As part of the Innovation Tour 2017 held recently in Madrid with the aim of bringing together knowledge and innovative practices amongst companies of different countries, directors of international companies such as ING Bank, ABN AMOR Bank, Sanguine, Vumk, Quion, Nederlandse Spoorwegen and Rabobank chose to visit Ferrovial for a first-hand experience of ways of working applied by staff in our Digital Hub.
Managers from Iberdrola also took part in the visit, during which the team, led by Head of Digital Hub Javier Lázaro, explained how staff work on the delivery of digital initiatives and software development within the Hub. According to Javier Lázaro, “We classify projects according to their target objective: either internal efficiency, such as those targeting people and company culture, or adding value for the client and new business. To do this, there is one essential element we always rely on: technology.”
Several projects the company is currently working on were also presented. Pilar Rodríguez, Solutions Director at DGSII, and Gilberto Flórez, Quality, Architecture and Integration into Solutions Manager, showed how the “Agile” methodology has been implemented in some of our projects, one example being the DataLab project, which was explained by its manager Ana Salgado.
Participants in the visit were able to tour the facilities and the working “laboratory” where new ideas and new technologies applied to different projects are trialled.
The Digital Hub laboratory turns one
The visit coincides with the anniversary of the Digital Hub offices, which opened on 3 October 2016 when the team began working in these new facilities, an open-space concept where specialised staff seek ways of applying emerging technologies such as big data, artificial intelligence, 3D printing, drones or the Internet of Things (IoT). Facilities include a “laboratory” in which to experiment with these technologies, and an open area for sharing knowledge and experience.
During the anniversary event, which was held in the Digital Hub facilities, a presentation was given on the projects and initiatives worked on to date, as well as on future challenges for the team. The event, chaired by Federico Flórez, Chief Information and Innovation Officer at Ferrovial , was attended by all the staff from the Digital Hub, as well as managers from the DGSII in representation of employees from the Technology, Security and Purchases, Business Relations and Control teams. Also present were the Solutions and Innovation and the Processes teams, which share resources and aims with the Digital Hub.
The different business areas can rely on these facilities and team of staff specialising in technology and emerging trends, both internally and externally, to work on the delivery of initiatives which bring value to the company and increase organisational knowledge. The Digital Hub also monitors behavioural changes of end clients, which can have a direct impact on all business areas.
