Asset Management & Tracking
Having
worked in the manufacturing and Oil & Gas industries for several
years, we have observed the impact of an effective asset management
system. Designed and installed correctly, these can realise great
benefits. Many asset systems are based on RFID technology which
consists of a physical tag attached to the asset, and a reader.
The reader broadcasts a radio signal and the tag responds by
transmitting its own identification back to the reader.
Some systems are able to interrogate an entire warehouse in just
a few seconds and report on what (tagged) assets are located
there. Some tags are no more than a sticky label – look at the
back of the last DVD you bought and you will see what we mean.
However in some of the environments we work in, tags have to be very
robust as they will have acid spilt on them, or hit with a
hammer. Therefore, ruggedized tags are imperative for hostile
environments as the reliability of the entire tracking system relies
upon it.
We also
provide maintenance management systems based on the same
technology. For instance, if you have an oil rig, the maintenance
of critical equipment is crucial to continued operations.
Downtime could cost the operator $1m an hour so a very important part
of life on a rig is equipment maintenance. Our systems are able
to control equipment maintenance schedules, and also walk maintenance
staff through what actually needs doing. Approval is given
electronically via the maintenance technician’s manager. A
complete on-line audit and report is subsequently available to
demonstrate both maintenance best practice and compliance requirements.
