Introduction
The Lüdenscheid Herscheid Wastewater Utility (SELH AöR) is responsible for wastewater disposal in the city of Lüdenscheid and the municipality of Herscheid. SELH AöR serves a total population of over 82,000 residents, including approx. 75,463 in Lüdenscheid and 6,881 in Herscheid. It is an independent public enterprise in the legal form of an “Anstalt des öffentlichen Rechts” (public-law institution) and operates an extensive sewer network of approximately 450 km, ensuring efficient wastewater collection and treatment.
Like many utilities and municipalities in Germany, SELH AöR had sufficient sewer network data but worked in isolated, system-specific data silos. This fragmented data environment hindered comprehensive analysis and strategic decision-making.
The goal was to implement a data-driven, digital, and integrated infrastructure management system. SELH AöR aimed for a holistic and future-oriented approach to asset management, enabling reliable analyses, agile planning, and transparent investment decisions.
An extensive requirements catalog was developed, guiding the evaluation of various market solutions. Ultimately, APX10’s software platform was selected due to its superior capabilities in key areas:
„As part of a structured data validation and the phased rollout of the APX® platform, we found that the analyses provided are valid and reliable. The platform's AI-driven automation considers multiple influencing factors, enabling a more objective assessment of network condition. This creates a solid foundation for holistic decisions—in significantly less time.“
Simon Holterhof, SELH
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Solution
The APX® software from APX10 is a digital asset management tool. This SaaS solution makes it possible to consolidate all available data in a central location, verify it, and link it for various types of analysis. Based on these evaluations, alternative planning scenarios for investment strategies related to the network infrastructure can be developed. All internal and external information, along with the continuous updating of operational and condition data, enables agile management.
„The intuitive interface and transparent visualizations on the APX platform make it easy for various departments to access cross-functional data and back up their decisions. I’m consistently impressed by how effectively existing knowledge is used across disciplines.“
Simon Holterhof, SELH
Results
Linking different internal and external data sources provides comprehensive insights and forms the foundation for optimized decisions regarding the rehabilitation, investment, and management of wastewater infrastructure.
The consolidation has broken through the limited view of isolated data silos and uncovered the synergies of a combined perspective.
Planning investment measures for the sewer infrastructure is agile and easy to manage, as is reporting to stakeholders from the organization and stakeholders.
In addition, this development helps provide a clear strategic direction and strengthens the organization’s autonomy in planning.
The timeliness of available data and the ability to process changes on a daily basis allow decisions to be made more purposefully and effectively than with conventional static standard reports.
Internally, SELH places strong emphasis on improved communication and systematic knowledge sharing between departments.
The goal is not only to centrally evaluate insights gained through data analysis, but also to prepare and make them accessible across teams in an understandable way. This creates transparent decision-making foundations, fosters collaboration, and builds a shared understanding of prioritized actions.
The APX10 platform supports this process through intuitive visualizations and easy-to-understand evaluations, involving both strategic and operational users across the organization.
- Knowledge does not remain in silos, but is shared among utility stakeholders
- All stakeholders act based on a common information base
- Decisions are made based on facts and are traceable
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Future Outlook
SELH AöR sees digitalization as a long-term value driver and plans to further expand the use of the APX10 platform.
In the future, additional data sources are to be integrated, and AI-supported analyses will be used to optimize sewer network management.
Using the APX10 platform, a wastewater disposal concept or rehabilitation plan is to be developed for the next five to six years. Looking ahead, the solutions are also expected to make communication with supervisory authorities faster and more transparent when it comes to legitimizing planning decisions.
It is anticipated that the solution will make a significant contribution to mitigating the shortage of skilled workers in planning and operations – particularly by freeing up capacity among existing resources to be deployed elsewhere.
User-Centered Platform Development
SELH AöR is an active member of the APX10 user network and continuously contributes its practical experience and technical requirements to the ongoing development of the platform.
Through regular participation in user workshops, feedback sessions, and digital exchange formats, SELH AöR actively contributes to ensuring that APX10 continues to receive practical, application-oriented input to further develop the software platform.
The following aspects are particularly emphasized:
- Practical functionalities: Operational requirements from SELH's daily work are incorporated into product development.
- Collaborative exchange: Challenges, use cases, and best practices are discussed with other network operators within the user network.
- Participation in new projects: SELH AöR actively takes part in testing new modules and features before they are rolled out on the platform.
This close collaboration between users and the development team ensures that the APX10 platform continues to evolve in alignment with the real-world needs of its users – efficiently, purposefully, and with tangible value for municipal practice.
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About APX10
APX10 is a provider of innovative analytics software for municipal infrastructure. With our APX platform, we offer a SaaS-based digital asset management solution that enables the consolidation and analysis of relevant data sources. This enables a dynamic and proactive approach to the maintenance and operation of infrastructure assets. Beyond Denmark, APX10 is also active in the USA and the DACH region, with a market share of over 25% in Denmark.