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In today’s world, the only constant is change. As the pace of technological innovation quickens, organizations must develop effective ways to adapt their core business models. This fact is especially true in the energy sector, where legacy infrastructure and strict regulations make it challenging to stay on the cutting edge of digitization.
After all, it’s hard to transform a well-established energy company into a Silicon Valley-style tech company overnight. While large corporations like Shell and BP are working tirelessly to make this transition, most firms don’t have the resources of an international conglomerate at their disposal.
Thankfully, there are a number of innovative solutions that can help any organization improve how they approach technology. One of the most promising trends for the energy sector is digital oilfield technology, which has the potential to revolutionize the industry. Let’s explore what a digital oilfield is and how it can benefit your company.
What Is A Digital Oilfield?
By definition, digital oilfield is a concept that enables organizations to maximize productivity, reduce cost, and minimize the risk associated with operations. When imagining a digital oilfield in action, it can be tempting to envision a high-tech operations center with hundreds of computer screens manned by dozens of experts. However, the inner workings of this new approach to oil and natural gas management are far more intricate.
How Does A Digital Oilfield Work?
In practice, a digital oilfield isn’t a physical location, but rather a collection of sophisticated hardware and software that helps to digitize the day-to-day operations. A typical technology stack includes sensors to monitor oil and natural gas extraction sites, servers to store incoming data streams, and software to analyze and interpret the information collected.
Through this technology, digital oilfields empower decision-makers with up-to-date business intelligence, which can pay dividends for any organization. In fact, there are several impressive benefits associated with implementing a digital oilfield, including improved compliance, increased productivity, and responsive maintenance for critical systems.
How Can Digitization Benefit Your Company?
In the world of business, there are numerous benefits associated with digitization. When it comes to oil and natural gas processes, key benefits include:
As we have seen, digital oilfield technology provides organizations with some great benefits. If your company is looking to adopt digitization technologies, please contact the Accupoint team to find out how to the first steps.
After all, it’s hard to transform a well-established energy company into a Silicon Valley-style tech company overnight. While large corporations like Shell and BP are working tirelessly to make this transition, most firms don’t have the resources of an international conglomerate at their disposal.
Thankfully, there are a number of innovative solutions that can help any organization improve how they approach technology. One of the most promising trends for the energy sector is digital oilfield technology, which has the potential to revolutionize the industry. Let’s explore what a digital oilfield is and how it can benefit your company.
What Is A Digital Oilfield?
By definition, digital oilfield is a concept that enables organizations to maximize productivity, reduce cost, and minimize the risk associated with operations. When imagining a digital oilfield in action, it can be tempting to envision a high-tech operations center with hundreds of computer screens manned by dozens of experts. However, the inner workings of this new approach to oil and natural gas management are far more intricate.
How Does A Digital Oilfield Work?
In practice, a digital oilfield isn’t a physical location, but rather a collection of sophisticated hardware and software that helps to digitize the day-to-day operations. A typical technology stack includes sensors to monitor oil and natural gas extraction sites, servers to store incoming data streams, and software to analyze and interpret the information collected.
Through this technology, digital oilfields empower decision-makers with up-to-date business intelligence, which can pay dividends for any organization. In fact, there are several impressive benefits associated with implementing a digital oilfield, including improved compliance, increased productivity, and responsive maintenance for critical systems.
How Can Digitization Benefit Your Company?
In the world of business, there are numerous benefits associated with digitization. When it comes to oil and natural gas processes, key benefits include:
- Improved Compliance With Regulations: One key advantage of digital oilfield technology is the ability to have real-time information on critical operations. This can help to ensure an organization remains in continuous compliance with environmental and worker safety regulations.
- Increased Productivity: Real-time feedback on operations in the field helps to promote increased productivity. When the status of processes is known, its outcome can be optimized to maximize profits and minimize inefficiencies.
- Responsive Maintenance For Critical Systems: Digitization can help firms know the current state of their critical infrastructure. This can assist with both proactive and reactive maintenance, which in turn helps minimize downtime and maximize profits.
As we have seen, digital oilfield technology provides organizations with some great benefits. If your company is looking to adopt digitization technologies, please contact the Accupoint team to find out how to the first steps.
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The global economy has produced a business environment that is becoming increasingly globalized and commoditized, forcing companies in all industries to look for viable modalities that ensure that they are able to develop and sustain a competitive edge. Indeed, companies in the oil and gas industry have not been able to escape the need to be more competitive, which begins with effectively creating long-term solutions that facilitate an increase in gross profit. Some of the most effective methods for increasing profit are through increasing operational efficiency and the reduction of fixed costs.
Understanding Operational Excellence
In its simplest form, operational excellence can be understood as an integral component of organizational leadership that places great emphasis on multiples principles, tools and systems that work toward the sustainable improvement of identifiable central performance metrics.
Achieving operational excellence, however, is quite challenging, especially when considering the increased complexity in the area of extreme remote operational environments. One of the most effective approaches that many companies in the petroleum industry are implementing is the complete integration of all processes and assets into an all-inclusive management system. In doing this, the potential for a more effective and efficient operational process, results in improvements to operational costs.
Using Methodologies that Keep the Operational Process Connected
One thing that we place substantial gravity on is not allowing the complexity of remote environments to foster disconnects between mechanisms and entities that control performance. When it comes to quality management, we integrate more than 64 operational modules into a single seamless, online management system. By connecting all of our client's compliance requirements with one comprehensive solution, we provide a highly detailed perspective of their operational compliance in all key areas.
Integrated approaches to asset and operational management initially began with a goal of improving Process Safety Management (PSM) — with the primary focus being on HSE system efficiency. Due to the fact that oil and gas companies often operate in hostile environments, using hazardous materials and processes, it is imperative that these processes are effectively managed with a high level of precision and specificity in order to successfully avoid significant process-related accidents. This need for precision and safety resulted in the development of PSM programs and procedures that are normally housed within an HSE system.
Now the idea of integrated processes has been taken to an entirely different level as we work to implement safety and operational efficiency into one single integrated process, through which all variables and components of the operational process can be monitored and managed, even when functioning in extreme and remote environments.
Maximize Productivity
While safety is always at the forefront of any operational process, we understand that time is money, and when time is being wasted on operational processes, the company is hemorrhaging money. As the nature of operational processes continue to increase in complexity, the ability to manage these processes through multiple mechanisms has become increasingly difficult — making it necessary to develop integrated process applications through which the entire operational system can be effectively managed.
When high-paced operations require that API Spec Q1 and/or API Spec Q2 standards be met in multiple processes that are functioning simultaneously, integrating all required standards into one measurement mechanism helps to simplify the compliance and efficiency process. When there are multiple processes that must be managed through separate systems, it is easy to have a disconnect where there are intersecting mechanisms, but integrated solutions help to resolve this issue.
We are able to facilitate operational excellence at a level that ensures that our clients are able to develop and sustain a competitive edge as well as maintain quality and safety compliance standards.
For more information on how Accupoint Software can help your organization improve operational excellence please contact us today.
Understanding Operational Excellence
In its simplest form, operational excellence can be understood as an integral component of organizational leadership that places great emphasis on multiples principles, tools and systems that work toward the sustainable improvement of identifiable central performance metrics.
Achieving operational excellence, however, is quite challenging, especially when considering the increased complexity in the area of extreme remote operational environments. One of the most effective approaches that many companies in the petroleum industry are implementing is the complete integration of all processes and assets into an all-inclusive management system. In doing this, the potential for a more effective and efficient operational process, results in improvements to operational costs.
Using Methodologies that Keep the Operational Process Connected
One thing that we place substantial gravity on is not allowing the complexity of remote environments to foster disconnects between mechanisms and entities that control performance. When it comes to quality management, we integrate more than 64 operational modules into a single seamless, online management system. By connecting all of our client's compliance requirements with one comprehensive solution, we provide a highly detailed perspective of their operational compliance in all key areas.
Integrated approaches to asset and operational management initially began with a goal of improving Process Safety Management (PSM) — with the primary focus being on HSE system efficiency. Due to the fact that oil and gas companies often operate in hostile environments, using hazardous materials and processes, it is imperative that these processes are effectively managed with a high level of precision and specificity in order to successfully avoid significant process-related accidents. This need for precision and safety resulted in the development of PSM programs and procedures that are normally housed within an HSE system.
Now the idea of integrated processes has been taken to an entirely different level as we work to implement safety and operational efficiency into one single integrated process, through which all variables and components of the operational process can be monitored and managed, even when functioning in extreme and remote environments.
Maximize Productivity
While safety is always at the forefront of any operational process, we understand that time is money, and when time is being wasted on operational processes, the company is hemorrhaging money. As the nature of operational processes continue to increase in complexity, the ability to manage these processes through multiple mechanisms has become increasingly difficult — making it necessary to develop integrated process applications through which the entire operational system can be effectively managed.
When high-paced operations require that API Spec Q1 and/or API Spec Q2 standards be met in multiple processes that are functioning simultaneously, integrating all required standards into one measurement mechanism helps to simplify the compliance and efficiency process. When there are multiple processes that must be managed through separate systems, it is easy to have a disconnect where there are intersecting mechanisms, but integrated solutions help to resolve this issue.
We are able to facilitate operational excellence at a level that ensures that our clients are able to develop and sustain a competitive edge as well as maintain quality and safety compliance standards.
For more information on how Accupoint Software can help your organization improve operational excellence please contact us today.
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Over the last decade, worldwide shale production has expanded, producing more than 40 billion cubic feet of dry shale gas per day, according to research from BP. The search for clean alternatives to coal has pushed demand for gas across the globe. Established shale producers may soon need to scale up in order to meet the demands of this growing market.
In order to ensure their place in this growing market, shale providers should consider the following industry problems and solutions:
1. Equipment and technology demands.
By developing advanced drilling technology and techniques small energy companies that wish to take advantage of the healthy shale market and scale up their workflows must pursue similar strategies. Tracking the cost and productivity of old and existing equipment can help companies make informed decisions about what should be upgraded, and when. When it comes to meeting customer expectation, equipment management is paramount, and centralized control of maintenance schedules and downtime tracking ensures that providers will meet production obligations and avoid costly downtime due to equipment failures.
2. Supply chain and vendor management.
Shale industry supply chains differ from those associated with more traditional energy products. Upstream workflow components center on complex infrastructure and require wide degrees of support, including specialized waste management and transportation services. The average shale pad contains more than 20 moving operational parts, all of which must operate together.
Configuring supply chains of this magnitude is no easy task. Constructing processes on an as-needed basis can institutionalize inefficiencies and cause problems down the road. Communications solutions that push for point of contact cooperation with vendors and suppliers go a long way to developing effective processes that foresee future growth, and management resources that build upon vendor feedback capitalize on provider expertise and promote mutually beneficial relationships.
3. Workforce training.
Specialists from a variety of industries must collaborate to get shale extraction sites up and running. From the construction teams to drill operators, these workflows are critical to operations. Companies ramping up their shale operations need to cultivate and expand their talent pools to meet the needs of this industry niche.
In the current employment market, upskilling existing talent maybe the only workable solution. Oil and gas organizations can divert workers from verticals with declining prospects and retrain them for work in shale production teams. This move allows energy firms to boost their shale output without investing immense amounts in hiring and recruitment. Internal solutions that standardize training procedures and ensure constant upkeep of current training demands can weaponize a company’s current employee pool to meet the market and consumer demands.
Together, these strategies can help businesses in the oil and gas industry take advantage of the continued acceleration and intensification of the shale gas revolution. To find out how Accupoint Software can help maximize your company’s growth potential, please contact us today.
In order to ensure their place in this growing market, shale providers should consider the following industry problems and solutions:
1. Equipment and technology demands.
By developing advanced drilling technology and techniques small energy companies that wish to take advantage of the healthy shale market and scale up their workflows must pursue similar strategies. Tracking the cost and productivity of old and existing equipment can help companies make informed decisions about what should be upgraded, and when. When it comes to meeting customer expectation, equipment management is paramount, and centralized control of maintenance schedules and downtime tracking ensures that providers will meet production obligations and avoid costly downtime due to equipment failures.
2. Supply chain and vendor management.
Shale industry supply chains differ from those associated with more traditional energy products. Upstream workflow components center on complex infrastructure and require wide degrees of support, including specialized waste management and transportation services. The average shale pad contains more than 20 moving operational parts, all of which must operate together.
Configuring supply chains of this magnitude is no easy task. Constructing processes on an as-needed basis can institutionalize inefficiencies and cause problems down the road. Communications solutions that push for point of contact cooperation with vendors and suppliers go a long way to developing effective processes that foresee future growth, and management resources that build upon vendor feedback capitalize on provider expertise and promote mutually beneficial relationships.
3. Workforce training.
Specialists from a variety of industries must collaborate to get shale extraction sites up and running. From the construction teams to drill operators, these workflows are critical to operations. Companies ramping up their shale operations need to cultivate and expand their talent pools to meet the needs of this industry niche.
In the current employment market, upskilling existing talent maybe the only workable solution. Oil and gas organizations can divert workers from verticals with declining prospects and retrain them for work in shale production teams. This move allows energy firms to boost their shale output without investing immense amounts in hiring and recruitment. Internal solutions that standardize training procedures and ensure constant upkeep of current training demands can weaponize a company’s current employee pool to meet the market and consumer demands.
Together, these strategies can help businesses in the oil and gas industry take advantage of the continued acceleration and intensification of the shale gas revolution. To find out how Accupoint Software can help maximize your company’s growth potential, please contact us today.
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A service validation is a comprehensive examination meant to confirm that an existing, new or changed service performs as intended. However, when we talk about section 8.5.1 of the ISO 9001:2015 the difference between service/design validation and service/design verification can be confusing.
Service/design validation processes, specifically, are quality control processes that demonstrate product/service consistency, quality, and durability. They ensure that the service/design does what it is intended to do.
This aspect of quality management is particularly important in situations “where the resulting output cannot be verified by subsequent monitoring or measurement.” One example of where service/design validation is critical would be a welding process where the strength of each individual weld cannot be tested without damaging the product.
These sort of real-world necessities create quite a bind; how do you test without testing? To resolve this, service providers need to create test environments where they can perform their service process, in spaces that duplicate the workspace and conditions where the service will be performed. Once the service environment is duplicated, the tests perform a full check on each step of the service, or creation of the product: You have to perform the service on a test platform, where each step of the service can be examined, measured, and evaluated.
In order to achieve this kind of testing, providers should consider adopting practices such as:
Service validation and testing ensures that the service or product delivers the expected outcomes for the customer. In addition to controlling quality, service validation testing provides opportunities to identify ways in which services and products can be improved, and efficiencies can be found.
For more information on how Accupoint Software can help your business create and control service/product validation processes, please contact us today.
Service/design validation processes, specifically, are quality control processes that demonstrate product/service consistency, quality, and durability. They ensure that the service/design does what it is intended to do.
This aspect of quality management is particularly important in situations “where the resulting output cannot be verified by subsequent monitoring or measurement.” One example of where service/design validation is critical would be a welding process where the strength of each individual weld cannot be tested without damaging the product.
These sort of real-world necessities create quite a bind; how do you test without testing? To resolve this, service providers need to create test environments where they can perform their service process, in spaces that duplicate the workspace and conditions where the service will be performed. Once the service environment is duplicated, the tests perform a full check on each step of the service, or creation of the product: You have to perform the service on a test platform, where each step of the service can be examined, measured, and evaluated.
In order to achieve this kind of testing, providers should consider adopting practices such as:
- Service validation tests designed and carried out by the people who haven’t been involved in the design and development process.
- The criteria for passing/failing of a test should be documented in an SDP before any testing.
- Each test environment should be restored to its original state before starting a new test.
- A risk-based testing approach should be adopted to reduce the risk to the service or product. This means stress testing until failure, in order to record and report failure thresholds.
- Service validation and testing need to create, catalog and maintain a library of test models, cases, and data which can be re-used. This is important for being able to re-perform service/product validation during the service lifetime.
- The creation of a quality management system that ensures consistency across all platform and personnel, in order to ensure test conditions can be adequately recreated.
Service validation and testing ensures that the service or product delivers the expected outcomes for the customer. In addition to controlling quality, service validation testing provides opportunities to identify ways in which services and products can be improved, and efficiencies can be found.
For more information on how Accupoint Software can help your business create and control service/product validation processes, please contact us today.
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Corrective and preventive actions are important parts of a quality management system (QMS) , but sometimes it can be difficult to tell these two processes apart.
A corrective action deals with a nonconformity that has occurred, and a preventive action addresses the potential for a nonconformity to occur. Section 8.5.2 of the ISO 9000 standard says corrective action eliminates the cause of nonconformities to prevent recurrence, and section 8.5.3 says preventive action determines and eliminates the causes of potential nonconformities to prevent occurrence. In a nutshell, one deals with what has happened and the other attempts to stop something from happening.
Many auditors recommend using separate procedures and forms to document each type of action. The standard doesn’t say this must be done, but there is a heavy implication that it should be done.
One way to understand these processes is to break down what is required for each one:
Corrective Action Process
Preventive Action Process
Both corrective and preventive actions require effective communications. In addition, both require clear documentation of actions taken and lessons learned. Documenting, controlling and communicating corrective and preventive actions ensure appropriate action is taken within a reasonable timeframe and the resulting changes are effective.
For more information on how Accupoint Software can help your organization manage the corrective and preventative action process, please contact us today.
A corrective action deals with a nonconformity that has occurred, and a preventive action addresses the potential for a nonconformity to occur. Section 8.5.2 of the ISO 9000 standard says corrective action eliminates the cause of nonconformities to prevent recurrence, and section 8.5.3 says preventive action determines and eliminates the causes of potential nonconformities to prevent occurrence. In a nutshell, one deals with what has happened and the other attempts to stop something from happening.
Many auditors recommend using separate procedures and forms to document each type of action. The standard doesn’t say this must be done, but there is a heavy implication that it should be done.
One way to understand these processes is to break down what is required for each one:
Corrective Action Process
- Locate and document the root cause of the nonconformity.
- Audit the system to ensure no other nonconformity could occur. (impact analysis)
- Analyze the effect the nonconformity may have had on a product or service before it was discovered.
- Which may require taking action by either recalling the product, notifying the customer, downgrading or scrapping product.
- Establish thorough follow-up to ensure the correction is effective and recurrence has been prevented.
Preventive Action Process
- Take proactive steps to detect a potential nonconformity before it can occur.
- Use system analysis to create built-in safeguards and process changes to prevent nonconformance.
- Example, use of a failure mode and risk analysis to identify potential deficiencies and create priorities for improvement.
Both corrective and preventive actions require effective communications. In addition, both require clear documentation of actions taken and lessons learned. Documenting, controlling and communicating corrective and preventive actions ensure appropriate action is taken within a reasonable timeframe and the resulting changes are effective.
For more information on how Accupoint Software can help your organization manage the corrective and preventative action process, please contact us today.
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How well do you know your supply chain? A supply chain is only strong as its weakest link. When it comes to controlling your suppliers, the better you are at understanding the entire chain and identifying weak links, the better your company will be in the long run.
The recently released API Spec Q1 9th Edition – Addendum 2 focuses on supply chain controls, specifically relating to multi-tier suppliers. As you are aware, Q1 has always required us to manage our supply chain. However, the revised requirements expand the controls to include associated (tier 2 & 3 level) suppliers that are essential for product realization.
To that end, in today’s post we will focus on a couple of tips to improve the effectiveness of your supply chain controls.
An efficient supply chain control program enables your company to reduce costs, minimize risk and satisfy customer expectations. For more information on how Accupoint Software can help your organization to improve your supply chain control program, please contact us today.
The recently released API Spec Q1 9th Edition – Addendum 2 focuses on supply chain controls, specifically relating to multi-tier suppliers. As you are aware, Q1 has always required us to manage our supply chain. However, the revised requirements expand the controls to include associated (tier 2 & 3 level) suppliers that are essential for product realization.
To that end, in today’s post we will focus on a couple of tips to improve the effectiveness of your supply chain controls.
- Understand the big picture. Gather performance data on each supplier in the chain and update it constantly. If your data only includes some vendors or incomplete performance data, the picture of your supply chain is as incomplete as a jigsaw puzzle missing half the pieces. Without concrete data, you may have an idea of potential snags but ultimately you are guessing. As a result, you're not able to make the best decisions on how to resolve issues that could impact operations.
- Use integrated technology to manage your supply chain. Technology enables more efficient and effective data collection and analysis, giving you increased response time to head off potential problems. In addition, by using integrated technology you can improve communications with relevant stakeholders resulting in minimized disruptions to production.
An efficient supply chain control program enables your company to reduce costs, minimize risk and satisfy customer expectations. For more information on how Accupoint Software can help your organization to improve your supply chain control program, please contact us today.
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The Net Promoter Score (NPS) can be a great tool to improve the customer satisfaction of your business. It can also help to expand your customer base. NPS is a simple process, but the effects can have a significant impact on your business. Let's look at the advantages of NPS.
1. The NPS Process Is Customer Friendly
How likely is it you would recommend us to a friend or colleague? Determining the NPS requires only asking the single question above. When you ask it, the customer responds with a range from 0 (not at all) to 10 (extremely likely.) It requires minimal effort on their part. By asking only a single question, the customer is more likely to take the time to give an answer. The last thing you want to do is to burden your customers with an exhaustive survey. Since they are not, the customer will provide accurate information and still leave in a good mood.
2. NPS Provides a Target for Focusing Customer Relations Efforts
NPS gives a clear picture of how customers view your products and services. People tend to be conservative when it comes to making a recommendation. By asking this question, you can get a good measure of the customer's satisfaction. Once you have the measurement in place, it gives you a clear goal to focus on while you try to raise it. The goal should be to move all the detractors (those with a score of 0 to 6) to a passive level (7 or 8.) And you should, in turn, move all the passives you can to promoters (9 or 10.) Promoters can do incredible things for your business when it comes to getting the word out.
3. NPS Can Reduce the Cost of Customer Acquisition
The best way of increasing a customer base is by word of mouth. Since the NPS is a direct measure of how likely this is to happen, it gives you a very focused metric on which to improve. You will want to nurture low scoring customers. Doing this will increase the likelihood of future product and service recommendations. Taking care of low scoring customers will also help to keep them coming back for more business. Every saved customer relationship is one you don't have to pay to replace later. This can have a positive impact your bottom line. The NPS can be a simple yet powerful tool in customer relations for your business.
Contact us today for more information on how Accupoint Software can help streamline your customer bench-marking process.
1. The NPS Process Is Customer Friendly
How likely is it you would recommend us to a friend or colleague? Determining the NPS requires only asking the single question above. When you ask it, the customer responds with a range from 0 (not at all) to 10 (extremely likely.) It requires minimal effort on their part. By asking only a single question, the customer is more likely to take the time to give an answer. The last thing you want to do is to burden your customers with an exhaustive survey. Since they are not, the customer will provide accurate information and still leave in a good mood.
2. NPS Provides a Target for Focusing Customer Relations Efforts
NPS gives a clear picture of how customers view your products and services. People tend to be conservative when it comes to making a recommendation. By asking this question, you can get a good measure of the customer's satisfaction. Once you have the measurement in place, it gives you a clear goal to focus on while you try to raise it. The goal should be to move all the detractors (those with a score of 0 to 6) to a passive level (7 or 8.) And you should, in turn, move all the passives you can to promoters (9 or 10.) Promoters can do incredible things for your business when it comes to getting the word out.
3. NPS Can Reduce the Cost of Customer Acquisition
The best way of increasing a customer base is by word of mouth. Since the NPS is a direct measure of how likely this is to happen, it gives you a very focused metric on which to improve. You will want to nurture low scoring customers. Doing this will increase the likelihood of future product and service recommendations. Taking care of low scoring customers will also help to keep them coming back for more business. Every saved customer relationship is one you don't have to pay to replace later. This can have a positive impact your bottom line. The NPS can be a simple yet powerful tool in customer relations for your business.
Contact us today for more information on how Accupoint Software can help streamline your customer bench-marking process.
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As the oil and gas industry is in the midst of evaluating and improving business practices in order to competitively deliver products and services, the underlying drive is to find ways to improve processes and provide operational efficiency. Further, the pressure to deliver at an optimum level while maintaining cost effectiveness is greater than ever.
One of the growing trends for balancing reduced resources is the integration of technology, such as cloud computing, into operations. Simply put, a business subscribes to an application and accesses it over the internet. There are many advantages to using cloud-based technology especially when your talent pool has been downsized:
Due to changes in the industry and the demand to remain competitive in the global market, many businesses are adopting technology solutions to fill the void of talent and the mandate to do more with less. As a result, many businesses discover better business practices as they learn to operate according to a leaner, more efficient model.
For more information on how Accupoint’s solutions can help improve operational efficiency, contact us today.
One of the growing trends for balancing reduced resources is the integration of technology, such as cloud computing, into operations. Simply put, a business subscribes to an application and accesses it over the internet. There are many advantages to using cloud-based technology especially when your talent pool has been downsized:
- Maintain organizational knowledge base
- Improve communications with customers and partners
- Simplify process management to minimize operational issues
- Improve data quality and the ability to update in real time
- Enhance cost management and profitability
- Streamline return on investment due to efficiency attainment
Due to changes in the industry and the demand to remain competitive in the global market, many businesses are adopting technology solutions to fill the void of talent and the mandate to do more with less. As a result, many businesses discover better business practices as they learn to operate according to a leaner, more efficient model.
For more information on how Accupoint’s solutions can help improve operational efficiency, contact us today.
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You have probably heard the term The Great Crew Change. It has been floating around the last few years as companies begin to recognize the generational change in the workforce. While this is a challenge (and opportunity) that every industry will face very soon, it will have a particularly profound impact on Oil and Gas. According to estimates the average age of employees in the petroleum industry is 60. The nearly 50% of workers over 55 will be retiring in the next 5-7 years. This is going to leave a huge gap in the knowledge and experience base of companies. With recent and ongoing downsizing due to lower oil prices, and the impending effects of The Great Crew Change, companies have to consider what it means for them and how they will prepare for the changes.
Several key steps should be taken to set your company up for success.
While The Great Crew Change does mean new challenges, it also presents opportunity. Companies need to find a balance between experience and embracing the inevitable changes. Investments must be made in both employee retention, and utilizing new technology. Companies need to focus on efficiency, accuracy and spending in areas that may not have been the main focus 10 years ago. Those companies that are able to operate at optimal performance will be in the best position for success no matter which direction the market turns. For more information on how Accupoint can help you navigate The Great Crew Change and optimizing business practices, contact us today.
Several key steps should be taken to set your company up for success.
- Understand the value of retaining your experienced employees. The Baby Boomer generation will soon reach retirement age, and while some companies are looking to downsize, the knowledge that these employees have and the experience they have gained is worth making the extra effort to retain them. Companies have found that if these employees leave they may go to different industries and do not return once prices shift. It is important to note the added stress placed on the experienced employees during a workforce downturn. Some may even opt to retire early. Employers need to remain cognizant of stresses placed on the industry and employees while focusing on retention.
- Put systems and procedures in place that encourage the transfer or knowledge from experienced employees to the younger generation. For example, Millennials respond well to direct training with more knowledgeable employees. You may also consider including experienced employees in the writing of training material, have them assist with handbooks and even training seminars. It is important to get their broad range of experience from every department.
- Embrace the pull from younger workers toward using more technology. Millennials will play a crucial role in implementing new tech, which will not only entice educated employees, but also boost productivity. Expect to see the use of cutting edge technology like artificial intelligence, predictive analytics, Internet of Things, and machine learning. Tasks that would have taken days or weeks can be accomplished much quicker now with the use of technology. Remember that technology also plays a critical role in recruiting new employees. Nearly half of all Millennials are looking for their next job on LinkedIn and there are more than 5,000 oil and gas LinkedIn groups. Social Media is a powerful tool in helping you find educated and eager employees. Companies can be somewhat selective in hiring, and should keep in mind that Millennials may look for different qualities in an employer, like the ability to maintain a work-life balance.
While The Great Crew Change does mean new challenges, it also presents opportunity. Companies need to find a balance between experience and embracing the inevitable changes. Investments must be made in both employee retention, and utilizing new technology. Companies need to focus on efficiency, accuracy and spending in areas that may not have been the main focus 10 years ago. Those companies that are able to operate at optimal performance will be in the best position for success no matter which direction the market turns. For more information on how Accupoint can help you navigate The Great Crew Change and optimizing business practices, contact us today.
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Companies handling potentially dangerous or sensitive materials, like chemical treatment plants and oil refinement corporations, put a premium on safety. Implementing safety protocols and verifying them during operations is essential. The following are a few safety management ideas and tools for cultivating a safety-oriented atmosphere.
1. Constant and Dedicated Safety Training
A workforce requires precipitous safety training reminders, no matter how much extensive training they have had in the past. This may seem like an obstacle to productivity; however, each worker having a comprehensive understanding of safety standards and protocols saves time and money in the long run. Conducting dedicated safety training courses helps employees realize their active roles in maintaining safe operational standards.
2. Use Safety Management Technology
Technology can play a vital role when it comes to increasing safety at places like oil processing plants where standards and process are strictly documented. Programs like the OpX Process Safety Management system helps by creating a safe working environment by operating intuitively to delegate critical tasks systematically to essential personnel. Any management software should easily scale, have a simplistic roll-out and implementation procedure and reduce the need for burdensome training. With this software, you can address and eliminate compliance gaps as they are discovered.
3. Develop an effective Safety Program
Every processing or refinement plant should have in place or be developing, a safety and health program with policies, a budget, and procedures tailored to their location. This shows an appreciation for the workforce and will help to ensure the security of your resources and their adherence to OSHA standards and guidelines, reinforcing your company’s bottom line. In fact, modeling your intra-company safety guidelines after strict governmental standards, while tailoring them to suit the dynamic of an oil processing firm better, will keep employees hard a work help to avoid daily hazards.
4. Be Active and Pro-active
Taking charge and actively applying safety protocols conveys the fact that you take safety management seriously. You should develop safety initiatives that require the participation of executives, you, and your bosses to take part. Part of implementing your safety program must include the cultivation of a culture focused on safety, which can only be accomplished with the involvement of leadership. Work closely with the team utilizing training sessions, applying technology and work site analyses whenever possible.
To find out more about how Accupoint Software can help you reach a new standard in production and safety, contact us today.
1. Constant and Dedicated Safety Training
A workforce requires precipitous safety training reminders, no matter how much extensive training they have had in the past. This may seem like an obstacle to productivity; however, each worker having a comprehensive understanding of safety standards and protocols saves time and money in the long run. Conducting dedicated safety training courses helps employees realize their active roles in maintaining safe operational standards.
2. Use Safety Management Technology
Technology can play a vital role when it comes to increasing safety at places like oil processing plants where standards and process are strictly documented. Programs like the OpX Process Safety Management system helps by creating a safe working environment by operating intuitively to delegate critical tasks systematically to essential personnel. Any management software should easily scale, have a simplistic roll-out and implementation procedure and reduce the need for burdensome training. With this software, you can address and eliminate compliance gaps as they are discovered.
3. Develop an effective Safety Program
Every processing or refinement plant should have in place or be developing, a safety and health program with policies, a budget, and procedures tailored to their location. This shows an appreciation for the workforce and will help to ensure the security of your resources and their adherence to OSHA standards and guidelines, reinforcing your company’s bottom line. In fact, modeling your intra-company safety guidelines after strict governmental standards, while tailoring them to suit the dynamic of an oil processing firm better, will keep employees hard a work help to avoid daily hazards.
4. Be Active and Pro-active
Taking charge and actively applying safety protocols conveys the fact that you take safety management seriously. You should develop safety initiatives that require the participation of executives, you, and your bosses to take part. Part of implementing your safety program must include the cultivation of a culture focused on safety, which can only be accomplished with the involvement of leadership. Work closely with the team utilizing training sessions, applying technology and work site analyses whenever possible.
To find out more about how Accupoint Software can help you reach a new standard in production and safety, contact us today.
