Background
Brighton & Hove City Council has modernized the way it manages highways infrastructure after implementing Confirm asset management system.
Brightly Software implemented Confirm with its five-stage process: Initiate, Adapt, Build, Validate and Adopt. (Brightly was later acquired by Siemens and Confirm is now a part of the Siemens portfolio.) Together, the process provides a clear structure and consistent support throughout transition.
Following the successful roll-out, the council has improved its data reliability, streamlined contractor workflows and created a more integrated approach to managing its asset information.
Moving beyond legacy systems
Prior to adopting Confirm, Brighton & Hove City Council relied on an aging asset management system that had been in place for many years. Over time, it became increasingly difficult to use and maintain, and it required multiple workarounds to keep operations running.
One of the biggest challenges was the reliability and accessibility of asset data. Missing or incomplete records created operational risks, particularly when the council needed to verify inspection history or maintenance activity. This was especially important when responding to infrastructure issues such as potholes, where accurate inspection records are critical for understanding when assets were last checked or repaired.
Stacey Hollingworth, Highway Strategic Asset Manager at Brighton & Hove City Council, explains: “We were using a very old system and had to build lots of workarounds into it. It wasn’t user friendly, and we were concerned about losing data or not being able to rely on the information in the system.”
Furthermore, field operatives and contractors found mobile tools associated with the old system difficult to use, which meant that many processes still relied on paperwork and manual data entry. The council needed to migrate a significant volume of historic data without losing records or creating operational downtime.
Implementing a new asset management system
Confirm was initially implemented for the council to more efficiently manage its highways inspections, street lighting, signs and lines, and rights of way. Since the roll-out, the council has started to expand its use to include newer infrastructure like EV charging assets.
Prior to the implementation of Confirm, the Brightly Software team (now a part of Siemens) ran workshops to find out how it could be tailored to the council’s specific needs, which meant that Brighton & Hove City Council got the best out of the system — and maximized value — from day one. The team also ran training sessions and provided continuous support to council team members to help ensure they knew how to use Confirm confidently.
The system was tested thoroughly before launch and Brightly Software (now known as Siemens Asset Management) had its team members on-site during the go-live period to support and guide users through the system and make final adjustments, as required. This structured and supportive approach made the transition to Confirm easier for council team members and reduced the risks typically associated with changing systems. Despite initial concerns about disruption, the implementation process was completed smoothly.
“There was no downtime,” says Hollingworth. “In fact, inspectors were able to get out and identify defects within an hour of the system going live.”
Improving workflows for contractors and staff
One of the most significant benefits of implementing Confirm was the introduction of mobile tools for contractors and inspection teams.
Using Confirm’s mobile capabilities, users can capture inspection information, such as photographs, and upload them directly to the system while onsite. Previously, such information had to be manually uploaded to the system after contractors returned to the office, which created delays and risks of human error. The new mobile functions have reduced these manual processes and improved the speed at which information is recorded and shared.
Contractors have responded positively to the change, particularly compared with earlier mobile systems that proved too complex for field use.
Processing resident reports faster
Brighton & Hove City Council has also integrated its online reporting forms with the Confirm platform, which enables issues reported by residents to flow directly into the asset management system. While the council had previously offered online reporting, requests often required manual processing before reaching the relevant teams.
The new integration allows reports to be routed automatically, which helps council team members to review and assign work more quickly. This is particularly important for common issues like potholes, which are a high priority for residents and members of the community.
Modernizing with a smart asset management platform
Brighton & Hove City Council sees the system as a foundation for managing a wider range of its assets and infrastructure. Future phases could include bringing additional assets into the platform, such as green infrastructure and parks, helping the council to build a more connected view of its asset network.
The implementation also reassured the council team that complex technology projects can be delivered successfully — with the right supplier support in place.
The project was delivered on schedule and within budget and resulted in Brighton & Hove City Council having a stable, advanced system to support its highways asset management for the future.