The AOP for Siemens components is a logistics service package in which the Siemens components installed at a plant, including stocks of spare parts kept for them, are analysed. This enables cost-effective assurance of the availability of Siemens components throughout the entire plant lifecycle, while simultaneously optimising the inventory.

“While the AOP is a Siemens global initiative, in South Africa we also see the programme as much more than just a logistics or spares tool,” says ……………….of the Siemens Industry Sector. “It can also be a means of collecting information on the installed base at a customer’s particular site, which can then be analysed and recommendations can be made with regards to the availability of spares for the plant and the lifecycle of these spares. This, in turn, may lead to possible upgrades of components such as Simatic S5 to Simatic S7 in the automation field, to ensure the reliable availability of the plant.”

According to …………….., when it comes to supplying spare parts, in many companies there is considerable potential for maintenance optimisation, as critical spare parts are not kept in stock or not in sufficient quantity, parts are no longer needed after plant modernisation processes and lie unused in storage, and due to long procurement times, too many parts are held in storage as reserve inventory or as a safety level.

“As a consequence hereof, plant availability is impaired by a lack of spare parts or by those that are no longer up-to-date, excess spare parts are held in inventory which leads to excessive asset costs, and due to long plant lifecycles, critical parts are no longer available in stock or even not deliverable,” he says.

As part of the AOP process, he says that Siemens will go to the customers’ site, inspect equipment and the spares stores, list all the Siemens equipment installed, and then input this information into the proprietary Asset Optimisation Tool developed by Siemens.

“This information generates a report showing the age of products kept in stock or installed and gives an availability of this equipment or parts,” he says. “If the equipment or parts are no longer available, the tool will recommend alternative parts or even suggest an upgrade to newer equipment. The report and its findings and recommendations are then given to the customer to action.”

He adds that AOP provides a tool to proactively detect any problems that may occur with spares availability or the risk posed by dated equipment, highlights any excess spares on hand, and identifies maintenance requirements.

“All of this leads to an optimisation of assets so that less capital tied up in surplus inventory, while by highlighting maintenance issues such as preventative maintenance through discussions with customers on site and our technicians inspecting the equipment, potential problems can be identified before they occur and maintenance can be streamlined, saving time and money,” he concludes.

About Siemens Southern Africa:

Siemens has had a presence in South Africa since 1860 when the company installed the first telegraph line linking Cape Town and Simon’s Town. Today, Siemens offers a balanced portfolio of technologies focusing on the Industry, Energy and Healthcare sectors, together with the cross-sector business of Siemens IT Solutions and Services. The unique ability to offer horizontal, customised, end-to-end technology solutions enables Siemens to keep its customers one-step ahead. As a committed corporate citizen, Siemens has active corporate social investment programmes as well as a comprehensive approach to local content, manpower development, skills and training. Further information is available on the Internet at www.siemens.co.za

The Siemens Industry Sector is the worldwide leading supplier of production, transportation, building and lighting technologies. With integrated automation technologies as well as comprehensive industry-specific solutions, Siemens increases the productivity, efficiency and flexibility of its customers in the fields of industry and infrastructure. The Sector consists of six Divisions: Building Technologies, Drive Technologies, Industry Automation, Industry Solutions, Mobility and Osram. With around 222,000 employees worldwide Siemens Industry posted a profit of EUR3.86 billion with revenues totaling EUR38 billion. www.siemens.com/industry