In today’s rapidly evolving world, asset management has become increasingly crucial and complex. Managing and maintaining assets such as buildings, infrastructure, and equipment requires a deep understanding of their condition, performance, and potential risks. Several OEMs and Operators share their vision to explore next-generation technology elements to maximize the efficiency of maintenance management and Asset Operations. This is where 3D visualization technology comes into play, offering a powerful tool that revolutionizes asset management practices. 

In this blog post, we will explore how the combined role of SAP asset management data, along with SAP EPD visualization solution unearths newer possibilities in asset maintenance and operations. 

3D Visual Asset Management: Application Scenarios

Scenario 1: Contextual Visualization:  

One of the key advantages of 3D visualization is its ability to provide a comprehensive and intuitive representation of complex assets. By creating accurate and detailed 3D models, 2D drawings and P&ID diagrams combined with enterprise asset management data will help to gain a deeper understanding of the functional aspects, physical characteristics, and spatial relationships of the equipment, systems, and components. Engineers could also simulate certain maintenance processes to have an enhanced understanding, that enables more informed decision-making as part of maintenance management. 

With this functionality in SAP Visual asset management, we see numerous application areas are totally addressable. Identifying systems and components interrelationships for maintenance, performing visual analysis of the entire plant for detailed Maintenance planning ( ex.STO), establish and share common maintenance process standards across plants are some of the potential applications. 

Scenario 2: Visual Analytics:  

The Enterprise asset management system has a vast amount of historical data, that could be analyzed and depicted visually along with 3D model representation. This scenario simplifies the complex analysis and creates a 3D visual interpretation that is easily understandable by all stakeholders. Some of the critical application includes depicting systems that are prone to failure based on reliability standards, identifying components that are most expensive, visually indicating environmental, Health, and Safety compliance needs in a plant, and visually identifying systems that have elevated risk and criticality scores. SAP EPD visualization leverages its integration with SAP Asset performance management to deliver real-time visual analytics. 

Scenario 3: Maintenance & Service Execution 

3D visual work instructions create an interactive and immersive experience for technicians. 3D visual data combined with enterprise data can provide step-by-step guidance for maintenance tasks. This scenario would enable the inspection checklist, task list, and compliance audit procedures to be visually represented. Based on guided animated instructions, Maintenance technicians can virtually disassemble and assemble equipment, learn the right maintenance methods, and simulate various maintenance scenarios, such as equipment failures without physically interacting with the actual machinery. 3D visualization can facilitate remote collaboration between technicians and experts. Technicians can share their virtual environment with experts who can guide them through complex maintenance tasks, provide real-time feedback, and offer support remotely. SAP Product Model Viewer is a new app that enables 3D visual work instructions and also Augmented Reality views. SAP Product Model viewer is integrated with SAP Service and Asset Manager.

Scenario 4: Asset Maintenance demand processing 

Effective communication and collaboration are crucial in asset management, especially when dealing with complex projects involving multiple stakeholders. One of the noteworthy features of SAP’s visual asset management solution is the data integration with Enterprise asset management. SAP visual asset management solution connects to the S/4HANA Asset management system and captures detailed information through info cards. It also facilitates the conversion of visual insight into real-time action through the creation of maintenance notifications. Also, it would help stakeholders to report and manage incidents that are essential for the Environment, Health, and Safety. 

In summary, SAP’s visual asset management solution helps to improve Communication and Collaboration across the asset management ecosystem. It enhances contextual understanding, planning, and execution of maintenance activities for both OEMs and plant operators. It improves efficiency, reduces costs, enhances safety, and enables better asset management.  

Here is the link to Visual Asset Management Spotlight Video which depicts key solution elements.

SAP’s visual asset management has a unique advantage in combining enterprise data with 3D visual data to address several scenarios in asset management. We will share more details on SAP’s visual Asset management capabilities in the upcoming blogs.