A data intelligence solution that integrates, displays and interacts with multiple data sources, allowing master data storage, easy analysis and correlation. Built for decision-makers, data analysts and operations managers, it combines data management, an intuitive front end and security so users can view, edit, report on and correlate assets across the organisation.
What we can evidence
Correlate the fixed asset register against what is physically in the network.
Used together with NetAM and catalogue information, the combination is described as reaching close to 90% correlation with financial asset information, through serial-number matching, product-code association, quantity matching and location.
The problem it solves
Asset management touches almost every department, each interacting with assets at different points across a 5–10 year lifecycle. Not all information is needed by everyone all the time — it is the correlation between sources and departments that creates the value. Operators report limited visibility of assets through the network lifecycle, a fragmented view of project progress, siloed departmental views, manual annual audits, and site location references that differ between departments and domains.
- The Operations blind spot — engineering does not know when or where inventory was ordered or delivered.
- The Finance blind spot — finance receives inaccurate installation feedback months after commissioning, complicating reconciliation of inventory and work-in-progress into fixed assets for capitalisation.
How it works
Site and asset data are gathered from various sources and stored in a single repository. Sources are correlated and rule-based, allowing flexible integration with existing systems including Excel. Once in the master repository, data is accessible across the value chain via web and mobile apps (Android and iOS), with all access authorisation-based and sensitive financial data handled accordingly. Xplore uses dropdown fields for the large majority of data to drive consistency, and favours a Verify Data over Add Data approach so integrity is continuously fed back and improved — 'change once, use many'.
Core modules
- Master Asset Manager — the core: initial load, rule-based updates, transaction-based changes, tracking of asset location, responsible party and value, asset grouping, lifecycle date tracking, a configuration repository, image and file storage, and reports and dashboards.
- Site Manager — master site name/ID, latitude/longitude, auto address from Google, internal location parameters, customisable fields, rule-based auto-generated site IDs, grouping dropdowns, image repository, as-built records and GIS.
- Audit Manager — works in the background recording every change at site, asset and configuration level with timestamp and responsibility.
- Import Active Assets — incorporates auto-discovered active assets from network element configuration, filtered through a Flo control so incidents such as power outages do not directly alter the fixed asset register.
- Warehouse Manager — scans and integrates inventory with the financial stock module, tracking serial numbers from warehouse to site.
- Barcode Manager — adds internal barcodes to assets without unique serial numbers, manages barcode range allocation, and integrates with RFID printers, readers and scanners.
Architecture & security
| Layer | Detail |
|---|---|
| Authentication | OAUTH2 authentication and authorisation, so only authorised personnel access sensitive data |
| Single sign-on | Keycloak integration, centralising user permissions and reducing credential-based attack risk |
| Deployment model | Docker micro-service environment for fully redundant, vertically scalable deployment of databases and applications |
| Environments | Test and staging environments can be added on the same Docker deployment |
| Access | Web browser access subject to IT security and user-profile policies; mobile app on the App Store and Google Play |
Data model & interaction
- Files, images and other data types are stored and linked to specific assets or locations — site-survey images tied to a site, for example.
- Hierarchy and parameter levels for configuration data (antenna tilt, mast height, IP addresses, link capacity) so nothing need be duplicated; parameters attach at any level and values can be reused across categories (a 2G parameter reused for 3G/4G/5G).
- A geo-enabled database supporting queries by radius or drawn area, with Xplore recommended as the master site database while syncing with external systems such as RAN planning.
- Grids allow grouping, filtering and searching on any field with lazy loading for speed, and per-field authorisation restrictions where required.
Visualisation & reporting
- GIS views of sites, helping spot errors such as a site placed in the wrong region.
- Google Street View integration for ground-level visual inspection when audit images are not yet available.
- Customizable, role-based dashboards via a drag-and-drop dashboard builder.
- Reports in multiple formats, distributable to stakeholders, with automated scheduling.
- Demand forecasting from historical data and growth trends, and capitalisation support with visibility into asset lifecycles and depreciation schedules.
Where it fits in the suite
Xplore is deployed as step one of a four-part asset management rollout, sequenced to protect data integrity.
| Step | Component | Role |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Xplore | Correlation of the fixed asset register with network assets; master data repository |
| 2 | NetAM | Auto-discovers and tracks live network assets and licences, OEM-independent |
| 3 | Flo | Maps, integrates and automates complex business and technical processes |
| — | SiteSURV | Android/iOS field survey app for workforce task management and asset tracking |
Used with NetAM and catalogue information, the combination is described as reaching close to 90% correlation with financial asset information through serial-number matching, product-code association, quantity matching and linking passive assets to active assets. Daily active-asset feedback closes the loop between finance and engineering, versus a manual stocktake that can take up to six months and still carry human error.