Accenture`s Top 10 Technology Trends in Energy

Accenture`s Top 10 Technology Trends in Energy

1. In next 20 –30 years, alternate sources of energy will come into play. O& G companies will face higher capital costs to transform oeprations to meet new energy mix causing corresponding shifts in the industry`s operating models and ongoing investments in new computing technologies

1. Accentures top ten, is based on its work and research and its work with its strategic Business partners, like Microsoft, Oracle, and key industry providers like Honeywel, Oslsoft etc.

1. [pic 1]

1. Currently capturing and archiving data is a pain, piece meal approach –siloed application is currently in place, and companies have unable to find data trapped in individual repositories or too much or unnecessary data available..Reducing the number of applications.  Benefits from such consolidation of apps is easier acces to more accurate info and enhanced collaboration. ( more emphasis on shared global resources in future)

1. Greater industry collaboration: Industry today collaborating more across their companies than in past. Collaboration comes in form of : simple web based workflows, for example, meter reading from field entered on a mobile App which is then automatically entered into centralized system. Implementation of electronic forms to standardize, automate data collection & processing, Today professionals more motivated to collaborate within their enterprise and also across the companies. For example – on operating principles and standards.

1. Better Business Intelligence: More emphasis on using BI, to learn from past and use it to make accurate forecast of future.  In past, individual business units would have their own database, and process owners. They would add more knobs to the functionality and make changes. For example - centralizing more sites and data sources to create Single reference for different types of data = such as shop floor, supply chain, finance, Health and Safety. (companies starting simple)

1. Rise of private cloud: in O&G standardization has gone the cloud way of computing-virtual hardware (servers) and softwares – outside the 4 walls of their organization. Rapidly increasing amounts of data and growing requirement for real-time access to that data, accelerating that shift. This helps them go green, free up internal resources. Exxon is building cloud based infrastructure service to land exploration workers wherever they are.

1. Rise of Public cloud: Public cloud extends a company`s data center capabilities by enabling the provision of IT services from 3rd party providers over a nework- like SAS(Softare as a service), and replacing legacy software. Many companies, also using it to deploy new software in support of business processes that previously were not very software driven. Savings come from – eliminating cost of hardware, software, maintenance and IT labor, along with benefits of replacing CAPEX with pay as u go utilitiy – this makes public cloud even more appealing. For example – Google offers its email service for $50/year per user, cost of running this internally can be $250/yr per user. Small web based functions (SAS) – HR, maintenance management, file exchange in CAPEX projects. Example – salesforce.com –SAS example –front office apps deployment.

1. More shared service organizations: individual companies have tough time getting resources and skills to support their IT operations full time. A SSO offers one to many model to help centralize operations, standardize computing, control costs and deliver more reliable service to all users. Example – internal SSO, partnered SSO, and outsourcing. E.g O&G companies converting IT support organization as stand alone business turning users into customers. Business managers act as interface between IT and business owners and responsibility for all IT delivery and support.  Moving to a fully Shared service org. means outsourcing. Example – Talisman outsourced its back office select finance and accounting processes to Accenture`s delivery center in Bangalore, india,

1.  Increased wireless networking: It adds business value by improving process quality, BI and regulatory compliance. Wireless sensors feed continuous data to BI specialists who analyze and report on the data back to internal and external stakeholders. For example – location based technology can now determine the whereabouts of employees while collecting the data on gas levls from multiple sources to raise alarm or alert nearby workers.  Marathon is using wireless enabled gas detection system that helps protect workers from hazardous environments, WIFI and location based solutions combinmed with gas detectors to monitor remotely incidents in location previouslty were not suited for wirelss networks.

1. Increased uses for Service Oriented Architecture: SOA has developed in O&G in last 3 years, It replaces the typical client server architecture with multiple levels of functionality that include foundational applications ERP, a web based services repository and a businesss process management system.  There are exceptions where SOA is not appropriate – example – real time communication from distributed control systems, SCADA (supervisory control and data acquisition) systems. Etc. it makes sense for business managers to design and alter a software driven business process without specialized software programming skills. SOA reduces cost and also makes business nimble.  Systems link business users` requests with the right applications and relevant functionality/systems, from which point web services for the rest.

1. More integrated operations:onshore+offshore – operational processing centers- standardized..deploy uniform platforms, systems, procedures, across the world in global delivery centers. CAPEX, OPEX reduction and accelerate production with 24x7 delivery.  Inc. data access, moving personnel away from potential unsafe locations, operating environments from field.

1. Better IT security for industrial control systems..DCS(digitatl control systems), SCADA are no longer isolated from outside networks..vulnerability increased. Older SCADA and DCS – systems are not secure lack lot of security features.

[pic 2]