The future of processing plants

"The title of our conversation is 'Everything everywhere at once: Getting control of plant data and documentation'," Robert Velén began. "It's an apt description of the challenges many companies face - managing dispersed and sometimes outdated information at a time when digitalization is rapidly becoming the norm."

Documentation chaos and its consequences

Andreas Eriksson shared his experience working in maintenance at production facilities. He described how a seemingly simple task, such as changing a pump, could turn into a frustrating and time-consuming process:

"It started with finding the right pump, which was often marked with a handwritten note that it had been refurbished or needed repair. Then we'd look for manuals and process drawings - scattered in binders in metal cabinets around the factory or in unstructured file systems. It could also happen that the documentation did not match reality. Sometimes the manual was for a completely different pump that happened to have been replaced without the documents being updated."

This manual approach meant that large parts of the working day were spent looking for, verifying and managing information, rather than doing value-adding work.

An example of inefficiency

In one specific example, Andreas described how he and a colleague took it upon themselves to clean out three metal cabinets of documentation.

"It took us a whole week to go through everything. We were able to throw away half of the binders because they were linked to decommissioned equipment or contained dated information. Although necessary, it felt like a huge inefficiency to have to spend so much time on this."

Problems also extended to the labeling and tracking of equipment. Mismanagement, such as missing labels or labels on the wrong equipment, created additional risks and inefficiencies.

Digitalization as a solution

The natural solution is to digitalize documentation and maintenance processes. Andreas highlighted how digital tools such as QR codes can streamline work.

"If each pump has a QR code, technicians can easily scan the code with a mobile device and access all relevant information: manuals, maintenance history and its current status. This eliminates the need to run around looking."

Robert stressed that digitalization also means quality assurance. In industries such as pharmaceutical production, where Andreas previously worked, poor documentation can have serious consequences.

"Manual handling with handwritten notes is not only inefficient but also a risk to quality. A digital system reduces the risk of human error and increases traceability," said Robert.

The barriers to digital transformation

Despite the obvious benefits, many companies face resistance to modernizing their ways of working. Andreas explained: "Many maintenance systems originate from financial systems and focus more on work orders and hours than on technical data. As a result, integrated, user-friendly solutions are still rare."

In addition to technical limitations, there are cultural barriers.

"Many older employees are stuck in old ways of working and are skeptical about change. At the same time, it will be difficult to attract and retain younger employees if the workplace doesn't keep up with digital developments," said Andreas.

The future requires adaptation

To overcome these obstacles and take advantage of the potential of digitalization, Andreas proposed a strategy that prioritizes integration and ease of use.

"It's not about buying the most expensive system, it's about finding a solution that fits the needs of the business. It's cheaper to buy a Vespa than a car, but they are two completely different tools."

Robert added that digitalization is not only a matter of efficiency but also a key to future-proofing business: "In our private lives, we use digital solutions for everything from banking to entertainment. It's reasonable to expect the same agility and modernity in the workplace."

Final words with a call to action

The conversation ended with a call for companies in the process industry to take the step towards digitalization.

"Gathering all documentation in a digital system makes it easier to update, find and use information. It's an investment in both efficiency and quality," Andreas concluded.

For companies that want to stay ahead, digitalization offers not only solutions to long-standing problems, but also the opportunity to become more attractive employers and create higher value for their customers.