(Submitted graphic/SaskTel)

By Ben Tompkins

Technological Advances

SaskTel deploys Smart Community Solution in City of Melfort

Dec 15, 2023 | 12:52 PM

The City of Melfort is becoming more technologically advanced, courtesy of SaskTel and its ongoing ‘Smart Community’ collaboration.

The successful implementation of the Smart Community Solution was announced on Wednesday after the project began in 2020.

The solution includes a range of innovative tools that are meant to help the city access, manage, and share data more effectively across the organization.

The hope is that by doing so, they will be able to find efficiencies, reduce operational costs, and improve the delivery of municipal services to residents.

“As a community, Melfort is constantly seeking fresh and inventive ways to improve our operations and ultimately enhance the quality of life for our residents,” said city manager, Adam Homes.

difficult work

'Hats off to them': Crews continue to fight 'monster' wildfire in La Ronge

14h ago

FOR A BETTER FUTURE

Chief Moosomin School named Sask.'s sole recipient of 2025 Indigo literacy grant

19h ago

Kars 4 K9's

North East SPCA hosting car show in Melfort

Jun 04, 2025

“Thanks to the valuable insights and data provided by SaskTel’s Smart Community Solution, we’re better able to streamline our operations, move away from paper-based workflows, predict and control the lifecycles of essential assets, and leverage data-based decisions for municipal planning. All of that enables us to make informed investments in areas and maximize their effectiveness to the benefit of our municipality.”

Now, the city has two new integrated systems, with a trackable service request and work order management system, and a geographical information system mapping program.

Those are available for city staff online, which allows them to create service requests and work orders, so if a complaint or a citizen concern comes in, they can create work orders that are associated with a specific piece of infrastructure or property, then assign it for someone to take care of.

According to the city, that means no more tasks being passed around on a sticky note in the office, and they can be more efficient and better manage their infrastructure.

Meanwhile, per SaskTel, their robust suite of asset management and geospatial analytic applications will enable the City of Melfort to:

• Capture and retain operational information to help reduce costs and improve service delivery.
• Extend the lifecycle of critical assets by predicting an asset’s length of service, arranging for regular maintenance, and anticipating part replacement or upgrading.
• Automate workflows to increase operational efficiency.
• Create visual mapping to locate various assets, improve internal workflows, and communicate vital information.

“At SaskTel, we recognize the benefits that data analytics and the integration of smart technologies can offer to organizations and municipalities of all sizes,” said Charlene Gavel, President and CEO.

“Not only does Melfort’s implementation deliver immediate benefits, but it also establishes a foundation of consolidated data, powerful tools, and enabling partners with diverse experience and skill sets; all of which will support ongoing and sustainable innovation for the community.”

Melfort is the first municipality in Saskatchewan to have the Smart Community Solution fully integrated into their workplace ecosystem.

–

news@northeastnow.com

On X @BenTompkins_8