The digitalization of cities is transforming the way companies operating in the public sector work. Today, efficiency in executing contracts and urban services hinges on systems that can connect, exchange data, and generate real-time information. In this landscape, interoperability is no longer merely a technical requirement; it has become a crucial competitive differentiator.

Protocols, such as the one from the TALQ Consortium, which standardizes communication between lighting systems and urban management platforms, demonstrate how using open standards simplifies integrations, reduces operational costs, and enhances transparency in service delivery.

For companies working with city administrations, understanding the role of open and integrated platforms is essential to ensure more efficient deliveries, sustainable contracts, and greater added value in the solutions offered to cities.

Continue reading to learn more about the topic!

Interoperability: Definition and relevance in urban management

Interoperability is the capacity for different systems, platforms, or organizations to exchange data and functionalities automatically, securely, and efficiently, utilizing common standards and without excessive reliance on human intervention.

In a digitized urban context, this means:

• Municipal health, transport, lighting, and social security systems, among others, ‘talking’ to each other.
• Standardized interfaces, protocols, and formats that ensure data generated in one service is understood and reused by others.
• The reduction of information silos, less rework, and greater transparency and agility in public service provision.

For interoperability to function effectively in a smart city, the following are necessary:

• Open standards and protocols (e.g., data formats, APIs, standardized vocabularies) used across all systems.
• Data governance and policies that define how, when, and who can share data between administrative organizations.
• Integrated security and privacy: access control, encryption, and legal protection—to ensure shared data does not violate privacy or regulatory standards.
• Clearly defined levels of interoperability, from basic to advanced: for example, data transport, structural syntax, semantics, and organizational interoperability.

How interoperability works in smart city and Street Lighting Management

Technological interoperability ensures that different systems and devices ‘communicate’ with each other without friction. Notable examples include government APIs, which enable communication between digital platforms and simplify access to public services.

Cases like PIX and the Gov.br platform in Brazil exemplify how interoperable standards transform not only services but also the culture of public innovation, generating trust, digital inclusion, and resource savings.

The benefits of interoperable platforms

1. Enhanced Data Integration

Interoperability exponentially increases gains in urban management. By allowing different systems to share and understand the same data, it eliminates technical barriers and ensures an integrated view of the territory. 

This simplifies information management — which flows cohesively between secretariats, departments, and service providers — without interruptions caused by technological incompatibilities or manual processes. 

This allows managers to consolidate access, monitor, and protect data on a single platform, reducing redundancies and ensuring greater decision-making accuracy.

2. Optimized Productivity

Interoperability boosts administrative productivity by eliminating rework and repetitive processes. With systems exchanging information in real-time, decision-making becomes faster, public services are more responsive, and communication errors virtually disappear.

3. Scalability 

Another key benefit is scalability: interoperable platforms facilitate the expansion of operations and the integration of new technologies, sensors, and applications without the need to reformulate the entire infrastructure. This makes cities more adaptable to technological changes and new public demands.

4. Savings on Operational Processes 

Finally, there is the financial impact: interoperable systems reduce operational costs by eliminating the need for intermediary software and complex integrations, in addition to lowering maintenance and development efforts. The result is public management that is more efficient, connected, and economically sustainable.

What is TALQ Certification?

The TALQ certification is a global benchmark for interoperability in smart cities. Defined by the TALQ Consortium in 2012, it establishes universal communication standards between Central Management Software (CMS) and Outdoor Device Networks (ODN).

In practical terms, this means that different technologies from various vendors can be integrated into the same urban ecosystem. This model prevents technological lock-in, enabling investment in scalable and long-term solutions. Currently, dozens of certified software and gateways exist, covering areas such as smart public lighting, waste management, and traffic control.

The international recognition of the certification strengthens its credibility. Exati, a leader in public lighting management, became the first company in Latin America to obtain TALQ certification, positioning Brazil on the urban innovation map and reinforcing the importance of interoperability as a strategic differentiator for governments and suppliers.

Examples of interoperability use

This integration is essential for organizations seeking to improve processes, reduce costs, and offer more efficient services. Its use extends across various sectors:

• Healthcare: Hospitals and clinics leverage interoperable systems to quickly access and share clinical data, such as exams, diagnoses, and prescriptions. This integrated exchange ensures faster and more accurate care, reducing errors and improving the quality of service.
• Public Administration: Government agencies use interoperability to integrate internal systems and streamline processes like budget management, license issuance, citizen registration, and social program execution. This increases efficiency, reduces bureaucracy, and cuts administrative expenses.
• Public Safety: In emergency situations, the immediate exchange of information between different forces—such as police, firefighters, and medical teams—is crucial. Interoperable systems allow these institutions to act in a coordinated manner, sharing critical data to save lives and protect the population.
• Street Lighting: Interoperability is a central pillar for smart cities. Protocols like the TALQ Consortium’s allow the integration of fixtures, sensors, and control systems from different suppliers into a single platform. This enables centralized monitoring, automatic lighting adjustments, and remote fault diagnostics. The result is energy savings, reduced operational costs, greater urban safety, and a lower environmental impact. Furthermore, interoperability in lighting creates space for integration with other urban services, such as traffic management, waste collection, and environmental monitoring. Interconnected sensors offer real-time data, enabling quick responses to various urban demands.

Conclusion

Interoperability is no longer a trend — it is a fundamental requirement for smart cities and for companies providing high-performance urban services. It allows for the integration of different systems, optimization of processes, and the delivery of more efficient, economical, and sustainable solutions.

In the case of street lighting, this integration is even more strategic, ensuring better resource management, greater safety, and improved quality of life for citizens.

Exati confirms its commitment to this vision by holding the TALQ certification, recognizing that our systems are interoperable, capable of connecting different technologies and suppliers into a single intelligent interface. This means our clients are not reliant on isolated solutions: they gain access to unified, flexible management, with centralized and integrated data for real-time decision-making.

With platforms like the IoT Hub, Exati delivers not just technology, but a solid foundation to transform cities, facilitate operations, and drive innovation, consolidating interoperability as a strategic pillar for the future of urban management.