Artificial intelligence, hyper-automation and hybrid clouds are concepts that have become part of everyday language in a very short period of time. These technologies, which enables us to combine the best of the physical and digital worlds, are giving further impetus to the transformation process in which more and more companies are immersed, from industries such as telecommunications or banking, pioneers in becoming digital companies, to the infrastructure sector.
This paradigm shift is not a coincidence; rather, it is being driven by the requirement to satisfy user needs. Today’s customers are accustomed to the experiences offered by digital natives such as Airbnb and Uber, which poses a big challenge for other companies. However, any challenge can be turned into an opportunity, and that is the direction in which Ferrovial is moving — to provide a digital experience for the users of its infrastructures, such as airports, while operating them efficiently.
Through its Digital Horizon 24 program, Ferrovial aims to become an asset & data driven company, i.e. one whose business decisions are based on data from its assets that is extracted and exploited through digitalization. For the project to succeed, it requires close collaboration between the business and technical areas to ensure not only that the technology is deployed but also that it generates value for the company.
In order to fully integrate digital into the company’s DNA, it is essential to develop and evolve a set of technical capabilities, via a series of enablers, that will be key to creating the roadmap and ensuring digitalization of the businesses.
One of the first steps on this journey for Ferrovial is putting data at the heart of all its processes and decisions, in order to facilitate decision-making and monetize information. This transformation process also involves shielding the company from the threats inherent in the digital world and achieving proper risk control through strong cybersecurity. In addition, the company’s platforms, the technological foundation on which all its operations are based, will continue to be upgraded using the cloud in order to be faster and more flexible. As part of this initiative, Ferrovial will also focus on developing global alliances with strategic partners to complement the company’s capabilities so as to multiply value and enhance the brand image. It is also vital to leverage technology to redefine and automate business processes in pursuit of greater efficiency and quality.
Innovation, so integral to the company’s philosophy, will continue to be one of its strategic pillars, as it is essential for creating value in the short, medium and long term, in perfect tandem with digitalization. Throughout this journey, people will remain at the heart of the strategy, driving a more agile and multidisciplinary way of working that will enable employees to maximize their digital capabilities.
These enablers are critical to creating business digitalization roadmaps.
This is the case with Digital Construction, supported by the Abacus program and focused on digitalizing construction management and administration processes: minimize risk, increase efficiency, and leverage the value of data and AI to be more competitive in bidding and generate value at the end of projects. The Digital Concession initiative digitalizes infrastructures and assets, supporting the Cintra and Airports plan with a focus on the end user as a lever for differentiation and value creation (with greater competitiveness in the strategy of diversification into new businesses such as energy, water and mobility). The Digital Corporation initiative involves digitalizing corporate processes (examples include finance and control, through the Finance 24 plan, and Human Resources, using Aghora). The areas in charge are driving a change that involves a process of adoption by all employees.
These are the main cross-cutting components of Digital Horizon 24 which, through digitalization and innovation, will be the vehicle through which the company will update its core competencies and strengthen its capabilities for future growth. The plan will enable Ferrovial to manage risk effectively through real-time digital monitoring of its assets, increase efficiency by digitalizing business processes, and enhance competitiveness, with the clear goal of achieving growth in both legacy businesses and new diversification opportunities.
