JCDecaux Selects IBM to Provide a Monitoring System for Maintaining Its Bicycle Fleet in Paris

IBM (NYSE: IBM) today announced that it has been selected by JCDecaux (Euronext: DEC), one of the world’s leading outdoor advertising companies, to develop an IT based solution supporting maintenance and regulation of its bicycle fleet in Paris, France, as part of the development for its self-service bicycle system.

To complement its IT self-service hired bicycle system which will be set up in Paris, JCDecaux has chosen the IBM Maximo Asset Management solution for asset maintenance management. This solution combines the expertise of IBM Global Business Services in systems integration with that of the group’s MDTVISION skills centre in implementing asset management systems.

Innovative and Scalable Solution

The IBM Maximo Asset Management system will handle maintenance of the bicycle fleet, organize any action required and control movement of the bicycles as necessary in conjunction with other JCDecaux applications (subscriptions management, computerized payment systems, etc.). The system displays qualities of scalability and flexibility: it is multilingual and can be adapted to accommodate JCDecaux’s future projects.

“IBM has provided us with a solution that meets our needs perfectly: one that is industrial, capable of adaptation, multilingual and multi-city. It will ensure quality of service in Paris, and we could also make use of it for projects elsewhere in France and abroad,” says Bertrand Kientz, Manager of IT Systems at JCDecaux.

24/7 management of over 300,000 movements a day

As part of the imminent implementation of the service in Paris, the software will be configured to monitor over 300,000 bicycle movements a day, 24 hours a day and 7 days a week. The bicycles will eventually be distributed among a total of 1,451 intelligent terminals, each linked to JCDecaux’s IT system. So that the movements can be controlled in real time, the system will also manage the rounds of 300 maintenance technicians, each equipped with a mobile device (PDA) linked to the back-office procedures. The technicians will receive information on the state of bicycle terminals, the availability of the bicycles, their locations and their needs for technical support when a failure has been signalled.

The technicians will also transfer the bicycles as required to ensure they are constantly available and will take responsibility for the condition of the machines, dealing with repairs, preventive maintenance and cures for any problems that become apparent.

Philippe Hedde, General Manager of IBM Global Business Services, France, states: “IBM is using its technologies and professional expertise to serve its customers and to help them undergo a transformation. We are happy to assist JCDecaux by implementing innovative services for its clients.”

About JCDecaux

For more information on JCDecaux, please visit: www.jcdecaux.com.

About IBM

For more information on IBM, please visit: www.ibm.com.