Typically the ability of a mine to effectively and efficiently operate its business depends on the capacity of plant managers, local supervisors and team leaders to
easily determine the performance of the various business units under their control through key performance indicators (KPI’s).
The data used to calculate these KPIs usually resides across more than one system, in multiple locations, and in a variety of databases and formats. This data could be
useful to other personnel within the organisation, however most people do not have access to, or the time, to manipulate it.
Australian listed Ci Technologies, whose core software product is Citect, have introduced Plant2Business products. The products use web technologies to tap into
plant data. Plant2Net and Plant2Pocket deliver real time access to plant floor data in a secure and consistent manner for office and mobile users, the company said.
"Ci Technologies believes that individuals at all levels of an enterprise can be empowered to make strategic decisions more effectively if they are armed with the
right information, delivered in real time. Plant2Net and Plant2Pocket are tools that enable mission critical decisions to be made faster and with more confidence," a
company spokesperson said.
Ci Technologies describe Plant2Net as “the portal to your plant floor”. A portal is simply a web site that provides information about a particular topic. From a technical
standpoint, Plant2Net is a collection of integrated components that makes finding information easier.
"Plant2Pocket quite simply 'puts your plant … in your pocket'. Compatible with current WAP mobile phones and Personal Data Assistants, Plant2Pocket uses
global-standard technology to deliver real-time access to plant floor information - anywhere, anytime."
Plant2Pocket was developed specifically for wireless handheld devices where screen size is minimal, bandwidth is limited and ease of use is critical.
Nu-Lec's product is called Link 2, which also uses web-based management tool capable of retrieving data to present up-to-the-minute reports within seconds.
"Link-2 enables the web browser to extract data from multiple databases and present it in a report format at the touch of a fingertip. Reports can be represented in a table, text or graphical format with each format tailored to meet individual client needs," Nu-Lec said.
"Through Link-2, mine personnel can now get data from the various business systems (maintenance, asset management, plant control and production) and view it simultaneously on the same web page. This enables comparisons of data that previously would not have been possible. Production data can now be compared against project sales or scheduled maintenance can be compared against production
and sales."
The Nu-Lec Link-2 system has been implemented at a coal mining company to allow users to track product from the pit source through the preparation plant and onto
trains and ships for final delivery to the customer. This is achieved by Link-2 simultaneously linking and integrating the data from three separate databases together into a single system that is accessible through a web browser.
"This system has provided the site with many benefits and time and cost savings in the way they perform their work," Nu-Lec said. "Before the implementation of Link-2,
a useful coal production report required the extraction of data from each of the above systems.
“This data was then imported into an Excel spreadsheeet, the data cross-referenced and manipulated, until a report could be produced. This process took considerable man time and was only performed once a week due to the time it took to product. With Link-2 these reports can be generated within seconds and can be generated at
any time."
