assetlifet h e o f f i c i a l n e w s l e t t e r o f E P M s o l u t i o n s L t d

S P R I N G 2 0 0 7

Partnering for successEPM teams up with

Software fi rm Real Asset Management

MAINTEC 2007EPM exhibits again at the UK’s premier asset

management exhibition

CDM updateCDM 1994 Regulations

are simplifi ed

Short of talent?HOW CAN BUSINESSES MEET THE CHALLENGE OF THE UK’S CURRENT SKILLS SHORTAGE?

The UK is currently experiencing a shortage of skilled labour, which is particularly evident amongst the engineering

professions. This growing trend is bad news for an economy that depends upon engineering excellence for the development of new and innovative technologies. The UK’s complete skill base is, in fact, weak by international standards, which has the effect of holding back productivity, growth and social justice.

Even if current targets outlined in the 2006 government-commissioned Leitch Review of Skills are met, the UK’s skill base will still lag behind that of many comparator countries in 2020. The Trade Union Congress (TUC) estimates that over the next 15 years about 20 million individuals will need better skills than they have at present if Britain’s workers are to compete with Germany and France.

What is the solution? The Royal Academy of Engineering acknowledges the skills shortage in the industry and proposes that one way in which it could be addressed is to import skilled labour. At the same time however, the RAE recognises that importing skilled trades from abroad has logistical diffi culties and language barriers could cause problems. There is also a large demand for engineering skills in other engineering dependant sectors of the economy, where companies may not have the option of employing specialist-engineering staff.

Outsourcing A key way in which the problem of skills shortages can be addressed is to outsource certain departments to agencies or specialist companies. In appointing an outsourced body, the pressure of taking new staff on is eliminated, and companies are able to appoint specialists in the required fi eld. As an alternative to recruitment, outsourcing can have many advantages for all concerned. The main advantages of outsourcing include:

• • • • •

For details of how EPM can operate as your outsourced engineering project team, releasing valuable resources for other areas of your business please call 0141 848 6609.

Ability to buy in high value expertise at a fraction of the cost of employing someoneReduction in fi xed costs and easier fi nancial planningIncreased productivity rates Ability to focus on your core competenciesIncreased fl exibility to bring in the right skill at the right time depending on company priorities

A winning combination

asset management | engineering | project management

March of this year saw the formation of a strategic partnership between EPM and

software company Real Asset Management (RAM). The new alliance will result in EPM working in collaboration with RAM to provide software implementation services across RAM’s UK-wide customer base.

Gary Kerr explains the thinking behind the partnership. “We aim to complement RAM’s obvious strength in software design with the experience we have gained in actually getting

the software to work well in the day-to-day environment of asset-intensive companies. Implementation is an often mis-used word. For us it means getting our hands dirty to ensure the less glamourous detail of asset registers and database population is correctly carried out. It is also about integrating software in terms of engineering and existing processes.”

It is believed that the partnership will deliver mutually benefi cial advantages to EPM and RAM and above all, respective clients. The move comes as part of EPM’s plan to offer a bank of services, and tailor software packages to individual client specifi cations. RAM has successfully distributed

It is believed that the partnership will deliver mutually benefi cial advantages whilst improving customer service.

its products in over 3,000 organisations across 70 countries. Its range of experience includes Central Government, Commercial, Defence, Education, Housing, Local Government, NHS and Not For Profi t sectors.

Commenting on the new alliance Keith Dolby, Managing Director of RAM said “I am convinced that what makes the difference between a ‘software package’ and a ‘software solution’ is the way in which it is implemented. Nowhere is that more relevant than in the successful deployment of

new Computerised Maintenance Management Software (CMMS). EPM have formulated and implemented asset maintenance strategies for some of the largest manufacturing and production companies in the world. This will give RAM that all important framework and hands-on experience.”

The partnership is already underway with both teams currently working together on their client’s asset management solutions. Early indications from customers show that the combined skills of EPM and RAM are adding value to the current proposition whilst improving service levels. To fi nd out more about Real Asset Management please visit www.realassetmgt.co.uk

Asset Accounting SolutionsRAM is able to offer an extensive product range incorporating asset accounting, lessee asset accounting, depreciation forecasting and capital project control.

Asset Tracking SolutionsRAM has produced two software solutions to record detailed information on fi nancial and non-fi nancial equipment.

Maintenance Management SolutionsFacilities and industrial plant products are available to cater for any maintenance requirements.

Transport and Logistics SolutionsRAM is a leading supplier of transport and logistics to intermodal operators, tank and container leasings, shipping lines, rail operators and freight forwarders.

RAM’s software services

E P M A N D S O F T WA R E C O M PA N Y R E A L A S S E T M A N A G E M E N T ( R A M ) J O I N F O R C E S

Keith Dolby, Managing Director of Real Asset Management

how to cover

your ASSe ts

Y O U R A S S E T Q U E S T I O N S A N S W E R E D

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www.epmsolutions.co.uk

On 6th April of this year, new Construction (Design and Management) Regulations came into effect, placing legal duties on almost everyone involved in construction work. The new regulations are simplified, making it easier for duty holders i.e. engineers to stay informed of what is expected of them.

Since the original CDM Regulations were introduced in 1994, concerns were raised that their complexity discouraged the ultimate underlying health and safety objectives. As a consequence, and following industry-wide consultation in 2002, the decision was made to revise the regulations. The resulting regulations bring together the CDM Regulations 1994 and the Construction (Health Safety and Welfare) Regulations 1996.

To find out more about the changes and how they will affect your business please visit www.hse.gov.uk/construction/cdm.htm

We were recently asked by a client what SMED stood for. It highlighted the amount of industry terminology that exists, and in turn lead The Asset Mistress to do some jargon busting.

SMED – Single Minute Exchange of Dies is one of many lean production methods for reducing waste in a manufacturing process. It is also often referred to as Quick Changeover (QCO).RCM – Reliability-Centered Maintenance is an industrial improvement approach focused on identifying and establishing the operational, maintenance, and capital improvement policies that will manage the risks of equipment failure most effectively.TPM – Total Productive Maintenance is an equipment-maintenance program for business theory that closely resembles the Total Quality Management (TQM) program and lean manufacturing.FMEA – Failure Modes and Effects Analysis is a method, first developed for systems engineering, that examines potential failures in products or processes. It is used in many formal quality systems such as QS-9000 or ISO/TS 16949.FMECA – Failure Mode, Effects and Criticality Analysis is an extension of FMEA which includes a criticality analysis, used to chart the probability of failure modes against the severity of their consequences.OEE – Overall Equipment Effectiveness is a measure comparing how well manufacturing equipment is running to the ideal plant and takes a holistic view of all losses that impact on equipment performance.CMMS – Computerised Maintenance Management Software packages are used by organisations that perform maintenance on equipment and property. Some CMMS products focus on particular industry sectors, while other products aim to be more general.

CDM regulations simplified

We’ve got it sealed!EPM’s Project Engineer, Stewart Smith, this month attended a seminar in London on Mechanical Sealing Technology. Attendance at the seminar means EPM are now up to date with current safety and environmental legislation for mechanical seals in the process industries. The seminar also equips EPM with a deeper understanding of engineering sealing standards, seal reliability targets and the latest sealing technology for the hydrocarbon, petro-chemical and process industries. For more details please call EPM on 0141 848 6609.

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Staff SpotlightJ O H N C O L Q U H O U N

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Place of birthPaisleyPosition held at workTechnical SupportInterestsMotorbikes, motorcycle racing, music (listening/trying to make!) & readingFavourite foodMost Indian food and good old-fashioned mince and tattiesFavourite music and artistVery, very varied. At the moment a German electronic artist Conrad SchnitzlerFavourite TV programmeThe WIREFavourite movieThe Big LebowskiFavourite place visitedDetroit, USA

Favourite actorPaddy CosidineIf you were not at EPM , what would you like to be doing?Hmmm, probably still be working in some sort of Engineering.If you could trade places withanyone for a day, who would it be and why?The electronic synthesizer pioneer Bob Moog, he was too humble to ever say it himself, but he was a genius One thing that nobody knows about youI was a Sea Cadet for 3 years while in high schoolWhat would you do if you won the lottery?Enjoy the rest of my life free of financial worry, or at least until I had spent itIf you could change one thing in the world what would it be?People should be more tolerant of others What do you enjoy most about working at EPM?Atmosphere, and friendly environment

© 2007 EPM Solutions Ltd. EPM Solutions endeavours to ensure that the information in assetlife is up to date and accurate. However, where concerned you are advised to consult with the appropriate bodies for further details. Designed & published by the marketing cafe T. 0141 644 1777

EPM Solutions Ltd. Abbey Mill, 1010-1012 Mile End, Seedhill, Paisley, PA1 1TJ.T. 0141 848 6609 F. 0141 848 7749 E. info@epmsolutions.co.uk www.epmsolutions.co.uk

Having exhibited for the first time last year, EPM were again present in March of this year at the NEC Birmingham for

MAINTEC, the UK’s premier exhibition for maintenance and asset management. Last year proved extremely worthwhile, and resulted in a considerable amount of new enquiries. This year proved just as, if not more valuable, as interest came from a number of companies including energy firm Scottish Power, who are looking to update drawings for one of their power stations.

EPM deliberately positioned their stand near to software providers in order to pick up potential leads from those looking for software implementation advice. The increased traffic to the EPM stand can no doubt be attributed, in part, to the banner stands and exhibition graphics that were on show. This year, the ‘Covering Your ASSets’ theme was continued, in the form of an Ass or cartoon-style donkey. The new take on the theme was well received, and a number of people commented positively on the quirky nature of the communications.

For more information on MAINTEC go to www.maintec.co.uk

John Colquhoun is this month put under the spotlight. He is a music fanatic that loves Detroit, but reckons you can’t beat good home made mince and tatties!

Spot the Ass: Stewart Smith (left) and Gary Kerr of EPM

EPM’S UNIQUE SOFTWARE IMPLEMENTATION SOLUTION WAS WELL RECEIVED AT MAINTEC

Making an ass of MAINTEC