Industry and Academia United by a Common Thread
Two partnerships demonstrating the value of connected data
The global offices of Pontem are active early in 2024 with various industry and academia events. This is going to be a big year for Pontem as we look to integrate data analytics through our entire portfolio and explore novel solutions in global regions.
Preben Nielsen kicked things off with Seeq, our newest partner, in Orlando for their annual Revenue Kick Off event while Temitope Solanke recently spoke at University of Rwanda.
Both of these events demonstrate the reach and power of our partnership ecosystem which we are leveraging to bring holistic solutions to our clients and drive change in the communities in which we operate. Whilst these were very different events spanning industry and academia they both share a common thread which forms a key part of the Pontem ethos; the power of leveraging data.
Seeq Revenue Kick Off
As mentioned in a previous post, Pontem and Seeq have recently inked a partnership agreement to combine the power of the Seeq platform for time-series data analysis with Pontem’s domain expertise and data science capabilities. In recognition of the potential of the partnership, Pontem were invited to the Seeq Revenue Kick Off event in Orlando which aimed to bring together Seeq and their partners and drive collaborative efforts into the new year.
Before diving into the RKO events I was reminded of the utility of good quality data and systems when my phone pinged with an alert from MyRadar, shortly followed by an emergency alert from the National Weather Services warning of tornadoes in the area. Pontem has a financial stake in MyRadar and it was great to see their advanced notification systems giving me the heads up on some pretty nasty weather inbound… luckily I had my trusty MyRadar app to access some high quality data to get a clear picture of what was coming and I was able to seek shelter at the hotel bar.
Taking the next steps with Seeq
With the cocktails and the severe weather out of the way it was time to dive into the task at hand and join Seeq for a couple of days of in-depth sessions to understand the team and platform better and explore how we can combine our strengths to drive value for our clients.
The sessions started off with a reframing of the way the platform is positioned with a theme of partner involvement and partner enablement woven through all sessions. Under Lisa Graham’s guidance the Seeq team has taken the very successful start-up culture and organization and put in place a structure and governance to enable successful scale-up of the company. This includes an evolution from combined software development and service provision to a model which leverages more partners in service delivery. A mantra of “One Seeq” was repeated throughout the sessions with partners coming under this umbrella… Seeq definitely sees the requirement for partnership to realize their goals.
Another key messaging change from previous years was the positioning of Seeq as an enterprise level, cloud-based SaaS software platform, as opposed to a lower-level, sometimes on-prem, sometimes cloud-based, engineering tool. The differentiation positions Seeq as part of an overall enterprise operational ecosystem and acknowledges the changing environment for cloud-only operational systems, which now provide a level of security the same, if not greater, than on-prem systems.
Technical enablers to drive better connection and better value realization
Alongside the messaging, partnership models, engagement/adoption plans, customer success factors and execution models there were also a number of key technical enablement messages which built on the overall delivery of an enterprise SaaS platform.
The three key differentiators the Seeq team highlighted were:
Data driven: this remains the guiding light of the system with a clear focus on managing and analyzing time-series data. Where the platform has matured is in the connection with other enterprise systems and the ease of contextualization of data from multiple sources. This facilitates a much higher level of analysis and value than a pure process data analytics system and is something Seeq needs to talk more about.
Human centric: much of the continued use of the Seeq platform is self-service analytics which allows managers, engineers and operators to dive into the data themselves without too much background in data analytics. The platform aims to get the data into the hands of the subject matter experts and enable them to Upskill using self service systems. Additionally, while other platforms provide great “black box” solutions, the transparency of the Seeq platform provides a level of trust that is often lacking in high-tech solutions. It is also very valuable for change management as discrete steps can be built on and communicated through a development and deployment program.
Open and extensible: clients are increasingly appreciating the value of elements in an operational ecosystem which play together nicely. With an open system that accepts data from a variety of sources and delivers useful data easily to other systems, the Seeq platform forms a valuable part of the operational network and ensures downstream work processes are enriched. The extensibility of the system includes various add-on tools including Webhook-based add-on calculations, open development through Seeq Data Lab, additions to the available data connectors, integration of external applications via the Seeq SDK. Seeq has also initiated a Seeq Developer Club for partners to have a forum for knowledge sharing.
A focus on partnerships
Alongside all of the technical developments and engagement messages, the key theme which I took away was the focus on partnerships to enable delivery and value realization. This is reflected in the formalization of the Seeq Partner Program into a comprehensive ecosystem comprising referral partners, technical services, value added resellers and technology partners.
“The arrogance of success is thinking that what you did yesterday will be sufficient for tomorrow”
— William Pollard —
The Seeq leadership group has set an ambitious target of having partner involvement in every new Seeq project for 2024. Delivery models include a range of activities which are solely to be delivered by partners including training and value accelerating partner services such as system implementation, use case development, delivery of solutions through the Seeq platform and support for ongoing solution delivery. It’s refreshing to have this laid out so well in a trusted co-delivery model with clear roles and responsibilities.
And it’s not done just on a whim in the hope it will deliver results, the Seeq team have collected information from previous projects which have had strong partner involvement right from the start and have seen that, while base KPIs can be met just with standard Seeq-led delivery of the platform, target ROI is achieved earlier and higher overall ROI is realized when projects are co-delivered with partners.
All this points to an excellent working relationship between Pontem and Seeq. I had so many excellent conversations from global teams across a range of industries and we have already started exploring options in US, UK, Africa and Australia.
One conversation was around our collaborations with universities and the training we provide through internships. Seeq has recently started exploring partnerships with data analytics courses using their platform and training materials. By offering realistic operational data and use cases, Seeq aims to facilitate a hands-on learning experience for students. This approach mirrors successful initiatives, like Mathworks embedding Matlab in universities, to give emerging engineers and industry leaders a head start in the systems they will use throughout their careers.
As mentioned in previous articles, Pontem has several partnerships with universities in our global locations, including the University of Nicosia in Cyprus and the University of Rwanda, both of which would benefit from utilization of Seeq in their data analytics curriculum. This potential three-way collaboration demonstrates the power of our partnership ecosystem driven by linking data with discipline and is also a great segue into our most recent activities with the University of Rwanda!
University of Rwanda, African Centre of Excellence in Data Science
Temitope Solanke recently participated in a noteworthy event hosted at the University of Rwanda's Kigali campus, facilitated by the World Bank’s African Centre of Excellence in Data Science. The occasion featured presentations from three distinguished organizations, including Pontem Analytics and IRCAD Africa. The primary objective was to showcase their capabilities and industries, thereby motivating master's and PhD students to consider internship opportunities within these companies.
During this event, Temitope passionately shared insights on Pontem Analytics' commitment to fostering opportunities and empowerment for students affiliated with the World Bank’s African Centre of Excellence in Data Science. He emphasized Pontem Analytics' dedication to providing valuable learning experiences and internship opportunities for master's and PhD students, enabling them to apply their academic expertise to address real-world industry challenges. Solanke delved into a high-level discussion on the energy industry, elucidating how data science can play a pivotal role in enhancing efficiencies and optimizing production and processes within the oil and gas sector.
Pontem Analytics provides an opportunity for students to harness their data science skills and apply them across various disciplines and sectors.
Temitope Solanke
The presentation sparked genuine excitement among the students, who exhibited eagerness and enthusiasm about the prospect of becoming interns at Pontem Analytics. This positive reception underscores the impact of such initiatives in bridging the gap between academic knowledge and practical industry applications, thereby nurturing the next generation of data science professionals.
Fostering Collaborative Ties with Academic Institutions
Pontem Analytics places significant emphasis on cultivating partnerships with academia, recognizing their pivotal role in the pursuit of knowledge and innovation. In line with our name, "Pontem," which translates to "bridge" in Latin, we are dedicated to bridging the divide between industry and academia. This commitment parallels our mission to bridge the gap between data and discipline.
Pontem Analytics partners with ACE-DS University of Rwanda
In line with this vision, Pontem Analytics proudly engages in a collaborative partnership with World Bank’s Centre of Excellence in Data Science University of Rwanda. Both organizations share a common interest in data science and sectors such as health, energy, minerals, business/finance and agriculture, which constitutes part of Pontem Analytics’ verticals.
Our collaboration with academic institutions is not merely symbolic but underscores a tangible commitment to advancing knowledge, fostering innovation, and nurturing the intersection of theoretical understanding with real-world applications. By establishing meaningful partnerships, Pontem Analytics endeavors to contribute to the growth of both academia and industry, creating a synergistic bridge that enhances learning, research, and professional development.
Partnership objectives:
Exchange experience and knowledge in energy, data science, and other Pontem Analytics sectors.
Provide hands-on internship opportunities for ACE-DS students to tackle field challenges.
Organize joint workshops, seminars, and utilize shared resources for training.
Offer ACE-DS access to Pontem Analytics' specialized software.
Foster collaborative efforts in data science across sectors, broadening horizons for students, faculty, and industry professionals.
Establish an ongoing partnership to expose students to real-world industrial challenges.
Facilitate industrial visits, actively supporting innovation and startup initiatives.
Exploring partnership with African Leadership University
Pontem Analytics is also actively seeking collaborative ventures and is currently in the exploration phase for potential partnerships with the African Leadership University (ALU) in Kigali. The focus is on establishing internship opportunities tailored for students enrolled in ALU's software engineering program. This initiative aims to create mutually beneficial relationships, fostering a bridge between academia and industry experience for aspiring talents in the field of software engineering.
Pontem Analytics Rwanda Ltd welcoming interns
Demonstrating our commitment to fostering talent, Pontem Analytics is thrilled to announce the arrival of our inaugural intern from the African Leadership University (ALU), Afsa Umutoniwase. Afsa's exceptional academic achievements, including securing the top position in her national exam, earned her a well-deserved scholarship from the Mastercard Foundation for her bachelor’s degree program in software engineering.
Afsa's passion for continuous learning and her ambition to explore the intricacies of the oil and gas industry align seamlessly with Pontem Analytics' mission. Her enthusiasm and eagerness to contribute have already become evident as she embarks on this enriching journey with our dynamic team.
Upon receiving our official welcome email, Afsa graciously responded with the following sentiments, further affirming her excitement about joining Pontem Analytics:
“Thank you all for the warm welcome! I am genuinely excited to be a part of Pontem Analytics and to embark on this enriching journey with such a talented team. I am eager to contribute to the company's goals and learn more about the oil and gas industry. Your support and guidance are highly appreciated, and I look forward to collaborating with each of you. Thanks again for the welcome, and I am thrilled to get started!”
Afsa Umutoniwase
We are not only excited about the knowledge and skills Afsa brings but also about the valuable contributions she will undoubtedly make to our projects. Pontem Analytics looks forward to providing a supportive environment for Afsa's growth and learning, reinforcing our dedication to talent development and collaboration with academic institutions.
More interns to join Pontem Analytics Rwanda Ltd
Following Temitope’s presentation at the University of Rwanda, several students have expressed strong interest in joining our team. They have submitted written applications for internship positions at Pontem Analytics, showcasing their enthusiasm for the opportunity.
As part of our ongoing commitment to catalyze positive change in the communities where we operate, Pontem Analytics is pleased to announce that we will be welcoming an additional two interns from the University of Rwanda. This initiative not only strengthens our partnership with the university but also aligns with our broader mission to empower and nurture talent within the academic community.
We eagerly anticipate providing University of Rwanda students with valuable industry exposure through engagement in international projects. This initiative reflects our dedication to fostering a collaborative environment and facilitating meaningful experiences for emerging talents.
Conclusion: Bridging Innovation Through Collaboration
In the early months of 2024, Pontem Analytics has embarked on a dynamic journey, weaving a fabric of collaboration between industry and academia. The Seeq Revenue Kick Off marked the initiation of a strategic partnership, showcasing the potential synergy between Pontem's expertise and Seeq's data analysis platform. This collaboration is not just about technology; it's a testament to the power of transparent partnerships and technical innovation in an evolving landscape.
Simultaneously, Pontem's involvement at the University of Rwanda epitomizes the company's commitment to fostering the next generation of data scientists. The partnership with academic institutions, exemplified by the World Bank’s Centre of Excellence in Data Science, is a bridge between theoretical knowledge and real-world applications. The welcoming of interns, particularly Afsa Umutoniwase from the African Leadership University, underscores Pontem's dedication to talent development. Afsa's enthusiasm mirrors the broader spirit of collaboration and knowledge exchange that Pontem envisions.
As more interns join and partnerships solidify, Pontem Analytics stands not only as a data-driven entity but as a bridge uniting diverse discipline. This bridge is not just about connecting technologies; it's about fostering innovation, driving positive change, and creating a collaborative space where the collective power of industry and academia can redefine the future of data analytics. In 2024 and beyond, Pontem Analytics continues to be the conduit for transformative ideas and collaborative endeavors.