MDU Improves Accountability and Compliance by Integrating 10+ Systems
MDU Resources Group unified fragmented processes and systems into a single Enterprise Asset Management platform using IBM Maximo across its utility operations.
The Challenge
Before MDU merged several of their systems, many locations and teams had different policies, roles, and tech for asset management. Disconnected applications, including ESRI and IQGeo for survey functions, Locus View for mobile construction, PowerPlan for capital and tax planning, JDE for compliance and financials, and various tools for leak surveys, A/C surveys, and corrosion checks, didn’t talk to each other. In some cases, data was culled by hand and reporting relied on spreadsheets, which was tedious and increased the risk of errors.
These inconsistencies made it difficult to plan work, measure efficiency, and demonstrate compliance. Work orders remained open without oversight, and lack of visibility increased the risk of missing required maintenance windows. In addition, IT bore the high cost of management overhead.
Our Solution
MDU set out to unify policies and procedures, consolidate data, and streamline workflows. The initiative included IBM Maximo as a centralized EAM system connected to 10 applications with over 70 integration points.
They turned to the Cohesive team of Maximo as a brainstorming partner in the “art of the possible.” Together, they integrated the siloed systems and devised innovative solutions that leverage Maximo in new ways.
The Results
What was once a mix of paper and digital records and disconnected workflows is now a unified system that ensures accountability, with detailed tracking and data for proactive asset management, and compliance checks that help MDU avoid fines and keep assets and people safe.
Using data in Maximo, MDU’s team is now able to do things they couldn’t before, such as:
- Understand the backlog of mitigation work that must be addressed
- Decide when additional full-time employees or contractors should be hired
- Change how resources are allocated, or work is sequenced
- Estimate how long a work order will take to complete
- Easily show regulators an accurate, detailed breadcrumb path of completed work
- Alert compliance managers that work is coming due
