architecture, engineering, and planning firm in Livonia, has introduced InfraSmart, a user-friendly digital platform designed to enhance regulatory compliance, capital planning, and rate sufficiency assessment for public agencies.
The all-in-one solution streamlines these critical processes, enabling agencies to make more informed, data-driven decisions, according to the company.
Traditionally, asset management plans and rate sufficiency studies are conducted infrequently, often when required by regulations, and typically every five years.
InfraSmart addresses the gap by providing an interactive online dashboard that allows agencies to regularly analyze infrastructure data, financial forecasts, rate impacts, and capital planning needs, all of which fosters a more proactive approach to infrastructure management.
“Public officials widely recognize the importance of protecting water sources and updating aging infrastructure,” says Murat Ulasir, practice leader, infrastructure planning at OHM Advisors. “With advanced technology making on-demand data insights more accessible and affordable, agencies that adopt these tools are better equipped to tackle these challenges effectively.
“InfraSmart facilitates a more structured and informed approach, improving interdepartmental collaboration, further regulatory compliance, streamlining budget forecasting, and enhancing transparency in financial planning.”
InfraSmart Board equips municipalities with the tools to:
- Strengthen Budget Forecasts: Analyze capital improvement planning impacts on cash flow, debt coverage ratios, affordability, and other key financial metrics.
- Improve Infrastructure Planning Process: Access updated key performance metrics of infrastructure assets, evaluate performance trends, and streamline regulatory compliance.
- Enhance Public Transparency: Provide clear, data-driven insights into rate structures, asset conditions, and financial sustainability.
- Reduce Long-Term Costs: Improve efficiency in updating required asset management plans, minimize rate volatility for commercial utilities, and optimize capital spending to support economic development priorities.
Several cities in Michigan, including Milan, have started utilizing InfraSmart to enhance internal communication and utility management. Other municipalities are in the process of integrating the tool.
As the customizable platform continues to evolve with new features and improvements, reflecting inputs from end users, it is poised to offer even deeper insights into optimizing infrastructure investments and long-term resource allocations, according to the company.
Founded in 1962, OHM Advisors has more than 800 employes who work from offices in multiple states throughout the U.S.
For more information, visit ohm-advisors.com/.
