Belgium – Computer-related services – Raamovereenkomst IT diensten

I.1.1 Introduction To make good decisions, employees must have access to the right data and corresponding reports. At Water-Link, data from various source systems is consolidated in a central data platform: the DIP or ‘Data Integration Platform’ on Microsoft Azure. From the DIP, reports are built in Microsoft Power BI. The DIP must be able to easily unlock data to applications such as, for example, e-loket, meter portal, advance payment module. In 2024, the decision was made to phase out the existing data platform SAP BW by 2028 and transition it to the Azure data platform. This reduces maintenance work, eliminates duplicate data processing, and improves data quality. Water-Link also wants to evolve towards a Self-service Business Intelligence (BI) organization, where employees can create their own reports and optimally utilize data. Water-Link wants to streamline communication with customers and suppliers through applications such as an e-loket or contractor portal. These applications are fed by the data integration platform. The building and management of these applications is also part of this contract. To achieve this ambition, Water-Link is looking for a supplier who can maintain, improve, and expand this central environment on Microsoft Azure.

I.1.2 Objectives The execution of this contract at Water-Link fits within our broader strategic vision to make our organization future-proof and further optimize our service delivery to our customers and shareholders. As a drinking water company with a social responsibility, we focus on efficiency, transparency, and innovation. The key objectives are therefore:

I.1.2.1 Improved Performance and User-Friendliness The unlocking of data in 1 central platform enables our teams to work faster and more accurately, leading to an improved customer and employee experience. We want to be a data-driven organization, so this means that access to data must be offered securely but also flexibly to our end users and customers.

I.1.2.2 Advanced Reporting and Decision Making The standardization of the platform and data capture will ensure that we can make better data-driven decisions. This aligns with Water-Link's objective to continuously improve our business operations through innovation and precision.

I.1.2.3 Lower TCO By choosing a future-proof and scalable data and development platform, we aim for lower operational and maintenance costs in the long term. Through standardization, we reduce inefficiencies and costs.

I.1.2.4 Flexibility and Scalability The uniform platform supports Water-Link in its growth and changing business needs, including the digitalization and automation of processes. This gives us the flexibility to tackle future challenges and stimulate innovation.

I.1.2.5 Simple Integration and Online Service Delivery The DIP platform is not only a platform that enables reporting, but also an integration platform that makes it possible to unlock data in a variety of other (yet to be developed) applications. The customer portal, website, and contractor portal can be easily connected to it to unlock their required data. In addition, the new website/customer zone and contractor portal will also be developed on the Azure platform (part of this scope). A uniform data platform and the new applications to be developed are essential for the realization of our mission to be a sustainable and reliable water supplier to our customers and with this we can reduce our ecological footprint, further professionalize our service delivery and meet the requirements of a digital society.

I.1.2.6 Compliance with European Security Standards NIS and NIS2 are known and respected standards for Water-Link. The uniform platform and its applications must comply with our internal security standards and meet the ISO27001 standards for information security.

I.1.3 Current Data Architecture

I.1.3.1 Source Systems SAP, Digital Meter Data, SCADA, and other source systems.

I.1.3.2 Data Integration Platform (DIP) Microsoft Azure / Databricks

I.1.3.3 Reporting Power BI / Microsoft Excel

I.1.3.4 Portals The DIP feeds various portals for our customers, where they can, for example, track their consumption data.

I.1.3.5 BW will be phased out by the end of 2027 We currently also use SAP Business Warehouse (BW) as a data platform alongside the DIP. From here, reports are delivered in BO and Analysis for Office (Excel). The intention is to migrate all BW entities to DIP and Power BI by the end of 2027.

I.1.4 Description of the Contract The components of the scope for this contract are:

- Execution of tasks of Cloud Solution Provider

- Infrastructure management for the Microsoft Azure platform and the Databricks environment

- Application management for the Microsoft Azure platform and the Databricks environment (including all applications currently running on the Azure platform)

- New projects to be started on the Microsoft Azure platform

The contract will be divided into 2 lots:

- Lot 1: IT (Information Technology) This lot includes the management of all data from ERP and other software tools.

- Lot 2: OT (Operational Technology) This lot includes the management of all data from our production (SCADA).