Fortescue Metals Group Implements Oniqua Analytics Solution to Optimize Asset Performance and MRO Cost Efficiencies

BRISBANE, Australia, July 22, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- Oniqua MRO Analytics (Oniqua), the leading provider of analytics-based MRO optimization solutions for asset-intensive industries, today announced that Fortescue Metals Group Limited (Fortescue), a world leader in iron ore production and sea-borne trading, has implemented Oniqua Analytics Solution (OAS).

"Fortescue's leadership has set the challenge of optimizing their inventory holdings. To achieve this means implementing the right technology tools and putting a continuous improvement review process in place," says Col Rae, Manager, Western Region – Australia, Oniqua.

"Fortescue needed a solution partner with proven capability, experience and credentials," says Rae. "Following a rigorous evaluation and selection process, Fortescue selected Oniqua as the best qualified partner for the company's needs. The implementation project was delivered in just three months and within budget."

Fortescue's sites in the resource rich Pilbara region of Western Australia include mine, rail and port operations. Its Chichester Hub comprises established mine sites at Christmas Creek and Cloudbreak, linked by approximately 50 kilometers of railway. The new site under construction at Solomon will include a new rail spur connecting it to existing rail and port infrastructure. Fortescue has also undertaken extensive development projects at the company's Herb Elliott Port, adding ship loading berths, ship loaders and inload circuits.

Rapid expansion of Fortescue's operations triggered corresponding increases in MRO inventory holdings. To keep inventory costs in line and ensure long-term success for new projects transitioning into operations, Fortescue needed sound cost controls and processes in place.

"Fortescue is well on the way to achieving target production capacity of 155 million tonnes per annum for the region.  At Oniqua, we're proud and excited to have the opportunity to assist Fortescue in achieving its business goals," Chris Wright, President, Asia Pacific, Oniqua.

To help Fortescue both address immediate issues and ensure long term sustainability, Oniqua proposed a combination of analytics software and consulting services designed to deliver maximum ROI and meet aggressive cost control objectives.

Deploying OAS via Oniqua Cloud, the provider's hosted deployment option, allows Fortescue to reduce the cost and technical requirements of running the application without sacrificing the software's flexibility, agility or capability. In addition to configuring the application to the company's business requirements, the consulting engagement focused on establishing the appropriate policies and procedures for the Fortescue environment and providing skills transfer. Fortescue also engaged Oniqua analyst services to help accelerate inventory reduction and cost savings.

"Inventory segmentation is one of the unique ways Oniqua helps customers optimize their MRO inventory," says Rae. "For Fortescue, Oniqua's consultants started by establishing an inventory baseline from which the inventory and supply chain managers can track and report on progress. Next, control segments were set up in order to apply new business rules and processes effectively."

"We expect Fortescue to derive additional business benefits from policy and procedure development, automation, skills transfer, expanded capabilities and opportunities and access to Oniqua's many resources," says Wright.

About Oniqua MRO Analytics
With operations in the Americas, Africa and Asia-Pacific regions, Oniqua is the world's leading MRO (Maintenance, Repair and Operations) analytics software company. Oniqua helps organizations maximize profits, savings and efficiencies by minimizing MRO waste, and delivers a positive return on investment in as little as three to six months. Oniqua Analytics Solution (OAS) leverages customers' transactional data by applying advanced analytics to identify inefficiencies and ensure that their maintenance, inventory and procurement operations run as efficiently as possible. Oniqua is proud to serve the world's leading companies in the oil and gas, mining, utilities and other asset-intensive industries, including ConocoPhillips, BP, Apache, Tennessee Valley Authority, Nebraska Public Power District, Orange County Transportation Authority, Vale, Codelco, Rio Tinto, Anglo Coal, BHP Billiton, Newmont Mining, Alcoa, Xstrata, Fortescue, Drummond Company, Freeport McMoRan and many others. www.oniqua.com

Oniqua is part of ASCO Group.

Media Contact
Alisson Hoy
Director, Global Marketing
Oniqua MRO Analytics
Phone: +1 303 952 7948  
Email

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SOURCE Oniqua MRO Analytics