The success of innovation projects such as the digitization of asset management largely depends on the support of your top management. In practice, however, this is often lacking. This makes it difficult to get your digital asset management initiatives off the ground. A good business case will help you convince your management (see also ‘Insufficient budget’). The support of your top management is also essential for another reason. And that is the acceptance of your employees. If you want them to change, the top must set a good example and provide support for your plans (see also ‘Resistance to change’).

The digitization of asset management requires an investment, there is no escaping that. But it also yields a lot. Consider more efficient maintenance processes, minimal equipment downtime and punctual deliveries. But also, for example, higher quality, through better monitoring of production specifications. All of this translates into satisfied customers and happy employees, because the latter also benefit from smooth processes. If you are going to work with digital asset management, first make a good business case with clear goals. Look at all the added value you realize, not just the direct financial gain. This makes it easier to get budget for your plans and increases your chances of success.

The resistance of employees is often a stumbling block in digitization. Understand what is going on: what are the concerns about digital asset management and how do you address them? Take your employees with you in the change process and actively involve them. Make them curious about the new possibilities and explain to them how important the digitization of asset management is for your organization and for themselves. How does it make their work easier? Allow existing employees to develop their knowledge and skills and bring in young ‘tech-savvy’ employees who promote a new digital culture. Also realize that change takes time and give your people that space. Continue to communicate about the importance of digital asset management and the steps you are taking.

Linking historical, recent and real-time data about your installations and maintenance is essential for optimal digital asset management. However, many organizations suffer from ‘island automation’. They use different systems such as a GIS, SCADA software or a PLC system. As a result, their data is spread across various silos. These data silos can seriously hinder the digitization of processes. Break down the walls between your data silos and bring together all the data you need for digital asset management. For example, create a virtual data platform, within which you can effortlessly and securely combine data. So that you always have insight into the health of your assets and the remaining economic lifespan. With all that data, you can even predict when your assets will fail or need maintenance. The solution that Gemba offers you for this is IBM Maximo Asset Performance Management in combination with IBM Maximo Enterprise Asset Management.

Digital transformation, such as the digitization of your asset management, places new demands on your IT systems. They must be able to quickly process enormous amounts of data and are reaching their limits. Replacing your complete IT infrastructure in one go is of course not very realistic. How do you deal with legacy systems when digitizing your asset management? By transferring part of your systems to the cloud or even purchasing them as services, you gain scalability and flexibility, for example. Technologies such as edge computing also offer a solution. For example, by collecting and combining data from the IIoT sensors that monitor your assets via an intelligent IIoT sensor platform, you relieve your IT infrastructure.