Xylem Solver: Transforming water challenges into completed projects

Choosing the right technology for a water system isn’t easy. The sheer number of options and technical details to sort through can quickly get overwhelming, even for seasoned engineers. That’s why Xylem developed Solver, a next generation digital platform that simplifies product selection and empowers users to make smarter decisions.

Whether the project scope involves upgrading aging pumps in a municipal treatment plant or improving the energy efficiency of an industrial cooling system, Solver helps customers compare options side-by-side and select the best solution for both performance and long-term cost savings.

With the water sector facing challenges like aging infrastructure, rising regulatory demands, and a well-documented funding gap, tools like Solver aren’t just helpful – they’re essential.

Lisa Riles, VP Customer Product Solutions at Xylem, has led the development of Xylem Solver, which consolidates over 40 separate tools into a single digital platform. Below Lisa explains how Xylem Solver helps engineers, distributors, and project planners solve water challenges more effectively.

Q: Why is it critical for customers to have digital tools that simplify product selection and planning?

The water sector and purchasing environment are changing fast. We are seeing experienced engineers retiring and younger engineers coming in who are very tech-savvy but may not have the same depth of practical experience.

People expect a digital purchasing experience as well – they want to research and buy things quickly online. But with highly engineered products, that’s not so simple.

Tools like Solver meet people where they are – helping them research, compare options, and make confident decisions, even in complex environments like the water sector.

Q: How does Solver help customers find the right solutions?

Solver acts like a personal guide. It helps users identify the best solutions for their specific needs, whether they’re replacing or upgrading equipment, designing a new system, or adding spare parts. It consolidates everything into one, cloud-based tool, so users aren't jumping between different systems. It’s modern, easy to use, and helps customers find the right solutions faster.

Q: What sets Solver apart from other platforms?

Solver reduces friction at every step. Customers can compare up to four products side-by-side and carry those comparisons into the configuration phase. It also flags conflicts – if a new engineer selects incompatible materials, the system alerts them so they can make the right choice before moving forward.

It also streamlines the process of building a complete solution. Accessories are auto-filtered based on your selection, and supporting documentation is packaged in one place. It’s fast, accurate, and helps you move from idea to action faster. Plus, you can save your work for a project and return to it at any time.

Solver enables project sharing and seamless collaboration with sales and engineering teams. The platform generates professional, standardized quotes that are easy to share with internal stakeholders, external consultants, or your Xylem representative. This keeps everyone aligned and reduces the time-consuming back-and-forth.

Q: Can you share an example of how Solver has helped a customer make a better choice?

Of course! As our customers deal with increasing external pressures, tools like Solver help bridge the gap between need and solution. Distributors have already noticed how smooth the specification process can be, with users empowered to make smarter, more confident decisions.

George Peart, president of Gulf States, calls Solver “a strong step forward from Xylect” and sees its growing capabilities as key to supporting consulting engineers through distributor partnerships.

Tyler Cauthron, owner and senior vice president of E-Water Solutions, highlights Solver’s intuitive design and efficiency, noting that it “gives us an edge” in customer presentations. “Compared to the old turbine program, which is painfully slow and cumbersome, Solver is quick and efficient,” he said. “When I’m presenting to an engineer, I want to come across as polished and prepared – Solver helps me do exactly that.”

Q: How do you see tools like Solver evolving to help customers even more?

Our goal is always to simplify how customers interact with us. In the future, Solver will support true one-stop shopping – customers will be able to search our full portfolio, create quotes, and place orders, all in one tool. We’re also exploring AI-powered features to personalize results and simplify selection.

Most importantly, we’re listening. Solver is evolving based on real-world use, with new products, new capabilities and other enhancements already in the pipeline. We’re not done yet – Solver will keep growing as a key tool to help customers make smarter, faster decisions across the entire water cycle.

Explore Solver today

From simplifying selection to building confidence, Solver is helping customers meet the moment. Start your search at solver.xylem.com.