Global SIRE 2.0 Tablet Rollout & 24/7 Service Desk

This case study demonstrates how Vohkus successfully navigated the complexities of global logistics, customs regulations, and technical support to enable OCIMF’s digital transformation of their inspection process, ultimately contributing to enhanced safety in the maritime industry.

CHALLENGES

• OCIMF needed to strengthen and modernise their Ship Inspection Report Programme (SIRE) to adapt to evolving industry risks and technological advances
• They required a partner to assist with selecting, imaging, locking down, and distributing intrinsically safe tablet devices to inspectors in over 50 countries globally.
• OCIMF needed to provide 24/7 support to inspectors for any device-related issues.
  
  

SOLUTIONS

• Vohkus was selected as the partner of choice due to their expertise, established relationship, and global capabilities.
• The iSafe IS930.1 tablet was chosen after a thorough evaluation process, including ergonomic assessment.
• Microsoft Intune was adopted to manage and secure the devices.
  
  

OUTCOMES

• Successful shipment of devices to over 460 individual inspectors across the globe.
• Maintained direct contact with individual inspectors throughout the entire logistical process.
• Successfully navigated local customs procedures and requirements for more than 50 different countries.

Customer background

Oil Companies International Marine Forum (OCIMF) is a voluntary association of Oil companies around the world, which have an interest in the shipment and terminalling of crude oil, oil products, petrochemicals and gas, and includes companies engaged in offshore marine operations supporting oil and gas exploration, development and production. The association was formed in April 1970 in response to

the growing public concern about marine pollution, particularly by oil. OCIMF has grown since then to become a leading authority on safety for the global marine industry, and today has member companies and consultancy status at the International Maritime Organization (IMO).

Customer problem statement

Launched in 1993, the OCIMF Ship Inspection Report Programme (SIRE) has governed over 180,000 inspection reports. As a result, SIRE has made a significant contribution to improving the overall safety record of the maritime industry. As the industry continues to evolve, its risk profile changes. More sophisticated risk measurement and management tools are now available. Against this background, it is now time to strengthen SIRE and ensure it remains truly effective in today’s and future maritime environment.

Working with the industry, OCIMF has developed an enhanced and risk-based vessel inspection programme that will supersede the existing SIRE programme. It will deliver increased reliability by strengthening vessel inspections and reducing the number of repeat inspections required. OCIMF need to be adaptable with a more rapid response to human factors, industry changes, regulatory framework updates and technology advances.

SIRE 2.0 has been developed to digitalise and transform the way inspections are conducted to provide more accurate information and enable OCIMF members and programme recipients to analyse data and assess the quality and future performance of a vessel.

Partner selection

In order to launch SIRE 2.0, OCIMF required a partner to assist with the selection of an intrinsically safe tablet device. These devices needed to be imaged, locked down and shipped to inspectors in over 50 countries across the globe. OCIMF also needed a partner to provide 24x7 support to inspectors in case of any issues with the devices.

As Subject Matter Experts in this field, OCIMF recognised Vohkus as the partner of choice for their solution for the following reasons:

• Building on an already established relationship
• Time to Market
• Strong Vendor partnerships
• Consultancy SMEs to provide design and implementation
• UK based configuration and distribution centre
• Global logistics capability with licences and in-region partners with a strong freight network
• Ability to ship to individual end users globally
• Ability to provide ongoing 24/7 service desk

Customer solution and approach

Procurement and Vendor selection:

• Vohkus worked closely with OCIMF through the evaluation of various tablet manufacturers, before settling on the iSafe IS930.1 as the device of choice.

Ergonomic Assessment

As well as technical selection and user-testing, the tablet was assessed by an ergonomist - a health professional specialising in how people and equipment interact.

A guide on proper use was created and shared with inspectors.

Solution Design

The proposed solution design centred around the adoption of Microsoft Intune to manage and secure the devices.

Proof of Concept (POC) and Testing

Vohkus ran a successful POC to validate the design and distribution model.

Execute Global Rollout

Using Vohkus’ in-house configuration department, devices were set up, quality tested, asset managed and packaged prior to distribution from the Vohkus warehouse. A bespoke shipping plan was defined and executed to successfully deliver to over 460 individual locations across the globe.

Managed Service Desk Onboarding

Vohkus successfully onboarded a 24x7 service desk to support inspectors across the globe, with a dedicated UK-based contact number and an IT service management (ITSM) instance featuring custom configurations. This also involved the creation of a configuration management database (CMDB), along with a customer-facing dashboard and a self-service portal for end users.

Additionally, we developed a detailed Service Operations Management manual, documenting the established processes for incident management, inventory management, and hardware support.

As a greenfield service, Vohkus developed comprehensive knowledge articles to support effective triaging of applications and OEM support, along with standard operating procedures (SOPs). These measures are designed to maximise First Contact Resolution and improve the Mean Time to Resolution (MTTR).

Project successes/outcomes

• Direct contact with individual inspectors was maintained through the entire logistical process.
• Navigation of local customs procedures and requirements for more than 50 different countries, ranging from China, to Argentina, to Morocco.
• Adapt to and provide solutions to import legislation changes throughout the project. For example, the introduction of a mandatory licence required for the import of laptops and other personal computer type devices in India.
• Vohkus’ flexibility and strong freight partner relationships allowed immediate reactions to additional requests from customs, meaning no tablet was abandoned or lost during transit.
• OCIMF inspectors are able to log calls at any time from any location globally and receive a prompt response from the Vohkus 24/7 Service Desk in Romania.
• Successfully executed shipment to over 460 individual inspectors across the globe.