Technology

Bentley Systems and the Western Cape government are deploying AI-powered analytics to strengthen road safety and infrastructure resilience. (Image source: Bentley Systems)

Bentley Systems, Incorporated, the infrastructure engineering software company, has unveiled a major collaboration with the Western Cape Government's Department of Infrastructure to roll out its AI-driven Blyncsy platform across key segments of the province's road network

Marking Blyncsy's debut on the African continent, the programme will cover roughly 5,000 km of roads, leveraging automated computer vision to flag critical infrastructure concerns.

With constrained funding and mounting exposure to weather-related damage, the department is turning to smarter, forward-looking technology to bolster road safety and safeguard the flow of people and goods. Devastating floods in recent years have cut off entire communities, underscoring how urgently a more resilient asset management strategy is needed.

Through Blyncsy, part of Bentley's Asset Analytics portfolio, the department is stepping into a future-ready operating model. The solution draws on crowdsourced dashcam footage and machine learning to automatically flag compromised guardrails, absent signage, malfunctioning streetlights, and road debris. The system also tracks vegetation encroachment, a critical variable in preserving sightlines and preventing blockages during the province's increasingly severe storm seasons.

This evidence-based methodology directly underpins the Roads4U campaign and the Western Cape Infrastructure Framework 2050, both of which champion innovation and strategic collaboration to make the most of a R4.56 billion (US$ 250mn) transport budget. Automating road inspections means hazards such as potholes and drainage-clogging debris can be caught and addressed before they spiral into far more expensive remediation work.

"Providing safe and resilient infrastructure is the foundation of economic opportunity in the Western Cape, particularly as we manage the impacts of climate change on our road network," said Johannes Neethling, chief engineer for transport Infrastructure systems for the Western Cape.

"By integrating Blyncsy's AI technology, we are gaining a level of visibility that was previously impossible. This allows us to maintain a precise digital inventory of our assets, from guardrails to streetlights, ensuring that our maintenance crews are deployed where they are needed most. This isn't just about better data; it's about a proactive commitment to keeping our roads open and our citizens safe."

"The expansion of Blyncsy into Western Cape of South Africa represents a pivotal step in our mission to provide global transportation agencies with real-time visibility into the state of their infrastructure," said Mark Pittman, senior director of transportation AI at Bentley Systems.

"Western Cape is leading the way on the African continent by embracing empirical evidence to drive financial and operational decisions. As we look toward bringing this technology to more markets worldwide, our goal remains clear: to replace historical precedent with AI-driven insights that reduce risk, lower costs, and ultimately save lives. We are proud to partner with a department that is so clearly focused on building a resilient future."

The partnership signing. (Image source: AVEVA)

AVEVA, Schneider Electric and Elsewedy University of Technology (SUTech) – Polytechnic of Egypt, have signed a partnership agreement to equip Egyptian youth with the practical, digital and innovation capabilities needed to succeed in growth industries such as energy management, industrial automation, sustainability and advanced industrial technologies

As Egypt accelerates its industrial and digital transformation, demand continues to grow for talent capable of working with clean technologies, smart infrastructure, automation systems and industrial AI. Through this collaboration, signed at AVEVA World in Milan, the three parties aim to help bridge the gap between academic learning and evolving industry needs while furnishing future generations with the skills required to support more sustainable and resilient industries across Egypt and Africa.

The partnership will see the three parties collaborate on the development of Training Excellence Centers at SUTech, leveraging the two companies’ platforms, technologies and ecosystems. It will involve the establishment of advanced laboratories, practical training environments and future-focused curriculum development aligned with industry and sustainability goals. It is also designed to boost skills Africa-wide through joint capacity-building programmes and initiatives targeting youth and entrepreneurs across the continent.

Students will gain practical exposure to advanced industrial digital solutions, such as AVEVA E3D, AVEVA Processing Simulation, and AVEVA PI System. They will learn to develop virtual replicas of entire industrial facilities, enabling them to detect potential issues and bridge the gap between academic learning and industry application.

Engineering graduates in Egypt generally leave university with a very strong theoretical knowledge, but often lack practical skills and applied learning. Elsewedy University (SUTech) – Polytechnic of Egypt’s mission is to address this gap, with a focus on applied learning that addresses the dynamic and evolving needs of industry. Its Bachelor’s degree in technology (B.Tech) combines practical and theoretical learning, giving graduates the practical skills and industry experience required by the market today. SUTech has invested significantly in technology, laboratories, workshops and other facilities, providing internship and apprenticeship opportunities. Its 19 accredited programmes are developed in consultation with industry to ensure they will equip students with the right competencies, skills and technology, thereby providing employers with a sustainable funnel of job-ready employees.

Mrs Hanan Elrihany, CEO of Elsewedy Edtech, said, “This strategic partnership embodies the vision of SUTech to link industry leadership with applied higher education. Integrating AVEVA and Schneider Electric’s cutting-edge solutions into our academic ecosystem actively shapes future talents and accelerates the energy and industrial transition across the region. This collaboration positions our university at the forefront of developing the next-generation workforce, empowering students with simulation tools and real-time data to drive industrial innovation in Egypt.”

Elrihany added that the collaboration would give more confidence to students, families and the community that applied learning is a valid educational path, addressing misconceptions and the bias towards traditional theory-based degrees. She also stressed the need for agility in order to be able to adapt programmes as technology evolves.

Khaled Saleh, vice-president of Africa at AVEVA said, “It’s a great honour to receive the trust of such a reference in the world of engineering in Africa. We believe this collaboration will accelerate engineering talent development across the African continent.”

Sebastian Riez, cluster president of Schneider Electric North Africa & Levant added that the collaboration reflects a shared commitment to preparing the next generation of engineering talent for a more digital, efficient and sustainable future.

BradyScan simplifies barcode workflows. (Image source: Brady Corporation)

Automated identification and data capture specialist Brady Corporation lets users read and generate barcodes professionally with a smartphone - at no extra cost

The free BradyScan app provides excellent DPM scanning and backend integration options, QR-code security checks and image-to-text OCR technology.

BradyScan app is a versatile 3-in-1 mobile application designed to streamline scanning and printing tasks in light manufacturing, laboratories, and field services.

Modern industrial environments require speed and precision. BradyScan addresses this by consolidating the entire barcode workflow into a single interface. Users can seamlessly scan over 46 types of barcodes, including Direct Part Marking (DPM), and instantly generate 33 different barcode types, such as GS1.

The app’s technical capabilities extend beyond simple scanning. It features automated data entry via Image-to-Barcode and Speech-to-Barcode technology, allowing for hands-free productivity. For data management, values can be sent directly to Google Sheets, eliminating manual export steps.

Built-in security checks proactively monitor for malicious QR codes, while error correction ensures damaged codes remain readable. The app integrates directly with nine Bluetooth-enabled Brady printers (including the M211, M611, and i5300), enabling immediate label production from the palm of your hand.

Find out more about the BradyScan app >>

Download the free BradyScan app today:

• App Store: www.apps.apple.com
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African telecoms and financial companies join global leaders on WorkL’s 2026 World’s Happiest Workplaces list

Several African telecommunications and financial services companies have earned global recognition after being named among the World’s Happiest Workplaces 2026, published by employee experience platform WorkL

According to a recently released report by WorkL, the rankings draw on anonymous feedback from over one million employees across more than 120,000 organisations worldwide. Companies that score 70 or above in WorkL's 'Happy at Work Test' qualify for inclusion.

Africa’s telecommunications sector was particularly well represented, with Kenya’s Safaricom featuring alongside major global operators. South Africa also emerged strongly, with MTN Group, MTN South Africa and Vodacom South Africa all included in the telecommunications and publishing category. Beyond telecoms, Standard Bank was recognised in the financial services category, reinforcing South Africa’s reputation for workplace cultures that prioritise employee wellbeing, engagement and purpose.

Their inclusion places African companies alongside global industry leaders such as AT&T, Telefónica, Tata Communications, Disney and ING Bank, underlining the continent’s ability to compete on workplace satisfaction as well as commercial performance.

Measuring workplace happiness

WorkL’s World’s Happiest Workplaces rankings are based on its Happy at Work Test, a free and anonymous survey that takes employees less than ten minutes to complete. The assessment measures six areas that influence workplace happiness: wellbeing, job satisfaction, reward and recognition, information sharing, empowerment and instilling pride. The final list can be filtered by country, industry and category.

According to WorkL, organisations recognised on the list typically report higher productivity, lower staff turnover and reduced absenteeism.

Commenting on the 2026 results, WorkL founder Lord Mark Price said, "I’m delighted to publish the World’s Happiest Workplaces 2026 List today. Organisations who are recognised report higher productivity, lower staff turnover and lower sick leave as a result of employees being happier."

"Our research shows that nearly 50% of people are unhappy, anxious or depressed at work. It’s our mission to make the world’s workplaces happier, and it starts with acknowledging the ones who are doing a good job."