Cloud services provide ports an easy way for asset management while working remotely

Many of us have lately stumbled on the fact that the information and tools used in our work need to be found easily, no matter where we work. In the port industry the working environment can be anything from the home office to the truck’s cabin, and the logistic industry is buzzing 24/7. This is the reason why all the necessary asset information must be available anywhere and anytime.

The traditional way to store asset information contains sheets of papers in binders. In case the first steps of digitalization have been taken, the paper sheets are scanned to a digital format and saved to hard drives. Many have gotten to a point, where the information has been stored as digital formats, such as CAD files and point clouds, to a cloud-based file system. However, even in this case you need a special software to open these digital files.

In situations like this, getting a piece of information might take time and effort from multiple people. This means, lots of time and resources are lost in simply finding the needed information. Let’s see how a map-based cloud service could change this!

In cloud the information is available for everyone, anywhere and at any time

When you need certain information, the best option is to have it yesterday. If a ship is arriving to the port, and you have to figure out the loading capacity of a quay, there’s no time to waste. That is where a cloud platform is the answer. Make sure that you have all the asset data in the same place, so that you don’t need to go through multiple files and databases.

Being able to reach the information often requires compatible software. Specially in asset management, the variety of different data formats is vast, so the natural assumption is that you also need vast variety of software to open the data. GISGRO supports several 2D and 3D data formats, so you can access all the asset information simply via a web browser.

Asset information is needed in many functions of a port from maintenance to sales. If you need a technical drawing of a storage building or to confirm where the recycling bins are, everything is found easily by logging into a cloud service. You can be travelling to clients, working from home or at the office and still reach all the needed information quickly. This also means that the “telephone game” effect is cut down as everyone can check the information by themselves.

No need to install multiple difficult software

Sometimes the license of CAD program is for one computer only, so you might even need to be at the office to use it. One major benefit of a cloud platform is that you don’t have to install new software to your computer, because you can use the service via a web browser. Cloud services are also designed to be as easy to use as possible, so you don’t need special knowhow or training to use all the tools and features. This minimizes the time spent in learning to use the new software or chatting with a technical support, and you can have the benefits of the tools at the home office as well.

Could only one online platform really do the trick? We believe so. Not only the availability of the asset information, but the variety of analysis and operation tools included in the Utilizer license make sure that you can use the same platform for everything from asset inspections to maintenance management.

Visual platform makes finding the information easy

We may be used to traditional tree structured menus, but many of us forget to count the hours spent in searching the right information within them. Visual, map-based view connects the information to its actual location, so you just need to know on which asset, building or structure you need the information from. The complete picture of the assets is easily obtained in map or in 3D view. Diverse search options help you to fetch assets by certain criteria.

Visualization is also the key to clearer communication. If you are a technical manager working remotely, what would be better way to guide your team with planned maintenance than showing it in 3D? For example, Port of Uusikaupunki has found that the visual digital twin of the port in GISGRO easies the communication within the maintenance team. Read more about the example from the case story!

Why don’t you try this by yourself? Book a free 20-minute-demo with our specialist to see what kind of opportunities GISGRO has for you. Or read our blog about how how different port authorities use it in their asset management.