The International SAP Conferences for Oil & Gas and Utilities 2015 in Berlin, Germany, addressed the latest industry trends such as big data, the internet of things and leveraging cloud technology, SAP 4.0 and how HANA can help.
Support of the major industry trends
Big data is being created through use of various SAP modules, but also through integrations with other line of business applications. To manage all this data, SAP is pushing HANA as the main enabler for handling the vast amounts of data and provide quick insights.
A large amount of the data comes through field measuring, or the internet of things (IoT). Besides handling of all the data, it needs to be analyzed and preferably lead to predictive maintenance.
Various SAP partners play a role in this field, for example to handle the input from over 200 data standards provided by instrument vendors across the world. After collection of the data, other partners focus on the data analytics and methodologies for making the maintenance predictions.
Access to the data and using the modern SAP application is provided in the cloud, for the employees and externals within the extended enterprise. A cloud-based platform will enable owners / operators to collaborate with OEMs, contractors and service providers by providing access to equipment and maintenance history, global inventory, work scheduling and third-party SAP applications.
SAP developments
SAP is urging owners / operators to use big data to become disruptively innovative in order to maintain and improve their profitability.
A huge step has been taken to improve the usability of the system, with operational and strategic dashboards as a starting point to gather insights in the data and make business decisions. For using all the data available in or through the platform, SAP 4.0 is fully focused on the user.
Asset lifecycle support
BlueCielo is focused on the management of asset related information throughout the entire asset lifecycle. Within that scope of interest, SAP offers modules covering large portions of the asset lifecycle. The main focus of SAP is the entry and use of (financial) data, such as asset data, project budgets, employee records. Entry in itself is one thing but supporting the change process or plant modification projects is another.
Asset data is typically created or modified during plant modification projects, or in other words during engineering. Before engineering can start the projects need to be approved and scheduled, supported by SAP Project Portfolio Management. When the actual project starts, the assets and their related data and documents go into modification. This is where BlueCielo Meridian comes in.
Engineering and maintenance connected
Plant modification projects are executed in collaboration with many contractors and suppliers.
The data exchange must be managed to ensure data consistency, completeness and show full proof of control to maintain the license to operate. Documents are only made available to operations and maintenance after construction and commissioning the engineering data.
Our integration with SAP ensures asset data is kept as-built and maintenance engineers can trust the data they work with. By analysing the field data (IoT) and using SAP PM in combination with BlueCielo Meridian, the operational efficiency is highly increased resulting in higher profitability and plant safety.
