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Asset Performance Management Systems Boost Reliability and Profitability
marketplace by implementing an asset reliability strategy. “This is a as 15 seconds for a round trip against a specification that in some
fundamental shift required in many asset-intensive companies: the instances allowed two seconds and in others allowed five seconds.
change of culture from viewing asset management as a cost centre
to viewing it as a competitive advantage” said Mehul Shah, a When the service engineer arrived at the platform, he asked for a
Research Analyst with the Aberdeen Group. “An effective asset network diagram. He was provided with an architectural diagram. No
performance strategy will enable companies to improve asset one knew where the switches were installed or if they were properly
utilisation and availability resulting in quantifiable business benefits.” configured. The company’s overall strategy was one of isolation, so
remote troubleshooting was impossible. The design and documentation
An APM programme aligns operation and maintenance strategies, methods had set up this company for failure. Once the network was
offers tools that enhance operational transparency and applies analysed, some switches were replaced and configuration work was
realtime analytics to improve decision support. Nevertheless, conducted on all switches; the system was brought within specification.
implementing such a system may seem like a daunting task. This could have been averted and operations initiated earlier if a proper
However, if a systematic approach is taken, the process can be network strategy had been developed in the first place.
carried out in phases that can quickly show results. This article
recommends a methodology to help achieve success. When developing a network strategy, one must consider who needs
the data, why the data are required, in what time-frame the data are
Begin with a Network Strategy required and what instruments, devices, controls and servers will sit
The first step in a well-designed APM programme is developing a on the network. How the data will be utilised will drive where it
comprehensive network strategy based on detailed electrical and needs to be and when. Additionally, one must consider the service
architectural plans. All business and facility goals and objectives strategy to be utilised during operations. While complete isolation of
should be considered during this process. The end result should be controls networks is a strategy, it is not necessarily the right strategy.
to ensure that the correct information gets into the right hands in a Bridging to company networks to allow centrally located experts to
timely manner. service the facilities should be considered. Finally, these decisions
should be documented.
On a recent deepwater complex, the client called to complain about
hardware performance and timing between the electrical control A network diagram should detail the physical network paths and
system, the safety system and the distributed controls system (DCS) architecture where switches will be inserted. It should resemble an
(all built from common hardware). Performance times were as much electrical schematic rather than a simplified architecture drawing. A
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