In an increasingly buoyant oil and gas sector, many oilfield services companies are facing a series of challenges and opportunities arising from rapid evolution, from organic growth and acquisitions. Most oilfield services companies operate locally and globally, bringing an added dimension to their trading, with multiple currencies, languages, regional customs, time zones and legislation to deal with.
Software systems - today's challenges
As businesses grow and change shape, the need for control increases. Control invariably involves computer systems, as well as clear internal procedures and supporting administration. The old way of doing things can soon become a problem if the company does not adapt to the new structures and dynamics of its organisation. There is then a danger that administrative and computer systems will proliferate in an uncontrolled and inefficient manner, and an additional risk of widespread duplication of effort.
Getting meaningful information from the mass of uncoordinated data becomes an almost impossible task in anything like a useful timescale. Any confidence in the information that is found is often eroded because of the inability to reconcile data from different systems, itself a time-consuming exercise and all too familiar to beleaguered staff.
Furthermore, it becomes increasingly difficult to answer management requests for key information on asset utilisation by category, equipment history, revenues, equipment and personnel availability, project revenue and profitability forecasts.
A solution that supports growth
What is needed is a business system that can support the company's growth and ambitions, to replace the plethora of unrelated systems with a single integrated solution, encompassing all aspects of the company's business, bringing together the various departments and worldwide locations.
Integrated modules should include financials, rentals and sales, purchasing, equipment hire and tracking, personnel hire and advanced HR, project costing and equipment maintenance. In other words, a specialised oilfield services software product offering accurate, real-time information from all departments.
Benefits to be derived from such a system include:
- Better decision-making, improved communication and drill-downs to source data.
- Time-savings from the single entry of data into one integrated system with no need to reconcile figures.
- Improved efficiency through a lowering of costly data errors, a reduction in the use of spreadsheets and other peripheral systems, automation of routines and user-definable, configurable screens.
- Flexibility in terms of coping with unexpected demands from customers, re-configuring processes to suit changing business practices and ease of extension to accommodate new acquisitions.
Not only should the software solution be supportive of the company's strategies, so should the supplier. Investment is best in a system from a financially stable supplier and software author that offers a modern software platform with a clear development path.
A world-class ERP system from Sage
One such supplier is Sage Construction, part of Sage (UK) Limited, which offers ERP software based on Microsoft Dynamics™ NAV (formerly Navision). Research and development spend on Microsoft Business Solutions is $1.2 billion of its $1.4 billion turnover, an amazing commitment to the marketplace and an assurance that Sage's EVision oilfield services ERP software will be developed and supported well into the future, with the ability to grow with your business.
Sage Construction's software is specifically designed for use by businesses that provide equipment, personnel and associated services to the oil and gas industry. Taking advantage of Microsoft's worldwide coverage, Sage Construction offers the system for deployment in more than 100 countries, providing local legislation, language and multi-currency support.
Easy transfer of data from legacy systems and the familiar Microsoft screens allows easy and effective use within a short time period. Full compatibility with other Microsoft products (MS Excel, Word and Project) extends the system further. Sage Construction's project document management brings together all related information for your equipment, people and contracts.
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