This case study was first published by Hexagon in March 2022.
The HxGN EAM multi-tenant cloud on AWS for maintenance management – including maintenance and asset management, safety management (inspections/audit), procurement management, project & dry dock, inventory and stock control management – has transformed the way Odfjell manages its tanker fleet and helped it live up to a core value of uncompromising safety across all operations.
“The integrated platform in the Hexagon multi-tenant cloud has enabled us to digitally transform the way we manage our tanker fleet and represents a major shift for fleet management onboard and ashore, and will support and improve collaboration and work processes at Odfjell”
Robert Øksnes, Manager Asset Maintenance Group, Odfjell
One system replaces many
Odfjell had been relying on an old architecture of distributed systems with replicated databases for almost 20 years. This legacy system had begun to impair Odfjell′s ability to transform and to exploit the potential of new digital technology.
With this in mind, Odfjell management started the assessment and replacement initiative in 2019, initially as a ‘proof of concept,’ followed by Phase 1 focus on safety and then Phase 2 on maintenance and procurement, including an interface to the shipping industry’s leading e-procurement solution ShipServ.
The rollout across the Odfjell fleet of 45 vessels started in February 2021 and was completed in May 2021.
“The integrated platform in the Hexagon multi-tenant cloud has enabled us to digitally transform the way we manage our tanker fleet and represents a major shift for fleet management onboard and ashore, and will support and improve collaboration and work processes at Odfjell. In addition, the new platform has received ‘Type Approval’ by DNV (Det Norske Veritas) and provides a solid foundation for future engagements with audit, inspection and vetting organizations”
– Robert Øksnes
Legacy system to industry leader
HxGN EAM’s flexibility and user-friendly configuration have made it possible to operate locally on each vessel, with access to current documentation for maintenance and safety, while providing real-time visibility across the fleet and in Odfjell’s global offices.
Furthermore, the platform’s integration capabilities with Infor ION® have paved the way to sustainable interfaces with the legacy document management system, Compass crewing system as well as the ShipServ trading platform.
One specific aspect of user-friendly design is the Infor Ming.le® Homepages application, where EAM data, as well as IDM documentation, are served to the end user in easy-to-use widgets, securing the buy-in from all levels of the user community.
“This platform will enable Odfjell to become a front-runner in their industry when it comes to project and asset management,” said Bas Beemsterboer, EAM’s senior industry and solution strategy director. “It will make the processes far more efficient and a user-friendly tool for crew, onshore support and ship management, and simplify the everyday routines for a multitude of projects within ship management—from drydocking and event handling to inventory control and procurement”
– Bas Beemsterboer, EAM’s senior industry and solution strategy director
Optimized execution based on new solutions
The new platform represents a major shift for the fleet management and an important part of Odfjell’s digital transformation. With the HxGN EAM platform, Odfjell can execute digital transformation projects while eliminating costly and failure-prone architecture of distributed systems and replicated databases.
By combining multiple satellite service providers as well as 4G/5G when in busy ports, Odfjell can provide system access globally, with solid system performance.
Alongside this, one of Odfjell′s corporate commitments is to ‘Never Compromise on Safety.’ With the HxGN EAM platform, through the IDM and Ming.le homepages application, Odfjell is able to share safety documentation to the vessels in real-time, thus ensuring compliance.
The 20/20 visibility across the fleet through the cloud-based solution, as well as the implementation of EAM’s mobile apps planned for 2022, helps Odfjell ensure that daily maintenance and fleet asset management processes are running smoothly.
The fact that the Infor platform has received Type Approval by DNV (Det Norske Veritas) also provides a solid foundation for future engagements with auditing, inspecting, and vetting organizations.
Business results
- Odfjell eliminated costly and failure-prone architecture of distributed systems and replicated databases
- Odfjell is able to provide system access globally
- There has been a significant reduction in the number of databases and applications supporting current Star solutions
- The company is able to share safety documentation with the vessels in real-time, thus ensuring compliance
- 20/20 visibility has been established across the fleet through the cloud-based solution, as well as through the implementation of EAM’s mobile apps that can run in on/offline mode
Why Odfjell chose HxGN EAM
The HxGN EAM platform was selected after a thorough review of more than 20 potential suppliers. Based on the following factors, Odfjell chose HxGN EAM as its new fleet management system:
- An intuitive and user-friendly tool for crew, onshore support and ship management
- More efficient administration and follow-up of daily activities onboard and ashore
- One system replaces many: HxGN EAM covers ships, asset management, safety management, project management, drydocking and procurement in one platform—no longer needed multiple systems
- Flexible and configurable solution, allowing additional business processes to be included if relevant
- Improved cost and budget control
- Process-driven solution workflow orientation that pushes information and tasks to the user
- One cloud-based database provides instant access and online communication, including via mobile phones and tablets
- Foundation for improved decision-making based on transparent, real-time information
- Provident technology and state-of-the-art functionality
“The new cloud-based HxGN EAM solution is far more powerful and user-friendly than our existing applications, and represents a major change forward compared to solutions we currently use,” Øksnes concludes.
