Mining Weekly

Mining software and solutions provider RPMGlobal says that it has demonstrated the value of the connected digital mine through the integration of its AMT and XERAS Enterprise software systems.

RPM highlights that it is the only vendor globally that delivers a fully integrated production, maintenance, simulation and financial planning offering to the mining industry, which is underpinned by its enterprise planning framework (EPF).
The company says that the integration between AMT and XERAS Enterprise connects two “critical elements” in the budget- ing and forecasting process, breaking down the once siloed divisions of maintenance, production and finance in the process to deliver “the next level” of cost management for progressive mining companies.
RPM product strategy and marketing executive GM Michael Baldwin points out that this announcement delivers on the commitment the company made in 2016 when it acquired AMT.

“The addition of AMT into our EPF means we can deliver [to] our customers in-depth knowledge of the real costs associated with maintenance and understand the financial impact this has on the operation,” he comments.
Baldwin elaborates that the customer reaction to the acquisition and now integration of AMT into the RPM Enterprise strategy has been “overwhelmingly positive”. He contends that there is nothing in the market today that delivers the same level of functionality with seamless integration. “This adds real value to our clients’ operations,” Baldwin enthuses.
At the heart of AMT is the dynamic life cycle costing (DLCC) engine. DLCC is the process of forecasting (in real time) every maintenance event for an asset to the end of its useful life, including the expected future cost and performance of the asset. This functionality enables asset managers to easily identify potential issues and take action early, saving money and avoiding costly downtime. “No other solution in the market can do this,” RPM asserts.
Baldwin says that, with the largest global installation base, XERAS Enterprise is the industry’s leading zero-based budget- ing solution and the trusted enterprise platform for the cost-focused mining organisation. He comments that, with software company SAP-certified integration, XERAS Enterprise delivers a live forecasting environment, which significantly reduces the time it takes to generate budgets and forecasts, delivering to companies an accurate financial position at any given time.

“XERAS Enterprise also delivers cost driver, scenario and what-if analysis straight out of the box,” Baldwin adds.
He says that, typically, the maintenance planning, budgeting and forecasting system has been disconnected from the operational budgeting and forecasting software, thus requiring a myriad of spreadsheets and copy and paste to get the job done.
Baldwin states that RPM wants to provide mining companies with a solution for the business rather than a tool for each individual or division within the business. He says that, with a fully integrated suite of enterprise solutions from production to maintenance, mining companies will have complete visibility, from the boardroom to the mine operation.

Baldwin notes that this level of visibility empowers mining companies to make informed decisions to deliver the productivity, safety and shareholder value that the market requires.
“In partnering with our customers and industry partners, we are enabling mining companies to rethink what is possible through a greater understanding of assets to reach new heights in their operations,” he concludes.