HMEL had earlier partnered with IBM for the design and implementation of manufacturing execution systems (MES) including the selection of select processes and applications, as well as managing the mechanics of the project. The new IBM solution integrates information from the various components of the MES, enterprise resource planning (ERP), and control systems within the refinery and delivers a consolidated, single view of the data.
The technology will enable HMEL to analyse key corporate business processes including planned versus actual investments, production, key performance indicators, among others. The system will generate near real-time information for HMEL business executives to make more intelligent decisions around optimising productivity and margins. HMEL has built the 9 MMTPA (million metric tonne per annum) Guru Gobind Singh Refinery in Bathinda, Punjab that has a capability of processing 180,000 barrels of crude oil per day.
The IBM analytics solution also equips the organisation with power to interpret, transform and derive process operation actions from the information. It provides an industry standards based information model and associated integration techniques, enabling HMEL to turn data into information that can be accessed and delivered through Web services.
"As a greenfield project, we wanted to leverage the best of technology to ensure world-class operations and efficiency. We needed a solution that would provide us with a centralised view of all our assets for operational management purposes," said Moiz Tankiwala, Chief Operating Officer, HMEL.
IBM has been working alongside HMEL as part of Project Prism, the umbrella programme to implement strategic applications for HMEL, to support the ERP system, manage master data (MDM), build key performance indicator (KPI) dashboards, and create an integration business application environment. The Cognos Business Intelligence solution helps HMEL in building an enterprise-class Performance Management platform closely aligned with their existing technical architecture.
Vanitha Narayanan, Managing Partner, Global Business Services, IBM India/South Asia said: “Amidst complex processes, like in a refinery, use of analytics can transform financial processes and improve operational efficiencies.”
